Private insurance represented the biggest payer for emergency department visits in 2006; however, by 2014, Medicaid jumped into first, according to recent federal data.
That's because ED visits covered by private insurance fell 10.1 percent in that period. This trend is highlighted in an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-sponsored statistical brief on ED trends.
Here are four things to know about ED payer mix, according to the data.
1. The number of ED visits paid by Medicaid increased 66.4 percent between 2006 and 2014.
2. In terms of visits, U.S. healthcare facilities saw 26.5 million Medicaid ED visits in 2006, compared to 44.1 million in 2014.
3. At the same time, the number of ED visits paid for by Medicare grew 28.5 percent, from 24.3 million to 31.2 million visits.
4. However, ED visits paid for by private insurance were still higher than Medicare visits. ED visits covered by private insurers fell from 41.6 million to 37.4 million visits between 2006 and 2014.
For the full statistical brief, click here.
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