Which of the following best explains how the government inadvertently encourages low-income persons to use emergency departments as their primary care provider?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

People on Medicaid frequently have no primary care provider and may not be able to pay for their care. Although physicians can choose clients based on their ability to pay, emergency departments are required by law to evaluate every client regardless of ability to pay. Emergency department copayments are modest and are frequently waived if the client is unable to pay. Thus, low out-of-pocket costs provide incentives for Medicaid clients and the uninsured to use emergency departments for primary care services.

Which of the Following Best Explains How the Government Inadvertently