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Uninsured drive up costs using ERs
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The Raleigh News-Observer reported on the high cost of ER visits by the uninsured. (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/health_science/story/170754.html)
"Emergency rooms have become the U.S. health care system's safety net, where anyone can go for treatment and no one can be turned away because they can't pay in advance.
"But experts say using emergency care in place of checkups and doctor visits is the most expensive way to deal with chronic illness. Many of the 119.2 million emergency visits racked up in 2006 were for problems that could have been prevented through regular primary care. More than 17 percent of those visits - nearly 21 million - were made by patients who had no insurance, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
"The average emergency room bill is about $1,300; much more if the patient is admitted. A visit to a doctor's office starts around $75.
"But hospitals are required to take patients who have no insurance and no ability to pay; they bill later and hope to collect. Doctors' offices require proof of insurance or payment at the time of service.
"When patients repeatedly ignore health problems until they have an emergency, their overall health suffers and everyone's costs increase, including those of insured patients who help absorb the hospital costs of those who can't pay."
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