Post 2: House Calls Reduce ER Visits and Increase Efficiency in Care

Emergency departments should be reserved for emergencies, yet millions of visits each year involve conditions that could be safely treated at home or through telehealth. The CDC and Kaiser Family Foundation report that many non-emergency visits—such as minor infections, rashes, or sprains—drive up costs and wait times.

House calls and same-day telehealth reduce unnecessary ER use by delivering urgent care directly, from burns, cuts, nail injuries, and eye concerns to coughs, colds, and infections. This improves efficiency in “time-to-treatment,” a critical factor recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for patient safety and outcomes.

When care comes to you, lost hours from work, school, and rest are minimized. OSHA data shows reduced absenteeism when health concerns are managed promptly, while AAFP emphasizes that rapid primary care access lowers hospitalizations.

Faster treatment. Lower costs. Less stress. That’s the value of house call medicine.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Emergency Department Visits. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm

• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). A Look at Non-Emergency ER Use. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/non-emergency-use-of-emergency-departments/

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Reducing Avoidable Hospital Admissions. https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/rahnfr/

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Workplace Health Programs. https://www.osha.gov/workplace-health

• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Access to Primary Care. https://www.aafp.org