Health Affairs February 4, 2020
Allyson Y. Schwartz and Gaurov Dayal

Here’s a startling fact: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that Americans made a record-setting 145.6 million visits to hospital emergency rooms in 2016 alone, the most recent year for which this data is available. What’s more, over six million of these visits were classified as “non-urgent”.

We all want access to high-quality emergency care when we need it. Afterall, for acute health concerns, the ER frequently is the most appropriate option. Yet, with ER visits climbing faster than the overall population; with more and more ER visits not being for emergencies; and with visits to the ER – a costly care setting – adding to mounting national health expenditures, policymakers are right to consider better ways to...

Today's Sponsors

LEK
ZeOmega

Today's Sponsor

LEK

Continue Reading

 
Topics: CMS, Govt Agencies, Insurance, Medicare Advantage, Patient / Consumer, Payer, Provider
Related Articles:
Medicare Advantage insurers ranked by prior authorization denial rates | 2023
Trade group urges pause on sweeping Medicare Advantage proposed rule
Medicare Advantage in the headlines: 7 recent updates - 7
Where prior authorization stands in 2025
What can hospitals do about Medicare Advantage tensions?

Share This Article