Changes in the way health care services are financed have also resulted in new settings for care. As an example of both technological and financing changes in health care, free-standing surgery centers now exist for many types of surgeries that were once done only in a hospital setting. Outpatient or non-hospital based services are cheaper than are services provided in a hospital setting. More and more services that are now provided in a hospital setting will likely move to a non-hospital setting as technology progresses and health care costs must be contained. Ideally, people enter the health care system at the lowest level that can adequately treat them.
Primary care is at a lower level and cost than is specialty care.
Specialty care is at a lower level and cost than inpatient care. By getting care in the lowest level setting, costs are kept lower. Cost is an important factor. The costs of running an ER include 24-hour staffing with highly trained doctors and nurses and technicians and expensive diagnostic and treatment equipment. Many insurance companies will no longer pay for a visit to the emergency room unless it is an absolute emergency.