Updated Oct 10, 2012 - 9:41 am
ER doctors defend 'frequent flier' patients
Emergency room doctors say so-called "frequent fliers" who regularly visit are being unfairly demonized in the health care debate.
Listen: Don't blame 'frequent fliers' for high cost of health care
Emergency room doctors say most repeat users seek emergency care appropriately
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Most of us understand that the emergency room is the most expensive place to get medical treatment. New efforts are underway to reduce non-urgent visits. But ER doctors say one group of patients who regularly use the ER is being unfairly demonized. They're sometimes called "frequent fliers," people who visit between four and seven times a year, or more. Often, they have mental illness and complex medical problems with limited access to primary care. Many are on Medicare or Medicaid. But research just released by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) shows that most are no different than other ER patients, that is they generally seek emergency care appropriately.
