New CIVHC Data Dive Highlights Opportunities to Reduce Potentially Preventable Emergency Department Visits in Colorado

A new snapshot of data from Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) reveals that potentially preventable Emergency Department (ED) visits are lowering across Colorado, but certain demographics still experience disparities with heightened visit rates. The findings, published in CIVHC’s latest Data Dive, underscore an opportunity to improve access to lower-cost, more appropriate care settings—ultimately reducing strain on hospitals and improving outcomes for Coloradans.

Drawing on Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) data from the Community Dashboard, CIVHC examined ED visits between 2019 and 2022, which could have been managed in outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, or primary care offices. These visits, classified as “potentially preventable,” represent not only a significant cost to the health care system but also signal systemic gaps in access to care.

Spotlight on Disparities and Trends

The Data Dive identifies patterns in preventable ED utilization tied to factors including age, insurance type, and geography.

• Medicaid members had the highest proportion of potentially preventable ED visits, more than double the rate among commercial insurance members.
• Individuals under 18 and those 65 and older had higher rates of avoidable visits, indicating that both pediatric and senior populations may face challenges accessing appropriate non-emergency care.
• Geographic variation showed rural counties experiencing higher rates of preventable ED use, aligning with known provider shortages and barriers to care in those regions.

These insights align with national trends and reinforce the critical role of data in driving policy, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to reduce health disparities and system inefficiencies.

Read the complete Data Dive, and explore additional topical Data Dives from CIVHC. For additional information, visit our website at www.civhc.org or contact us at info@civhc.org.