Impact of Primary Care Visit Frequency on Non-Urgent Emergency Department Visits in a Large Urban Medical Center

To examine whether primary care visit frequency (PVF) is associated with non-urgent emergency department visits (NU-EDVs) at a large urban medical center, and to identify determinants of higher PVF among Emergency Department patients.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult ED patients (ESI ≥4 considered NU-EDV) at a Southern California Level I trauma center (September 2021-April 2024). Undergraduate research associates administered a 29-item instrument capturing demographics, utilization, barriers, trust in primary care, and comorbidities. Bivariate tests and multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for NU-EDV and for PVF ≥3 visits/year.

Among 964 patients with a primary care provider, 62.9% reported <3 PCP visits/year; 59.2% presented with NU-EDV. After adjustment, PVF ≥3/year was associated with lower odds of NU-EDV (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.87). Medicaid/Cal insurance was associated with higher odds of NU-EDV versus private insurance (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.12-2.08). Determinants of PVF ≥3/year included female sex (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.04-1.86), older age (aOR 1.01 per year, 95% CI 1.00-1.02), Black race (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.17-4.19), Medicaid/Cal coverage (aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.22-2.37), more chronic conditions (aOR 1.53 per condition, 95% CI 1.35-1.71), and lower odds with PCP distrust (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30-0.96).

Greater primary care engagement is independently associated with fewer NU-EDVs; however, Medicaid beneficiaries remain at elevated risk for non-urgent ED use. Improving after-hours access, care coordination, and Medicaid-eligible unscheduled primary care may further reduce avoidable ED utilization.