How Much Does a Doctor's Visit Cost Without Insurance in 2023?

The cost of a doctor's visit depends on the type of insurance you have. If you do not have insurance, the cost of a doctor's visit is typically between $300 and $600, but prices can vary depending on several factors such as lab tests, where you seek care, and procedures done at the visit. 

If you do not have insurance or have a high deductible health insurance plan, Mira is a great option to help you access the care you need. For an average of $45 per month, Mira members get access to affordable care, including unlimited $25 virtual care visits. You can start using Mira as soon as you sign up and do not need to meet a deductible. Learn more about Mira.

The Cost of a Doctor's Visit Without Insurance

The price you pay to see a doctor depends on whether you have health insurance and what your insurance plan covers. The cost will also vary based on several factors, including but not limited to:

• The type of doctor you are seeing (primary care physician vs. specialist)
• Where you seek care
• Necessary treatment
• If you need lab testing
• If you are a new or returning patient

In the table below, we outline the average cost of seeing different specialists if paying without insurance. Note that the price can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. 

Cost of a Doctor's Visit for Different Specialists Without Insurance

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Household Component, 2016

In addition, if you are a new patient at the doctor you are seeing, you will likely be charged a "new patient fee." This is because the provider will need to do a full examination which takes longer than a routine appointment. The estimated national average cost of a new-patient office visit without insurance is $357.

The Cost of a Doctor's Visit With Insurance

The American Medical Association has published a list of codes used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services. These are the different charges a physician may list when they see a patient and submit for billing. The prices in the table below are the prices that insurance companies process to determine what you are responsible for paying. 

Cost (Copay) of a Doctor's Visit for Different Specialists By Insurance Type

**Pediatrics estimate not shown for Medicare due to small sample size.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Household Component, 2016

Private Insurance

If you have private insurance, the price that you pay to see a doctor will depend on the type of plan you have, your copay, co-insurance, and deductible. 

If you haven't met your deductible, you are expected to pay the full price the insurance company agrees to reimburse the medical provider, typically between $100-$400. 

If you have met your deductible, the copay to see a primary care physician is usually between $15 and $25, while the copay to see a specialist may be between $30 and $50. 

It is important to note that your insurance will not cover many services until you meet your deductible. Therefore, you may need to pay the total out-of-pocket prices for services if you have not yet met your deductible. Some services, however, may still be covered before you meet your deductible, depending on your insurance plan. 

Even after you meet your deductible, if your doctor orders lab tests from an out-of-house lab, you may be charged for those tests directly from the lab. It is also important that you go to in-network providers, as some insurance plans will charge higher rates or not cover out-of-network providers at all.

Medicare

Medicare Part B covers services such as outpatient medical care. Medicare does not use copayments, but instead, you need to meet a deductible and then pay a set co-insurance rate or percentage of the cost to seek care. Individuals who have Medicare part B generally have to pay about 20% of the cost of doctor's visits.

Medicaid

The cost of going to the doctor if you are covered by Medicaid varies by state. In New York, individuals covered by Medicaid will be required to pay 20% of what the program pays for both inpatient and outpatient care. Children and pregnant women may be exempt from paying the Medicaid copayment. Some services, such as emergency room visits, may also be exempt from copayments.

No insurance

Without insurance, the cost of going to a doctor typically ranges from $300 to $600. This price will vary depending on whether you see a specialist, if lab tests are completed, and if any procedures are done. 

Where to See a Doctor If You Do Not Have Insurance 

If you do not have insurance, there are several places where you can seek care when needed. 

