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Key points
- Patients often mistake freestanding ERs for urgent care clinics due to marketing strategies, leading to higher medical bills.
- Freestanding ERs were initially created for easy access to emergency care, particularly in rural areas.
- Despite attempts at patient education, many still don't understand the cost implications of choosing a freestanding ER over an urgent care facility.
- Solv offers a solution by providing transparency in healthcare costs and insurance coverage before booking an appointment.
- The article introduces Solv, a platform that provides transparency in healthcare by allowing users to check insurance eligibility and review expected costs before booking an appointment, thereby reducing unexpected costs and surprises.
Feel better faster. Get care today.
NBC News recently did an eye-opening report on the main differences between freestanding Emergency Rooms and urgent care clinics. The differences are vague, not always easy to sniff out, and cause a lot of consumer confusion. Specifically, the report points out that due to deliberate marketing and advertising campaigns, patients often mistake freestanding ERs for urgent clinics. This mistake can end up costing individuals up to 10x more when they receive their medical bill.
What's the Problem with Freestanding ERs?
The confusion and unfamiliarity surrounding freestanding ERs is not surprising. They were conceived in the 70s to create easy access for unexpected emergencies, especially in rural areas where healthcare is difficult to find. More recently, however, the number of freestanding ERs in the U.S has skyrocketed.
Many consumers assume that since they’re receiving fast, convenient care from a freestanding ER in their local strip mall, their bill will be comparable to the prices of neighboring small businesses. But as NBC and others have reported, looks can be deceiving. Bills can be 10x the cost for the same procedure at an urgent care facility.
Many freestanding ERs try to educate patients on their services and costs, but in a desperate time of need, a patient’s options can feel limited. When it comes to care, patients often don’t know where to go or the right questions to ask.
What's the Solution?
One thing that we quickly learned since launching Solv late last year is the value of transparency to our users. Not just in the form of answering the questions of “where should I go?” and “how long will I wait?”, but also: “how much is this going to cost me?”
Our insurance scan feature and up-front cash prices has remained the most important features to our users. Prior to booking an appointment, you can instantly check insurance eligibility by snapping and uploading a photo of your insurance card. If you’re paying out-of-pocket, you can review expected cash prices sourced directly from that clinic to minimize surprises during your visit and upon bill receipt.
Snap a photo of your insurance card, and Solv will make sure you’re covered for your visit.
We know the fear that strikes when an unexpected illness arises. Most patients only think about the fastest road to recovery, not the cost — with Solv, now they can do both.
FAQs
Why do patients often confuse freestanding ERs with urgent care clinics?
This confusion is largely due to marketing and advertising campaigns that don't clearly differentiate the two.
How much more can a freestanding ER visit cost compared to an urgent care visit?
A visit to a freestanding ER can cost up to 10 times more than a visit to an urgent care clinic.
What was the original purpose of freestanding ERs?
Freestanding ERs were created in the 70s to provide easy access to emergency care, especially in rural areas where healthcare is scarce.
How does Solv help patients understand healthcare costs?
Solv provides transparency in healthcare costs and insurance coverage before booking an appointment, helping patients avoid unexpected bills.
Do all freestanding ERs educate patients about their services and costs?
While many try to do so, in times of emergency, patients often feel their options are limited and may not fully understand the cost implications.
How does Solv help patients navigate healthcare costs?
Solv offers features like an insurance scan and up-front cash prices. Before booking an appointment, patients can check their insurance eligibility by uploading a photo of their insurance card. If they are paying out-of-pocket, they can review expected cash prices sourced directly from the clinic.
What is Solv's approach to healthcare transparency?
Solv believes in the value of transparency, not just in terms of where to go and how long the wait will be, but also in terms of cost. They aim to minimize surprises during the visit and upon receipt of the bill.
How does Solv help patients who are paying out-of-pocket?
For patients paying out-of-pocket, Solv allows them to review expected cash prices sourced directly from the clinic before booking an appointment. This helps to minimize surprises during the visit and upon receipt of the bill.
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How we reviewed this article
Medically reviewed
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