Decreasing Reimbursements for Outpatient Emergency Department Visits Across Payer Groups From 1996 to 2004

The proportion of charges paid for outpatient ED visits from Medicaid, Medicare, and privately insured and uninsured patients persistently decreased from 1996 to 2004. These concerning decreases may threaten the survival of EDs and their ability to continue to provide care as safety nets in the US health care system.