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No Insurance? How to See a Doctor Without Insurance

Shop around, ask about cash discounts and consider community health centers and free clinics.

This article is based on reporting that features expert sources.

8 Tips for Getting Medical Care Without Insurance

Millions of people in the U.S. live without health insurance, a circumstance that can cause people to weigh the need to see a doctor against the cost. Unfortunately, many people will put off or do without medical care because they can't afford it, a decision that could jeopardize their health.

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While the Affordable Care Act has boosted the number of Americans with insurance, millions remain uninsured. In 2018, 27.5 million people – more than 8% of the U.S. population – were uninsured, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Private health insurance covered 67% of Americans. Those without health coverage face the dilemma: Where can I go for medical care without insurance?

The Coverage Gap

In addition to the people who are uninsured, millions are underinsured, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund. Among people with health insurance, 29% were underinsured in 2018, compared to 23% in 2014, according to the fund's Biennial Health Insurance Survey: "People who are 'underinsured' have high health plan deductibles and out-of-pocket medical expenses relative to their income and are more likely to struggle paying medical bills or to skip care because of cost."

The survey found that 41% of underinsured adults reported they delayed needed medical care because of cost. By contrast, 23% of people with adequate insurance coverage said they delayed such treatment. Also, 47% of underinsured adults reported medical bill and debt problems.

Tips for Finding Affordable Medical Care

If you're uninsured or underinsured, here are eight strategies for finding affordable medical care:

• Research your eligibility for insurance.
• Shop around.
• Agree to a price in writing.
• Ask about a cash discount.
• Keep good records.
• Be prepared.
• Consider community health clinics.
• Think about urgent care centers.

1. Research your eligibility for insurance.

Depending on your situation, you might be eligible to buy individual health insurance coverage from the ACA marketplace or in the individual market, or you might qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children's Health Insurance Program for your kids, says Kim Buckey, vice president of client services at DirectPath, a company that provides personalized health benefits education and enrollment services to large employers.

2. Shop around.

Prices for health care appointments and procedures vary dramatically, with differences of up to 2,000%, says Bill Kampine, co-founder and senior vice president, analytics and innovation, for Healthcare Bluebook. The company's client base includes municipal and large self-insured employers. It also offers a free online tool that individuals can use to comparison shop for health care services by region.

3. Agree to a price in writing.

4. Ask about a cash discount.

5. Keep good records.

6. Be prepared.

7. Consider community health centers and free clinics.

There are a number of health care providers that provide services at little or no cost to those who are eligible, says April Temple, an associate professor of health sciences at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

8. Also, think about urgent care centers.

Nationwide, there's been a meteoric rise in the use of urgent care centers in recent years. These facilities provide a higher level of care than what's available at some pharmacy retail clinics, but aren't equipped to provide emergent care for things like heart attacks and strokes. Urgent care centers can treat a wide array of maladies, including upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, diverticulitis; high blood pressure, food poisoning, sprains, minor fractures and lacerations. An urgent care visit typically costs around $150, according to Debt.org.

12 Common Medical Emergencies

The U.S. News Health team delivers accurate information about health, nutrition and fitness, as well as in-depth medical condition guides. All of our stories rely on multiple, independent sources and experts in the field, such as medical doctors and licensed nutritionists. To learn more about how we keep our content accurate and trustworthy, read our  editorial guidelines .

Buckey is vice president of client services at DirectPath, a company that provides personalized health benefits education and enrollment services to large employers.

Kampine is co-founder and senior vice president, analytics and innovation, for Healthcare Bluebook. The company’s client base includes municipal and large self-insured employers. It also offers a free online tool that individuals can use to comparison shop for health care services by region.

Temple is an associate professor of health sciences at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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How to see a doctor when you don’t have health insurance

How to see a doctor without insurance | Without insurance doctor visit costs | Without insurance specialist costs | Without insurance medical care options | Savings

If you’re sick, you make an appointment to see a doctor, right? Well, if you’re in the United States and are one of the many people who is either uninsured or underinsured, getting medical care isn’t quite so simple. The healthcare system can be wildly expensive for those without insurance—or for those whose insurance doesn’t cover enough. Out-of-pocket medical bills can range from $68 to $234 for a simple visit to your primary care physician, and that is only for the doctor’s fee. Other services like imaging and blood work will run that bill up even more. 

So, how do you access a doctor without health insurance? Luckily, there are a few options available. However, they vary by where you live, what kind of treatment is required, and other factors specific to your circumstances. Healthcare costs can be a very intimidating thing, but the good news is that there are ways to be informed and make decisions that minimize your medical expenses.

How to see a doctor without insurance

First and foremost, people should not avoid going to the doctor strictly because of cost. It could cost your health and your wallet more down the line if you postpone getting the care you need. Even if you don’t have health insurance, you can still see a doctor and receive medical treatment—preventive care, acute care, urgent care, or emergency care. The difficult part is to find services that are affordable. Surveys have shown that most providers will provide you with pricing information upfront before scheduling. This allows you to shop for the best price and limit surprises in terms of the cost of a doctor’s visit.

How much does it cost to see a doctor without insurance?

Unfortunately, if you’re uninsured, getting medical care can be quite costly. Just how costly is difficult to determine, as it varies by the medical issue you’re having, type of provider you’re seeing, and where you live. While debt.org lists the average cost of a doctor visit somewhere between $70 and $250, this number rises if you need additional testing or prescriptions. It can be astronomical should you need to visit the emergency room. The healthcare costs for various accidents and illnesses can add up quickly when you factor in billable items like blood tests, X-rays, and ambulance rides. Many people end up being surprised by large bills after a medical event. 

The average cost for diagnostic tests can also vary by quite a bit depending on your region and where you went. According to the Healthcare Bluebook , a database that compiles rates, a blood count lab test can range anywhere between $15 and $100, a chest X-ray can range between $40 and $250, and a fetal ultrasound can set you back between $89 and $480. As you can see, it can be a real challenge to estimate just how much medical care might cost should you end up needing it.

Just how much you will pay can also depend on where you are receiving care. Some clinics can give discounts, or allow you to pay on a sliding scale that is based on your income. Community clinics may end up cheaper than going to a direct care provider, and urgent care clinics can be less expensive than a trip to the ER. Ultimately, what you will be paying varies a lot on your specific health problem and where you go for treatment. Before visiting a clinic, you can “shop around” to compare prices or find out if you can get the treatment you need somewhere cheaper. 

It’s important to call out that there are many people who are uninsured that don’t have to be. You can visit healthcare.gov or contact your local department of social services to find out whether you qualify for free or low-cost health insurance.

How expensive is it to see a specialist without insurance?

