Trends in Visits to Acute Care Venues for Treatment of Low-Acuity Conditions in the United States From 2008 to 2015

JAMA Network September 4, 2018
Sabrina J. Poon, MD; Jeremiah D. Schuur, MD, MHS1; Ateev Mehrotra, MD, MPH

Question How have patterns of care for low-acuity patients with acute conditions changed over time among a commercially insured population?

Findings In this cohort study of data from a large commercial health plan from 2008 to 2015, emergency department visits per enrollee for the treatment of low-acuity conditions decreased by 36%, whereas utilization of non–emergency department acute care venues increased by 140%. There was a net increase in overall utilization of acute care venues for the treatment of low-acuity conditions and in associated spending.

Meaning Between 2008 and 2015, there were substantial shifts at which venue Americans received acute care for low-acuity conditions.

Importance Over the past 2 decades, a variety of...

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