Learn the Out-of-Pocket Cost of Urgent Care in Texas

Cost is an enormous factor in whether people visit the hospital or an urgent care center. In recent years, 28% of American adults avoided healthcare specifically because of the cost, and the most likely to delay were those without insurance. 

The problem is that you will eventually need medical help, so what do you do? You may try to visit a primary care doctor, but this doesn’t always work if it’s a sudden illness or injury. 

Urgent care clinics are one option and are typically cheaper than the emergency room. These facilities lower out-of-pocket costs and often have shorter wait times than the hospital. But exactly how much is urgent care without insurance in Texas? Here’s what to know. 

Understanding Urgent Care in Texas

Urgent care is an excellent middle-ground healthcare service between your primary care and the emergency room. Urgent care centers offer treatment for illnesses or injuries that are too pressing for a regular office visit but aren’t life- or limb-threatening. Some centers offer limited or specialty care, such as pediatrics, orthopedics, or after-hours care only, and others have more general services. You may need to pre-book an appointment for an urgent care visit in some locations, but you may also be able to walk in and access services. 

Urgent Care vs. the Emergency Room

The emergency room is vital within the healthcare system and ideal for severe illness and injury. Both urgent care facilities and the ER deal with sudden and urgent issues, but an ER visit is often two to three times more expensive. 

For patients without insurance, identifying the severity of a health problem and the need for emergency care can save your life and also save you from costly fees. Any problem that could lead to disability or death should be seen at the ER, while an urgent care visit may be enough for other issues.

Urgent Care vs. Primary Care

Primary care is for annual exams, prescription refills, specialist referrals, and preventive services, like vaccines and cancer screenings. Some urgent centers cover some of these needs, but concerns that can wait a few days are best addressed through primary care visits.  An urgent care center can share your medical records with your primary care office after your visit. 

How Much Does Urgent Care Cost Without Insurance in Texas?

Insurance and plan coverage influence out-of-pocket costs for an urgent care visit. For those without insurance, a few factors dictate the typical cost. 

Base Fee for Visits

An urgent care visit starts with a base fee and may change with the level of care required. However, a new patient can expect to pay average costs of less than $300 per visit in Texas, which may increase if there are additional charges for medication, supplies, or diagnostic tests, such as lab tests and scans. 

A quick visit for a broken leg, for instance, might include the base fee and other charges for:

• X-rays
• Casting supplies
• Crutches 
• Pain relievers
• Walking boot

Factors That Influence Cost

Urgent care costs also vary by location, visit time, and the health problem. The more complex the health condition, the more the visit will cost. An urgent care visit to receive a flu shot or sports physical, for example, is quick and simple and may cost you less than more specific care for stitches, a sprain or a fracture. 

Additionally, the type of center you visit and its location influence price. A specialty pediatric clinic may have advanced equipment or specialty care providers and be able to treat more childhood conditions than other locations. Fees here may be more than at a center with more general services. 

Centers in busy or more expensive areas may have higher rent, which leads to higher fees. Facilities close to hospitals or with more staff may also charge higher fees to cover overhead costs.

The Cost of Urgent Care in Texas

Urgent care visits may be more expensive without insurance. While health plans come with premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, these charges may still be cheaper than an uninsured visit. However, accessing affordable care without insurance is possible in Texas, and in some cases, self-pay options may be less than a co-pay.

Virtual Care

Virtual urgent care appointments are often cheaper than in-person visits, though they aren’t suitable for every type of medical concern. According to one study, patients spend less for virtual urgent care compared to the typical in-person visit. Additionally, about 46% of people who access virtual appointments are patients without insurance. 

Payment Options and Policies

You can find affordable care around Texas for a variety of medical concerns, often with flexible payment options. Some urgent care facilities have individual programs or policies to increase access to care regardless of insurance information, including:

• Special self-pay pricing
• Affordable rates for routine visits
• Discounts for pharmacy savings
• Cash payment discounts
• Maximum fee limits

In most cases, the entire fee is due at the start of your visit if you don’t have insurance, though some facilities allow a deposit and a plan to pay the rest in increments. However, most urgent care centers will accept popular payment methods to make payments easier. For instance, you can typically pay with cash, major credit cards, and debit cards.

The Best Urgent Care Clinic for Uninsured Patients

Urgent care clinics are a great way to find affordable and convenient care for both insured and uninsured patients. At Next Level, you’ll receive the high-quality care you deserve with lower fees compared to the emergency room, discounted self-pay pricing, and pharmacy savings. 

Our clinics also offer flexible payments, with a minimum payment due at your appointment and the rest in increments, so you can get the care you need without extra financial stress. Visit Next Level Urgent Care at any one of our 45+ locations across Texas. Get care now.