For the study, researchers analyzed visits for people under 65 years of age that occurred between January 2014 and September 2015.
Here are five takeaways:
1. OON ER physicians charged 798 percent of Medicare rates.
2. Comparatively, in-network emergency physicians were paid at 297 percent of Medicare rates.
3. The average bill for patients reached $622.55.
4. Federal Reserve data found almost half of Americans (47 percent) cannot cover an unexpected $400 expense without incurring credit card debt or selling assets.
5. The researchers suggest legislators implement laws that would require hospitals to sell an emergency care package that includes physician services and facility fees together. Under the law, hospitals would be charged with staffing their own emergency room and paying the physicians directly.
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