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How Much Does an ER Visit Cost? Free Local Cost Calculator 

It’s true that you can’t plan for a medical emergency, but that doesn’t mean you have to be surprised when it’s time to pay your hospital bill. In 2021, the U.S. government enacted price transparency rules for hospitals in order to demystify health care costs. That means it should be easier to get answers to questions like how much an ER visit costs.

While the question seems pretty straightforward, the answer is more complicated. Your cost will vary based on factors such as if you’re insured, whether you’ve met your deductible, the type of plan you have, and what your plan covers. 

There is a lot to consider. This guide will take you through specific scenarios and answer questions about insurance plans, deductibles, co-payments, and discuss scenarios such as how much it costs if you go to the ER when it isn’t an emergency. 

You’ll learn a few industry secrets too. Did you know that if you don’t have insurance you might see a higher bill? According to the Wall Street Journal , it’s common for hospitals to charge uninsured and self-pay patients higher rates than insured patients for the same services. So, where can you go if you can’t afford to go to the ER?

Keep reading for all this plus real-life examples and cost-saving tips.

How Much Does an ER Visit Cost Without Insurance?

Everything is more expensive in the ER. According to UnitedHealth, a trip to the emergency department can cost 12 times more than a typical doctor’s office visit. The average ER visit is $2,200, and doesn’t include procedures or medications. 

If you want to get a better idea of what an ER visit will cost in your area, check out our medical price comparison tool that analyzes data from thousands of hospitals.

Compare Procedure Costs Near You

Other out-of-pocket expenses you may incur include bills from third parties. A growing number of emergency departments in the United States have become business entities separate from the hospital. So, third-party providers may bill you too, like:

• EMS services, like an ambulance or helicopter 
• ER physicians
• Attending physician
• Consulting physicians
• Advanced practice nurses (CRNA, NP)
• Physician assistants (PA)
• Physical therapists (PT)

And if your insurance company fails to pay, you may have to pay these expenses out-of-pocket.

How Much Does an ER Visit Cost With Insurance? 

The easiest way to estimate out-of-pocket expenses for an ER visit (or any other health care service) is to read your insurance policy. You’ll want to look for information around these terms:

• Deductible: The amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in . 
• Copay: A set fee you pay upfront before a covered medical service or procedure. 
• Coinsurance: The percentage you pay for a service or a procedure once you’ve met the deductible.
• Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you will pay for covered services in a rolling year. Once met, your insurance company will pay 100% of covered expenses for the rest of the year. 

Closely related to out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles and co-insurance are premiums. A premium is the monthly fee you (or your sponsor) pay to the insurance company for coverage. If you pay a higher premium, you’ll have a lower deductible and fewer out-of-pocket costs whenever you use your insurance to pay for services such as a visit to the ER. The opposite is also true — high deductible health plans (HDHP) offer lower monthly payments but much higher deductibles. 

Sample ER Visit Cost

Using a few examples from plans available on the Marketplace on Healthcare.gov (current as of November 2021), here’s how this might play out in real life:

Rob is a young, healthy, single guy. He knows he needs health insurance but he feels reasonably sure that the only time he’d ever use it is in case of an emergency. Here’s the plan he chooses:

Plan: Blue Cross/Blue Shield Bronze Monthly premium: $394 Deductible: $7,000 Out-of-pocket maximum: $7,000 ER coverage: 100% after meeting the deductible

Rob does the math and considers the worst case scenario. If he does go to the ER, he’ll pay full price if he hasn’t yet met his deductible. But since both his deductible and his maximum out-of-pocket are the same, $7,000 is the most he’ll have to pay before his insurance kicks in at 100%.

Now imagine that Rob gets married and is about to start a family. He might need a different insurance plan to account for more hospital bills, doctors appointments, and inevitable emergency room visits.

Since Rob knows he’ll be using his insurance more often, he picks a plan with a lower deductible that covers more things. 

Plan: Bright HealthCare Gold Monthly premium: $643 Deductible: $0 Out-of-pocket maximum: $6,500 ER coverage: $500 Vision: $0 Generic prescription: $0 Primary care: $0 Specialist: $40

This time Rob goes with a zero deductible plan with a higher monthly premium. It’s more out-of-pocket each month, but since his plan covers doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, and vision, he feels more prepared as his lifestyle shifts into family mode. 

If he has to go to the ER for any reason, all he’ll pay is $500 and his insurance pays the rest. And worse case scenario, the most he’ll pay out-of-pocket in a year is $6,500. 

How Much Does an ER Visit Cost if You Have Medicare?

