Reduce Emergency Department Utilization by Addressing Drivers of Health
Environmental and social factors can lead to ED overcrowding—we can help fix that.
The Hidden Pressures
Emergency departments are not
just an acute‐care entry point.
Often, they reflect systemic stress on both health systems and communities.
Emergency department (ED) wait times show how system strain is intensifying. Meanwhile, research shows that non-medical needs directly drive higher ED utilization. When non-medical barriers remain unaddressed, patients cycle back through the ED.
Bothwell Regional Health Center
average patient wait time in the ED in the U.S.
wait times for several states signal inefficiencies and avoidable costs
wait times in rural areas are driven by scarce primary care and clinic closures
A Proven Path to Reducing Avoidable ED Visits
When health systems proactively screen for drivers of health and streamline care coordination to community-based organizations, they shift from reactive ED visits to proactive, whole-person care.
By partnering with Unite Us, you can see real ROI for your health system—and better outcomes for patients.
Reduce avoidable ED utilization and ease congestion, freeing up resources for true emergencies
Improve patient outcomes and satisfaction through targeting underlying risk factors rather than patchwork interventions
Lower costs of care across the health system by addressing non-medical drivers of health
Strengthen community partnerships, address health disparities, and demonstrate leadership in population health
Fewer ED Visits and Significant Financial Impact
A recent case study of how Ballad Health used Unite Us to address patients’ non-medical needs demonstrates the impact.
Want to learn more? Read the Full Case Study 
16.2%
decrease in ED visits six months after a referral
24.8%
decrease in ED visits for patients supported by CHWs
$68.80
PMPM savings through reduced ED utilization
$825K
annual savings per 1,000 patients served
Reduce ED Utilization, Improve Outcomes, and Maximize Cost Savings
Don’t wait to get started: partner with Unite Us to connect patients to community resources and reduce avoidable ED visits.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Avoidable ED visits often stem from unmet health-related social needs, such as lack of housing, transportation, or food access. When these non-medical barriers go unaddressed, patients frequently return to the ED, contributing to overcrowding, longer emergency room wait times, and higher costs for health systems. Rural communities are especially impacted due to limited clinic access and shrinking provider capacity.
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Research shows a direct connection between non-medical needs and increased emergency department utilization. By screening for drivers of health and connecting patients to community-based resources, health systems can divert unnecessary ED visits, improve outcomes, and reduce strain on the health system. A recent case study demonstrated that referrals addressing non-medical needs led to a 16.2% reduction in ED visits—and by 24.8% among those engaged by community health workers (CHWs).
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Unite Us helps reduce ED utilization by streamlining care coordination between the health system and community-based organizations. This proactive approach eases ED congestion, lowers total cost of care, and enhances patient experience. Health systems partnering with Unite Us have seen significant ROI, including estimated cost savings of $825,000 annually per 1,000 patients through decreased avoidable ED visits.
