Consumers with employer-based coverage visit ER for nonemergencies

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Most consumers with employer-sponsored health insurance visit the emergency room for nonemergency conditions, according to a new report from Truven Health Analytics. After examining insurance claims data for more than 6.5 million emergency room visits made by commercially insured individuals under age 65 in 2010, Truven determined that more than 70 percent of emergency room visits from these consumers either weren't emergencies or could have been treated in outpatient care. Only 29 percent of those patients required immediate attention in the emergency room. "Inappropriate use of emergency department services has become a major source of healthcare system waste," said John Azzolini, Truven's director of practice leadership. >> Read the full article from FierceHealthcare