Patients have more options than ever when it comes to their non-routine medical needs. Hospital based emergency rooms, free standing ERs, and urgent cares are all options to consider when choosing an acute care provider. However, the available options are not interchangeable. Patients should take time now to educate themselves on the differences, which will save them time, headaches, and money later.
Free standing ERs are inundating our community, and while they serve as an alternative to the traditional hospital based ERs they also charge accordingly. When patients check in to a free standing ER, they will be billed as an ER. This will include a separate facility fee on top of fees for the doctor’s evaluation and any other services performed such as labs, x-rays, injections, etc.
Many patients mistakenly believe that these ERs operate like urgent care centers. The results of this mistaken belief are shockingly high bills from these free standing ERs. These misconceptions have become so widespread that both local and national media outlets have ran stories warning patients of the costs associated with free standing ERs.
For full story see The Wylie News at http://www.etypeservices.com/Wylie%20NewsID245/default.aspx
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