Medicare Part A only covers an emergency room visit if you’re admitted to the hospital. Medicare Part B covers 100% of most ER costs for most injuries, or if you become suddenly ill. Unlike private insurance and insurance purchased on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, Medicare rarely covers ER visits that happen while you’re outside of the United States.

To learn more, read: How to Use the Healthcare Marketplace to Buy Insurance

How Much Does an ER Visit Cost for Non-Emergencies?

When you have a sick child but lack insurance, haven’t met your deductible, or if you’re between paychecks, just knowing you can go to the ER without being hassled for money feels like such a relief. ER staff won’t demand payment upfront, and they usually don’t ask about insurance or assess your ability to pay until after discharge.

There are other reasons, too. You might be tempted to go to the ER for situations that are less than emergent because emergency departments provide easy access to health services 24/7, including holidays and the odd hours when your primary care physician isn’t available. If you’re one of the 61 million Americans who are uninsured or underinsured , you might go to the ER because you don’t know where else to go.

What you may not understand is the cost of an ER visit without insurance can total thousands of dollars. Consumers with ER bills that get sent to collections face some of the most aggressive debt collection practices of any industry. Collection accounts and charge-offs could affect your credit score for the better part of a decade.

Did you know that charges begin racking up as soon as you give the clerk your name and Social Security number? There are tons of horror stories out there about people receiving medical bills after waiting, some for many hours, and leaving without treatment. 

4 ER Alternatives Ranked by Level of Care

First and foremost, if you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. Do not rely on this or any other website for advice or communication. 

If you’re not sure whether your condition warrants immediate, high-level emergency care, you can always call your local ER and ask to speak to their triage nurse. They can quickly assess how urgent the situation is. 

If you are looking for a lower-cost alternative to the ER, this list provides a few options. Each option is ranked by their ability to provide you with a certain level of care from emergent care to the lowest level, which is similar to the routine care you would receive at a doctor’s office. 

1. Charitable Hospitals  

There are around 1,400 charity hospitals , clinics, and pharmacies dedicated to serving low-income families, including the uninsured. Most charitable, not-for-profit medical centers provide emergency room services, making it a good option if you’re uninsured and worried about accruing substantial medical debt. 

ERs at charitable hospitals provide the same type of medical care for conditions like trauma, broken bones, and life-threatening issues like chest pain and difficulty breathing. The major difference is the price tag. Emergency room fees at a charity hospital are usually flexible and almost always based on your income. 

2. Urgent Care Centers

Urgent care centers are free-standing facilities designed to treat patients with serious but not life-threatening conditions. Also called “doc in a box,” these ambulatory care centers are a good choice for treating stable but chronic health issues, fever, urinary tract infections, back pain, abdominal pain, and moderately high blood pressure, to name a few. 

Urgent care clinics usually have a medical doctor on-site. Some clinics offer point-of-care diagnostic tests like ultrasound and X-rays, as well as basic lab work. The average cost for an urgent care visit is around $180, according to UnitedHealth.

3. Retail Health Clinics

You may have noticed small retail health clinics (RHC) popping up in national drugstore chains like CVS, Walgreens, and in big-box stores like Target and Walmart. The Little Clinic is an example of an RHC that offers walk-in health care services at 190 supermarkets across the United States. 

RHCs help low-acuity patients with minor medical problems like sore throat, cough, flu-like symptoms, and other conditions normally treated in a doctor’s office. If you think you’ll need lab tests or other procedures, an RHC may not be the best choice. Data from UnitedHealth puts the average cost for an RHC visit at $100.

4. Telehealth Visits

Telehealth, in some form, has been around for decades. Until recently, it was mostly used to provide access to care for patients living in the most remote or rural areas. Since 2020, telehealth visits over the phone, via chat, or through videoconferencing have become a legitimate and extremely cost-effective alternative to in-person office visits. 

Telehealth is perfect for some types of mental health therapies, follow-up appointments, and triage. For self-pay, a telehealth visit only costs around $50, according to UnitedHealth.

