According to The Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), approximately 1 in every 10 adults (10.5%) either delayed or did not receive proper medical care due to cost reasons in 2019.
So, how much does urgent care cost? The answer is that it depends because many factors affect the total price (e.g., insurance, level of care, materials). The average cost of an urgent care visit is higher than a comparable visit to your primary care physician but significantly lower than the average cost of an emergency room visit.
There’s a lot to consider when deciding where to go for same-day medical care, not the least of which are out-of-pocket costs. If you have health insurance, a visit to your primary care physician will cost between $15-25, and a visit to a specialist will cost between $30-50. Your exact copay, however, depends on your specific health plan coverage.
In-network urgent care copays are typically between $75-100, and in-network emergency room copays are typically between $200-300. No matter where you receive care, keep in mind that your total out-of-pocket expenses will include the copay as well as the cost of any additional services, tests, or treatments, which may include:
If you do not have health insurance, you will need to pay for everything out-of-pocket. The good news is that treatment in an urgent care facility is significantly less expensive than in an emergency room.
The average cost of an emergency room visit without insurance is at least $750, while comparable services at an urgent care can cost as little as $150. Your exact fees will depend on the level of care you need. For example, if you need x-ray, EKG, or onsite laboratory services, you will need to cover the costs. You also need to pay for any medications, injections, and casting materials (for broken bones) you require.
When you’re hurting or not feeling well, the last thing you want to worry about is where to go for the fastest high-quality care. Here is a quick cheat sheet to help you quickly determine when you should visit an urgent care vs. emergency room vs. your primary care physician:
Your primary care physician is the best choice for your nonlife-threatening medical needs because they’re most familiar with your health history. They are also the best choice for regular checkups and preventive screenings so you can manage potentially serious health issues early, before they become more severe. Your primary care physician should also be your first choice for managing chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.
Urgent care facilities should be used as a supplemental service provider when your primary care physician is unavailable to you (e.g., they do not have any same-day appointments available, it’s after regular business hours, it’s the weekend, or you’re traveling out of town) and you need urgent, same-day medical care.
Visit Coastal Urgent Care of Bossier Haughton when you need same-day medical care for the following:
We also provide physical exams for return-to-work and sports activities.
Before visiting your local urgent care, be sure to confirm that they accept your health insurance plan to avoid unexpected (or avoidable) out-of-pocket expenses. For more information about urgent care costs for your specific medical needs, contact Coastal Urgent Care of Bossier/Haughton. We welcome walk-in appointments 7 days a week.
