Why are ER costs so high?

Discount Health Care Plan for ER Visits: Help with High Costs

Everyone knows a trip to the emergency room is more costly than a visit to a physician's office, which sends people clamoring for help from insurance discount health care plans. In emergency situations the cost difference is clear. However, why is a non-urgent trip to the ER still so much more expensive?

Bills from emergency room visits often include services beyond just physician care. ERs are known for having advanced diagnostic testing equipment and access to medical specialists. Also, since the ER never closes, there are extra "standby" costs to consider.

Of course, even with a discount health care plan, the costs of an ER visit are related to the severity of the illness or injury. If extensive diagnostic testing is necessary the bill will be higher. The major categories on emergency department bills include professional services (physician and radiologist), facility, pharmacy, supply, ancillary (laboratory, radiology), and miscellaneous. The fee for an emergency physician's services on a medical bill is about one-third of the total charges*.

*Source: American College of Emergency Physicians, 2007