Freestanding ERs and urgent care centers having identity crisis

Distinction may be costing patients money


Freestanding emergency centers are getting complaints about large, hidden costs for the treatment of problems ranging from minor injuries to colds, according to an article on the D CEO website.

Independently owned urgent care or freestanding emergency centers in general are able to “bait and switch consumers,” one patient alleged. “People are coming in for urgent care—it’s not our goal to go to the ER. 

“The transparency of what is and what isn’t considered an ‘emergent’ service determines the price point. There should be a list of services that is distinctly offered, so people are aware. But that list doesn’t exist.”

With a highly profitable business model, freestanding ERs are proliferating in Texas, according to the article.

Read the article. 

 



July 11, 2017


Topic Area: Industry News


Recent Posts

What 'Light' Daily Cleaning of Patient Rooms Misses

Most environmental services workers still clean as if they were wiping dust off a countertop, not disrupting a living, structured community.


Sprinkler Compliance: Navigating Code Mandates, Renovation Triggers and Patient Safety

As CMS deadlines approach and renovation projects accelerate, healthcare facility managers must understand how NFPA 101, state fire codes and sprinkler design strategies intersect.


MUSC Board of Trustees Approves $1.1B South Carolina Cancer Hospital

Research and education are intentionally embedded in the hospital’s design, with dedicated spaces for scientific collaboration, clinical investigation and training.


Study Outlines Hand Hygiene Guidelines for EVS Staff

Researchers find that current guidelines for hand hygiene don’t include EVS workers and suggest indicators to fill that gap.


McCarthy Completes $65M Sharp Rees-Stealy Kearny Mesa MOB Modernization

The completed tenant improvement includes approximately 100,000 square feet of improved space across two buildings and represents an investment of $65 million.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.