When you need to see a doctor quickly, your neighborhood urgent care is a great option to get seen, receive care, and be back on your way to health. However, you don’t want this visit to break the bank. The cost of an urgent care visit at CheckPoint Urgent Care can depend on many factors.
How Much is an Urgent Care Visit?
Urgent care is a great alternative to emergency room visits or when your primary care provider cannot see you. Urgent care is cheaper than ER visits and they accept patients who don’t have insurance. Additionally, urgent care centers can typically get you seen faster than an emergency room as well.
What is Urgent Care?
Urgent Cares, or walk-in clinics, are medical facilities that provide healthcare to those who need to be seen by a physician, but whose issues are less serious and do not require an emergency room visit.
Urgent care facilities are equipped to help people with a variety of illnesses, vaccinations, physicals, and minor injuries. The diagnostic equipment is similar to what you would see in an emergency room. Many are open on weekends, holidays, and after hours when a primary care provider’s office would be closed. For the most part, you won’t need an appointment, and walk-ins are welcome.
What is the Cost of an Urgent Care Visit
The average cost of an urgent care visit is anywhere between $100 and $150. For those without insurance, the average cost is slightly higher- around $175. However, the final cost depends on what diagnostic equipment the doctors and nurses will be using as well as any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications they recommend. The costs still add up to less than what you would pay at an emergency room, and you’ll likely get back home sooner.
Does my Insurance Cover Urgent Care Visits?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all ACA-compliant health insurance plans to cover emergency services, however, some insurance companies do not classify urgent care as emergent care. Many health plans make the following distinctions between urgent care and emergency care:
- A plan may define urgent care as a medical condition that is not potentially life-threatening and doesn’t require immediate medical attention but does require attention within 24 hours
- A plan may apply different (and often significantly lower) co-pays at urgent care centers vs. an emergency room. You will likely have the same or similar copay at urgent care as you would at your primary care provider’s office.
- Be sure the provider at your chosen urgent care facility is covered by your health plan. Check this before you head out to avoid a pricey bill later.
How Much is an Urgent Care Visit if I Don’t Have Insurance?
You can still visit urgent care and receive care even if you don’t have insurance. Without insurance, you’ll be responsible for covering all services. Payment is usually due at the time of service. Medications, whether over-the-counter or prescriptions are an additional cost to take into consideration as well. If you’re trying to reduce the cost of an urgent care visit, you can take a few steps prior to being seen by a physician:
- Call a few locations in your neighborhood to compare prices
- Explain your situation to the employee at the facility. You might be able to negotiate your costs through a payment plan. The clinic may also have income-based discounts on services as well
- Consider a short-term health insurance plan or medical indemnity plan that fits your immediate needs
Here When You Need Care: CheckPoint Urgent Care
When you need to be seen by a physician, the team at CheckPoint Urgent Care is here to get you feeling better quickly. Our team can perform diagnostic testing, X-rays, joint injections, and more. Visit our website for a full list of services and to find a location near you.
