How much does urgent care cost without insurance?
How much does urgent care cost without insurance?
$150 – $250 average urgent care visit cost
Average cost of urgent care without insurance
The average urgent care visit costs $150 to $250 without insurance. Most urgent care clinics charge a $100 to $150 office visit fee that includes an evaluation by a healthcare professional and treatment for minor illnesses or injuries. Additional tests, X-rays, medications, treatments, and procedures cost extra.
| National Average Cost | $200 |
| Minimum Cost | $99 |
| Maximum Cost | $400+ |
| Average Range | $150 to $250 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by BetterCare members.
Urgent care visit cost by level
The total cost of an urgent care visit depends on the number and severity of issues and what is needed to diagnose and treat you. Most urgent care centers used tiered pricing based on the amount of time or number of tests and treatments. Some facilities have more than three pricing levels.
| Self-pay tier | Average cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $100 – $175 |
|
| Tier 2 | $175 – $250 |
|
| Tier 3 | $250 – $400+ |
|
Factors the affect the cost of urgent care
Factors that impact the cost include:
Office visit cost – The base cost to see a doctor without insurance at urgent care centers is $100 to $150 on average, just to walk in and see a healthcare professional for evaluation. This office visit cost typically does not include X-rays, tests, medications, or procedures.
Location – Urgent care costs are fairly standard across the country, but you may pay slightly more in a major city like New York or Los Angeles.
Level of care – More serious or complex health issues require more expertise and take longer to diagnose and treat, increasing the cost.
Insurance – While lack of insurance coverage often means higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs, many urgent care facilities offer discounted self-pay or cash rates for individuals with no insurance.
Tests & treatments – Each X-ray, medication, treatment, or procedure adds to the total urgent care bill.
Labs – Some urgent care centers include in-house lab testing in their self-pay office visit price. When not included, lab tests cost $20 to $200+ each, depending on the test and whether it can be done in-house or requires sending to an off-site testing facility.
Urgent care services
In addition to treating common illnesses and injuries, urgent care centers provide a wide range of healthcare services. The table below shows the average cost for some of the most common services. Depending on the facility, some of these services may be included in the office visit fee.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| X-ray cost | $75 – $400 |
| In-house lab testing (pregnancy, strep A, flu, glucose, mononucleosis, allergies) | $25 – $80 each |
| COVID-19 testing | $50 – $150+ |
| Drug testing | $50 – 125 |
| STI testing | $50 – $300 |
| Physicals (sports, school, employment) | $40 – $120 |
| Vaccines (COVID-19, tetanus, flu shot, MMR, hepatitis A & B) | $40 – $300 |
| Durable medical equipment (splints, crutches, knee brace) | $10 – $60 |
Urgent care vs. emergency room cost
While emergency rooms can handle non-life-threatening health issues, going to an urgent care center instead will typically cost much less, especially for individuals with no insurance. Your wait time will also likely be much shorter at an urgent care center.
A typical urgent care visit costs $150 to $250, while an ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average for the same service without insurance. Check out our guide comparing urgent care costs vs. the emergency room for a more in-depth look at the differences.
Urgent care vs. Community Health Centers (CHC)
If you're on a tight budget and are looking for the cheapest way to see a doctor without insurance, check out Community Health Centers (CHC) and charitable clinics in your area that offer free or sliding-scale services based on income.
Urgent care FAQs
What is urgent care?
Urgent care refers to medical clinics that provide same-day, non-emergency healthcare services. This includes treating common ailments like colds, the flu, ear or bladder infections, bronchitis, strains, or sprains. Urgent care centers also offer other healthcare services like lab tests, vaccines, and physicals.
When should I go to an urgent care facility?
Consider going to an urgent care center if you are experiencing a non-life-threatening health issue and your primary doctor's office is closed or cannot fit you on the schedule. Urgent care facilities provide many healthcare services, including:
Treatment for minor illnesses and injuries
Physicals needed for sports, school, or employment
Diagnostic lab testing
X-rays
Vaccines
Medications
Medical equipment
Is a walk-in clinic the same as an urgent care center?
A walk-in clinic is similar to an urgent care center in that both provide basic medical care services. However, most urgent care centers can handle a broader range of health issues and more serious non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries, like a severe burn or broken bone.
What is the difference between urgent care and the emergency room?
Urgent care centers are same-day clinics meant for illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening. The emergency room is intended for serious, life-threatening situations that need immediate attention, such as a heart attack, stroke, uncontrollable bleeding, or major injury.
Does urgent care bill you later without insurance?
Most urgent care facilities require payment at the time of service. Depending on the testing and treatment you receive, you may also receive a bill after your visit.
Tips to save on your urgent care visit
Healthcare services can add up quickly, especially without insurance. Here are some guidelines to ensure you are not overpaying for your care:
Look online – Most urgent care centers have information on their website about self-pay rates, and many list the prices for individual services.
Call ahead – Call the facility beforehand to confirm their current wait time and find out their rates and payment options. You can also speak with them about your specific issue to determine if urgent care is the best choice.
Ask the right questions – Consider asking these important questions before your visit to ensure you are not surprised by the bill later:
Do you have discounted pricing for patients without insurance?
Will it cost less if I pay with cash?
What do you charge for an office visit?
What does the office visit fee include?
Will I 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.