“It’s a reasonable solution for people with minor conditions that can’t wait for primary care providers,” said Vivan Ho, Chair in Health Economics, of the boom in urgent care centers. “When you need constant management of a chronic illness, you should not go there.”
Beyond wait time, the main difference between urgent care and the ER is proven revenue-driven strategies. “We live in a fee-for-service world, so the more patients you see, the more money you make,” explained Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics.
Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics, was interviewed about her latest study comparing prices at three Houston-area hospitals: Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Houston Methodist and Memorial Hermann. She found that mean hospital prices were highest at Methodist and lowest at St. Luke's for both BCBSTX and UnitedHealthcare PPO coverage.
While health care costs will drop under the new spending bill, "we don’t know by how much" and who will see the savings, Vivian Ho, the James A. Baker III Institute Chair in Health Economics, said. "It depends on which drugs are included" in price negotiations.