Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC joins forces with FastMed to expand ER alternatives

Patients across North Carolina often spend more than four hours during an emergency room (ER) visit, at a total average cost of nearly $1,500 per visit. Thousands of these patients visit ERs each year for non-emergency health concerns that can be effectively treated at urgent care clinics, at an average cost of $142. That's why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is making an investment to enable FastMed Urgent Care to expand its network of physician-owned urgent care clinics across the state, while helping to launch innovative programs and services for BCBSNC customers. This strategic collaboration increases access to convenient, high quality urgent care while reining in medical costs.

"We need solutions that provide the right care, at the right time and in the right setting to build a more efficient health care system," said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. "FastMed's doctors and staff already provide high quality, more affordable care to our customers across the state. Working togehter, we can offer North Carolinians even more choices for convenient, cost-effective care."