How Much Is a Trip to Urgent Care Without Insurance?

Visiting urgent care when you’re uninsured often involves multiple charges: the base evaluation, any diagnostic tests (X-rays, labs), procedures (splints, wound care), and medications. Below is an updated 2025 overview of what an uninsured patient can expect to pay, including typical ranges and examples.

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1. Base Evaluation (Office Visit)

• Tier 1 (Basic Visit): $125 – $180
  • Covers history, physical exam, and basic vitals.
  • Examples: minor cold, sore throat, simple wound check.
  • Average national price: about $180.

• Tier 2 (Visit + Simple Diagnostics/Procedures): $175 – $250
  • Includes Tier 1 services plus one X-ray or lab, splinting for sprains, or IV fluids.
  • Common for suspected fractures, sprains needing X-ray, or moderate dehydration.

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2. Diagnostic Tests

1. X-ray (Single View): $100 – $150
   • Extremity or chest X-ray. Often bundled in a Tier 2 visit (total $175 – $250).

2. Lab Tests:

   • Strep Test: $17

   • Flu A/B Test: $34

   • COVID-19 Rapid Test + Evaluation: $261+

   • CBC or Metabolic Panel: $50 – $200, depending on complexity

3. EKG (Electrocardiogram): $50 – $100 (standalone)
   • If performed as part of a Tier 2 visit, that entire visit runs $175 – $250.

4. Urinalysis / UTI Panel:

   • Urinalysis Dipstick: $4

   • Urine Culture (if ordered): $15 – $30

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3. Common Procedure Costs

• Minor Wound Care / Stitches: $111+ (exam)
  • Simple wound cleaning and suturing; supply fees typically $50 extra.
  • Foreign body removal: $103 – $106.

• Sprain/Fracture Splinting (with X-ray): $175 – $250
  • Basic splint or cast materials may add $75 extra if not fully bundled.

• IV Fluids / Simple Injections: Included in a Tier 2 visit ($175 – $250).

• Nebulizer Treatment / Asthma Care: $17 – $19 (either billed separately or included in Tier 2).

• STD Testing (Chlamydia/Gonorrhea/HIV/Syphilis): $80 – $150 per panel
  • A full five-panel STD screen can total $150 – $300.

• Physical Exam (Sports / Adult): $38 – $60
  • Sports physical (under age 19): $38.
  • Adult annual physical: $60.

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4. Medication and Supply Costs

• Prescription Antibiotics, Pain Relievers, Inhalers: $20 – $50 out of pocket.

• Flu Shot / COVID-19 Vaccine: $30 – $60 each.

• Splint or Cast Supplies: Additional $50 – $100 if not included in the procedure bundle.

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5. Total Cost Examples

1. Simple Cold/Flu Symptoms

   • Tier 1 visit: $180

   • Flu test: $34

   • Over-the-counter meds: $20
     Total: $234

2. Suspected Sprain with X-ray

   • Tier 2 visit: $225 (includes X-ray + basic splinting)

   • Splint materials (if not bundled): $75
     Total: $300

3. Minor Laceration Requiring Stitches

   • Exam + wound care: $111

   • Suture supplies: $50

   • Tetanus shot (if needed): $60
     Total: $221

4. UTI Symptoms

   • Tier 1 visit: $180

   • Urinalysis: $4

   • Urine culture: $20

   • Antibiotic: $30
     Total: $234

5. STD Panel (Observed Collection)

   • Tier 1 visit: $180

   • Full five-panel STD screen: $200
     Total: $380

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6. Regional Variations

• Texas (e.g., Houston – CareNow):
  • Tier 1: $100 – $175
  • Tier 2: $175 – $250

• Florida (e.g., AFC Coral Gables):
  • Tier 1: $120 – $200
  • Tier 2: $175 – $250

• California (e.g., Harbor-UCLA):
  • Tier 1: $200 – $300
  • Tier 2: $250 – $350

• New York City (CityMD):
  • Tier 1: $225 – $250
  • X-ray: $30 extra

• Illinois (Rush UCC, Chicago):
  • Tier 1: $140 – $180
  • Tier 2: $175 – $225

• Georgia (Piedmont QuickCare, Atlanta):
  • Exam: $111+
  • Diagnostics: $17 – $261+

Search terms like “how much is urgent care without insurance in Texas” or “how much is urgent care without insurance in California” can help locate local self-pay rates.

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7. Strategies to Reduce Your Trip Cost

1. Negotiate the Bill

   • Ask for a self-pay discount (often 20 % – 50 % off).

   • Reference Medicare allowable rates: request a reduction to 125 % of Medicare if possible.

2. Choose a Lower-Tier Clinic

   • Retail clinics (CVS MinuteClinic: $49 – $129; Walgreens Clinic: $60 – $99) are far cheaper for minor issues.

3. Consider Telemedicine

   • GoodRx Care: $19 – $49

   • Amazon Clinic / Sesame: $29 per visit

   • Walgreens Virtual Care: $33 – $75

4. Use Sliding-Scale / Community Clinics

   • HRSA’s Health Center Locator can identify clinics charging $20 – $50 based on income.

5. Ask About Financial Assistance

   • Nonprofit urgent care centers and hospital-affiliated clinics often have charity care or reduced-fee programs.

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8. Legal Protections & Patient Rights

• No Surprise Billing Laws

  • California (AB 72): Prohibits balance billing at nonprofit hospital-owned urgent care centers.

  • New York: Limits out-of-network charges at hospital-affiliated clinics to posted self-pay rates.

  • Federal No Surprise Billing (2022): Protects against surprise ER bills at out-of-network hospitals; independent urgent care centers may be exempt.

• Itemized Bill

  • You have the right to demand a detailed breakdown of every charge—consultation, diagnostics, supplies—so you can negotiate or dispute errors.

• Payment Plans

  • Many clinics offer 3–6-month, interest-free installments if you pay a small down payment (often 10 %).

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Summary

A single trip to urgent care without insurance now typically costs $125 – $300 for the base visit. Adding diagnostics and procedures (X-rays $100 – $150; labs $17 – $261; nebulizer $17; splints $75) can push total bills into the $200 – $400 range. Retail clinics (MinuteClinic $49 – $129; Walgreens $60 – $99) and telemedicine ($19 – $75) offer cheaper alternatives for minor issues. Use negotiation, sliding-scale community clinics, or telehealth to lower out-of-pocket costs. Always request an itemized bill, know your state’s no-surprise billing protections, and explore financial assistance or payment plans to ensure you get care without breaking the bank