Emergency Department Use and Subsequent Hospitalizations Among Members of a High-Deductible Health Plan

Abstract

Patients evaluated at emergency departments often present with nonemergency conditions, an expensive practice that contributes to overcrowding and decreased continuity of care.^1-8 Evidence suggests that emergency department overcrowding is associated with adverse clinical outcomes,^9-12 and proposed solutions have ranged from streamlining inpatient admissions to expanding primary care and insurance coverage.^6-8,10 Others regard overutilization as symptomatic of inadequate consumer engagement in medical decision making, suggesting that patients will reduce use of discretionary services if they share a greater proportion of health care costs.^13-15