and re-direct them.

Anyone who has worked in an ED has seen the people repeatedly come in when they should have gone to an urgent care or a primary care office.

Multiple times I saw young women come into the ED with complaints of “abdominal pain”. Everyone knows that 90% of the time it is actually that they just want a free pregnancy test or free STD test because they didn’t want to go spend $1 at Walmart and/or pee on a stick. For these people who are currently getting 100% free healthcare, give them a $10 co-pay to go the ER for non emergency conditions. That alone will deter people enough. As much as they might say they can’t afford it. For frequent fliers, have them be called out and told to knock it off or risk losing coverage. Tell them they can turn in a pack of cigarettes or a beer instead if they can’t afford $10because somehow they can afford those things. This won’t be 100% effective but you’ll cut out the expensive “free” visits.