Urgent care centers provide treatment for acute illness and injuries on a walk-in basis. Most centers are open extended hours to accommodate those who do not have a primary care physician, cannot get an appointment with their primary care physician or need to be seen when their primary care physician’s office is closed.
Urgent care centers also serve as an alternative to the Emergency Room. According to a recent CDC study, 80% of emergency room visits were ambulatory and 40% of visits were "non-urgent" or "semi-urgent." The report stated that most of these visits would likely have been more appropriately evaluated in an urgent care center. Urgent care center wait times are typically one-third of an emergency room’s wait time and the cost averages one-third of an ER visit.
Because urgent care centers work as a compliment to primary care physician offices and not as competition, communication between the two is vital. Every Colorado Urgent Care Association member makes it a priority to send notes to each patient’s primary care physician immediately following the patient’s visit.
Many patients who are seen at an urgent care center do not have a primary care physician. If the urgent care physician treating the patient decides the patient needs to be seen for follow up care, they provide the patient with referrals to primary care physicians in the area. Over the past year, Colorado Urgent Care Association members have collectively referred approximately 30,000 new patients to primary care offices for primary care and follow up treatment.
CUCA member clinics strive to provide high-quality, low-cost, efficient alternatives to unnecessary emergency room and hospital visits. At CUCA locations, you’ll find board certified physicians and doctors, board certified limited scope radiology technicians, and certified medical assistants, along with on-site lab, x-ray, and IV capabilities.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Aimee Carlson
303-695-1338 x 251
acarlson@rm-uc.com
Difficult Economic Times are Causing Patients to Delay Medical Care Resulting in Higher Health Care Costs
DENVER, January 28 – The Colorado Urgent Care Association’s members are reporting that patients are delaying seeking medical care due to the sluggish economy. Not seeking treatment for their condition is frequently causing their condition to worsen. With more of the population losing their jobs r health care benefits, patients who would otherwise have seen a physician for an acute illness are now trying to wait it out, sometimes to the detriment of their health.
Dr. Nathan Moore, President of the Colorado Urgent Care Association states, “Patients with a minor condition such as a sore throat have had symptoms turn into a more serious condition that could lead to serious complications if left untreated. Sore throats can be caused by the familiar Strep bacteria. Many people are unaware that untreated strep throat can lead to complications such as kidney disease and rheumatic heart disease. A patient could also develop a peri-tonsilar abscess in the throat which could require drainage and i.v. antibiotics, greatly increasing the cost of care.”
Dr. Dale Kliner, with Rocky Mountain Urgent Care, indicates that patients seen this winter have tried to wait out their illness, sometimes having disastrous consequences. “Patients with ordinary bladder infections that are left untreated are at a higher risk for kidney infections and we’ve seen more of those. Another example is more patients are being diagnosed with pneumonia after suffering minor conditions such as a cough, indicating that some patients are waiting to seek treatment, when their best interest is to act immediately. Patients must be diligent with their health, and take precautions when conditions are not improving.”
Dr. Susan Sipay with Urgent Care of Colorado located in Littleton states, “It is difficult to make a complete list of signs and symptoms that would automatically indicate to the patient that they need to seen by a physician. There are symptoms for which we strongly encourage patients to be seen as soon as possible. These symptoms include persistent fever longer than 5 days, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, dizziness and other signs of dehydration. Our list of concerning symptoms is seemingly endless and must be considered on a case by case basis. Patients with suspected influenza infections should be seen within 48 hours from the onset of the symptoms in order to get the proper medication. Otherwise patients with influenza could become much sicker and be out of work for a week if symptoms are untreated. The best thing to do for someone who is sick and concerned is to contact their primary care doctor and get advice.”
Chris Rehm, Executive Director of AfterOurs Urgent Care Centers in Denver, indicates that his clinics are seeing the severity of patient visits increase due to the result of untreated symptoms, resulting in higher costs to the patient. “Over the past several months we have seen higher severity illnesses due to patients delaying care. This often leads to higher charges to the patient.”
The problems are going to get worse before they get better. According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s website, the unemployment rate for Colorado was 5.7% in November 2008, up from 3.9% a year prior. Over 155,000 people in Colorado were unemployed in November 2008. According to the Colorado Business Economic Outlook 2009, published by the Business Research Division, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder, the unemployment rate for Colorado for 2009 is projected to increase to 6.4%.
Further, fewer employers are offering health insurance benefits (63% of employers, nationally, in 2008 vs. 69% of employers in 2000). The average annual family premium for health insurance is 27% higher than it was in 2004. Over 17% of the population in Colorado is uninsured.
Urgent care centers can help to alleviate the cost burden of medical care. According to Fallon Community Health Plan in Massachusetts (October 2007) a typical emergency room visit of minor severity cost was $258 which excludes facility fees that can run into the thousands of dollars. Urgent care visit costs were $153. A typical visit to a primary care doctor where a patient has established care cost was $84, just to see the provider. Dr. Moore states, “Even though all of these costs are expensive, the price to pay for waiting and developing complications is going to be even higher.”
In an era where the financial responsibility of patients continues to grow, The Colorado Urgent Care Association urges everyone to consider the most cost effective place of service when it comes to non emergent illnesses.
For more information about the Colorado Urgent Care Association, please visit their website at HYPERLINK "http://www.ColoradoUCA.com"www.ColoradoUCA.com
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The Colorado Urgent Care Association is comprised of 12 Denver and surrounding area urgent care locations open daily as early as 7AM and as late as 12AM. The Association promotes the interests of independently-owned urgent care centers in the State of Colorado and seeks to improve the business conditions of these centers. It provides member services that promote the highest standards of care for the public and inspires members in the pursuit of professional excellence and personal fulfillment through education, leadership and communication.
To Join CUCA
Contact Aubrey Harris at AHarris@rm-uc.com
