Urgent Care vs ER: When to Go Where

The average urgent care visit costs $150 to $280 without insurance. The average ER visit costs about $2,715. That's roughly 10 times more for the same type of treatment in many cases. Between 37% and 82% of pediatric ER visits are classified as nonurgent and could have been handled at urgent care. Knowing which to use saves money and often gets you seen faster.

Go to the ER For

Chest pain or pressure. Difficulty breathing. Signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty). Severe or uncontrolled bleeding. Serious head, neck, or spine injuries. Severe abdominal pain. Poisoning or drug overdose. High fever with a stiff neck. Seizures. Loss of consciousness.

Go to Urgent Care For

Sprains and strains. Minor fractures. Cuts that may need stitches but aren't deep or life-threatening. Ear infections. Sore throats and flu. UTIs. Rashes. Mild to moderate fevers. Minor burns. Insect bites. Pink eye.

Urgent Care by the Numbers

There are about 11,877 urgent care clinics in the U.S., growing at 5.1% per year. 78% of the population lives within a 10-minute drive of one. Most are open evenings and weekends. With insurance, urgent care copays run $20 to $75. Without insurance, $150 to $280. Visits typically take 30 to 60 minutes, compared to hours in the ER.

The Telehealth Option

For conditions that don't need a physical exam, telehealth urgent care is even cheaper and faster. Visits cost $75 to $99 without insurance (or $0 with many plans) and complete in about 15 minutes. Good for sinus infections, allergies, UTIs, rashes, and prescription refills. Not good for anything requiring hands-on care.