High-acuity patients have numerous barriers and intersecting medical conditions that impact their ability to access quality health care. For example, a patient may have several chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and no access to transportation. These challenges can make it difficult for high-acuity patients to receive ongoing care to manage their conditions, which can cause severe complications and hinder recovery.
For these and other reasons, these patients are often over-represented in emergency rooms. The average annual insurance claims for AbsoluteCARE’s client base exceeds $30,000. To reduce the strain on the healthcare system and promote better patient outcomes, medical providers employ chronic care models that reduce barriers and streamline access to preventive and ongoing care.
For example, at AbsoluteCARE centers, patients can obtain a check-up, provide lab samples, and pick up prescriptions in one location. This healthcare delivery format also mimics the convenience of emergency services, which is one reason why many high-acuity patients prefer to access the ER.