Like other visits, costs at specialists can vary depending on location, visit type, and additional services needed. A visit to the pediatrician for your child’s annual well exam can range anywhere from $130 to over $400. However, seeing your gynecologist for something like a uterine biopsy can be over $2000. Typically, at the point in which specialist care is needed, so are supportive imaging tests, lab draws, procedures, or prescriptions . These charges can add up quickly. Again, don’t let being uninsured or underinsured prevent you from addressing your health. Data has shown that fewer screenings and preventive health visits are completed by the uninsured, and negative health outcomes are higher because of this.  

Where can I go for medical care without insurance?

The best places to start are community health clinics, walk-in medical clinics, and direct care providers. One thing to consider as well is the type of medical provider or type of doctor you choose to see. Fees for mid-level medical professionals such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants may be lower than those for a medical doctor (MD). Fees for specialists tend to be higher than visits with a primary care doctor or general practitioner. Mid-level providers are well-equipped to treat common ailments such as urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, or minor injuries.

Community health clinics

Community health clinics are likely available in your area. These can be free or at a low cost to you. These clinics provide some of the most necessary care for people, such as preventive screenings and vaccinations, without the hefty price tag of a direct primary care provider or insurance requirements. Many of these allow people to pay on a “sliding scale” based on their income, or offer free medical care and services. Try searching your area through the directory on freeclinics.com .

Walk-in clinics

Walk-in clinics are also available for more routine issues, and they can take cash payments if you do not have insurance. You can see a doctor at a walk-in clinic for minor issues and be billed for the visit. However, not all of these are as affordable as others, so make sure to ask whether the costs are upfront. Some walk-in clinics offer care at low or reduced rates, while others may be able to help you apply for free or low-cost health insurance, like Medicaid.                                                                                           

Direct care providers

Even if you don’t have health insurance, it’s still possible to see a healthcare provider; however, it may come at a fee. There are clinics that cater to the uninsured, known as cash-only clinics, concierge clinics, or direct care providers. You may want to shop around to find a doctor that you like that also fits within your budget. 

Hospital emergency room

If you have an immediate medical emergency, you should go to the hospital emergency room or call 911. Emergency medical providers like hospitals generally can’t refuse care in a medical emergency because you don’t have health insurance. Let the staff know that you are uninsured, as you may be able to arrange repayment terms over time with their billing department, or get assistance applying for emergency medicaid or other insurance. However, emergency care is the most expensive type of care. Only use it if it’s a true emergency to avoid incurring expensive bills. In non-emergency situations, urgent care is typically a more affordable option.

Urgent care centers

Urgent care centers are available for immediate emergencies and other time-sensitive medical needs, and often are able to take direct payment from the patient. Urgent care visits may wind up being a cheaper alternative to a hospital visit, provided the clinic is able to address your medical needs. These centers are like a walk-in clinic for more serious concerns, such as broken bones, sprains, and wounds requiring stitches. They are better equipped for more detailed imaging and testing as compared to a walk-in clinic for these more serious matters. True emergency situations like cardiac arrest or anaphylactic shock still require an emergency room visit.

How to save money when you don’t have health insurance

When getting medical care without insurance, these are the cheapest way to access a doctor without insurance: 

• Mention you are uninsured . Make sure you find out if there are any discounts that you may be eligible for. 
• Shop around for care that fits your budget . Rates vary by location. Look for a free, or sliding scale clinic. 
• Ask for a payment plan . Some healthcare providers will let you pay overtime to reduce upfront costs. 
• Double-check your bills. Errors are common. Make sure you’re being charged the right amount. You can even negotiate bills after you receive them, just call and ask. You can utilize online tools to get information about average prices to help you know if perhaps an error has occurred.
• Use prescription savings cards , like SingleCare to reduce the cost of any prescriptions you need. This is especially important for medications you continue to refill for chronic conditions.
• Ask for drug samples or a generic version . This can greatly reduce the out-of-pocket price for medication.
• Check to see if you’re eligible for Medicaid services. It’s based on income, household size, and where you live, among other factors.
• Check out healthcare.gov to see if there are affordable plans for health insurance coverage or plans which may have some cost supplement provided to you. Based on your income, some plans may have very low out-of-pocket premiums and provide good insurance coverage to help control costs. On this website, you can also read more about the Affordable Care Act and how that could benefit you.

RELATED: How can I save on my medication?

Everything feels harder when you’re sick. Take these steps now as a proactive approach before you need healthcare to ensure you are in a better place financially later on. Looking for discounts, coupons, payment plans, and comparing prices can be immensely helpful for your wallet while trying to navigate the healthcare system. Self-pay pricing for medical care, prescription drugs, lab tests, and other procedures can vary greatly. Your best bet is to be prepared.

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Illnesses we treat through the virtual clinic :

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Learn more about the virtual clinic.

You can use Mission Virtual Clinic for the following conditions:

• Cold, flu and allergies
• Cold, sinus infection or sore throat
• Influenza (flu)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Eczema and dermatitis

We've been careful to select only health conditions that can be safely diagnosed and treated online. If an online diagnosis is not right for you, we will direct you to the care you need.

Once you are done with the online interview, a board certified Mission Health provider will review your symptoms and develop a treatment plan unique to you.

A Mission Virtual Clinic visit takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Depending on your symptoms and answers, the total number of questions for your condition will vary. Note: The interview is written questions/answers only; there is no interactive video component.

Mission Virtual Clinic is available to patients in North Carolina ages 2-65, depending upon the condition.

A Mission provider is available online every day Monday through Sunday, between 7 am – 7 pm. You can complete an online written interview anytime and receive a response within one hour. You can even complete it in the middle of the night and receive a response from 7-8 am the following morning.

If appropriate, Mission Virtual Clinic providers can prescribe medications that will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice. We treat minor health conditions, and we do not provide prescriptions for pain medications or narcotics. Mission Virtual Clinic is not an online pharmacy. You are responsible for the cost of any prescriptions, over-the-counter treatments or follow-up visits you may need. NOTE: Because Mission Virtual Clinic providers are licensed only in North Carolina, patients must be physically located in North Carolina in order to access it.

Strep throat and some flu consultations through Mission Virtual Clinic do require an extra step beyond the online virtual visit. This is called a ZipTicket, and here’s how it works:

• A ZipTicket is an order from the Mission Virtual Clinic provider for a rapid test to confirm a specific diagnoses after completion of an online virtual visit.
• Mission Virtual Clinic patients can select the nearest ZipTicket location, walk in without an appointment and complete rapid testing with minimal wait time.
• Patients must activate their prescribed ZipTicket, choose the location and arrive within 24 hours from the time it is ordered. Patients check-in at the front desk and are seen by the next available medical assistant or nurse with a minimal wait time since they have already seen the medical provider online. The medical assistant or nurse completes the testing and enters the results through the Mission Virtual Clinic portal so that the patient may receive the final diagnosis and prescription (if applicable) online. The patient is not charged separately for the visit at the ZipTicket location since they are charged for the virtual visit online.

