Page 12 - HOH

A16 LOCAL
Friday 5 april 2019
Urgency (UCA) or Emergency (ED)?
How to choose where to go for medical attention
Dr. Carlos Yagua Jr. and Dr. Carlos Yagua Sr., son and father
ORANJESTAD — When on vacation and an unexpected health mishap arise, many peo-
ple’s first reaction is to head to an emergency room. But when those illnesses and inju-
ries aren’t true emergencies, not knowing the best option for care can end up costing
both time and money.
So how can you know where to go when medical attention is needed?
Urgent Care Aruba (UCA) or Emergency Department?
UCA at the Noord Medical Center provide a way to keep up with patients’ daily health- Plus, a large percentage of all emergency room visits
care needs, serving as a vital link between the emergency room and primary care
physicians.
Dr. Carlos Yagua Velasquez, Managing Director of UCA explains that they, as a family
of nine (9) physicians, started the development of UCA in 2013 because it provides pa-
tients with an alternative to the emergency room, which
can be too costly and time-consuming for situations like
common illnesses and minor injuries. He states that “While
the ED at the Dr. Horacio Oduber is best equipped to
handle life-threatening illnesses and injuries, it’s important
that patients are aware that there are more affordable
options available for less serious situations.”
Due to shorter wait times – they offer a wait time of 30
minutes or less – and much lower prices, as a more con-
venient and affordable option than, but not a substitute
for, an emergency room. To help the local community
and their visitors from abroad to save money, Urgent Care
Aruba known as UCA, is gathering resources to educate
and promote on the best healthcare options.
When care is needed for true emergency situations, such
as heart attacks, strokes, major bleeding or severe burns,
it’s vital to go to the ED at the Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital
immediately.
Financial Savings
When patients visit an emergency room for a non-emer-
gency, they risk incurring a substantial financial loss. Emer-
gency rooms are more expensive for treatment of non-
life-threatening situations, while UCA at the Noord Medi-
cal Center charges an average of 1/3 of the cost.
could take place at UCA, which would save consumers.
Additionally, UCA accepts certain travel insurance plans,
with either full coverage, co-pays, or they will provide you
with all pertinent documentation for reimbursement as a
self-pay visit.
Understanding the options
“With the availability of a facility, such as UCA, patients
need to take care to understand their options,” Dr. Carlos
Yagua Jr said. “The emergency room prices can cause
sticker shock for patients who aren’t aware of the distinc-
tion.”
Residents and visitors from abroad should be sure to con-
firm the type of facility they’re visiting, as treatment at the
ER may cost more than UCA at the Noord Medical Cen-
ter. q
Contact:
Carlos Yagua Velasquez
UMC Urgent Medical Care NV
+297-5860448
cyaguav@urgentcare.aw
www.urgentcare.aw