Urgent Care Cost: What to Expect When You Visit an Urgent Care Clinic
Forbes recently reported that the urgent care industry had hit $18 billion in value. With our society’s focus on speed and convenience, it’s really no surprise.
Most urgent care centers can treat patients outside of typical doctors’ office hours, and with no appointment necessary.
Before you visit an urgent care facility, it’s best to know a bit about urgent care cost so you aren’t caught off-guard.
We’re going to provide detailed answers to two of the most common questions about urgent care prices here.
We hope the knowledge we share can help you make a quick, informed decision the next time you or a family member needs medical attention.
Where Can I Go for Urgent Care and How Will the Cost Vary?
Retail clinics at places like drugstores and supermarkets offer quick service from a nurse practitioner or a registered nurse. You may choose to visit a retail clinic if you think you have a common illness like strep throat or a sinus infection.
Cost for a visit can be between $55 and $75 if you’re paying out-of-pocket or a regular office visit co-pay if your insurance covers it.
Urgent care centers like Med Now provide walk-in services for acute medical issues that go beyond that scope of a retail clinic. These centers are especially beneficial for when you want to see your primary care doctor but can’t get an appointment.
The prices are like those at a doctor’s office, but your insurance may include co-pays and coverage for these facilities.
If your medical issue is more severe or seems life-threatening, you may need to visit the hospital emergency room. Keep in mind that the ER treats patients in order of severity of their issue, not on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The cost is high, too. You can expect to pay about $400 or more for your ER visit. So if yours isn’t a dire emergency you may be better off visiting an urgent care center or retail clinic.
How Does Insurance Factor into Urgent Care Cost?
Whether your urgent care visit is covered by insurance depends on your plan. You’ll probably have to pay something out-of-pocket, but several factors determine the amount.
If you’ve already met your deductible, you’ll only pay your copay. This typically falls between $25 and $75. If you haven’t met your deductible, you may be responsible for the full cost of the visit. Check your plan or call your provider for help understanding your health insurance plan.
Urgent care prices also vary based on whether you visit an in-network facility. In-network centers have pre-negotiated rates with your provider. Out-of-network centers can set their own rates. Research your local urgent care providers now, before you need to visit one.
Start Protecting Your Health Today
It’s hard to escape the common cold floating around your office, but now that you know more about urgent care cost, you can choose the best care option for your needs.
You can also make changes to your lifestyle today to help avoid more serious health issues down the road.
We understand work stress can affect your health, so we’ve put together a collection of articles to help you make your work life work better for you. Check out some of our recent posts.
