Cost Savings and Value

Poison centers save lives while helping patients, healthcare systems, and communities avoid unnecessary healthcare costs. Regional and national studies show that investments in poison center services generate substantial financial benefits by ensuring patients receive the right level of care at the right time.

Minnesota Regional Cost Savings

A study of callers to the Minnesota Regional Poison Center estimated that the Poison Center’s services generate significant healthcare cost savings throughout its tri-state service area.

$12–$18 saved for every $1 invested

The study estimated that the Minnesota Regional Poison Center helps avoid up to $58 million in healthcare costs each year.

These savings are primarily achieved by helping callers safely manage low-risk exposures outside of a healthcare facility and avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits and ambulance transportation.

Read the Minnesota regional cost-savings study

National Economic Impact

An independent analysis conducted by the RAND Corporation found that the U.S. Poison Center Network provides significant economic and societal benefits nationwide.

$16.77 in benefits for every $1 invested

RAND estimated that poison centers generate approximately $3.1 billion in benefits annually for the U.S. healthcare system and communities.

The analysis included benefits associated with:

• Avoiding unnecessary medical care
• Reducing hospital length of stay
• Reducing the risk of poisoning-related deaths
• Supporting public health surveillance and emergency response
• Providing poison prevention and professional education

Read the RAND national impact study
Read the Minnesota Regional Poison Center’s Press Release on the RAND study

How the Poison Center Reduces Healthcare Costs

The Minnesota Regional Poison Center provides free, confidential guidance 24 hours a day to the public, healthcare professionals, schools, emergency responders, and healthcare systems.

Poison specialists help reduce healthcare costs by:

• Safely managing low-risk exposures at home
• Reducing unnecessary emergency department visits
• Decreasing unnecessary ambulance transports
• Providing timely treatment recommendations to healthcare professionals
• Helping reduce hospital stays and prevent complications

Anyone with a poisoning question can call 1-800-222-1222 for immediate assistance.