title: The myths of emergency medical care access in the managed care era.
abstract: In this paper, we examine the perception that emergency care is unusually expensive. We discuss the myths that have fueled the ineffective and sometimes deleterious efforts to limit access to emergency care. We demonstrate the reasons why these efforts are seriously flawed and propose alternate strategies that aim to improve outcomes, including cooperative ventures between hospitals and managed care organizations. We challenge managed care organizations and healthcare providers to collaborate and lead the drive to improve the cost and clinical effectiveness of emergency care.
authors.affiliation: Milford-Whitinsville Regional Hospital, MA 01757, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karcz
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009229:Mythology; D011639:Public Opinion; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014218:Triage; D014481:United States