Medical Debt and Entry of Satellite Freestanding Emergency Departments

Is the entry of satellite freestanding emergency departments (EDs) associated with changes in medical debt in collections?In this cross-sectional study with difference-in-differences analysis, the entry of satellite freestanding EDs was associated with a statistically significant increase of $98 in median medical debt in collections and a 2–percentage point increase in the share of the population with medical debt.This study suggests that policymakers should weigh the benefits associated with improved access to outpatient emergency services with the potential long-term implications for patient financial well-being.

Corresponding Author: Daniel Marthey, PhD, Department of Health Policy and Management, Texas Admarthey@tamu.edu).

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