A consultation will cost $25, payable online by any major credit card. No fee is charged if we are unable to diagnose and offer a treatment plan.

Mission Virtual Clinic is a self-pay service. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to submit your Mission Virtual Clinic receipt for reimbursement.

Please call Mission Virtual Clinic customer support at 828-222-7962 .

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What medical care is available without insurance?

The cost of health insurance remains high for many people in the U.S. Free or low-cost care may be available in a walk-in clinic or urgent care center. A person can also reduce costs further by asking for generic medication.

In 2021, 8.3% of Americans had no health insurance As a result, many people are faced with unaffordable medical bills and debt. This article explores options and strategies for receiving low-cost medical care without insurance.

Can a person get medical care without health insurance?

Depending on a person’s location, they may be able to access various places. In some cases, they may get some free or reduced-cost services.

Options for care include:

• community clinics
• walk-in clinics and urgent care centers
• emergency room

Read on about each of these options below:

Medicaid is a form of public health insurance . A person may be eligible for it if they are a U.S. citizen and have a household income below a certain level.

The coverage that this insurance provides varies from state to state. A person can check on their eligibility and what services are covered on Medicaid’s website .

How is Medicaid different from Medicare? Find out here.

Charity care

Some states provide “charity care,” medical care that is free or has reduced rates. A person may need to apply for this, but some states screen for it automatically. Eligibility depends on a person’s income and assets. To learn about the options, a person can contact their state’s insurance department or reach out to the social worker or financial assistance department at a local hospital.

To find a charity clinic in your area, a person can check the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics.

Community health clinics

These are nonprofit health centers. If a person has no insurance, the staff at these clinics may provide some care for free.

Or, they may charge a fee on a sliding scale, taking into account a person’s financial situation.

Community health centers may not be able to offer care for some health issues. Still, depending on the clinic, they may provide the following services :

• basic medical care
• prenatal and perinatal care
• vaccinations
• family planning services
• other forms of preventive care
• ongoing care for chronic conditions such as diabetes , heart disease , and asthma
• dental care
• behavioral health services , such as care for alcohol use disorder or eating disorders
• radiology services

At a community health center, a person may also be able to access free or low-cost prescriptions. A person can find more information about community clinics from the National Association of Community Health Centers .

Walk-in clinics and urgent care centers

A person does not need to make an appointment at a walk-in clinic or urgent care center, and some offer free or reduced-cost care for people without health insurance.

Walk-in clinics are typically reserved for mild issues like sore throat or ear pain . These are typically located inside a retail pharmacy. Urgent care centers are for more moderate issues that are not severe enough for the emergency room.

It can be a good idea to contact local clinics and care centers ahead of time and ask about fees and options for people without insurance.

The Urgent Care Association offers a database of urgent care centers.

Emergency rooms

Emergency room staff cannot deny care or treatment to people without insurance, but they do charge for their services.

The fees of emergency rooms are higher than those of urgent care centers. It may be a good idea to research and consider what situations might warrant a visit to each place. For injuries or illnesses that are serious but not life-threatening, a person might visit an urgent care center.

A person should likely receive care in an emergency room if they experience:

• severe chest pain
• severe abdominal pain
• shortness of breath
• a high fever
• vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• persistent vomiting
• symptoms of poisoning, such as a change in pupil size and breathing
• a severe head injury
• a severe eye injury
• unconsciousness

Potential costs of seeing a doctor

The costs vary significantly depending on the type of doctor, the type of treatment, the medical issue, and even the location of the clinic. According to debt.org , the average cost of a single doctor’s visit is roughly $70–250. However, this can rise sharply if there is a need for additional tests or prescriptions.

Strategies for saving money

If a person requires medical care and does not have insurance, the following tips may help:

Mention insurance status beforehand

Doctors, clinics, and hospitals may offer reduced fees to people who do not have insurance. This is more likely to happen if the person discloses this information before their appointment.

Shop around

Fees vary by location. Before a person gets sick, it may be a good idea to contact local hospitals and healthcare centers and ask about their average fees for an appointment.

This can also be a good way to locate clinics that offer free or sliding-scale services.

Ask for generic medication

Generic medication is usually less expensive than branded medication. As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits.”

Ask for a payment plan

Hospitals and other healthcare centers may offer affordable payment plans to people facing large medical bills.

Pay in advance, if possible

Some hospitals and doctors offer reduced rates for people who can pay in advance.

This may be feasible if the medical issue is planned, such as an elective surgery or a pregnancy.

Other considerations

It can be difficult to predict how much medical care a person will need. In some cases, having insurance may be more affordable than not having it.

To check whether someone qualifies for government-sponsored insurance under the Affordable Care Act, a person can search here .

Frequently asked questions

Does georgia have free health insurance.

Medicaid provides free or affordable medical care in Georgia , Texas, and other states. To find out about the program in your state visit the Medicaid website.

How many Americans do not have health insurance?

In 2021, 27.2 million people in the U.S. had no health insurance.

What is the cheapest way to see a doctor without insurance?

Other than through Medicaid, the most affordable health care without private insurance is likely to be through charity or community clinics. If it isn’t free, it may be more affordable and a person may be able to split the fees into payments.

While health insurance remains inaccessible for many people in the U.S., some medical care is often available for free or at a reduced rate.

A person may find affordable care in a walk-in clinic or urgent care center. It can also help to ask for generic medication and mention the insurance status before the appointment. Overall, doing research is key, as some local clinics and hospitals charge more than others. A person might also qualify for government-sponsored insurance via Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act .

Last medically reviewed on September 26, 2023

• Public Health
• Health Insurance / Medical Insurance

How we reviewed this article:

• Eligibility. (n.d.). https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/index.html
• Emergency room urgent care or walk-in clinic. (2019). https://www.scripps.org/sparkle-assets/documents/shex-0095-er_vs_urgent_care_vs_shex_infographic_rev.pdf
• Fay, B. (2019). Doctor visit costs. https://www.debt.org/medical/doctor-visit-costs/
• Generic drug facts. (2021). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts
• Keisler-Starkey K, et al. (2022). Health insurance coverage in the united states: 2021. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-278.html
• Know when to go. (n.d.). https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/know-when-to-go-overview
• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics. (n.d.). https://nafcclinics.org/
• State overviews. (n.d.). https://www.medicaid.gov/state-overviews/index.html
• Urgent care directory. (n.d.). https://urgentcareassociation.org/membership/urgent-care-directory/
• What is a community health center? (n.d.). https://www.alamedahealthconsortium.org/community-health-center/#:~:text=Community%20health%20centers%20(also%20known,populations%20that%20are%20medically%20underserved.
• What is a community health center? (n.d.). https://www.nachc.org/community-health-centers/what-is-a-health-center/
• What is the difference between mental and behavioral health? (2021). https://salveohealth.org/what-is-the-difference-between-mental-and-behavioral-health/

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How to See a Doctor Without Insurance

More than 90% of Americans have health insurance, but if you are one of those who don’t, it’s still possible to get medical care when you need it. If you have a true emergency, like chest pain , severe bleeding, or difficulty breathing , you can go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. For other care, the ER is an expensive choice and can overwhelm the facility. Here are some tips on how to see a doctor without insurance and how to explore options to sign up for health insurance, which may be more affordable than you think.

