Key Highlights
- In the United States, there were approximately 137 million emergency room visits in 2020
- Emergency room visits increased by 18% from 2010 to 2020
- The average cost of an ER visit in the U.S. is about $2,200
- About 1 in 5 emergency department visits are for mental health issues
- Children account for roughly 20% of ER visits annually
- The most common reason for ER visits is injury-related, especially fractures and sprains
- Approximately 52% of ER visits are for patients aged 18-44 years
- About 8% of ER visits result in hospital admission
- The top three reasons for ER visits are abdominal pain, lacerations, and fever
- In 2020, the ER visit rate decreased by 23% compared to 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Men tend to visit the ER more frequently than women, with a ratio of approximately 1.2:1
- The median wait time in the ER is approximately 24 minutes
- 15% of ER visits in the U.S. are classified as urgent or emergency
Did you know that nearly 137 million emergency room visits occurred in the U.S. in 2020 alone—highlighting the critical role ERs play in healthcare and revealing surprising insights into who, why, and how Americans seek urgent care?
Common Causes, Reasons, and Conditions for Visits
- About 1 in 5 emergency department visits are for mental health issues
- The most common reason for ER visits is injury-related, especially fractures and sprains
- The top three reasons for ER visits are abdominal pain, lacerations, and fever
- In 2021, opioid overdoses accounted for roughly 20% of ER visits related to substance abuse
- About 25% of ER visits are for respiratory illnesses
- Roughly 10% of ER visits involve drug or alcohol intoxication
- In 2019, about 11% of ER visits were due to poisoning or overdose
- 70% of emergency room visits are related to acute illnesses or injuries
- The rate of ER visits for influenza peaked during the 2017-2018 flu season, with about 1 per 1,000 population
- About 10% of ER visits are related to skin infections such as abscesses or cellulitis
Common Causes, Reasons, and Conditions for Visits Interpretation
These statistics reveal that while ERs are primarily battlegrounds for acute injuries and illnesses, a significant and growing portion of visits—especially those involving mental health and substance abuse—highlight the pressing need for broader healthcare support beyond emergency care.
Cost and Financial Aspects of ER Visits
- The average cost of an ER visit in the U.S. is about $2,200
Cost and Financial Aspects of ER Visits Interpretation
With ER visits costing roughly $2,200 each, Americans might consider investing in preventive care before their health emergencies turn into costly emergencies.
Healthcare Utilization and Visit Trends
- In the United States, there were approximately 137 million emergency room visits in 2020
- Emergency room visits increased by 18% from 2010 to 2020
- About 8% of ER visits result in hospital admission
- In 2020, the ER visit rate decreased by 23% compared to 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 15% of ER visits in the U.S. are classified as urgent or emergency
- ER visits for chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes have increased over the past decade
- ER visits for mental health crises increased by 28% from 2019 to 2020
- In rural areas, ER visit rates are approximately 50% higher than in urban areas
- About 60% of ER visits are initiated by self-referral, without prior doctor consultation
- Emergency departments see an average of 350 patients per day
- The most common time for ER visits is between 10 AM and 4 PM
- The percentage of ER visits resulting in diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT scans) is around 65%
- Approximately 5% of ER visits are for continuity of care or follow-up from outpatient providers
- The majority of ER visits are during weekdays, with weekends accounting for about 30%
- The average length of stay in the ER is approximately 4 hours
- In 2020, telehealth services saw a significant rise for emergency consultations, increasing by over 150%
- ER visits for drug-related issues increased by 25% from 2019 to 2021
- The number of ER visits due to COVID-19 symptoms peaked in January 2022, with over 500,000 visits in a single week
- About 14% of ER visits are classified as non-urgent or minor, indicating overuse or misutilization
- Emergency department visits due to substance use disorders increased by 19% between 2018 and 2020
- ER visits for heart attack symptoms accounted for 3% of all emergency visits in 2020
- The public health insurance program Medicaid covers approximately 38% of ER visits, making it the primary payer
- Approximately 4 million ER visits per year involve children with fever, rash, or respiratory symptoms
- In 2021, an estimated 45% of ER visits involved some form of diagnostic testing, such as blood tests or imaging
Healthcare Utilization and Visit Trends Interpretation
With over 137 million visits in 2020—ranging from urgent emergencies to minor misjudgments—America's ERs are both a vital safety net and a reflection of our evolving health challenges, from rising mental health crises and chronic condition management to the unintended surge in non-urgent visits and telehealth reliance, emphasizing the urgent need for smarter, more accessible healthcare solutions.
Outcome, Duration, and Post-Visit Data
- The median wait time in the ER is approximately 24 minutes
- Nearly 40% of ER visits are admitted to the hospital or transferred
- The proportion of ER visits resulting in no hospital admission is approximately 85%, as most cases are minor or non-urgent
Outcome, Duration, and Post-Visit Data Interpretation
Despite a swift median wait of 24 minutes, the ER's true workload reveals itself in that only 15% of visits lead to hospital admission, highlighting that the majority of cases are minor, non-urgent, or in need of reassurance rather than immediate treatment.
Patient Demographics and Characteristics
- Children account for roughly 20% of ER visits annually
- Approximately 52% of ER visits are for patients aged 18-44 years
- Men tend to visit the ER more frequently than women, with a ratio of approximately 1.2:1
- About 30% of ER visits involve patients over the age of 65
- The primary payers for ER visits are Medicaid (around 38%) and Medicare (around 20%)
- Women are more likely than men to visit the ER for reproductive health issues
- The age group 45-64 accounts for about 25% of ER visits
- Approximately 10% of ER visits involve children under the age of 5
- Emergency room utilization is higher among populations with lower socioeconomic status
- The average age of patients visiting the ER for trauma is around 35 years
- The rise of opioid-related ER visits is most notable among adults aged 25-44 years
Patient Demographics and Characteristics Interpretation
While ER visits reflect a tapestry of our nation's health, with children and seniors making their cases, men and women each play their roles, and socioeconomic factors coloring the picture, the sharp uptick in opioid-related visits among 25-44-year-olds signals a urgent call for targeted public health interventions amidst a backdrop of diverse and complex healthcare needs.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CDCResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2NIHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3KFFResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4AHAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5AHRQResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6HEALTHAFFAIRSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7AHIMAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8NATIONALPRIORITIESResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 9NCBIResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 10CHILDRENSHOSPITALResearch Publication(2024)Visit source