What urgent care costs

For the same minor problem, urgent care almost always costs far less than an emergency room. What you pay depends on your insurance, the clinic, and what you need during the visit. The fastest way to know is to ask before you're seen.

With insurance

  • Many plans charge a flat urgent care copay that's printed on your insurance card. It's usually much lower than the ER copay.
  • If you have a high-deductible plan, you may pay the clinic's negotiated rate until you meet your deductible.
  • Check that the clinic is in your network. Calling the number on your card or checking your insurer's app takes a minute and can save a lot.

Without insurance

  • Many urgent care clinics have a flat self-pay price for a basic visit. Ask for it when you call or check in.
  • Tests, X-rays, stitches and shots usually cost extra. Ask which ones you're likely to need and what each costs.
  • Under the No Surprises Act, uninsured and self-pay patients can ask for a good faith estimate of costs ahead of time.
  • Community health centers charge on a sliding scale based on income.

Urgent care or the ER?

  • Urgent care: infections, sprains, minor cuts, rashes, fevers, flu and COVID testing. Shorter waits and lower cost.
  • Emergency room: chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, severe bleeding, serious injuries, or a fever in a baby under 3 months.
  • If you're not sure, choose the ER for anything that could be life-threatening. Cost should never be the reason to wait.

Before you go

  • Ask: Do you take my insurance? What's your self-pay price? Do you have X-ray or lab on site?
  • Bring your ID, insurance card, and a list of your medicines.
  • Keep your receipt and visit summary in case you need to file a claim or appeal a bill.

Not sure where to go?

Describe what's going on and see the closest clinics, ranked by distance only.

Start →

Source on cost estimates: CMS: No Surprises Act. General information, not financial or medical advice.