Out-patient

What Does Out-patient Mean?

An outpatient refers to a patient who receives care at a medical facility, such as a hospital but is not admitted for an overnight stay. Outpatients typically receive treatment or services that do not require hospitalization for more than 24 hours and are generally not in a state of emergency.

Insuranceopedia Explains Out-patient

Certain medical conditions are considered emergencies, such as severe trauma, acute infections, or organ failure. Patients with these conditions typically need to stay in a hospital for ongoing care. However, for less severe conditions, urgent care may not require hospitalization. Examples of conditions that can be treated on an outpatient basis, rather than inpatient care, include a sore throat, a cough, a sprained ankle, and other minor ailments. Medical personnel can address these conditions without the need for an overnight or extended stay.