Emergency room visits rose to an all-time high of 145.6 million in 2016, according to a new survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the percentage of ER patients who needed regular care fell from 5.5% in 2015 to 4.3% in 2016 – a decrease that may indicate more people with non-emergencies are seeking remedies from their family doctor or less-pricey urgent care facilities first.
ER benefits can be tricky, as no health plan wants to discourage individuals from visiting an ER when the need is vital. But the relative convenience of the ER results in visits from patients who could be better served by a primary care physician, ultimately costing the client much more for the same care. MedBen helps clients strike the proper benefits balance.
As with all aspects of plan design, MedBen works with clients to help them offer ER and urgent care benefits that properly address employee population needs. Demographics, geography and claim history all factor into the plan design process, and MedBen is experienced in considering all these elements.
Learn more about MedBen’s strategic approach to plan design by contacting Vice President of Sales & Marketing Brian Fargus at 888-627-8683 or bfargus@medben.com.