Urgent Care – It’s Covered

In this “It’s Covered” series, we’re delving into the many healthcare services Comfort™ covers that most traditional plans do not.

Summer is here! And for many, that means it’s time to get back to outdoor activities and traveling. But what happens when a cold or a sprained ankle throws a wrench in plans? Comfort members can rest assured that whenever a minor illness or injury comes up, any trip to an in-network urgent care clinic is completely covered.

A convenient care option

Seeking out a primary care doctor is best for maintaining wellbeing and avoiding letting any health problems become “urgent.” But accidents happen – especially during active summer months – and a primary care doctor isn’t always available at the drop of a hat. 

Luckily, urgent care provides immediate, walk-in treatment, often with more hours than a primary care clinic. From treating an ear infection to stitching up a minor cut, urgent care is the perfect healthcare option for acute illnesses and injuries if a primary care doctor is unavailable and it’s not severe enough for a trip to the emergency room. 

With many traditional health plans, individuals are left to pay out of pocket for visits to urgent care. Not only that, a trip to urgent care often involves diagnostic services like x-rays and laboratory tests, which add additional costs on top of seeing a doctor. However, with Comfort, all labs and imaging associated with an in-network office or clinic visit are fully covered.

Don’t just “wait and see”

Many individuals unfortunately take a “wait and see” approach when experiencing medical issues because of the rising out-of-pocket costs they’ve experienced with traditional health plans. But when left untreated, even seemingly minor health problems can escalate quickly, causing symptoms that turn into a medical emergency, potentially warranting a trip to the ER with a much higher price tag. 

Thankfully with Comfort, members can easily get the care they need as soon as they need it – before an illness or injury becomes more costly or catastrophic to their health.

Improved health outcomes and lower costs

Insurance companies often consider healthcare utilization a negative thing, but not at Gravie. We’re helping members engage with the healthcare system in a healthy way – encouraging them to take proactive steps to care for their health and wellbeing.

On average, Comfort members experience 7% fewer inpatient hospital encounters and 5% fewer ER visits. Instead, members are accessing 18% more urgent care visits – avoiding the ER or other costly alternatives. 

It’s no secret that a trip to the emergency room costs individuals, employers and insurance plans much more than a trip to an urgent care clinic. This shift in behavior we’re seeing among Comfort members is influenced by Gravie covering, and therefore incentivizing, individuals to get the care that they need, as soon as they need it – not waiting for or encouraging an “emergency only” mentality.

Compared to members on traditional copay and HSA plans, Comfort members overall experience 6% more healthcare encounters, tapping into needed preventive care, screenings and other health maintenance services.

Heading to urgent care

When does it make sense to visit urgent care? Here are some common reasons:

• Cold and flu
• Sprains and strains that may require x-ray services
• Sore throat
• Ear infections or discomfort
• Small cuts and scrapes that may require stitches
• Eye irritation and redness
• Rashes or itchiness
• Insect bites and stings
• Nausea and digestive issues

Individuals should always head straight to the emergency room (or call 911) for life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention.

To learn more about accessing no-cost urgent care visits with Comfort, contact us.