1. Community Health Clinics: There may be clinics near you that provide free or low-cost health services, such as preventative care, vaccinations, or health screenings. You can search for free community health clinics in your area using FreeClinics.com.
2. Urgent Care: You can also see a doctor and get many services done at urgent care facilities. Some urgent care facilities are walk-in, and others, you can make an appointment on their website. In general, most urgent cares charge a visit fee of about $100-$200 to see a provider in addition to other fees for the services you receive. With a Mira membership, you can go to urgent care facilities for only $99.
3. Telehealth: Many doctors and companies now offer telehealth services, which may be a more convenient and less expensive way to seek care. Sometimes after a consultation, your doctor can prescribe medication or give you medical advice. Some conditions, however, may require you to seek care in person after your telehealth call. Companies such as Teladoc, MDLive, and Doctor on Demand offer online consultations that range from $65 to $260, and Mira offers members telehealth visits for only $5.
4. Doctor's Office: You can also still seek care at a primary care physician or specialist's office. However, be sure to call in advance to ask the office what their policy and pricing or patients who do not have insurance.
5. Emergency Room: If you are experiencing an emergency, you should always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Regardless of your insurance status, you will be able to get treatment. However, if you have a non-urgent medical condition or need a routine visit, going to urgent care for any of the other options above will likely be much less expensive.  
6. Mira: If you do not have insurance, Mira may be a great option for you. Mira members get access to virtual care visits for only $25 and in-person urgent care visits for $99. In addition, Mira offers affordable lab testing, prescriptions, and behavioral health services.

How to Save Money at the Doctor Without Insurance 

Going to the doctor can be expensive, especially when paying without insurance. Below are some tips and tricks that you can keep in mind to help save money when going to the doctor. 

• Shop around before choosing a doctor. The price of the same service can vary greatly depending on the doctor's office you decide to visit, so it is important to call multiple places and ask for their prices when possible.
• Tell your doctor that you do not have insurance and ask if they offer any discount rates. Some providers have special rates for individuals who do not have insurance and can give you a discount if you pay in advance or pay in cash. However, most doctor's offices do not advertise this, so you should always ask.
• If you are getting prescription medication, you can ask your doctor if they have free samples they can offer you. You should also always ask if your doctor can prescribe the generic version, as they are typically cheaper than the brand name. In addition, a Mira membership can help you access up to 80% off of prescriptions.
• You can also set up a savings account to put aside money each month to pay for doctor visits and other health care expenses. This can help you manage your money and help ensure that you have enough money to pay for your health care needs each month. If you have a high deductible plan, you may qualify for a health savings account (HSA), which allows you to put aside pre-tax money for medical expenses.
• Consider getting a Mira membership. Mira is an alternative to health insurance that offers low-cost virtual health visits, urgent care, prescriptions, and lab tests. Mira can help ensure that you can seek care when you need it at a low price.

Costs of Doctors Visits Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There is a large range of prices you can be charged for a doctor's visit depending on many of the factors mentioned above. Without insurance, the cost of a doctor's visit and associated prices can be very expensive. Below we answer a few additional questions.

Will a hospital treat me if I do not have insurance? 

Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, hospitals must provide care to all individuals in an emergency, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. While you will be treated if experiencing an emergency, you will likely still be responsible for paying your bill after you have recovered. 

Doctors' offices, however, are not covered by this act. Therefore, if you cannot pay and are not experiencing an emergency, you may be denied care at a private doctor's office. 

What affects the cost of a doctor's visit? 

Several factors may affect how much you pay when seeking care at a doctor's office. Some of these factors include: 

• Where you seek care
• If you are going to a specialist
• If you have insurance
• What services you receive at the doctor's office
• If you will need any prescription medications
• If you get lab tests done and whether those tests are done in-house
• The severity of the condition being treated

How can I figure out the cost of seeing a doctor at different offices? 

While some urgent care facilities and doctor's offices post their prices for visit fees and various services on their website, most do not. If the prices are not posted online, you can call the doctor's office or urgent care directly. 

You should ask what the price is for a visit fee and the additional charges associated with treating the condition or symptoms you have. You probably will not be able to get an exact price before you see a doctor, but calling in advance can help you get an estimate of how much you may need to pay. 

Here are some questions you can ask when calling to inquire about prices: 

• How much is a visit fee if I’m paying without insurance?
• How much does this service cost?
• Is this price included in the visit fee?
• Does the price vary depending on which provider I see at this practice?
• How much do lab tests typically cost?
• Are there any other fees that may be associated with my visit?

Bottom Line 

The cost of a doctor visit can be expensive, especially when paying without insurance. While the cost of seeing a doctor without insurance is typically between $300 and $600, the price will depend on where you seek care and several other factors. If you do not have insurance, you can seek care through community health clinics, urgent care facilities, telehealth, doctor's offices, and hospitals. 

With a Mira membership, you can see a doctor at urgent care for only $99 and get virtual care for only $25. You can start using care as soon as you sign up and have peace of mind that you can always make an appointment to see a doctor for an affordable price.