How to Stay Out of the ER

The high cost of emergency room medical care causes pain in the wallet for everyone — consumers, employers, hospitals, insurers, and city and county administrators.

ER doctors and technology save lives. But some people use the ER simply because it’s convenient, or they don’t want to make a doctor’s appointment. They may use the ER because what they thought was an emergency turns out not to be. In all of these cases, the cost of health care goes up and care for people with true emergencies is delayed.

Reining in health care costs is everyone’s and every institution’s responsibility.

What's an emergency?

Know what is considered an emergency. If a person has trouble breathing, severe pain, trauma from a car accident, loses consciousness, appears to be having a stroke or heart attack, or has other critical symptoms, don’t hesitate to go to the ER, the American College of Emergency Physicians says. Learning the signs of serious illnesses and trusting your instincts are important.

But if you have the flu or another minor illness, see your doctor or talk with a pharmacist to see if there are over-the-counter medications you can take.

If you’re not sure an emergency exists, call the ER, your doctor, or your health plan’s advice line first.

Most Americans who go to an ER don’t need urgent care, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. ER treatment costs six to 15 times more than a doctor visit.

What else is available?

Look into other treatment options. A 24-hour urgent care center can help you avoid an expensive trip to the ER for treatment of fevers, broken bones, ear infections, and the flu.

How do you follow-up?

Make sure you know how to properly file for ER visits. For example, some health plans require you to tell them within 24 hours of being admitted.

What can you do?

Take good care of yourself. Stay healthy by eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking. These steps are the best ways to avoid the need for emergency medical care.