How Much Does a Walk-In Clinic Cost?

There can be times in our lives when we may encounter a symptom that, while it isn’t causing too much discomfort, we may give it a lower priority and try to get an appointment with a general practitioner.

While this can seem sensible, you might not get an appointment for some time, and if you consider the costs, and if urgent with insurance, this will be $100 minimum and can be as high as $600 if you don’t have insurance. 

Read on to find a full breakdown of the costs and the type of healthcare provider you should be looking at. 

Table of Contents

Visiting a Clinic or Urgent Care 

First of all, the costs for either type of care can vary heavily on the kind of care you require and any other provisions needed for that care, so things like medication, injections, hospital stays, ambulance rides, and examinations can factor into the final bill.  

For primary care, the cost can range between $150-$300 and averages out at about $171 when you compare this sum across all states in the US.

As each healthcare branch has its own set list for these prices and reviews them, it can be frustrating to get a definitive sum. In general, if you have to attend a clinic more often, need to be referred to a specialist, or need specific examinations, this will raise the bill even more.

If you’re wondering if it’s better to go to urgent care, it’s worth noting that both can treat similar health conditions, so you may consider urgent care if you can’t get an appointment, and this way can be cheaper for an advanced level 2 visit this can be up to $440. 

While this is slightly cheaper than a primary walk-in clinic, this figure can rise to $500 if you require more procedures like x-rays. Just the appointment alone can cost between $100-$200, regardless of the reason for your visit. 

Which One Should I Visit? 

If you’re looking to cut costs, it’s essential that you take some preventative measures to identify your symptoms before needing to go to urgent care for a more severe level three or four visits, which can take longer for treatment and raise the costs.

If you’re under 50 and find you’re in good health, you may only need to get a check-up every three years, and over this age, you can start going once a year. 

Not only do you develop a good relationship with your practitioner, but they will also know your medical history long enough to recommend changes you can make to your lifestyle, so you don’t develop any conditions that require further investigation.

What About Specific Treatments? 

While the average cost can be around $265 for specialist treatments, these may need a referral to access them. While you could go to this specialist, you’ll be expected to cover the cost of the visit, which is why insurance is vital to avoid these uplifts.

Specific treatments can cost as follows:

  • Pediatrics– $169
  • Orthopedics– $419
  • Cardiology– $335
  • Dermatology– $268
  • Psychiatry– $159
  • OB/GYN– $280
  • Ophthalmology– $307

The Importance of Insurance 

Suppose the above figures are a cause for concern. In that case, this is a significant reason why having some insurance provisions, as the cost of accessing primary care can be as low as $79 if you’re on Medicaid, and many other types can see a saving between $100- $300.

Of course, this will depend on the type of plan you get and the amount of coverage you have. While many examples still need to be included as they still have significant out-of-pocket costs, others have lower premiums depending on the metal level. 

When considering a plan, you should consider your age, the number of people on the plan, your location, and if you smoke, your insurer can charge more. 

If you have a particular condition, it’s worth seeing if this is covered by your insurer, as having to go outside of this and seek treatment where you are looking for off-label prescriptions, for example, could be more problematic.

Suppose you’re looking for a new plan. In that case, if you aren’t enrolled through the usual methods, it’s a good idea to look at customer satisfaction reviews, the specific plan benefits, and the cost to value, which looks at copays, premiums, and deductibles. 

Use Telehealth Instead

If you’re looking to reduce the cost of a doctor’s visit and find it difficult to get an appointment at a physical location for your condition, using telehealth services may be the best option.

Compared to in-person care, telehealth is substantially cheaper and a lot more convenient as you can receive treatment from the comfort of your own home and don’t need to travel or pay for parking.

Telehealth can be used to diagnose and treat the majority of conditions including chronic diseases and mental health issues, so it’s definitely worth considering if you’re in need of medical care but are unable to get an appointment at a clinic.

How Can DrHouse Help You?

With DrHouse you can find the best medical care for any condition at an affordable price. We provide a telehealth platform where you can make on-demand online doctor visits 24/7 whenever you need.

You can consult with a certified, experienced clinician from the comfort of your own home and get a diagnosis, treatment plan, and prescriptions for any condition all within just 15 minutes.

Our platform is secure and our service is fully compliant with HIPAA regulations, so you know that your personal information is safeguarded at all times.

Conclusion 

While many of these plans can still be challenging to keep up with payments, you want to know that you have good value for your investment. For many people, this can take up a significant amount of their income, which is often the cause of so many financial problems. 

Content on the DrHouse website is written by our medical content team and reviewed by qualified MDs, PhDs, NPs, and PharmDs. We follow strict content creation guidelines to ensure accurate medical information. However, this content is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information read our medical disclaimer.

Always consult with your physician or other qualified health providers about medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on what you read on this website.

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