Private health insurance NJ plans often cover expenses incurred in the emergency room with affordable copays.  This makes it easier for consumers to visit the ER when they need assistance.  This is good overall, but congested ERs in New Jersey are popping up and this needs to be addressed.

Long waits in ERs throughout New Jersey are not new, but the problem is not getting better.  This dilemma will hopefully be addressed by state health officials as they review the results of a 21 month pilot program to put chronic, nonemergency patients in primary care according to the article “Easing Pressure on New Jersey’s Emergency Rooms” by Carol Gorga Williams on MyCentralJersey.com.

The project hopes to ease ER conditions and offer patients with chronic conditions more consistent treatment to prevent the conditions from escalating to a more serious state.  Once in a crisis state the condition will be more expensive to treat as well as more stress on the body.  The state Department of Human Services, the Division of Medicaid Assistance and Health Services, the state Health Research and Education Trust, and the NJ Primary Care Association are seeking grants to help them implement alternatives for nonemergency services and help to alleviate the stress found in many ERs.