Many people use the emergency room as a place to receive after-hours care for minor illnesses or injuries without realizing they have another option for far less cost. For MedBen clients in 2020, 23% of ER visits were potentially avoidable.
The table below lists medical conditions that merit a trip to the ER compared to those commonly treated in an urgent care facility. On average, a visit to an urgent care facility or family doctor (in-person or telemedicine) cost $1,117 less than going to the ER in 2020.
It’s always best to visit your family doctor for non-emergency care… but if that’s not an option, urgent care is the way to go.
You can generate an Avoidable ER Visit report for your plan from the MedBen Analytics online portal. Simply click on “Reports,” search for and select “Avoidable ER Visits Savings,” and press the “Run” button. If you need assistance, contact Marketing Analyst Morgan Hardy at mhardy@medben.com.