Tips for Taking Control of Your Health Care

• Don’t procrastinate. Delaying the care you need for too long will end up costing you more in the end. 
• Switch your focus from reactive care to proactive care. Figuring out how to pay for an ER visit is a lot harder (and costlier) than preventing an ER visit in the first place. Data show that preventive health care measures lead to fewer illnesses and better outcomes.
• Plan for the unknown. It’s inevitable that at some point in your life you’ll need health care. Start a savings account fund or better yet, enroll in a health savings account (HSA). If you’re employed (even part-time) you already qualify for an HSA. A contribution of just $9 a paycheck could add up to $468 tax-free dollars for you to spend on health care every year. Unlike the use-it-or-lose-it savings plans of the past, modern plans don’t expire. You can use HSA dollars to pay for out-of-pocket costs like copayments, deductibles, and for services that your health insurance may not cover, like dental and vision services. 
• Advocate for yourself. There is nothing more empowering than taking charge of your health. Shop around for services and compare prices on procedures to make sure you’re getting the best prices possible.
• If you are uninsured or doing self-pay, negotiate your bill and ask for a cash discount. 

Estimate the Cost of the ER Before You Need It

It’s stressful to think about money when you’re facing an emergency. Research the costs of your nearest ER before you actually need to go with Compare.com’s procedure cost comparison tool . 

All you have to do is enter your ZIP code and you’ll immediately see out-of-pocket costs for ER visits at your local emergency rooms. It works for other medical services too, like MRIs, routine screenings, outpatient procedures, and more. Find the treatment you need at a price you can afford.

Disclaimer: Compare.com does not offer medical advice and is in no way a substitute for any medical advice received from health professionals. Compare.com is unable to offer any advice on any medical procedure you may need.

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more.

As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.

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Is it an emergency? Insurer makes patients question ER visit

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Alison Wrenne was making waffles for her two young children one morning when abdominal pain forced her to the floor. A neighbor who is a physician assistant urged her to go to the emergency room.

Wrong decision, according to her health insurer. Wrenne was diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst, but Anthem said that wasn’t an emergency and stuck her with a $4,110 bill.

“How are you supposed to know that?” said the 34-year-old from Lexington, Kentucky. “I’m not a doctor ... that’s what the emergency room is for.”

In an effort to curb unnecessary and costly ER visits, the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer has told customers in a few U.S. states to go to the hospital only in a real emergency such as a heart attack, stroke and major bleeding — or they could wind up footing the bill.

Anthem, the nation’s second-largest insurer, wants patients to consider alternatives like drugstore clinics, nurse advice hotlines or telemedicine. Insurers for years have been raising ER co-payments to try to deter unnecessary — and expensive — visits, and Anthem’s policy marks another round in this long-standing fight.

Even doctors agree the ER — an important revenue source for hospitals — isn’t the best option for minor complaints like sinus infections, rashes or ankle sprains. They say it’s better in those cases to see a family doctor who knows a person’s medical history.

But some also worry that Anthem’s clampdown will scare patients away from the ER in an actual emergency, especially in cases where major problems may not seem serious at first.

“I think it’s completely unfair to patients,” said Dr. Jesse Pines, who teaches emergency medicine at George Washington University. “It runs the risk of really hurting some people.”

Customers in Missouri and Georgia received letters earlier this year from Anthem warning them that minor complaints should be checked out at places like clinics or urgent care centers, where visits can cost $85 and $190, respectively. By comparison, Anthem says a typical ER visit costs around $1,200.

The ER should be used “as it was designed — to treat life-threatening illness,” said Dr. Craig Samitt, Anthem’s chief clinical officer. “This is in no way meant to compromise a member’s determination of whether they’ve got an emergency.”

The push began in 2015 in Kentucky and will expand to Indiana next year and possibly other states that have seen a rise in unnecessary visits. Those involve “common medical ailments” that the average person knows should not be seen in an emergency room, according to Samitt.

Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc. says it wants to steer patients into using the right locations for their care. It has a similar policy for MRIs that pushes some patients away from getting scans at more expensive hospital locations.

There are many exceptions to the ER rule: Patients won’t get dinged when there isn’t an urgent care center nearby, if they need help on a Sunday or major holiday, if a doctor recommends going to the ER or if someone is under age 14.

Samitt also said Anthem isn’t simply rejecting every non-urgent ER claim it receives. The insurer has a physician review a case before issuing a denial, and will consider a patient’s circumstances. Anthem said it may cover a patient who arrives with chest pains that turn out to be indigestion instead of a heart attack.

However, hospital officials in Missouri say many of Anthem’s reviews haven’t been this thorough. The insurer has rejected some claims in only a couple days and hasn’t requested patient records before making a decision, said Daniel Landon, a senior vice president with the Missouri Hospital Association.

U.S. emergency department visits are expected to climb to around 150 million this year, up from 141.4 million in 2014. The rise is due partly to coverage expansions under the Affordable Care Act, an aging population and an increase in opioid overdoses, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Other insurers also review ER use but not as aggressively as Anthem, said Laura Wooster of the emergency doctor group. The group has asked Anthem to stop immediately.

