Urgent care centers saw volumes grow at a rate of 1,725% for privately insured patients between 2007 and 2016, which is more than seven times the growth of emergency rooms during the same period, according to data from multiple sources.

Interesting facts among the findings:

• From 2007 to 2016, urgent care centers showed an increase in claims of 1,725% – a growth rate of more than seven times ER claims (229%) in the same period.
• In retail clinics and urgent care centers in 2016, acute respiratory infections, such as the common cold, were the number one diagnostic category.
• In telehealth, mental health related diagnoses were the top diagnostic category.
• Across all healthcare venues in 2016, among every age group, more claims were submitted for women than men.
• From 2007 to 2016, claims for ambulatory surgery centers increased 127% in rural areas and 95% in urban areas.
• The median billed charge for evaluation and management services in a hospital increased 28% in from 2012 to 2016. For the same period, the growth for allowed amounts for E&Ms in a hospital reflecting the maximum amount an insurer will pay for a service was 26%.