Options for Doctor Visits 

You have several choices if you need to see a doctor and don’t have health insurance. Some of them are free while others charge fees. When you need medical care, whether it’s preventive or treatment for an injury or illness, consider these:

• Urgent Care Centers: There are now more than 9,000 urgent care centers in the United States. These walk-in clinics do charge fees, but you don’t have to have insurance and they can cost far less than a physician's office or the ER . Most urgent care centers offer extended hours and treat many minor health concerns. If you need care they cannot provide, they can direct you to the appropriate healthcare professional. Many urgent care centers offer online appointments as well as walk-ins, and, oftentimes, you’ll see a doctor  much more quickly than in an ER. Urgent care centers also employ physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses.
• Direct Primary Care: For a flat membership fee, you can see a doctor of your choice for basic healthcare services and office visits. Your doctor will determine your care without requiring the approval of an insurer. Direct Primary Care, or DCP, offers easier access, longer doctor visits if needed, and lower costs than medical practices that take insurance. DCP is not the same as concierge medicine , which may still take insurance but can be very expensive. 
• Community Centers: Many community centers provide free or low-cost medical care to those who qualify, usually based on ability to pay. Community centers offer care that may include prenatal care, primary care, and referrals to other health professionals when necessary. Every state has community clinics. Check with the clinic in your area to make sure they handle the type of care you’re seeking, that you are eligible, and what your expenses might be. 
• Telemedicine: Virtual doctor visits were a fast-growing trend prepandemic, but COVID has created a surge in the demand for online doctors. Some will take insurance, but you don’t have to have it and you can pay out-of-pocket instead. Online doctors can diagnose minor health concerns and may be able to give you certain prescriptions. Telemedicine is convenient and efficient and you won’t be exposed to infectious diseases. Bear in mind that online doctors cannot help you with emergencies or urgent medical matters like an injury or high fever .
• Retail pharmacies: Some drug stores or grocery stores offer vaccinations, testing, and other health and wellness services. There may be a fee, though some preventive services like vaccines may be free. Pharmacies can be a convenient and less costly option than a visit to the doctor’s office. However, there is no physician at these locations, so keep the retail clinics in mind for preventive care or minor, nonurgent medical needs.

Low-Cost Health Insurance to See a Doctor 

If you don’t have health insurance, don’t rule out the possibility of getting it until you’ve explored the options. There are government and private programs that can be affordable or will subsidize your costs. Insurance options include:

• ACA Marketplace: Known informally as Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act established a program to offer access to health insurance to people who don’t have employer-sponsored coverage. Different levels of insurance are available through the ACA Marketplace . If your income level qualifies, you can get extra savings on any of the plans, making them more affordable. You can shop for and enroll in a plan through the online ACA marketplace.
• Medicaid: Medicaid, also known as medical assistance, is a public health insurance program for individuals on a low income. It pays for healthcare and hospital expenses if you qualify, but eligibility varies. In some states, for instance, you can get Medicaid if your income is 138% below the poverty level. If your income is lower than that, or if you are pregnant, disabled, or elderly and have a low income, you should qualify no matter what state you live in. Medicaid will pay for many of your healthcare needs, but not all doctors accept it, so check with the practice first. 
• Short-term health insurance: You can buy health insurance to cover you for a period from a month to a year, which may help if you are changing jobs, waiting to qualify in a new job, are a few months away from Medicare, or in some other life transition. Short-term health insurance policy premiums usually cost less than traditional insurance, but they are more limited. They cover some doctor visits, emergency room visits, and hospital care, but you may be responsible for copays and deductibles among other expenses. Short-term insurance plans are not required to provide the same level of coverage as ACA plans. For some people, however, they may be a useful stopgap.
• Editorial Process

About The Author

• ACA Open Enrollment: For Consumers Considering Short-Term Policies. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/health-reform/fact-sheet/aca-open-enrollment-for-consumers-considering-short-term-policies/
• How to find low-cost health care in your community. Healthcare.gov. https://www.healthcare.gov/community-health-centers/
• New HHS Data Show More Americans than Ever Have Health Coverage through the Affordable Care Act. HHS.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/06/05/new-hhs-data-show-more-americans-than-ever-have-health-coverage-through-affordable-care-act.html
• What is Urgent Care and When Should You Use It? Mount Sinai. https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/urgent-care/what-is-urgent-care
• Trends in the Use of Telehealth During the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January–March 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6943a3.htm

At Healthgrades, our Editorial Team works hard to develop complete, objective and meaningful health information to help people choose the right doctor, right hospital and right care. Our writers include physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses with firsthand clinical experience. All condition, treatment and wellness content is medically reviewed by at least one medical professional ensuring the most accurate information possible. Learn more about our editorial process.

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Top 10 Most Popular Telemedicine Apps

Key takeaways: 

Telehealth apps let you access healthcare virtually, from any convenient location. The best telehealth apps are easy to use and free to download.

Affordable telehealth apps can offer provider visits, online prescriptions, and mental health services. Sometimes, insurance completely covers these services.

You don’t need insurance for most telehealth apps. In many cases, you can access services for a low, flat rate.

Thanks to telemedicine, checking in with a healthcare provider has never been easier. And the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend toward virtual visits . Almost 40% of adults now report using telemedicine services each year. And it’s no surprise. Telehealth apps are typically free to download, easy to use, and accessible from mobile devices. 

If you’re looking for a telehealth app, you’re in luck. Apps, such as GoodRx Care, offer everything from a quick virtual visit and online prescriptions to mental health services. Some telehealth apps also offer symptom checkers.

To help you get started, here’s a list of 10 popular telemedicine apps and a few of their features. All of the apps on this list are free to download.

