What are my care options and what do they cost?

When you need immediate care, you may have more options than you realize — ones that may save you time — and money, particularly if you get your health insurance through work. So, before you spend hours waiting in the ER or maybe end up with an unexpected bill, consider the alternatives that could save you up to $2,400¹.

Primary care provider

$170 average cost²for in-person visits, $99 or less for Virtual primary care visits

Your primary care provider (PCP) or family doctor is a good place to start. They usually know you best, can access your records and may offer in-person or virtual care options.

Good for: cough, fever, pink eye, urinary tract infection, muscle strain or sprain.

Find a doctor

Learn about virtual care options available with your plan

24/7 Virtual Visits

Less than $49 average cost³

Get care for patients of all ages 24/7. You can talk – by phone⁴ or video – with a doctor who can diagnose common medical conditions and even prescribe medications⁵ if needed.

Good for: cold, flu, pinkeye, sinus problems

Talk to a doctor now

Convenience care clinic

$100 average cost²

This choice may be ideal for those on the go. Convenience care clinics let you walk in without an appointment, and can offer treatments for many common symptoms.

Good for: skin rash, flu shot, minor injuries, earache

Find a clinic

Urgent care center

$185 average cost²

Urgent care centers are often open evenings and weekends and available for immediate treatment of injuries or illnesses that are not life-threatening.

Good for: muscle sprains or strains, back pain, skin infections, broken bones

Find an urgent care clinic

Emergency room

$2,600 average cost²

For immediate treatment of life-threatening injuries or illnesses and other critical conditions, ERs are open 24/7.

Good for: chest pain, shortness of breath, major burns, severe injuries

Find a hospital

Compare your care options

Our at-a-glace comparison chart shows how choosing care options carefully may help keep costs down.

View comparison chart of care options (pdf)

Don’t be surprised by an emergency room bill

Freestanding emergency rooms, sometimes called urgency centers, are on the rise. Typically unattached or unaffiliated with a hospital, they treat many of the same conditions as an ER, sometimes at a higher price.

Find out more about the difference between ER and urgent care

What to know about freestanding emergency rooms:

They may advertise short wait times, big rooms, and the ability to treat common ailments like colds, flu, and pinkeye. But these conditions can usually be treated with a virtual or urgent care visit for considerably less than a freestanding emergency room.
Many freestanding emergency rooms are not in the network. They may accept your insurance, but may bill at or above an out-of-network ER fee.
Freestanding emergency rooms may not have an ability to admit patients to a hospital and may provide an ambulance transfer if needed.

Get the UnitedHealthcare® app to find care anytime, anywhere

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Footnotes

Source 2021: Average allowed amounts charged by UnitedHealthcare Network Providers and not tied to a specific condition or treatment. Actual payments may vary depending upon benefit coverage. (Estimated $2,400 difference between the average emergency room visit, $2,600 and the average urgent care visit $185.) The information and estimates provided are for general informational and illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be nor should be construed as medical advice or a substitute for your doctor’s care. You should consult with an appropriate health care professional to determine what may be right for you. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
Information about treatment costs are estimates and reflect the average costs of guidance and care delivered through UnitedHealthcare owned and contracted service providers to members of UnitedHealthcare health plans. Costs for specific guidance and treatments may be higher or lower than the costs represented here. Emergency room cost estimates include facility charge and initial physician consultation.
The Designated Virtual Visit Provider’s reduced rate for a 24/7 Virtual Visit is subject to change at any time.
Data rates may apply.
Certain prescriptions may not be available, and other restrictions may apply.

Disclaimers

24/7 Virtual Visits phone and video chat with a doctor are not an insurance product, health care provider or a health plan. Unless otherwise required, benefits are available only when services are delivered through a Designated Virtual Network Provider. 24/7 Virtual Visits are not intended to address emergency or life-threatening medical conditions and should not be used in those circumstances. Services may not be available at all times, or in all locations, or for all members. Check your benefit plan to determine if these services are available.

Virtual Primary Care are services available with a provider via video, chat, email, or audio-only where permitted under state law. Virtual Primary Care services are only available if the provider is licensed in the state that the member is located at the time of the appointment. Virtual Primary Care is not intended to address emergency or life-threatening medical conditions and should not be used in those circumstances. Services may not be available at all times, or in all locations, or for all members. Certain prescriptions may not be available, and other restrictions may apply.

The UnitedHealthcare® app is available for download for iPhone® or Android®. iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. Android is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Apple, App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are registered trademarks of Google Inc.

Check your official health plan documents to see what services and providers are covered by your health plan.

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.

Oxford insurance products are underwritten by Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. Oxford HMO products are underwritten by Oxford Health Plans (CT), Inc. and Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Inc. Administrative services provided by Oxford Health Plans LLC.

In an emergency, call 911 if you are in the United States or the local emergency services phone number if you are outside the United States, or go to the nearest accident and emergency department.