OPINION : Excessive use of Emergency Rooms (ER) in Washington State is widespread. According to the Washington State Hospital Association 11% of all ER visits are avoidable. It's such a problem that our legislature is advising a reduction in the number of preventable ER visits by June 15, 2012. The average charge of an ER visit is $5,353. An avoidable ER visit averages $1,600. My relative, Jane, was admited to Overlake Hospital ER by an Overlake Urgent Care Physician's Assistent. But, her charge was $7605 and probably avoidable (She had constipation). Many would call this abusive. In fact, an agency is looking into it.
For those of you who have a similar unfortunate experience in an ER your insurance company should be able to help. Most can direct you to the Fraud and Abuse hot-line. Excessive charges and procedures are considered "abuse" and should be reported. Overlake Hospital offers the services of a "patient advocate," however don't be mislead - they advocate for the hospital first.
Insurance companies are your friend. They want to keep their costs down while servicing their clients. Our insurance rep from Regence arranged a conference call with Overlake to find out why Jane was charged weeks ago without any notification to the carrier. The agent assured me Jane would get a good rate on insurance and we did. Appealling the insurance company wasn't necessary. They certainly did their job.
The Washington State Hospital Association reported on 2/11, "One in nine ER visits are avoidable. Potentially avoidable ER visits can be appropriately treated in another setting at the time the ER visit occurred."
Evergreen Hospital appears to have really caught on to this concept. I've found pamphlets in their medical hallways to educate patients on how to choose the best place to go for health care. In addition, Evergreen's Redmond & Woodinville primary care and urgent cares are in the same buildings to facilitate appropriate treatment in a setting other than an ER.
Unfortunately, Overlake Redmond Urgent Care didn't have a clinical laboratory or contrast Cat Scan, so they sent Jane to the ER for these tests. Evergreen's Redmond clinics have a lab and imaging department so you don't have to be admitted to an ER. Same with Virginia Mason - Kirkland. Read More >>
For those of you who have a similar unfortunate experience in an ER your insurance company should be able to help. Most can direct you to the Fraud and Abuse hot-line. Excessive charges and procedures are considered "abuse" and should be reported. Overlake Hospital offers the services of a "patient advocate," however don't be mislead - they advocate for the hospital first.
Insurance companies are your friend. They want to keep their costs down while servicing their clients. Our insurance rep from Regence arranged a conference call with Overlake to find out why Jane was charged weeks ago without any notification to the carrier. The agent assured me Jane would get a good rate on insurance and we did. Appealling the insurance company wasn't necessary. They certainly did their job.
The Washington State Hospital Association reported on 2/11, "One in nine ER visits are avoidable. Potentially avoidable ER visits can be appropriately treated in another setting at the time the ER visit occurred."
Evergreen Hospital appears to have really caught on to this concept. I've found pamphlets in their medical hallways to educate patients on how to choose the best place to go for health care. In addition, Evergreen's Redmond & Woodinville primary care and urgent cares are in the same buildings to facilitate appropriate treatment in a setting other than an ER.
Unfortunately, Overlake Redmond Urgent Care didn't have a clinical laboratory or contrast Cat Scan, so they sent Jane to the ER for these tests. Evergreen's Redmond clinics have a lab and imaging department so you don't have to be admitted to an ER. Same with Virginia Mason - Kirkland. Read More >>