1. GoodRx Care

GoodRx Care offers:

Low-cost visits

Visits without health insurance 

Easy prescription refills by mail or at a local pharmacy

Same-day prescriptions for birth control, urinary tract infections (UTI), and erectile dysfunction (ED)

A 100% satisfaction guarantee

2. K Health

K Health offers:

Chats with a provider for less than the cost of a copay

Online prescriptions for medications or lab tests

A symptom checker

Saved medical history 

WHAT TO READ NEXT

3. Doctor on Demand

Doctor on Demand offers:

Availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Services with and without insurance

Prescriptions for medications and lab work

Visits with primary care providers, psychologists, and psychiatrists

Treatment for chronic and acute care issues (like high cholesterol and depression)

Teladoc offers:

Easy-to-access care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Access through your insurance plan, employer, or other organization

Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy

Medical services, including acute care issues (like ear infections and sinus problems)

Visits without a time limit

MDLive offers:

Virtual visits any time, day or night, including holidays

Short-term prescription refills

Treatment for over 50 nonemergency conditions (like ear pain and allergies)

Mental health support with licensed therapists and psychiatrists

Dermatology services

Amwell offers:

24-hour availability

Easy sign-up

On-demand care (no appointment needed)

Extensive mental health services

Service coverage through several major insurance plans

7. Talkspace

Talkspace offers:

Counseling service costs that are billed monthly (you can cancel at any time)

Service coverage through insurance

A service to match you with therapists in your state

The ability to send therapists unlimited messages

Therapy for adults, teens, and couples

8. BetterHelp

BetterHelp offers:

Low-cost weekly counseling, billed every 4 weeks

Online access to licensed therapists and counselors 

Scheduling of live sessions or chat using the messenger tool

Meetings in a secure, virtual room

Ability to schedule short, mini-sessions or long, thorough sessions

With Zocdoc you can:

Search and access local healthcare providers

Schedule in-person or video visits

Scan your insurance to find covered doctors

Access a variety of specialists based on your symptoms

Nurx offers:

Low-cost consultation fees 

Birth control prescribed online and delivered to your door

Prescription and delivery of valacyclovir to treat herpes

At-home testing and PrEP for HIV prevention

Home tests for STI and HPV

Emergency contraception (like Plan B or Ella) delivered by mail or filled at your local pharmacy

Headache and migraine treatment

Which telehealth apps are the cheapest?

Each telehealth app on this list is free to download. The cost for telehealth services will depend on the app and whether or not you have insurance. Some telehealth apps have membership services or flat-rate fees for visits. 

GoodRx Care has online visits for less than $20. And some services offered by telehealth apps (like birth control pills) are free when covered by insurance.

Can you use a telehealth app if you don’t have insurance?

Yes, most telehealth apps can be used with or without insurance. There is often a low-cost flat rate for telehealth services if you don’t have insurance. But be sure to check with the telehealth provider for their out-of-pocket fees. The cost will vary for each telemedicine provider.

The bottom line

Telehealth apps now give you many new options to connect with a healthcare provider. Many of them are free to download. And, depending on the services you need, insurance can cover most fees. Even if you don’t have insurance, you can still use low-cost telehealth apps, like GoodRx Care. In the world of telemedicine apps, there’s something for everyone. 

Lucas, J. W., et al. (2022). Telemedicine use among adults: United States, 2021 . NCHS Data Brief.

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Preventive Care: What's Free and What's Not

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act , health insurers in the U.S. have to cover certain preventive health care without requiring you to pay a deductible , copayment, or coinsurance . That rule applies to all non- grandfathered major medical plans in both the individual/family and employer-sponsored markets.

This article will explain how the preventive care rules work, what services are covered, and what you need to be aware of in terms of potential costs when you go to the doctor for a check-up.

So, what exactly counts as preventive care? Here’s the list of preventive care services for adults that, if recommended for you by your healthcare provider, must be provided free of cost-sharing .

Children have a different list , and there's also an additional list of fully covered preventive services for women .

As long as your health plan isn't grandfathered (or among the types of coverage that aren't regulated by the Affordable Care Act at all, such as short-term health insurance or fixed indemnity plans ), any services on those lists will be fully covered by your plan, regardless of whether you've met your deductible or how long you've been enrolled.

But keep in mind that you'll need to use an in-network medical provider in order to obtain zero-cost preventive care.

Preventive care is one of the ACA's essential health benefits (EHBs). But it's the only one that has to be covered with no cost-sharing . And it's the only one that has to be covered by large group health plans ; the rest of the EHBs only have to be covered on individual/family and small group health plans (although most large employer plans do tend to include all of the EHBs).

Covered preventive care includes:

Cancer prevention measures:

• Colorectal cancer related : for adults age 50 to 75, including screening colonoscopies, removal of polyps discovered during a screening colonoscopy, and anesthesia services required to perform the screening colonoscopy. Note that people do sometimes report being charged for polyp removal during a regular screening colonoscopy, but that is not allowed under federal rules. However, if the colonoscopy is being done in conjunction with any sort of symptoms, or if it's being done more frequently than the normal schedule, it will be considered diagnostic rather than preventive, which means regular cost-sharing rules would apply. For example, if a colonoscopy is being done as a follow-up to a previous colonoscopy in which a polyp was found; doctors sometimes recommend a follow-up after three years, which would generally not be covered by health insurance, since that's outside the regular screening guidelines of once per decade. It's a good idea to thoroughly discuss colonoscopy coverage with your health insurer in order to make sure you fully understand what is and isn't covered under the screening guidelines.
• Breast cancer related : including screening mammograms every 1-2 years for women over 40, BRCA genetic testing and counseling for women at high risk, and breast cancer chemoprevention counseling for women at high risk. As is the case for colonoscopies, mammograms are only covered with zero cost-sharing if they're done purely as a screening measure. If you find a lump in your breast and your healthcare provider wants a mammogram to check it out, your health plan's regular cost-sharing (deductible, copay, and/or coinsurance) will apply, since this will be a diagnostic mammogram rather than a screening mammogram. This will be true even if you've never had a mammogram before, or even if you're due for your regularly-scheduled screening mammogram.
• Cervical cancer related : screening covered once every three years from ages 21 through 65; human papillomavirus DNA testing can instead be done in conjunction with a pap test once every five years.
• Lung cancer related : screening for smokers or those who’ve quit smoking within the last 15 years and are between the ages of 55 and 80

Infectious disease prevention measures:

• Hepatitis C screening one time for anyone born 1945-1965 and for any adult at high risk.
• Hepatitis B screening for pregnant women at their first prenatal visit, and for any adults considered at high risk.
• HIV screening for anyone between ages 15-65, and for others at high risk.
• Syphilis screening for adults at high risk and all pregnant women.
• Chlamydia screening for young women and women at high risk.
• Gonorrhea screening for women at high risk.
• Sexually transmitted infection prevention counseling for adults at increased risk.
• Routine immunizations as recommended by age for
• COVID-19 ( recommendation was added in December 2020 )
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Herpes Zoster(shingles)
• Human Papillomavirus
• Influenza (flu)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (lock-jaw and whooping cough)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Obesity screening and counseling.
• Diet counseling for adults at high risk for chronic disease.
• Recommended cardiovascular disease-related preventive measures, including cholesterol screening for high-risk adults and adults of certain ages, blood pressure screening, and aspirin use when prescribed for cardiovascular disease prevention (and/or colorectal cancer prevention) in adults ages 50 to 59.
• Diabetes type 2 screening for overweight adults age 40 to 70
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening one time for men who have ever smoked

Recommended substance abuse and mental health preventive care:

• Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
• Tobacco use screening and cessation intervention for tobacco users
• Depression screening
• Domestic violence and interpersonal violence screening and counseling for all women

Woman-Specific Preventive Care

• Well-woman visits for women under 65 (note that most Americans transition to Medicare at age 65, and Medicare has its own preventive care coverage).
• Osteoporosis screening for women over 60 based on risk factors.
• Contraception for women with reproductive capacity as prescribed by a healthcare provider. This includes all FDA-approved methods of female contraception, including IUDs, implants, and sterilization. The Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that employers with a "religious or moral objection" to contraception can opt out of providing this coverage as part of their group health plan. But the Biden administration has proposed a rule change that would eliminate the moral objection, and that would ensure access to zero-cost contraception for women whose employers have a religious objection. (Note that although male contraception is not a federally-mandated benefit, some states do require state-regulated health plans to cover vasectomies; state-regulated plans do not include self-insured plans , which account for the majority of employer-sponsored coverage. )
• Preventive services for pregnant or nursing women, including:
• Anemia screening
• Breastfeeding support and counseling including supplies
• Folic acid supplements for pregnant women and those who may become pregnant
• Gestational diabetes screening at 24 and 28 weeks gestation and those at high risk
• Hepatitis B screening at first prenatal visit
• Rh incompatibility screening for all pregnant women and follow up screening if at increased risk
• Expanded tobacco counseling
• Urinary tract or other infection screening
• Syphilis screening

Who Determines Which Preventive Care Benefits Are Covered?

So where did the government come up with the specific list of preventive services that health plans have to cover? The covered preventive care services are things that are:

• Rated “A” or “B” in the current United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. (In 2023, a federal judge overturned the requirement that health plans cover preventive services recommended by the USPSTF since 2010. But that ruling has been put on hold while the case is appealed, so health plans must continue to cover these services. )
• Provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA updated its recommendations for women's preventive services in 2019; the updated guidelines are available here ).
• Recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

All of the services listed above (and on the lists maintained by HealthCare.gov ) meet at least one of those three guidelines for recommended preventive care. But those guidelines change over time, so the list of covered preventive care services can also change over time. For example, COVID vaccines were added to the list of covered preventive care in December 2020.

If there's a specific preventive care treatment that you don't see on the covered list, it's probably not currently recommended by medical experts. That's the case with PSA screening (it's got a "C" or a "D" rating, depending on age, by USPSTF).

Vitamin D screening is another example of a preventive care service that isn't currently recommended (or required to be covered). For now, the USPSTF has determined that there's insufficient evidence to determine whether to recommend Vitamin D screening in asymptomatic adults. But they do note that more research is needed, so it's possible that the recommendation could change in the future.

It's also important to understand that when you go to your healthcare provider for preventive care, they might provide other services that aren't covered under the free preventive care benefit. For example, if your healthcare provider does a cholesterol test and also a complete blood count, the cholesterol test would be covered but the CBC might not be (it would depend on your health plan's rules, as not all of the tests included in the CBC are required to be covered).

And some care can be preventive or diagnostic, depending on the situation. Preventive mammograms are covered, for example, but your insurer can charge you cost-sharing if you have a diagnostic mammogram performed because you or your health provider find a lump or have a specific concern that the mammogram is intended to address.

Or if you need a follow-up screening sooner than the regular recommended screening guidelines (due to an issue that was found on the last screening test, for example), the follow-up may have your plan's regular cost-sharing. If in doubt, talk with your insurer beforehand so that you'll understand how your preventive care benefits work before the bill arrives.

Preventive Care Related to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world starting in early 2020. There's normally a lengthy process (which can last nearly two years) involved with adding covered preventive services through the channels described above.

But Congress quickly took action to ensure that most health insurance plans would fully cover the cost of COVID-19 testing, although that only lasted through the end of the COVID public health emergency, which ended in May 2023.

And the legislation that Congress enacted in the spring of 2020—well before COVID-19 vaccines became available—ensured that once the vaccines did become available, non-grandfathered health plans would cover the vaccine nearly immediately , without any cost-sharing.

ACIP voted in December 2020 to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of recommended vaccines, and non-grandfathered health plans were required to add the coverage within 15 business days (well before the vaccine actually became available for most Americans).

That continues to be the case, even after the public health emergency has ended. Recommended COVID vaccines continue to be fully covered by non-grandfathered health plans, just like other recommended vaccines.

Obviously, the medical costs related to COVID-19 go well beyond testing. People who need to be hospitalized for the disease can face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs, depending on how their health insurance plan is structured. Many health insurance companies opted to go beyond the basic requirements, temporarily offering to fully cover COVID-19 treatment , as well as testing, for a limited period of time. But those cost-sharing waivers had mostly expired by the end of 2020.

When Your Health Plan Might Not Cover Preventive Care Without Cost-Sharing

If your health insurance is a grandfathered health plan, it’s allowed to charge cost-sharing for preventive care. Since grandfathered health plans lose their grandfathered status if they make substantial changes to the plan, and can no longer be purchased by individuals or businesses, they’re becoming less and less common as time passes.

But there are still a substantial number of people with grandfathered health coverage; among workers who have employer-sponsored health coverage, 14% were enrolled in grandfathered plans as of 2020. Your health plan literature will tell you if your health plan is grandfathered. Alternatively, you can call the customer service number on your health insurance card or check with your employee benefits department.

If you have a managed care health plan that uses a provider network , your health plan is allowed to charge cost-sharing for preventive care you get from an out-of-network provider. If you don’t want to pay for preventive care, use an in-network provider.

Also, if your health plan is considered an "excepted benefit," it's not regulated by the Affordable Care Act and thus not required to cover preventive care without cost-sharing (or at all). This includes coverage such as short-term health plans , fixed indemnity plans , healthcare sharing ministry plans , and Farm Bureau plans in states where they're exempted from insurance rules.

Preventive Care Isn’t Really Free

Although your health plan must pay for preventive health services without charging you a deductible, copay, or coinsurance, this doesn’t really mean those services are free to you. Your insurer takes the cost of preventive care services into account when it sets premium rates each year.

Although you don’t pay cost-sharing charges when you receive preventive care, the cost of those services is wrapped into the cost of your health insurance. This means, whether or not you choose to get the recommended preventive care, you’re paying for it through the cost of your health insurance premiums anyway.

Under the Affordable Care Act, certain preventive care has to be covered in full (ie, without a deductible, copay, or coinsurance) on all non-grandfathered major medical plans. Covered preventive care includes a long list of services that are recommended by medical experts, although it does not include all medical care that's considered preventive. And some services, such as mammograms, pap test, or colonoscopies—can be fully paid for by the health plan or not. Coverage will depend on whether they're done at regular screening intervals without any symptoms, or to diagnose a problem or follow-up after a previous test returned abnormal results.

