How Much Is Urgent Care With and Without Insurance?
A 15-minute urgent care visit costs $120 at a hospital and $184 at a private clinic, on average.
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The amount you pay depends on your health insurance policy details. If you haven't met your deductible, you'll typically have to pay the full amount. After paying your deductible, you'll usually be responsible for a fixed cost, called a copay, or a percentage of your medical bill, called coinsurance.
If you don't have coverage, you can often negotiate your bill down. Many hospitals and clinics offer lower cash prices to those without insurance.
How much does urgent care cost?
A 15-minute urgent care visit costs $120 at hospitals and $184 at private clinics, on average.
The amount you'll pay with insurance depends on a few factors. Typically, you'll need to meet your plan's deductible before coverage starts.
The average deductible for a Silver health plan is $4,367. That means you'll have to pay for the entire cost of your urgent care visit unless you already had expensive medical treatment earlier in the year.
If you've met your deductible for the year, you'll usually have to pay either a fixed cost, called a copay, or a percentage of your medical bill, called coinsurance.
For example, you might be responsible for a $40 copay after a visit to an urgent care facility. If you have 20% coinsurance and a $184 bill, you have to pay $37.
Some health plans cover urgent care visits even if you haven't met your deductible. In that case, you would only be responsible for a copay or coinsurance, depending on your plan details.
Several factors influence how much you'll pay for an urgent care visit. For example, longer visits typically carry heftier price tags than shorter visits. A 45-minute urgent care visit at a private clinic costs, on average, $247 more than a 15-minute visit.
You may also pay separate add-on fees for specific services.
Average costs for common urgent care procedures
Treatment | Private clinic | Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Bandaging a wound | $253 | $37 |
| Electrocardiogram (EKG) tracing | $16 | N/A |
| Finger splint | $111 | $74 |
| Injections | $37 | N/A |
| Stitches and sutures | $241 | $114 |
Cost figures were taken from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and adjusted for the private market.
How much is urgent care without insurance?
Hospitals often charge patients without insurance cheaper prices than patients with insurance.
That means you may pay less than the $120 national average cost for a 15-minute hospital urgent care visit if you don't have insurance. Keep in mind, not all hospitals offer "cash prices," and those that do may not have lower prices for all services.
You may pay less if you use a more affordable alternative, such as a walk-in clinic at a retail pharmacy. Walk-in clinics can be a good option if you need care for a relatively minor health issue, such as a sinus infection, sprained ankle or minor cut.
Walk-in clinics do have a few downsides, including restrictive hours and fewer resources. That makes them a poor choice if you need care late at night or on a holiday. These clinics also don't often have advanced medical equipment. For example, if you need an X-ray, you're better off going to an urgent care center.
Does urgent care take Medicaid?
Yes, urgent care takes Medicaid, a type of free government health insurance.
Medicaid coverage differs depending on where you live and your plan details if you have Medicaid managed care. But in nearly all cases, you'll either pay nothing or very little for care.
That's because states can't charge you more than 5% of your income in the form of copays or coinsurance when you get care with Medicaid. It's important to remember this is the most you'll have to pay. In many states and for those with very low incomes, the limits are even lower or nonexistent.
Medicaid also doesn't have a deductible, so you can get coverage immediately.
Does Medicare pay for urgent care?
Yes, Medicare pays for urgent care visits.
With Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you may need to pay your $257 Medicare Part B (outpatient care) deductible before coverage starts. After you pay your deductible, you'll typically be responsible for 20% of your bill, unless you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan that covers your Part B coinsurance.
Medicare Advantage works more like regular health insurance. That means you may have to pay a much larger deductible before coverage starts. It's a good idea to check your Medicare Advantage plan details to avoid a surprise bill.
What is urgent care?
Urgent care offers treatment for health issues that can't wait but aren't serious enough for the emergency room.
You can think of an urgent care facility as a bridge between the doctor's office and the emergency room. For example, if you sprain your ankle, you might go to an urgent care center because the injury requires immediate attention but isn't life-threatening.
Common reasons to visit an urgent care facility
- Cuts
- Sprains
- Minor burns
- Ear infections
- Minor fractures
- Allergic reactions
Urgent care centers are typically open during the evening and on weekends, making them a good option if you need to see a doctor immediately. Plus, urgent care centers tend to have shorter wait times than emergency rooms.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an urgent care visit?
A 15-minute urgent care visit costs $120 at a hospital and $184 at a private clinic, on average. You can expect to pay more for longer visits, and you may be responsible for separate charges, depending on the type of care you get.
Does insurance cover urgent care?
Yes, insurance covers urgent care. But you'll typically need to meet your deductible before coverage starts, and you may be responsible for part of the bill, called a copay or coinsurance.
Is it more expensive to go to urgent care than a regular doctor?
Urgent care will often be more expensive than visiting your primary care doctor. That's partially because urgent care centers are open on evenings and weekends. Plus, you may have access to more advanced equipment at an urgent care center than you would at your regular doctor's office.
Methodology
Cost data 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.
Information related to the use of cash pricing by hospital systems came from Johns Hopkins University.
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