18% of Adults Visited the ER in 2014

The CDC recently conducted a study on adult emergency room (ER) use in 2014. Here are some key findings from the report:

·         In 2014, 18% of adults visited the ER one or more times.

·         7% went to the ER because of a lack of access to other providers.

·         3 in 4 (77%) cite seriousness of the medical problem as the reason for the most recent ER visit.

·         12% say they went to the ER because their doctor's office was not open.

·         Adults with Medicaid had the highest prevalence of 2+ ER visits in the past 12 months (18.5%).

·         14.3% of privately insured adults visited the ER in 2014, while 35.2% of adults with Medicaid did.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 8, 2016