Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Annie N. Simpson

Second Advisor

John D. Williams, Jr.

Third Advisor

Kit N. Simpson

Abstract

Emergency department (ED) visits are increasing and a growing number of non-emergency patients are using EMS for non-urgent transportation to EDs. The costs of ED visits far exceed the costs of physician office visits and a significant number of patients are transported to EDs by EMS for low-acuity visits that have the potential to be seen in lower cost care settings. The objective of this study was to calculate potential cost savings from diverting EMS transports from traditional ED destinations to physician offices due to implementation of the ET3 Model. The (2017) Medicare 5% Limited Data Set and 2017 NC HCUP State Emergency Department Database were used to extract all records for Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid beneficiaries, private payers, and other payers in North Carolina. All medical transportation bills associated with ambulance transport and low-acuity ED visits resulting in a discharge to home outcome were analyzed for cost savings related to ED charges and traditional office charges. With full implementation of ET3 in North Carolina, the potential annual Medicare savings is $3,240,762 with annual savings related to other payers of $5,330,024, (Medicaid), $52,911,342 (private) and $8,350,396 (other payers). This represents a cumulative cost savings of $69,832,524.

Rights

All rights reserved. Copyright is held by the author.

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