Types of alternative care centers include urgent care centers, observation care units, and stepdown units.

Facilities, equipment, and staffing in hospital emergency departments (EDs), the cost of facilities, equipment, and staffing in observation care units is generally lower

Care delivered in urgent care centers, the cost of care delivered in hospital emergency departments (EDs) is generally lower.

Care in step-down units, the cost of acute inpatient care is generally lower.

Primary care in a physician's office, the cost of care delivered in urgent care centers is generally lower.