More Good News from Massachusetts: Urgent Care Growth is Exploding

Urgent care has become more prevalent across the country for years, but new data from Massachusetts put a number on its growth there that is likely higher than many would have predicted. The number of urgent care centers grew 800% from 2010 through the end of 2017, according to a report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Retail clinics are also multiplying, though at a lower rate. By way of explanation, the Commission said it found “staggering differences” in the cost of visiting an urgent care center or retail clinics vs a trip to the emergency room; the average cost of an ED visit was just under $900 (average patient copayment: $118), compared with an average urgent care bill of $149, with a copay of $33 on average. Small wonder, then, that analysts say demand for lower-cost alternatives to traditional outpatient experiences is higher than ever. Things could continue along this trajectory if other fresh data are any indication; the Health Policy Commission also revealed that 27% of current visits to the ED could be appropriately managed in an urgent care center. All of this comes on the heels of a major legislative “win” for the urgent care industry, as earlier this month a bill that would have imposed an 8.75% tax on urgent care charges in Massachusetts died in the legislative process—thanks in part to lobbying efforts by the Urgent Care Association and other interested parties.