Are Urgent Care Centers The Hospital System Answer To ‘Seamless Consumer Experience’?

Earlier this year, I asked an important question – what is the model for a “convenient and seamless” health care experience for consumers that will “win” in the market? What consumers want is clear – easy access to care, convenience in service delivery, and communication between their professionals and provider organizations. Then there is the question of reimbursement policies – what models are both cost-effective for health plans and sustainable for provider organizations (see How Can We Deliver A Seamless Primary Care/Behavioral Health Consumer Experience?)?

One competing model includes easy access and expanded hours by existing provider organizations (see How Far . . .