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Is Urgent Care Cheaper Than ER?

Written by Andrew Le, MD

UpdatedNovember 15, 2024

Healthcare costs often influence decisions about where to seek urgent medical help. Many people face high expenses when visiting emergency rooms (ERs), ranging from $1,300 to $2,600 without insurance. Urgent care centers offer an affordable alternative for non-life-threatening conditions, costing an average of $150 per visit.

This article compares the costs, time efficiency, and quality of care between ERs and urgent care centers to help you make informed choices in non-emergency situations.

Differences Between Urgent Care and ER Services

Urgent care centers and ERs provide immediate access to medical professionals, but their services and capabilities differ.

Urgent

Urgent care centers handle non-life-threatening issues that need timely care. Conditions treated include:

  • Non-severe injuries
  • Minor fractures
  • Sore throats, coughs, and fevers
  • Mild infections

Urgent care facilities are equipped with X-ray machines and basic lab capabilities, allowing them to treat many common ailments efficiently.

Open 7 days a week, they offer extended hours, typically seeing patients in less than 30 minutes and discharging them within an hour.

ER

ERs are designed for life-threatening emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and severe injuries. Open 24/7, they have specialized staff and advanced diagnostic equipment for treating critical conditions.

Due to the nature of emergencies, ERs prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition, meaning non-urgent patients may wait longer for care, with an average wait time between 90 minutes and four hours.

1. Cost

Costs vary significantly between urgent care and ER, with urgent care being a much more affordable option for non-emergency situations.

Urgent Care

A visit to urgent care typically costs $100 to $200 without insurance, with a national average of $150.

For those with insurance, urgent care copays are usually lower than ER copays, making it an economical choice for minor medical issues.

ER

ER visits range from $1,300 to $2,600 for uninsured patients, with exact amounts varying based on location and services needed.

The average ER copay for insured patients is $412 after meeting deductibles, which can significantly impact out-of-pocket expenses.

2. Time Efficiency

Wait times play a major role in deciding between urgent care and ER, especially for non-critical issues.

Urgent Care

Patients at urgent care centers experience shorter wait times, averaging 30 minutes or less. Most patients are treated and discharged within an hour, making urgent care an efficient option for minor health concerns.

ER

ER wait times are longer, with non-urgent patients often waiting between 90 minutes and four hours. ERs use a triage system, prioritizing patients based on the severity of their conditions, which can lead to extended waits for those with less severe issues.

3. Quality of Care

Both urgent care and ER facilities provide quality care, but the scope and purpose of each vary.

Urgent Care

Urgent care centers are staffed with qualified medical professionals, often board-certified in family or emergency medicine.

Approximately 97% of urgent care staff work full-time, ensuring consistent and focused care. For conditions like sprains, minor fractures, and infections, studies show the care at urgent care centers often meets or exceeds ER standards.

ER

ERs provide access to specialized staff and advanced diagnostic resources necessary for handling life-threatening conditions. ER teams are available 24/7 and are equipped to address critical health issues immediately, such as:

  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Major trauma

4. When to Choose Urgent Care vs. ER

Knowing which conditions each facility can treat helps avoid unnecessary costs and delays.

Urgent Care

Urgent care centers treat non-emergency conditions that still need prompt attention. Common reasons for visiting urgent care include:

  • Respiratory infections like colds, flu, and sore throats
  • Minor injuries like sprains, minor fractures, and burns
  • Minor cuts, scrapes, and mild breathing issues

ER

The ER is necessary for severe health conditions that may be life-threatening. Typical cases requiring ER care include:

  • Heart attack symptoms, including chest pain and trouble breathing
  • Stroke symptoms, such as sudden numbness or difficulty speaking
  • Major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, and severe head injuries

Wrap Up

Urgent care is generally cheaper than the ER for non-life-threatening conditions, with average costs around $150 per visit compared to $1,300 to $2,600 at the ER.

Urgent care centers also provide faster service for minor issues, with shorter wait times, while ERs are better suited for critical emergencies like heart attacks or severe injuries. Choosing the right facility based on the condition can save both time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times when urgent care centers may turn patients away?

Yes, urgent care centers can turn patients away if they cannot pay upfront or if the condition requires emergency attention beyond what the urgent care can handle. Urgent care centers often expect immediate payment from patients, whereas ERs must provide treatment regardless of payment capability.

What types of tests and treatments can urgent care centers provide?

Urgent care centers often have basic diagnostic tools, like X-rays and lab facilities for blood or urine analysis, to diagnose and treat common conditions. They also offer treatments like stitching for minor wounds, casting for small fractures, IV fluids, and vaccinations.

How does the patient triage process differ in urgent care vs. ER?

In the ER, patients are triaged based on the severity of their condition, meaning critical cases are treated first. In urgent care, the process is generally first-come, first-served, as most patients have non-life-threatening conditions. But, in the event an individual shows up to urgent care with a potentially life threatening condition, they should be immediately identified and transferred to the ER by ambulance.

How do urgent care centers handle insurance compared to ERs?

Most insurance plans cover urgent care visits, often with a lower copay than ER visits. However, ER visits usually require patients to meet their deductible first, increasing out-of-pocket costs. Checking insurance details before visiting either facility can help clarify costs.