Fewer Emergency Rooms Available as Need Rises

According to the article, "Fewer Emergency Rooms Available as Need Rises" published in the New York Times, many hospital emergency rooms are closing even though emergency room visits are increasing.

Some reasons for Emergency Rooms closing were a result of the following:

• They served large numbers of the poor
• Were commercially operated hospitals
• Were at hospitals with "skimpy profit margins"
• Operated in competitive markets

Closing other emergency rooms have an impact on the emergency rooms that are open as well. The following could effect the patient in a negative way:

• Take longer to get to another hospital
• There may not be enough beds
• Long waits to be admitted

To view the full article, please click the following link: Fewer Emergency Rooms Available as Need Rises

For additional billing and coding resources, please click the following link: Medical Reimbursement Billing and Coding Resources Page