Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital’s parent company, Ocala Health, has announced it will open a new $10 million stand-alone emergency room on a three-acre site in Summerfield.
The 10,500 square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational during the first quarter of 2016. It is estimated that it will serve more than 15,000 patients annually and employ 40 full-time healthcare workers.
The decision to open a stand-alone ER in Summerfield reflects the rising trend in these facilities, with the amount doubling in the past five years to more than 400 though out 45 states. They remain open throughout the night, typically have much shorter wait times, located in convenient location and offer the same level of care available as emergency rooms in hospitals.
Stand-alone emergency rooms should not be confused with urgent care clinics. Urgent care is similar to going to your doctor’s office, and the billing reflects this. A stand-alone emergency room is like a trip to a hospital emergency room, and the added facility fee that comes along with that. The facilities should tell you if there is a cheaper option for what you need, however there have been reports of people getting billed over $1,000 for having the sniffles.
The new project is the latest investment by Ocala Health, which this year has expanded the Ocala Regional facility with additional patient rooms, emergency department, parking and building façade. In 2012 they also built a Level II trauma center that offers advanced emergency care.
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