Reducing unnecessary emergency department visits

As unwarranted emergency department (ED) visits continue to burden hospital staff and potentially delay access to treatment for patients with life-threatening illness or injury, we are committed to working with you to help redirect patients away from the ED for non-emergency-related care.  
  
CarePartners of Connecticut emphasizes to members that consulting with their primary care physicians should always be the first step in seeking treatment for a non-severe condition. As you reinforce this message with your patients, please consider communicating up-to-date practice hours, telehealth options, and after-hours contacts. When primary care appointments are not available, directing patients to nearby urgent care centers can be a fitting alternative, given their capacity to perform x-rays, basic tests, and lab work that can assist with timely diagnoses. Retail health clinics that provide treatment for minor illness and injury offer another viable option, with both in-person and virtual services often available.  
  
Members should be sure to check their plan and select an in-network provider to ensure coverage and help minimize copayments and out-of-pocket expenses. Information on participating urgent care and retail clinics is available through the CarePartners of Connecticut Doctor Search.  
  
We appreciate your collaboration in educating patients on where to turn for appropriate and affordable care.