“I would hope that other insurers would take a look at this ... and realize it’s a dangerous enforcement mechanism to consider,” she said.

Anthem spokeswoman Joyzelle Davis said the insurer has met with representatives of the doctor group, but it has no plans to stop its program.

Anthem said it has seen a drop in unnecessary ER visits in Kentucky since it started its review there and has rejected only around 1 percent of all claims as avoidable.

In Wrenne’s case, the letter from Anthem said: “We do not believe that a person with an average knowledge of health and medicine would think that this needed care right away” to avoid a serious problem. The insurer said she could have been treated safely in a doctor’s office or clinic.

The hospital whittled Wrenne’s bill down to several hundred dollars. But now she’s nervous about using the ER again.

“It’s just frustrating to be a reasonable person and have to weigh the cost of ... going to the ER or not because you have no idea what the bill would be,” she said.

Judy Kurtz also is worried about future emergency care. The 62-year-old Maysville, Kentucky, resident was hit with a $1,600 bill a couple years ago after the insurer rejected an ER visit.

A doctor had told her to seek emergency help after an antibiotic reaction made her throat and face swell. She said Anthem eventually paid the claim. But it took about a dozen phone calls and six months to get the insurer to change its mind.

The retired school teacher doesn’t want to go through that again and has set a high bar for going to the ER.

“It would have to be terribly life-threatening if I were to go,” Kurtz said. “I would probably have to be (unconscious) and someone would have to carry me out.”

Know where to go: How to choose between the doctor’s office, urgent care and the ER

When you’re feeling sick or are injured, there are several places you can go for medical care: a doctor’s office, an urgent care center, a retail health clinic or the emergency room. Here’s a quick guide to help you know where to go, based on the urgency of your ailment and your budget. BCBS members can can visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder  to find in-network providers. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, urgent care centers, and more. You can also log into your local BCBS company's site . 

The Doctor’s Office Is Your First Option for Non-Emergencies

Your primary care doctor should be your first call in non-emergency situations. Your doctor knows you and your health history, including what medications you are taking and what chronic conditions might need to be considered in your treatment. Plus, the co-pay for a visit to your doctor’s office will cost far less than a trip to the emergency room. This option can also help you avoid the long wait times typically found in an emergency room. Even if your doctor is unavailable or not an expert in the area of care you need, he or she can refer you to a specialist or another medical professional.

If you don’t have a primary care doctor, take some time to review the options in your network and select one. If you are a BCBS member, you can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder  to help your research. You can also read our  tips on how to choose a doctor that’s right for you .

Urgent Care Centers and Retail Health Clinics Offer Affordable Alternatives

If you can’t reach your doctor or need care outside of regular office hours, urgent care centers and retail health clinics are good options. Retail health clinics are walk-in clinics found in many large pharmacies and retail stores. They are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants and are designed to treat simple conditions, like cold and flu, ear infections and skin conditions. Urgent care centers have physicians on staff and can provide care for a greater range of conditions, including performing x-rays.

In most cases, the out-of-pocket cost for visiting a retail health clinic or urgent care center will cost less than a trip to the emergency room, but it’s always a good idea to check to make sure the location you select is covered by your plan. BCBS members can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder  to locate in-network facilities. You can find a list of the urgent care centers in your network on your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) company’s website , or by calling the 1-800 number on the back of your member ID card.

24-Hour Nurse Lines Provide Phone Consultations

Many BCBS companies also offer a 24-hour nurse line , which you can call any time with questions about your symptoms, complications from medication or advice on when to go to the doctor or emergency room. Check the back of your member ID card or your local BCBS company’s website for more information.

Emergency Rooms Treat Serious Issues

Emergency rooms are designed to treat urgent, acute and life threatening conditions and aren’t the place for routine care or minor ailments. If you feel you are dealing with a health emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. Otherwise, one of the above options will save you time and money, and clear the way for patients in need of emergency treatment. BCBS members can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder  to find nearby emergency rooms. 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.

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What Is an Emergency?

Life happens. One minute you’re making dinner and the next you slice your finger. Luckily, your health care coverage puts you in control of your health care and costs.

You have choices when it comes to choosing care. Just because your finger is hurt doesn’t mean you need to go to the emergency room (ER). And in some cases, if you do go to the ER, your visit may not be covered. This means you could end up paying part or all of the bill.

Knowing what is — and isn’t — an emergency can help you plan for the unexpected.

