The Hybrid Healthcare Model That’s Saving Americans Both Time And Money
It’s easy to panic in an emergency. Not only is your health on the line, you have the terrible thought as to the medical bills just waiting for once you’re out. How can you somehow find a happy balance between receiving quality care while not putting yourself out of pocket? Emergency healthcare services need to be better understood to benefit you fully, from differentiating between your resources to double-checking additional details such as 24 hour models. For individuals, couples and families alike, the guide below will make sure you’re never left stranded when you need help the most.
What does the American healthcare landscape look like? A glance at the news and you can feel like you’re lost at sea. Company healthcare, small business insurance and pediatric care are a flurry of details in your already busy life and can seem impossible to get a grasp on. Knowledge is power, however, and brushing up on the basics can save you a world of stress during a sudden accident. Emergency rooms, urgent care clinics and hybrid models all serve different purposes.
An emergency room can come in different forms. Some are 24 hour emergency clinics, while others have opening and closing times you need to be aware of. At their most basic, emergency healthcare services are designed to get you immediate help during a life-threatening situation. These can include, but are not limited to, blunt force trauma, allergic reactions, severe abdominal pain, puncture wounds and broken bones. Effective treatment is at its best when you choose the right resource at the right time.
What about urgent care clinics? It’s common to be less familiar with this field due to its inherent ambiguity as an in-between option. As of now there are 20,000 physicians who practice the specific field of urgent care medicine. Over time the importance of this specialty has grown in awareness and more Americans are becoming privy to its convenience in day-to-day life. Unlike the emergency room, an urgent care clinic can address minor to moderate issues like ankle sprains, migraines and urinary tract infections. When you don’t know the difference, however, you can end up losing money.
Did you know that the average patient reimbursement for an urgent care clinic was $100? When you compare this to emergency rooms, where that number can exceed $300, it stands to reason to choose the right resource if you want to save money. Nearly 65% of all emergency room visits could have actually been addressed at an urgent care center. Around 60% of urgent care centers also have a wait time of less than 15 minutes to get you in and out the door with the care you need. Although nearly all urgent care centers operate seven days per week, double-check your local clinics for their own unique hours.
There are hybrid models available that combine both emergency healthcare services and day-to-day urgent care services in one handy package. From headaches to extreme burns, these are convenient locations that can significantly reduce your stress. Advanced diagnostic and laboratory services are also available in some areas. Like always, checking the locations around you will ensure you’re not far from effective treatment when needed. Grab your to-do list and put down, “Are there 24 hour emergency clinics near me?” to keep yourself ready for anything that comes your way.