Emergency Room Visit Cost With And Without Insurance in 2024
In the United States, an emergency room visit cost $2715 on average in 2024 according to an analysis of 2.5B claims adjusted for inflation. Sometimes, a visit to the emergency room can exceed these prices since the actual price you pay out of pocket will depend on your condition and the diagnostic tests and treatments you undergo.
Three IMPORTANT things to know about ER Visit Cost:
- There are 4 types of charges you will see on each bill: triage fees + facility fees + professional fees + supplies. When you get registered as a patient at the ER, you get charged a triage fee, typically $200-$1000. Next, when you are assigned to a room, you will incur a facility charge of $1,118, covering your time in the room and nurses’ time.
- There are 5 acuity (severity) levels; each has a different charge. Depending on the scale from 1 to 5, if you are a level 3 or above, you may have to wait much longer compared to level 1. If you are level 3 (which is most common), you get charged a lot more than someone who is level 5.
- Your bill might be reduced if you are eligible for a charity care program. Sometimes hospitals have charity care programs that are income-based. You will get a reduced charge for your ER visits. After your visit, you can access these programs by contacting the hospital patient advocacy department.
How Mira Can Help: It is essential to determine if your condition is genuinely emergent or could be treated at urgent care. Mira could help you access affordable urgent care, virtual primary care, mental health services, discounted prescriptions, and more, starting at just an average of $45 per month. If you happen to receive a bill from a hospital, Mira has a bill negotiation service that can help to cut the amount up to half. Learn more
How Much Does An ER Visit Cost WITHOUT Insurance?
The price of your ER visit will depend on what types of treatments and medications you receive. For patients without health insurance, an emergency room visit can cost less than $2715. If your treatment is extensive, an ER visit can exceed this price. For instance, in some cases, especially where critical care is required and/or a procedure or surgery is performed, the cost could reach $20,000 or more.
By Common Conditions
| Common Conditions | Emergency Room Rates |
|---|---|
| Acute Bronchitis | $814 |
| Sore Throat | $620 |
| Low Back Pain | $751 |
| Attention to Dressing/ Removal of Sutures | $343 |
By Common Services
| Common Service | Emergency Room Rates |
|---|---|
| Stitches | $500 |
| X-ray | $276 |
| Chest pain | $1,000 |
| Broken bones (including surgery) | $10,000+ |
By Location
| Metro Area | Avg Cost (2024, adj. for Inflation) |
|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $2,163.29 |
| Chicago, IL | $2,263.88 |
| Cleveland, OH | $2,293.87 |
| Dallas, TX | $3,014.71 |
| Houston, TX | $3,182.75 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $3,148.00 |
| Miami, FL | $3,974.24 |
| New York, NY | $3,556.38 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $2,581.75 |
| San Francisco, CA | $4,573.62 |
| Seattle, WA | $2,097.27 |
| Washington, DC | $2,749.73 |
Below is the average price for an ER visit in each state, from lowest to highest. This is the out-of-pocket cost with no health insurance coverage and for a moderate to severe ER visit.
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Brianne Smith, DNP, PhD, is a public health researcher with a focus on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices and clinical research. She holds dual doctorates in Nursing Practice and Healthcare Research, and specializes in advanced patient care management and educational advocacy.