Understanding the Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care

You might have heard the terms “inpatient” and “outpatient” care, but what do they actually mean? They describe two types of care based on the length of your stay. Let’s break it down!

Inpatient = longer care

Inpatient care is when a patient is admitted to a hospital or medical facility and stays overnight (or longer) for treatment. This type of care is for additional monitoring, more serious conditions, or surgeries.

Examples:

• Surgeries: Heart surgeries, organ transplants, and major orthopedic procedures.
• Intensive Care: Severe illness or injuries.
• Behavioral Health Treatment: Mental health conditions or substance use disorders requiring close monitoring and specialized care.

Outpatient = shorter care

Outpatient care is when a patient has a treatment or surgery but doesn’t stay overnight. Once it’s done, you go home the same day. This is for less severe conditions or routine procedures.

Examples:

• Minor Surgeries: Procedures like hernia repair or cataract surgery.
• Diagnostic Tests: Blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRI scans.
• Mental Health Services: Counseling, therapy sessions, and medication management for conditions like anxiety and depression.

Outpatient care will generally cost you less than inpatient care since there’s no hospital stay.

For AZ Blue members

We’re here to make it easy. Get cost estimates for inpatient or outpatient care on your AZ Blue account. Log in to azblue.com/MyBlue, click Cost Estimates, and type in keywords like ‘knee replacement outpatient.’

Did you know? You can also find out the price of medications on your AZ Blue account! To learn how, visit: How to Save Money on Your Medications.