The average cost of an urgent care visit can be anywhere from $100-$300, depending on the type of medical care you need, where you live, and the urgent care center. Your out-of-pocket cost may also be affected by your insurance provider, and whether or not you require follow-up medical treatment. In general, mild medical conditions incur lower medical bills. Similarly, the average urgent care visit at a walk-in clinic generally costs less than emergency care visits.
Sesame guarantees you the best price on urgent care services - regardless of insurance coverage. Find walk-in urgent care facilities near you, book an online urgent care appointment, and schedule low-cost lab tests without the hassle of deductibles and co-pays. Need a prescription? Primary care physicians on Sesame can write one for you and have it ready at pharmacies near you or delivered to your home for as little as $5.
National Average Urgent Care Cost (Uninsured Patients): $155
Average Urgent Care Cost on Sesame: $131
When should I go to urgent care?
Urgent visits are recommended for non-life-threatening conditions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or any life-threatening symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Urgent care providers are primary care physicians who can help with a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions, including:
- Minor illness (cold & flu)
- Sore throat/ Strep throat
- Ear infections/ Earaches
- Pain from sprains
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Questions about vaccinations (like the flu shot) and COVID-19
- Infections (skin, ear, eye, bladder, sinus, and more)
When should I go to the ER?
While emergency room visits can be more expensive than the average urgent care clinic or doctor’s office visit, it is recommended that you visit a hospital emergency room if you require immediate medical attention.
Some common symptoms or conditions that may require an ER visit include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Severe injuries to the head or eyes
- Severe allergic reactions
- Unexplained bleeding
Should I book a video urgent care visit instead?
Video urgent care offers patients quick and efficient care for a variety of conditions. It cuts out the long lines and lengthy check-in procedures that make trips to the local in-person clinic a hassle and gets you the relief you need quickly and affordably. For example, an in-person urgent care visit in Los Angeles costs $143. A video urgent care appointment costs $31.
Providers on Sesame can assess your symptoms, diagnose conditions, and prescribe medication for conditions such as:
- Strep throat
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Ear infections
- Skin infections
- Flu/ Common cold
- UTIs
- Vaginal infections
This is not a complete list, of course. Some conditions, however, require an in-person diagnosis. A broken bone, for instance, requires a physical examination and diagnostic imaging (like an X-ray). A video urgent care appointment may help a doctor assess what problems you may be having, but may require a follow-up in-person doctor visit before a condition can be definitively diagnosed. Unless you are experiencing a medical emergency, we recommend speaking with a health care provider over a video platform - like those offered on Sesame - to save time and money. During these appointments, you can ask any questions you may have and make a more informed decision about the next steps of your medical care.
What conditions can be treated over a video urgent care visit?
You can address a range of conditions during a video urgent care visit, including colds, UTIs, vaginal infections, rashes, and severe skin irritation. You can also ask the doctor questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and STD testing and speak about any general concerns you have about your health. During the coronavirus pandemic, many urgent cares have offered rapid testing, antibody testing, and more COVID-19 testing options. While you can't be tested for COVID-19 over video, Sesame does offer video COVID-19 screenings as well as in-person testing across the country.
What should I bring to a video urgent care visit?
Come prepared to discuss any symptoms or conditions you may be experiencing, as well as any questions you may have for your doctor. During your visit, your doctor will likely ask about your medical history, your symptoms, or any underlying conditions, as well as any medication you may currently be taking.
What factors influence the cost of an urgent care appointment?
The out-of-pocket costs of an urgent care visit vary depending on where you live, your insurance coverage, and the type of medical care you need. As seen above, medical costs differ depending on the city and state you live in. We recommend that you look up the average price of an urgent care appointment near you before going to a clinic, to make the most financially informed decision about your medical costs.
Uninsured patients and patients with high-deductive health plans may experience a greater out-of-pocket price if they do not have coverage, or if their deductible hasn’t been met. It is recommended that you call your insurance provider and the urgent care clinic before going to a walk-in appointment to get a sense of how much of your visit will be covered by insurance.
Finally, additional medical procedures such as lab tests, imaging (like X-rays or MRIs), and shots may drive up the cost of your bill. Before any tests or procedures are performed, talk to your provider about the cost of the processes being done during your appointment, and whether or not they are covered by insurance.
If you book an urgent care appointment through Sesame, you pay one price upfront. No hidden fees or surprise bills. The price you see listed by the provider is the price you pay. After your appointment, if any follow-up procedures are required, Sesame will get in contact with you about when are where to schedule your visit. If the service is offered by Sesame, you can shop for the best cash price at clinics and doctor’s offices near you.
How much does an urgent care visit cost near me?
Urgent care visits - like most medical costs - can vary in price depending on your insurance company, your specific health insurance plan, and where you live.
Take a look below for a table that details the difference in urgent care visit costs in major metropolitan areas around the U.S.
These figures are average costs. It is recommended that you look up “self-pay” costs for an urgent care visit near you to get a sense of how much your appointment will cost without insurance. Most urgent care centers offer payment plans that will help mitigate upfront health care costs.
Sesame offers affordable urgent care visits across the United States. Use the search bar on Sesamecare.com to get the best price for urgent care near you. Our easy-to-use platform shows participating urgent care clinics in your area, as well as the upfront price you pay for your medical needs. In most cases, our prices are less expensive than an insurance co-pay.
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