National study results suggest that the majority of ED visits made by non-elderly Medicaid patients are for urgent or more serious medical issues, a finding that is contrary to the popular belief that such visits in this population are usually for routine care. In a study, nonurgent symptoms accounted for just 10% of visits made by non-elderly Medicaid patients, compared with 7% of visits made by privately insured nonelderly patients.
Abstract: HSC Research Brief No. 23, July 2012.
