Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room (ER) Visit Without Insurance & When to Go to Each

When it comes to deciding if you should visit the emergency room or urgent care, your decisions should largely depend on the symptoms and situation you face. If you are in an emergency, you should visit an emergency room. If you are not experiencing an urgent medical condition, you may want to consider visiting an urgent care center instead. The average cost for an urgent care visit ranges between $80 and $280, while an emergency room visit averages at $2,200.

While urgent care and emergency room visits can be costly, Mira offers an affordable solution at just $45 per month. This covers urgent care visits, discounted prescriptions, and low-cost lab testing. Sign up today and get protected. 

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room Cost Without Insurance

The average urgent care visit costs patients $80 to $280 for primary care. Patients may incur additional costs for shots, x-rays, and labs. The average emergency room visit costs $2,200.

In general, going to urgent care is significantly less expensive when compared to the emergency room. Here’s a breakdown of out-of-pocket pricing when it comes to certain services you may receive during a visit:

Urgent Care vs. ER Cost Based on Service Received

*Please note prices will vary depending on insurance coverage, medications, locations, and severity of the situation.

Source: https://www.debt.org/medical/emergency-room-urgent-care-costs/ , https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-urgent-care-cost-without-insurance , https://www.talktomira.com/post/how-much-does-an-er-visit-cost

Factors that Effect Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room Visit Cost

The cost for both an urgent care or emergency room visit will largely depend on the following factors:

• Medications you received during your visit
• Injections or IVs
• Tests and x-rays
• Level of care needed
• Lab testing
• Casts for broken bones

Each of these factors will influence the cost of your visit.

When to Visit Urgent Care vs. the Emergency Room

You should always consult with your doctor regarding your medical situation. If your symptoms are severe or experiencing a medical emergency, you should call 911 and go to an emergency room. 

When to Visit an Urgent Care Center

If you are experiencing manageable symptoms or need routine tests, going to urgent care may be a better option when compared to an emergency room visit. 

While all of the following services can be provided at an emergency room or even your primary care physician, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to visit an urgent care center for your medical care. 

You may want to consider visiting an urgent care center for any of the following reasons:

• Minor fractures
• X-rays
• Back pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Minor headaches
• Blood work
• Bumps, cuts, and scrapes
• Fever- However, the ER may be more appropriate for infants and toddlers
• Ear or sinus pain
• Vaccinations
• Cough or sore throat
• Lab services
• Animal bites
• Stitches
• Sprains and strains
• Mild asthma
• Foreign objects in the eyes or nose
• Allergies
• Rashes and minor burns
• Burning with urination
• Eye irritation, swelling, or pain
• Minor allergic reactions
• Cold or flu symptoms

When to Visit the Emergency Room

You should go to an emergency room if you are experiencing an emergency. If you have a life-threatening condition, go straight to your nearest ER or call 911 immediately. Such conditions include:

• Chest pain
• Heart attack symptoms
• Difficulty breathing
• Stroke
• Head trauma
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of vision

Average Wait Time at Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room

Along with urgent care center visits being less expensive than emergency room visits, you are also likely to be seen and treated by a doctor a lot faster when compared to the emergency room. The average emergency room has a wait time of 2.4 hours, whereas urgent care centers can see walk-in patients within 15-45 minutes.

However, the wait time does not include the time patients spend waiting for services while in the doctor's office. In most cases, an urgent care center helps patients through the system much faster, as the care is more limited and specific.

Avoiding High Costs at Urgent Care & Emergency Room

Avoiding surprise fees when visiting an urgent care center or emergency room. Understanding what might appear on your bill and advocating for yourself during the billing process is essential to saving money. 

Outlined below are several questions you can ask the team at the urgent care clinic or emergency room that might help you save money.

• How much is the total out-of-pocket cost?
• How much are the services I’m receiving today?
• How much is the treatment I’m receiving?
• Are there administrative fees or fees for seeing a provider?
• Is one type of medicine cheaper than another?
• Is one type of diagnostic test cheaper than another?
• What are my alternatives?

The Bottom Line

It's essential to evaluate your symptoms before choosing to go to urgent care or the emergency room. While the emergency room typically costs more when compared to urgent care, you should go to the emergency room if you are facing an urgent medical need.

If you cannot afford a visit to an urgent care center or emergency room, Mira could be the best option for you. With Mira, your $99 co-pay will cover your entire urgent care visit. For just $45 a month, you can visit any of the urgent care clinics in-network and get access to affordable lab tests, 80% off prescriptions, and more! Sign up today.