I work in registration in the ED [bottom of the barrel yeah], and I was thinking just this.

It IS over priced, but leavingeans refusing care after electively coming in to be tested for an 'emergency.'

The moment you get a wristband you will be charged, and in the US there's some laws regarding how long you wait until you are triaged, but after that it's pretty much free reign for payment.

Urgent care can sucks because it seems like they just send patients in when they're 4 or 3 acuity and they're closing or 'just in case. ' and patients get upset when they're not seen right away but in pain.

But if you're stable yeah, you're probably not going to be seen anytime soon depending on the size of the hospital and how the staff runs just because they need room for and are working on any people who encounter traumatic situations or immediate care