Self care for colds: a cost-effective alternative to upper respiratory infection management.

A Cold Self-Care (CSC) Center was established in a prepaid ambulatory care setting serving 21,500 subscribers and their dependents. After CSC establishment, a decrease in visits to practitioners for common colds was demonstrated. The operating cost ratio of an outpatient visit as compared to a CSC visit was 14.7/1. Savings over a two-year period are estimated at over $46,000, representing an average estimated ratio of $.09 cost per dollar saved per member per year.