When the ER Should be Used

You should go to the ER for life-threatening symptoms, such as:

• Heart problems
• Breathing problems
• Heavy bleeding
• Broken bones
• Severe pain

When the ER Shouldn't be Used

You have choices other than the ER for health concerns like:

• Colds, sore throat and flu symptoms
• Ear or sinus pain
• Cuts that don’t need stitches
• Constipation
• Tolerable pain

Help Is Available When Choosing Care Options

Check out this complete list for choosing care options .

• Call our 24/7 Bilingual Nurseline Bilingual (English and Spanish) nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-581-0368 for help identifying some options when you or a family member has a health problem or concern.
• Estimate Treatment Costs Before going for any care, you can log in to Blue Access for Members SM (BAM SM ) and use the cost estimator tool to compare costs.

Freestanding Emergency Room or Urgent Care

Knowing whether to go to freestanding emergency care centers and urgent care centers can be tricky. While they may seem like the same thing, they do have different buildings and visit charges.

Emergency care centers:

• Will have the word "Emergency" in its name or on the building
• Charge ER rates, even if the care you need is minor
• Are mostly out-of-network, so you may get a bill for the amount that your health care plan doesn't cover

Knowing this may help you decide where to get care for health concerns or true emergencies.

Find urgent care centers 1  near you by texting 2   URGENTTX  to  33633   and then type in your ZIP code.

1 The closest urgent care center may not be in your network. Be sure to check our Find Care tool to make sure the center you go to is in-network.  2 Message and data rates may apply. Read terms, conditions and privacy policy at bcbstx.com/mobile/text-messaging .

Last Updated: Oct. 10, 2023

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FEP Blue Focus ® with FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program

Eligible members with Medicare get lower out-of-pocket costs for higher cost drugs and additional approved prescription drugs in some tiers than the traditional pharmacy benefit. Learn more here . 

Under FEP Blue Focus, benefits are not available for services performed by Non-preferred providers, except in certain situations such as emergency care.

Cost sharing may not apply or may be different if Medicare is your primary coverage (it pays first).

• ^  What you’ll pay for a 30-day supply of covered drugs.
• 1  Deductible applies. $500 for Self Only and $1,000 for Self + One and Self & Family.
• 2  Specialty drugs are limited to a 30-day supply.
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• 4  Please see brochure for covered lab services.
• 5  You pay 30% of our allowance for agents, drugs and/or supplies you receive during your care.
• 6  You must be the contract holder or spouse, 18 or older, on a FEP Blue Focus plan to earn incentive rewards.
• 7  You still have an overall medical out-of-pocket maximum. Your MPDP pharmacy out-of-pocket maximum is part of it, not added to it.

The FEP Medicare Prescription Drug Program is a prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in MPDP depends on contract renewal.

The formulary and/or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

This is a summary of the features of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan. Before making a final decision, please read the Plan’s federal brochure (RI 71-017). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in the federal brochure.

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What Is an Emergency?

Life happens. One minute you’re making dinner and the next you slice your finger. Luckily, your health care coverage puts you in control of your health care and costs.

You have choices when it comes to choosing care. Just because your finger is hurt doesn’t mean you need to go to the emergency room (ER). And in some cases, if you do go to the ER, your visit isn’t covered. This means you could end up paying part or all of the bill.

Knowing what is — and isn’t — an emergency can help you plan for the unexpected.

When the ER Should be Used

You should go to the ER for life-threatening symptoms, such as:

• Heart problems
• Breathing problems
• Heavy bleeding
• Broken bones
• Severe pain

When the ER Shouldn't be Used

You have  choices other than the ER  for health concerns like:

• Colds, sore throat and flu symptoms
• Ear or sinus pain
• Cuts that don’t need stitches 
• Constipation
• Tolerable pain

Call our 24/7 Bilingual Nurseline

Bilingual (English and Spanish) nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-299-0274  for help identifying some options when you or a family member has a health problem or concern.

Estimate Treatment Costs

Before going for any care, you can log in to Blue Access for Members SM  (BAM SM )  and use the cost estimator tool to compare costs.

Freestanding Emergency Room or Urgent Care

Knowing whether to go to freestanding emergency care centers and urgent care centers can be tricky. While they may seem like the same thing, they do have different buildings and visit charges.

Emergency care centers:

• Will have the word "Emergency" in its name or on the building
• Charge ER rates, even if the care you need is minor
• Are mostly out-of-network, so you may get a bill for the amount that your health care plan doesn't cover

Knowing this may help you decide where to get care for health concerns or true emergencies.

Last Updated: Oct. 18, 2023