What is the Cost of an Urgent Care Visit vs ER?

When it comes to medical costs, understanding the differences between urgent care centers and emergency rooms (ERs) is important—especially for patients choosing where to seek treatment. At Medallus Urgent Care, we prioritize transparent and predictable pricing to help our patients avoid financial surprises.

Unlike emergency rooms, which use an itemized billing system (charging separately for every aspect of your visit—from facility and physician fees to labs, imaging, and medications), Medallus Urgent Care offers a clear, flat-rate pricing model for basic visits. This means you’ll know the base cost for your evaluation and standard services such as treatment for minor illnesses, minor injuries, and simple diagnostic tests before you’re seen. While certain additional services— special procedures—may carry extra fees, these are always discussed upfront, so you can anticipate your out-of-pocket expenses.

Emergency rooms are designed and equipped to handle life-threatening emergencies, and their higher level of care is reflected in their higher prices. Even for non-emergent issues, ER bills can be unpredictable and significantly higher because of their itemized billing and possible insurance complications like co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-network charges.

Our mission is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. For non-life-threatening concerns, choosing urgent care not only saves you time but also offers a more straightforward, cost-effective, and financially transparent experience compared to the ER. If you have questions about our pricing, our staff is always happy to assist and provide a clear understanding of your options before any treatment begins.

When you or a loved one experiences a minor injury, choosing the right place for treatment is important—not just for your health, but for your wallet, too. At Medallus Urgent Care, we provide high-quality, affordable care for non-life-threatening injuries such as sprains, minor cuts, and minor burns.

Urgent care visits at Medallus are significantly more cost-effective than emergency room (ER) visits for the same minor issues. On average, patients at Medallus Urgent Care can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for most minor injuries, depending on the treatment required and your specific insurance coverage. In contrast, a visit to the ER for similar concerns often costs several hundred dollars or more—and bills can quickly exceed $1,000, even for basic care. Most health insurance plans also have lower co-pays for urgent care visits compared to ER visits, further reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.

In addition to affordability, we offer fast, convenient service. Our team is dedicated to getting you the care you need quickly, so you can get back to what matters most. For minor injuries that do not involve severe pain, heavy bleeding, visibly broken bones, or other life-threatening symptoms, Medallus Urgent Care is your practical and budget-friendly option.

However, if you are ever unsure about the severity of an injury or if the condition could be life-threatening, please seek immediate care at the emergency room. Your safety is always our top priority.

When you visit a hospital emergency room (ER), you may notice that your bill is much higher than expected—even if you only needed treatment for a minor illness or injury. One major reason for this is the facility fee. Hospitals, especially their ERs, often add these charges to cover the high costs of operating 24/7 emergency departments, including specialized equipment and round-the-clock staffing for severe, life-threatening cases.

At Medallus Urgent Care, we do things differently. Unlike most hospital ERs, we do not charge large facility fees—and in many cases, there is no facility fee at all. Our urgent care centers are designed specifically to treat non-life-threatening conditions in a more cost-effective and efficient setting. Our overhead costs are lower, and we focus on delivering high-quality care for injuries and illnesses that don’t require emergency room-level resources.

When you choose Medallus Urgent Care instead of the ER for minor injuries, illnesses, or urgent but non-emergent health concerns, you avoid the hefty facility fees that hospitals charge. This translates to significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses, especially for patients with high-deductible insurance plans or no insurance coverage at all.

We know that understanding your insurance coverage can be confusing—especially when you need care quickly. Insurance policies often treat urgent care visits and emergency room (ER) visits very differently, and knowing how your plan works can help you save time and money.

Most health insurance plans provide coverage for both urgent care and ER visits, but your out-of-pocket costs—such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles—can vary significantly. At Medallus Urgent Care, visits are typically much less expensive than a trip to the ER because we treat non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that don’t require specialized hospital resources. Many insurance plans set a lower copay for urgent care visits (often $30–$75), while an ER visit can cost several hundred dollars in copays or coinsurance, especially if your deductible hasn’t been met.

Choosing Medallus Urgent Care for minor illnesses, injuries, or after-hours medical needs can save you both time and money. Our clinics are designed for efficient, high-quality care for conditions like flu symptoms, minor cuts, sprains, and more—often with shorter wait times and lower costs compared to the ER. Reserve the emergency room for severe, life-threatening situations.

Insurance plans can differ in terms of copays, deductibles, and coverage for in-network versus out-of-network providers. Medallus Urgent Care accepts most major insurance plans, but we recommend checking your specific policy or calling your insurance provider to confirm your urgent care benefits and any associated costs. Some plans may require pre-authorization, or may have different coverage rules for ER vs. urgent care visits. For more information, please contact us or see our business hours online. We serve patients from Bismarck, Lincoln ND, Young Town ND, Lynwood ND, and Washburn, ND