This thread wasnt about a hospital's revenue stream. Its why ERs/EDs/ECs are structured the way the way they are.
I do not have any experience in the Colorado markets other than know that some Texas companies are expanding into it.Stagecoach said:
I'm told by some experts that the Texas/Colorado markets are a disaster and that other states have and will continue to avoid that model.
The Wonderer, what is your background on this subject?
Seven Costanza said:
In 2009,Texas became the first state to allow free-standing ERs.
They offer nice, clean, efficient facilities that can take care of your problem with little wait time 24/7.
They charge "ER prices". Many patients don't understand the difference between an ER and an urgent care facility, so they are surprised to see that the fever they went in for winds up costing them $1500 when they get a bill a few weeks later.
aggiesq said:
out of curiosity, who will be the person to tell the incoming customer "you dont need us, go to an urgent care place down the road"?
Consolidation and closures of FSED are happening b/c the old days of just open and they will come doesn't work anymore in our current environment. This is why First choice is pushing towards bankruptcy.texrover91 said:
This hit my inbox last week and reminded me of this thread; I know folks with both imaging and urgent care (not ER clinics) and from what I've seen, I think urgent care is the better investment but it depends on location.
I do think urgent care can improve on quality of care overall though
Topic is Consolidation in free-standing ER's:
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2017/02/14/boom-in-dallas-freestanding-emergency-rooms.html?ana=e_mc_prem&s=scroll&ed=2017-02-15&u=DxUSE8CmZJVJzRiMqzSTFw0884198d&t=1487603675&j=77391831
Way back when we were still in BCS, wife had her appendix removed. Involved a night visit to the ER at the in network hospital after a call to the phone nurse.Duncan Idaho said:malenurse said:
New developement
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/01/18/i-team-first-ever-lawsuit-filed-against-freestanding-ers/
The fact that these are two different questions is complete bull*****Quote:
1. Is your facility in my network?
2. Are all of your doctors in my network?
I can't imagine any other service where I have to ask if everyone one affiliated with the delivery is actually an employee or an independent contractor that would bill me separately.
The only people that don't think the medical billing system is complete bull****, are the people that haven't gone through it.
The Wonderer said:
FSEDs will have xray, CT, and sono on site per state regs.
texrover91 said:
Good insight Med - what type of imaging equipment do y'all have onsite? Looking at an imaging related investment at the moment and curious
jac4 said:The Wonderer said:
FSEDs will have xray, CT, and sono on site per state regs.
Do FSEDs typically purchase or lease the imaging equipment?
The ones in our area are glorified urgent care centers that charge like an ER. Worst of both worlds.The Wonderer said:The only real difference between FSEDs and those attached to acute care hospitals is that FSEDs cannot accept Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare payments for services.Good Bull Jones 17 said:
Not sure if this is happening all over the country, but I've noticed in Houston, San Antonio, and College Station, in the nice parts of town especially, these "corner ER's" that are not attached to a full hospital or a strip center are popping up everywhere.
They are freestanding ERs and have been around since ~2010.
What's going on the business end of these?
They are identical to the ER you'd find attached to a hospital with onsite imaging, labs, and an ER or family medicine trained physician.
Are they just huge cash flow centers?
Depends on the volume and operations. Obviously, those seeing 30+ patients per day ("PPD") make a lot more than those that see 5 PPD.
Do they charge more for their services since they're convenient, or because they can?
Both.