While the US healthcare system is all about caring for people, it is not naturally centered around them. Its notorious complexity takes a significant toll, impacting access to care, quality of experience and health outcomes.

We quantified this impact by assessing emergency room (ER) use with eye-opening results. People with low healthcare system literacy use the ER much more than those with a better understanding of the healthcare system. This translates to $47 billion in avoidable medical spend for US healthcare each year.

When asked about care received in the previous year, people with low healthcare system literacy were much more likely to have gone to the ER for services than those with a better understanding of the healthcare system.

Their preference comes down to the path of least resistance. In a system riddled with puzzling terminology, confusing rules and regulations, and opaque processes, people are defaulting to the ER for its accessibility. It’s easier than trying to navigate a complex system that refuses to meet them halfway.

The impact of low healthcare system literacy may grow in the coming years, especially given the nature of the COVID-19 virus, which remains a public health threat. When asked about likelihood of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, people with the highest level of health system literacy were 25% more likely to be very willing to get it than people with low system literacy.

By recognizing the attributes that draw people to the ER and reinterpreting them across physical and digital experiences, payers can help direct people toward convenient, effective and less costly care.