24/7 options for avoiding the emergency room - and saving money

It’s not just the uninsured using the emergency room for non-urgent health care. An estimated 71 percent of emergency room visits made by patients with employer-sponsored or commercial health insurance coverage are for causes that do not require immediate attention or are preventable with outpatient care, according to Truven Health Analytics.

Visiting the ER for care that could be provided in an urgent care or other setting can mean big costs for consumers and the health system. Based on an analysis conducted by UnitedHealthcare, Bradenton consumers can pay up to 250 percent more by going to an ER instead of an urgent care facility. Many consumers are not aware that urgent care facilities are generally open 24/7 and provide many of the same services as an ER, all at a fraction of the cost. The following breakdown of costs demonstrates the potential savings for Bradenton-area residents by selecting more affordable care settings:

Office Visit (low complexity)

Urgent Care - $62

Primary Care Physician’s Office - $20

Emergency Room - $276

Office Visit (medium complexity)

Urgent Care - $62

Primary Care Physician’s Office - $62

Emergency Room - $918

Office Visit (high complexity)

Urgent Care - $62

Primary Care Physician’s Office - $132

Emergency Room - $2,888

It is important to note that consumers should always go to the ER if it is a true emergency, regardless of their health coverage or the hospital’s network status.