Is Urgent Care Cheaper Than the ER?

Urgent care is often cheaper than going to the emergency room for basic services and non-emergency care. The average urgent care visit costs patients $80 to $280 for primary care and upwards of $500 for more serious interventions and services. Patients may incur additional costs for shots, x-rays, and labs. The average emergency room visit costs $2,200 without insurance.

Mira offers an affordable subscription service to offset the costs of primary and preventative health care. Mira members get access to urgent care visits, affordable lab testing, prescription discounts, and telehealth services. Join today!

The Cost of Urgent Care vs. ER

Urgent care is often cheaper than the hospital, as the care provided at an urgent care is often less intensive and does not cost nearly as much to maintain. The cost of treatment at urgent care can range from $80 to $450 depending on the services provided, while the average price of an ER visit is $2,200. Understanding when you should go to urgent care versus an ER can help you save time and thousands of dollars. 

A general rule to remember is that you should only go to an ER if you are experiencing an imminent, serious, and life-threatening medical emergency. Alternatively, you should go to an urgent care clinic if you are experiencing mild symptoms that do not pose an immediate threat to your survival. 

Consider the following cost of standard services at urgent care versus an emergency room:

Cost of Services at Urgent Care and ER

Source: Mira

Consider the costs of treatments for more specific and common conditions treated at urgent care centers and emergency rooms.

Cost of Treatment for Common Conditions at Urgent Care and ER

Source: Mira, Debt.org