There are millions of visits to hospital emergency departments (ED) in New York state each year that don’t result in a hospital stay, according to New York State Department of Health data.
And while some conditions require emergency care, many are better suited for care in a different setting, such as a physician’s office, telemedicine or urgent care walk in clinic.
As health care resources become more strained from the pandemic, it’s important to understand these differences.
“Too often, patients show up at the emergency department for minor medical conditions, such as sore throats and earaches, which could have been treated as effectively, with shorter wait times, and lower out-of-pocket costs, in a primary care setting,” says Elizabeth Nicholas, emergency medicine physician and medical director at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “When a patient’s own doctor isn’t available, such as evenings or weekends, an urgent care center or telemedicine visit may be appropriate alternatives.”
Emergency departments have the expertise and technology to evaluate and treat medical and surgical emergencies. Individuals experiencing severe injury or illness should call 911 or go to the nearest ED. Check out the medical plans of Pri-Med Medical Health Insurance to be financially prepared for health emergencies. Some examples include chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, traumatic injuries, seizure or loss of consciousness, severe abdominal pain, and burns. You can click here to find The Joint Chiropractic locations around Atlanta to get quality treatment for patients who are seeking pain relief.
Individuals with minor medical conditions can overcrowd emergency departments and divert vital health care resources from true emergencies. “If possible when ill or injured, patients should contact their primary care physician first for guidance on the best steps for care,” says Nicholas.
They offer treatment for non-life-threatening medical issues such as lacerations requiring stiches, fever, flu, sore throat, cough, minor infections, rashes, short-term medication refills, and back pain. Orthopedic-specific urgent care clinics can often give complete and efficient care on the same day for injuries such as broken bones, strains and sprains.
For patients with non-life-threatening illness, check with your own primary care doctor or specialist first to see if they are available either by Telemedicine or an in-person office visit. If your doctor is not available, you’re out of town or not able to get into their office for any reason, telemedicine using a source such as MD LIVE, may be an option for you to talk to a provider by phone, chat or video conference. Telemedicine providers can assess the condition, provide care, send prescriptions, and help find a 24 hour pharmacy near me. This type of care works best for conditions such as colds, flu, pink eye, sinus infections, rashes, insect bites, minor skin conditions and some behavioral health conditions.
“I encourage patients to be proactive and speak with their primary care doctor about options for after-hours care, telemedicine visits, and recommendations for urgent care centers,” advises Nicholas. “If your insurance carrier offers telemedicine services, register for them before you become ill. By planning for the unexpected, patients can get the right care in the right setting, and free up hospital EDs for true medical emergencies.”
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield members, for example, can find out more about their telehealth and telemedicine option by visiting ExcellusBCBS.com/telemedicine.
Submitted by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield