How Much Is a Physical Without Insurance?
A physical costs an average of $331 without insurance.
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The exact cost you'll pay depends on several factors including where you live, the clinic or hospital you visit and the services you get.
Most insurance companies will pay for the full cost of an annual physical. If you don't have health insurance, consider signing up for affordable coverage through HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace.
How much is a physical without insurance
A physical costs $331, on average, without insurance.
The amount you pay for a physical exam will depend on where you live. You'll typically pay more for a physical if you live in an area with a higher cost of living, such as a large city or coastal area. Where you get your physical will also have an impact on your final bill: Outpatient clinics often charge less for physicals than hospitals.
It's also a good idea to shop around to see if you can find a more affordable option in your area. For example, a chain of urgent care clinics called CareNow advertises a standard cash price of $65 for a physical. That's significantly cheaper than the national average.
During a physical, your doctor may order other tests, vaccines or services that could carry an extra charge, such as:
- EKG
- X-rays
- Urinalysis
- Lipid panel
- Thyroid function
- Complete blood count
- Vitamin and mineral levels
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
Most health insurance plans will either cover the full cost of these services, or you may be responsible for a small portion of the cost, called a copay or coinsurance depending on the test and your policy details.
But if you don't have insurance, you'll typically have to pay for the full cost of any extra services you get. Ask your doctor if any parts of the exam carry an extra cost beforehand to avoid a surprise bill at the end of your visit.
How much does a checkup cost with insurance?
An annual checkup or physical costs an average of $424 with insurance. Keep in mind, this is the cost your insurance company pays for the service. Most people with health insurance get one free physical every year.
That's because physicals are preventive care, which is considered an essential benefit under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called Obamacare.
Not only do all marketplace health plans have to pay for annual checkups even if you haven't met your deductible, but limits on cost-sharing mean you won't pay anything out of pocket for most tests, vaccinations and panels.
It's important to note that you may be responsible for some out-of-pocket costs in the following scenarios:
You visit an out-of-network doctor. Stay in your plan's network to limit or eliminate costs entirely. ^ You discuss or get treatment for a new or existing health issue. This can shift the care you're getting from preventive to what's known as diagnostic care, which often requires cost-sharing.Distinguishing between preventive and diagnostic care can be tricky if you're not a medical professional. Plus, some diagnostic care services don't require cost-sharing. Consider asking your doctor to tell you beforehand if they plan on administering any tests or services you'll have to pay for.
How much is a sports physical at CVS?
You can get a sports physical at a CVS Minute Clinic for $76.
Schools often require students to get a physical before they can compete in sports. Some insurance plans don't cover sports physicals, so it's a good idea to call your company before you schedule an appointment. If your policy doesn't cover this service, paying out of pocket at a CVS Minute Clinic can be an affordable alternative.
Some nonprofits and community health centers organize free physical checkups specifically for students. If your insurance won't cover a sports physical, check with your child's school to see if they have a list of free alternatives in your area.
Where can I get a physical without insurance?
You can get a physical without insurance at many hospitals and clinics.
If you don't have health coverage, it's a good idea to ask about discounts for patients who pay for medical services completely out of pocket, called "cash prices.” You can often save hundreds of dollars by paying a hospital directly compared to the price charged to insurance companies.
You can sometimes get low-cost or free physicals by going to a neighborhood or community health clinic, such as Planned Parenthood. If you decide to visit a neighborhood health clinic, call ahead to ensure your local branch offers the services you need.
You may be eligible for free or discounted government health insurance if you earn a low income. In 40 states and Washington D.C., you can get free health insurance, called Medicaid, if you earn below about $22,000 per year (roughly $44,000 for a family of four). Most states have higher income limits for pregnant women, families with children, people who have disabilities and those age 65 and up.
If you make too much to qualify for Medicaid, you may be eligible for discounted health insurance through HealthCare.gov or your state's health exchange. Discounts, called subsidies, are available if you make between $15,650 and $62,600 per year ($32,150 to $128,600 for a family of four). Many enrollees pay less than $100 per month for coverage.
What is a physical exam?
A physical exam is a routine medical checkup performed by a doctor.
During your physical exam, sometimes called an annual checkup or wellness check, your doctor will assess your overall health with a series of tests. The purpose of a physical exam is to find medical issues before they become serious, so you can get early treatment.
Your annual physical exam also gives you an opportunity to connect with your doctor and discuss ongoing health concerns. Physical exams can often act as a springboard to get more specialized care.
For example, if your blood panel reveals you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe a statin to get your cholesterol levels back into a healthy range.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical cost without insurance?
Physicals cost an average of $331 without insurance. Keep in mind, factors such as where you get your physical and whether or not you need extra services such as blood tests will influence the cost you pay.
Where can I get a free physical?
If you don't have insurance, you can sometimes get a free physical at a charitable health clinic. Consider signing up for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance plan through HealthCare.gov or your state health exchange to get a free annual physical with no cost-sharing.
If you earn below about $22,000 per year (roughly $44,000 for a family of four), you may be eligible for free government health insurance, called Medicaid.
How much do checkups cost with insurance?
You'll typically pay nothing for a regular checkup with a typical health insurance plan. By law, plans have to cover a yearly checkup regardless of whether you've met your deductible.
In some cases, you may be responsible for a portion of the bill, called a copay or coinsurance, if you visit an out-of-network doctor or you get advice or treatment that's not considered preventive care.
Methodology
Information regarding ACA essential benefits came from HealthCare.gov. Cost data came from the following sources:
- The cost of a physical without insurance came from an average of sampled rates from FairHealthConsumer.
- The cost of a physical with insurance came from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Physician Fee Schedule look-up tool. Prices were adjusted for the private market using an outpatient cost difference multiplier from a KFF study.
- CVS and CareNow costs came from the respective websites for each company.
Talon Abernathy
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
