Are Your Employees Turning to the ER More Often Than Necessary?

As an employer, you might have noticed a concerning trend: employees heading to the emergency room (ER) for health issues that could easily be addressed through more convenient care options. You’re not alone—this is a common challenge many organizations face.

The Costly Misstep of ER Visits

Frequent ER visits not only strain healthcare resources but also lead to inflated costs for both employees and employers. Many individuals opt for the ER out of convenience, not realizing that alternatives like urgent care or telehealth could provide the same quality of care at a fraction of the price. For example, a visit to urgent care typically costs around $250, while an ER visit can set individuals back by $500 or more, especially for employees on high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).

Why Are Employees Choosing the ER?

There are several reasons employees may gravitate towards the ER:

• Lack of Awareness: Many employees may not know about available urgent care or telehealth options.
• Accessibility: Some may find it more convenient to go to the ER due to extended hours or perceived immediacy of care.
• Fear of Missing Serious Conditions: Employees may feel that only the ER can adequately address potential emergencies.

Real-Life Impact: Tessa’s Experience

Tessa, an Exemplar Direct Primary Care member through her employer, shared, “I’m so pleased with our Exemplar Care membership through Aplos. When my son needed stitches on a holiday weekend, we used the 24/7 urgent care included in our plan. The care was excellent, and we avoided a long ER wait and high copay. This service is a real lifesaver!” Her experience highlights how accessible urgent care can effectively meet urgent needs without the hassle and cost of the ER.

Strategies to Redirect Care

To help your employees make more informed choices about their healthcare, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Promote 24/7 Urgent Care and Telehealth

Make sure your employees are aware of the urgent care and telehealth services available to them. Highlight the convenience of these options in your internal communications. Emphasize that these services are designed to handle many common health concerns without the lengthy wait times associated with ER visits.

 2. Target Common ER Visits

Analyze your claims data to identify the most frequent reasons for ER visits. By focusing your promotional efforts on these common issues—like minor injuries, respiratory infections, or stomach pains—you can guide employees toward more appropriate care options. Educate them about when to use primary care, urgent care, or telehealth services, especially those offered through Direct Primary Care.

3. Enhance Integration with Health Plans

Partner with health plans, similar to Aplos, that integrate both direct care and technology for scheduling. This could include a streamlined app that allows employees to easily find and book appointments with urgent care facilities or telehealth providers, making it more convenient for them to seek care outside of the ER. Plans such as these, layer these services into the plan providing $0 cost to your employees.

The Bottom Line

By proactively addressing the issue of unnecessary ER visits, you not only help your employees save on healthcare costs but also enhance the overall effectiveness of your health plan. Empower your workforce with the information and resources they need to make better healthcare choices, just like Tessa did, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and reduced costs for everyone involved.

For more insights on optimizing your workplace health strategy, stay tuned to our blog!