Office Visit Costs at Major Urgent Care Centers in the U.S.

Office Visit Costs at Major Urgent Care Centers in the U.S.

The average office visit cost to see a provider at an urgent care is $141.60, nationwide. If you are getting services, such as X-rays, lab tests, or a flu test, you will likely need to pay additional fees. The additional cost of these tests can be anywhere from $30 for a flu test to several hundred dollars for STD or other lab testing. 

If you do not have insurance or urgent care services are not covered by your plan, Mira may be a great option for you. For only $45/month, Mira members get access to low-cost urgent care, lab tests, and prescriptions. You do not need to meet a deductible and you can start using services as soon as you sign up. 

Main Visit Fee at Major Urgent Care Centers 

If your insurance is accepted at the urgent care facility you are seeking care at and you have met your deductible, you will likely be required to pay a small co-pay to cover the visit fee. These co-pays typically range from $25 to $75 but may not include outside laboratory services. 

If you do not have insurance, you will need to pay a baseline visit fee in order to be seen by a provider. The baseline visit fees are typically between $100 and $200, but may be more expensive if they include some basic tests and procedures. According to our research, the average baseline office visit cost at an urgent care is $141.60. In the table below we outline the baseline visit fees at 5 major urgent care centers in the U.S. 

Baseline Office Visit Cost at Major Urgent Care Centers 

Cost of Additional Services at Urgent Care Centers Without Insurance 

When seeking treatment at urgent care facilities, you will likely need to pay additional fees for tests, procedures, or treatments that are done. Below we give estimates for some of the self-pay costs associated with additional tests and services at urgent care. If you have insurance, you may end up paying less for these services. 

• Strep, Cold, or Flu: If you go to urgent care in need of a strep or flu test, you may be charged an additional $35 - $45 on top of our visit fee for each test. Some urgent care facilities will just do a rapid test, while others will send the specimens to an out-of-house laboratory for overnight testing as well. You should always ask if your test is being sent out to another laboratory, as it is possible to get billed from that lab as well. If you just have a common cold, you may not be prescribed any medication. However, if you have the flu or strep your provider may suggest prescription medication to help shorten the duration of your illness. The cost of generic Tamiflu, which is often prescribed for the flu, can cost up to $135 without insurance. Antibiotics used to treat strep usually cost around $15. Mira’s prescription portal can help you access discount codes to use on your prescription medication.
• Broken Bones: If you require an X-ray at urgent care, you will likely be charged a fee for each body part you need imaging in addition to your visit fee. The cost of each X-ray may range from about $40 to $155 if paying without insurance. If you have a break or a sprain, you may be given medical supplies, such as bandages or crutches, which you can be charged for as well. These costs may range from about $10 to $55 for each piece of supplies needed.
• STD Testing: Depending on what STD tests you are getting, the price per test can range from about $40 to $200 in addition to the office visit fee. Some urgent care facilities may offer panels that include 6-10 STD tests, which may be less expensive than paying for each test individually. Mira offers an STD panel that includes a test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV for only $99. If your results for an STD are positive, you may need medication to help manage the infection.
• Additional Laboratory Testing: Lab tests such as a CBC, TSH test, lipid panel, basic metabolic panel, and urinalysis can be quite costly. On the lower end, these tests can cost about $100 - $300 each, but individuals can be billed upwards of $1,000 for complex tests or tests that are sent to out-of-house laboratories. A Mira membership can help you access a health panel for $49, a lipid panel for $25, and other low-cost lab tests.

Visit Costs at Urgent Care Compared to Primary Care Physician

The cost that you pay at urgent care versus primary care depends on several factors, including your insurance status, need for additional tests, treatment, and location. If you are insured, the amount that you pay at a doctor’s office or urgent care will depend on whether the facility you go to accepts your insurance and what your copay is. 

Without insurance, the average cost of going to urgent care for a basic visit is $80 to $280 and $140 to $440 for a more complex or advanced visit. The average cost of going to a doctor’s office without insurance typically ranges from $300 to $600. With a Mira membership, you can go to urgent care facilities for only $99. 

In general, if you have a PCP that manages chronic conditions, it is typically best to see your primary care physician to manage these conditions. If you do not have a primary care physician or are experiencing a health issue after hours or on the weekends, going to an urgent care may be a great option as well. In almost all cases, going to a doctor’s office or urgent care will be less expensive than going to a hospital if you are not experiencing an emergency. In fact, treating the same health conditions at a hospital can be 10 times more expensive than going to urgent care. 

If you are experiencing an emergency situation, you should always call 9-1-1 and go to your nearest emergency room. 

Cost of Urgent Care Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Do all types of insurance cover urgent care visits? 

While the ACA requires that all compliant insurance plans cover emergency services, some services at urgent care facilities may not be classified as emergencies that need immediate attention. These plans may not cover certain services at urgent care. In addition, some HMO health insurance plans may only cover urgent care facilities that are in-network. 

Therefore, you should call the urgent care you intend to visit ahead of time or check their website to ensure that your insurance will be accepted and that you will not be charged out-of-pocket prices. If your insurance does not cover urgent care visits or has a high deductible, you may benefit from a membership with Mira. Mira members are able to go to urgent care facilities for only $99. 

What if I receive a bill in the mail from urgent care? 

It is possible to get a bill in the mail for services that you received at an urgent care center. Surprise billing can be caused by several factors, such as getting a service that is not part of your plan, providing insufficient detail in a claim, getting a service that was not deemed medically necessary, or exceeding the limits of your plan. 

In addition, even if your services were covered by insurance, if your lab work was sent to an out-of-house laboratory, you can get billed directly from the lab for running the tests. There are several steps you can take to avoid surprise medical bills, such as always getting a receipt after a visit, making sure lab work is done in-house, and confirming that your insurance policy will cover the services you are receiving. 

How do I save money at urgent care? 

While going to urgent care without insurance can be expensive, there are several things that you can do to save money. We outline some tips below: 

• Compare rates of various urgent cares before going in to find the most affordable option. You can do this by looking up rates online or calling your urgent care facilities.
• If paying without insurance, always ask about discounted rates for individuals who are self-paying.  Some urgent care may offer discounts for uninsured individuals.
• Always ask if you can get generic prescriptions rather than name brands, as they are usually equally effective but generic versions are more affordable.
• Always get a receipt and double-check your bill to make sure that no mistakes were made in the calculations of how much you owe.
• Consider signing up for a Mira membership, as you can get access to urgent care visits for only $99.

Bottom Line 

The average office visit cost for going to an urgent is $141.60 and typically ranges from $100 to $200. If you are getting additional services, such as lab tests, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests, you will likely need to pay for the cost of these services as well. 

There are several steps you can take to help save money at urgent cares, including signing up for Mira. Mira is an alternative to health insurance that helps members access urgent care, prescriptions, and lab tests for a low price, giving you peace of mind that you can get the care you need.