A Word From Verywell

Your health plan likely covers a wide range of preventive services at no cost to you, and it's in your best interest to take advantage of these benefits. But to avoid being surprised by an unexpected medical bill, you'll want to be sure you understand the details prior to receiving preventive care. Make sure you use a provider who is in your health plan's network, and make sure you understand exactly what tests or services will be provided during the visit. If you decide to go beyond what your health plan will cover, that's perfectly fine and is a decision you'll make with your medical provider.

U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.  Preventive care benefits for adults .

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Affordable Care Act Implementation FAQs - Set 12 (See Q5) .

Rovner, Julie. Kaiser Health News. High Court Allows Employers To Opt Out of ACA's Mandate On Birth Control Coverage .

U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act: Proposed Rules . January 30, 2023.

Rakoczy, Christy. lendedu. Does Health Insurance Cover the Cost of a Vasectomy?

Kaiser Family Foundation. 2021 Employer Health Benefits Survey .

American Cancer Society. Patient Groups Applaud Circuit Court Ruling That Largely Stays Remedy in Braidwood Management v. Becerra . June 13, 2023.

Health Resources and Services Administration. Women's Preventive Services Guidelines .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) .

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Final Recommendation Statement: Prostate Cancer: Screening .

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults: Screening .

Pollitz, Karen. Kaiser Family Foundation. Private Health Coverage of COVID-19: Key Facts and Issues .

America's Health Insurance Plans. Health Insurance Providers Respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19) .

Kaiser Family Foundation. 2020 Employer Health Benefits Survey .

By Elizabeth Davis, RN Elizabeth Davis, RN, is a health insurance expert and patient liaison. She's held board certifications in emergency nursing and infusion nursing.

How Much Does a Doctor Visit Cost With and Without Insurance?

Without insurance, medical care can get pricy fast. Where you live, what doctor you’re going to, and what tests you need will all figure into your doctor’s visit bill. In this article, we’ll break down those costs and give you some tips for saving money.

What Goes into the Cost of a Doctor’s Visit?

Geography is one of the biggest factors in the price of a doctor’s visit. Most medical facilities pass some of their overhead expenses onto their patients. If you live somewhere with a higher cost of living, like California or New York City, you’ll likely pay more for doctors’ visits. The practice has to pay more for utilities and rent, and those costs show up in your bill. For example, Mayo Clinic’s Patient Estimates tool quotes $846 for a 60-minute office visit in Jacksonville, Florida, but $605 for the same visit in Wisconsin.

Like the cost of living, supplies and equipment will also end up on your tab. Say you need a strep test, blood draw, or Pap smear. The supplies needed for the test plus the cost of the lab fees will all figure into the price.

Bills for the same exams and procedures can also vary depending on what kind of facility you’re going to. Smaller practices and public health centers are often a lot cheaper than university or private hospital systems. This is due in part to their buildings being smaller and their overhead fees being lower.

Price of Out-of-Pocket Doctors’ Visits

The cost of a doctor’s office visit also depends on what kind of doctor and the procedure you need to have done. For example, an in-office general wellness checkup will be cheaper than a specialist procedure. If you have an emergency, an urgent care center will be much more affordable than the emergency room.

Primary Care Physician — Physical Exam

Physicals usually include blood pressure readings, cholesterol measurements, and vaccines. Prostate exams for men and Pap smears and breast exams for women are also often included. Pediatric physicals focus on the growth milestones for your child’s age. Doctors check height, weight, sleep patterns, diet, and the vaccines required by public schools.

The range for a yearly physical can be anywhere from $100 to $250 or more without insurance. A CVS Minutecare Clinic may charge just $59 for a sports physical, but not all organizations will accept this as proof of physical health.

Primary Care Physician — Procedures

On top of the base cost for physical exams, you may have extra charges for any specific tests or procedures you need. According to the Cardiometabolic Health blog, the most common procedures in primary care medicine include bloodwork, electrocardiograms, and vaccines/injections.

Bloodwork is one of the biggest cost wild cards. Certain tests can run you from as little as $10 to as much as $10,000 . Large national labs like Labcorp offer pricing on their website, so you know what to expect going in. For example, Labcorp’s General Health Blood Test , which includes a metabolic panel, complete blood count (CBC), and urinalysis, costs $78.

Electrocardiograms or EKGs check your heart health and can find cardi ac issues. This quick procedure involves monitoring your heartbeat through electrodes placed on your skin. While it’s a painless and accurate way to detect heart conditions, the costs can add up without insurance. Expect to pay as little as $410 or as much as $1700 for this procedure, depending on local prices.

Vaccines are often required before sending your kids to school. The CDC publishes a vaccination price list annually to give you an idea of what to expect. For example, they quote $19-$132 for DTaP, $21 for Hepatitis A, and $13-$65 for Hepatitis B. The COVID-19 vaccine, however, is free of cost, regardless of insurance status.

Urgent Care Visit

If you have an emergency but are stable, urgent care is much cheaper than the emergency room. According to Scripps , most urgent care centers and walk-in clinics can at least treat dehydration, cuts or simple fractures, fever, flu, strep, and UTIs. Note that if you have chest pain, a serious injury, seizures, a stroke, or pregnancy complications, you should go straight to the ER .

For a base exam at an urgent care facility, expect to pay between $100-$150 . That price will go up depending on what else you need. For example, Advanced Urgent Care in Denver quotes $80 for an X-Ray, $50 for an EKG, $135 for stitches, and $5 for a urinalysis. In comparison, expect to pay $1,000-$1,300 for the same procedures in the emergency room.

How to Lower Your Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs

Healthcare expenses may seem overwhelming without insurance. Luckily, there are many resources available to help you cover the costs.

Free & Low-Cost Immunization and Wellness Clinics

For standard vaccines and checkups, look for local free or low-cost clinics. Check out The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ search tool to find a location near you. Your city’s public health department should also offer free or low-cost vaccines and basic medical care services.

Certain large vaccine manufacturers also offer vaccine programs. For example, Merck’s patient assistance program offers 37 vaccines and medicines free to eligible patients. The program includes albuterol inhalers and vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, and HPV.

Cash Negotiations

Most health systems offer lower rates for patients paying cash. Some even have free programs for low-income families. For example, Heritage UPC in North Carolina has a yearly membership for low-cost preventative care. In Northern California, the Sutter Health medical system offers full coverage for patients earning 400% or less of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline .

As of January 1, 2021, all hospitals in the United States now have to follow the Hospital Price Transparency Rule . That means they have to list procedure prices clearly on their website. You can also call medical billing before your appointment to discuss cash pay options.

Federal Medical Payment Support

If all else fails, there are federal programs to help you cover the cost of medical bills.

