How much does an ER visit cost?
How much does an ER visit cost?
$1,500 – $3,000 average cost without insurance (non-life-threatening condition)
$0 – $500 average cost with insurance (after meeting deductible)
Average ER visit cost
An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average without insurance, with most people spending about $2,100 for an urgent, non-life-threatening health issue. The cost of an emergency room visit depends on the severity of the condition and the tests, treatments, and medications needed to treat it.
| National Average Cost | $2,100 |
| Minimum Cost | $500 |
| Maximum Cost | $20,000+ |
| Average Range | $1,500 to $3,000 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by BetterCare members.
Emergency room visit cost with insurance
The cost of an ER visit for an insured patient varies according to the insurance plan and the nature and severity of their condition. Some plans cover a percentage of the total cost once you meet your deductible, while others charge an average co-pay of $50 to $500.
The No Surprises Act, effective January 1, 2022, protects insured individuals from unreasonably high medical bills for emergency services received from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. The act also established a dispute resolution process for both insured and uninsured or self-pay individuals.
Cost of an ER visit without insurance
An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average without insurance for non-life-threatening conditions. Costs can reach $20,000+ for critical conditions requiring extensive testing or emergency surgery. Essentially, the more severe your condition or issue, the more you are likely to pay for the ER visit.
Factors that impact ER visit costs
Many factors affect the cost of an ER visit, including:
Facility type – Freestanding emergency departments often cost 50% more than hospital-based emergency rooms.
Time of day – An ER visit at night typically costs more than the same type of visit during the day.
Level of care – The more severe your condition is, the more time and expertise it takes to diagnose and treat, and the higher the total ER visit cost.
Ambulance ride – An ambulance ride costs $500 to $1,300 on average, depending on whether you need basic or advanced life support during transport.
Medications – Oral medications, injections, or IVs needed during your stay all add the total cost of your ER visit.
Medical equipment & supplies – Any other supplies used to diagnose and treat you—such as a cast for a broken bone or bandages and sutures to close an open wound—increase the cost.
Testing – Each medical test is typically a separate charge. Tests may include urine tests, blood tests, X-rays, or other more advanced imaging tests.
Insurance coverage:
Out-of-pocket costs may be higher for those with high-deductible insurance plans.
While ER visit costs are generally higher for the uninsured, many hospitals offer discounts for self-pay patients.
ER facility fee by level
An ER facility fee ranges from $200 to $4,000, depending on the severity level of your symptoms and condition. The facility fee is the cost to walk in the door and be evaluated by a physician. Other services you may need, such as lab tests, imaging, and surgical procedures, are charged separately.
| Severity level | Average facility fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $1,000 – $4,000 |
|
| Level 2 | $800 – $2,000 |
|
| Level 3(most common) | $600 – $1,200 |
|
| Level 4 | $300 – $750 |
|
| Level 5 | $200 – $500 |
|
To understand your ER bill: Emergency rooms rank severity levels 1 through 5, with Level 1 being the most severe or urgent. However, most of the billing codes for emergency room visits are reversed, with level 1 being the least severe.
Common conditions and procedures
The table below shows the average ER visit cost for common ailments. Prices vary greatly depending on how much testing and expertise is required to accurately diagnose and treat you.
| Condition / treatment | Average ER cost |
|---|---|
| Acute bronchitis | $800 – $2,500 |
| Allergic reactions | $400 – $4,500 |
| Sprains & strains | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Sore throat | $500 – $2,700 |
| Open wound / stitches | $500 – $1,500 |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Fracture | $1,000 – $3,200 |
| Low back pain | $800 – $3,000 |
| Chest pain | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Broken bone needing surgery | $10,000 – $20,000+ |
Emergency room vs. urgent care
An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000, while the average urgent care visit costs $150 to $250 without insurance. Urgent care facilities can treat most non-life-threatening conditions and typically have less wait time than the ER. For more detail, check out our guide comparing the cost of an emergency room vs. urgent care.
Other alternatives to the ER for less serious health issues include primary care, telemedicine, and free clinics. Check with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to find a free clinic near you.
FAQs about ER visit costs
Why are ER visits so expensive?
ER visits are expensive because emergency rooms run on a 24-hour schedule and require a large and wide range of staff, including front desk personnel, maintenance, nurses, doctors, and surgeons. ERs also run and maintain a lot of expensive equipment and need a constant supply of medications and medical supplies.
While ER visits can be expensive, ER bills are negotiable. If you receive an unexpectedly large ER bill, ask for a discount and question the coding.
Does insurance cover ER visits?
Insurance typically covers some or all of an ER visit, though you may need to meet a deductible first, depending on the plan. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance providers to cover ER visits for "emergency medical conditions" without prior authorization and regardless of whether they are in or out-of-network.
An "emergency medical condition" is considered something so severe that a reasonable person would seek help right away to avoid serious harm.
When should you go to the ER?
You should go to the ER for any serious, potentially life-threatening symptoms, including:
Trouble breathing
Serious head injury
Sudden severe pain
Severe burn
Deep wound
Severe allergic reaction
Major broken bones
Uncontrollable bleeding
Suddenly feeling weak or unable to move, speak, or walk
Sudden change in vision
Sudden confusion
Fever that does not resolve with over-the-counter medicine
Poisoning
Seizure
Tips to reduce your ER bill
An ER visit can cost thousands of dollars, even if you have insurance. Here are some guidelines to ensure you are not overpaying:
Determine if you truly need an emergency room. If your health issue is not life threatening, consider going to an urgent care facility instead as the cost for the same care can be much less.
Go to a hospital-based ER. Freestanding ER centers typically cost much more than a hospital-based emergency room.
Call ahead to confirm payment options and the current wait time.
Ask about costs up front. If you are uninsured, consider asking the following questions to prevent you from surprises on your future bill:
Do you have discounted pricing for patients without insurance?
Will it cost less if I pay with cash?
What will the fee be for my specific issue?
Do you think I will need additional tests, and what will they cost?
How much do you charge for X-rays?
If I need medication, how much will it cost?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.