Organizations like The United Way and United for Alice offer grants for ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) patients. These are people living above the poverty level, making them ineligible for other government programs but below the basic cost-of-living threshold.

Medicaid is available for children, pregnant women, and adults under a certain income threshold. If your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid but you can’t afford private insurance for your children, you may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover your children’s medical care.

Use Compare.com for the Best Doctors’ Visit Prices

Navigating bills for a doctor’s visit can feel overwhelming, but Compare.com is here to help. With our price comparison tool, you can search all clinic and doctors’ office prices in your area. Compare makes sure you’re prepared for the cost of your checkup long before you schedule your appointment.

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more.

As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.

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Community Health Centers: Health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services. Find a community health center near you .

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Here’s How Much A Doctor’s Visit Is Without Insurance

W hen you lack health insurance and need to schedule an appointment with a medical professional, you’ll have to pay for the visit out of pocket. In some cases, that idea is daunting. After all, health care is known for being expensive, particularly if you’re uninsured. By understanding how much the appointment may cost, you have a chance to financially prepare. If you’re wondering, “How much is a doctor’s visit without insurance?” here’s what you need to know.

How Much a Doctor’s Visit Is Without Insurance

Typically, the cost of a doctor’s visit if you don’t have insurance is anywhere from $150 to $600. However, there are a variety of factors that can ultimately impact how much you’ll owe. It’s possible for patients to pay less or more than what’s outlined in the range above. As a result, it’s critical to understand the factors that may influence the cost, as well as how you can get a more accurate figure before you visit a medical professional.

Factors That Impact the Cost of a Doctor’s Visit

Multiple factors ultimately impact how much a visit to a doctor costs, including:

• The type of physician you see (primary care, specialist, emergency, etc.)
• The facility you use (clinic, hospital, emergency room, urgent care, community health, etc.)
• The type of care sought
• Whether in-office treatments are administered
• Whether tests are ordered

In some cases, the price may vary depending on whether you’re a new or returning patient. If you’ve never been to that facility before or haven’t seen a specialist in a specific department previously, you may have to pay a “new patient intake” fee.

Generally, new patient fees are designed to account for the fact that seeing someone who hasn’t visited previously takes more time, as they often have to dedicate more time to learning about your medical history. If you’re a returning patient, your medical history is already on file, which can theoretically shorten the appointment.

How to Get an Accurate Estimate

If you’re scheduling an appointment and not seeking emergency care due to an urgent health matter, you can often get a reasonably accurate estimate of the cost of the visit in advance. Hospitals are required to list price ranges for common appointments, procedures, tests, and treatments online, and many smaller clinics are choosing to do the same. As a result, an online search may be enough to help you determine how much you’ll spend.

Additionally, patients can request a “Good Faith Estimate” for an upcoming appointment. With that, the healthcare provider creates an outline of the anticipated cost of the visit. While they might not be 100 percent accurate, as your appointment may end up involving something unexpected, it gives you a reasonable picture of the cost.

Ways to Reduce the Cost of a Doctor’s Visit When You’re Uninsured

If you need to see a doctor and don’t have insurance, there are ways to help minimize the costs. First, community health centers may make accessing free or low-cost services simpler. These typically work well for preventative or routine care and health screenings.

For acute medical needs, consider heading to an urgent care clinic instead of an emergency room. Urgent care clinics often accept walk-ins, and they usually cost significantly less than if you saw a physician in the emergency room.

Another option is to explore telemedicine services. This might work if your health condition is easy to explain and tests or a physical exam aren’t necessary.

If you live near a medical school, you may have access to a lower-cost clinic there. These clinics help student doctors gain experience, but they’re overseen by licensed physicians. Still, since the bulk of your appointment is handled by a student, the price is typically lower.

You can also ask about self-pay discounts, as some facilities do offer them. Additionally, you may be able to get a discount if you can pay the full cost of the appointment all at once in cash, particularly if you’re visiting a hospital instead of a smaller clinic.

Finally, consider going to public hospitals instead of private ones. Public hospitals are typically more affordable by comparison. Plus, you may be able to access a charity care program through a public hospital. Most charity care is made available to patients who have a household income level below a specific threshold. As a result, it can reduce the out-of-pocket cost of care for lower-income patients.

Are you surprised at how much a doctor’s visit is without insurance? Do you think the cost of an appointment for the uninsured is problematic, or do you think it makes sense? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

• How to Pay for a Medical Emergency (If You Don’t Have Insurance)
• What Out of Network Medical Services Mean to Your Financial Health
• Should I Tap My Retirement Funds for Medical Expenses?

The post Here’s How Much A Doctor’s Visit Is Without Insurance appeared first on The Free Financial Advisor .

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• $184* for a 50 min consultation

Psychiatrist

• $299 for initial 45 min consultation
• $129 for 15 min follow-up

Insurance is not required to use Doctor On Demand. *Before a consultation ends, you can continue the call for an additional fee if you’d like.

We partner with these leading health plans and many more to serve millions of members around the country. This means your visit may be completely covered at no cost to you. To find out, register for Doctor On Demand and enter your plan information.

Register in the app and be ready to see a doctor, therapist or psychiatrist anytime, anywhere. Available for iPhone and Android.

What we treat

Urgent care.

• Cold and flu
• Sinus infections
• Skin rashes
• Asthma and allergies
• Urinary tract infections
• Headaches and migraines
• See all Urgent Care

Behavioral Health

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and loss
• Bipolar disorder
• Relationship issues
• Mental health screenings
• See all Behavioral Health

Virtual Primary Care

• Wellness visits
• Lab and screenings
• Chronic conditions
• Diet and nutrition
• RX management
• Specialist referrals
• Family medicine
• Men’s and women’s health

Chat-based Coaching

• Healthy habits
• Trouble sleeping
• Work stress
• Motivation to change

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Medicaid & CHIP

The children's health insurance program (chip), see if your children qualify and apply for chip, 2 ways to apply for chip:.

• Call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
• Fill out an application through the Health Insurance Marketplace ® . If it looks like anyone in your household qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, we’ll send your information to your state agency. They’ll contact you about enrollment. When you submit your Marketplace application, you’ll also find out if you qualify for an individual insurance plan with savings based on your income instead.  Create an account  or  log in  to an existing account to get started.

What CHIP covers

• Routine check-ups
• Immunizations
• Doctor visits
• Prescriptions
• Dental and vision care
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
• Laboratory and X-ray services
• Emergency services

What CHIP costs

A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you've paid your deductible.

Refer to glossary for more details.

The amount you pay for your health insurance every month. In addition to your premium, you usually have to pay other costs for your health care, including a deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. If you have a Marketplace health plan, you may be able to lower your costs with a premium tax credit.

What if my children are eligible for CHIP, but I would rather buy a Marketplace insurance plan? Open

If my children can get chip but i don't qualify for medicaid, how can i get insured open, you are leaving healthcare.gov.

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