Emergency Room Visit Cost
Emergency department visit. Compare cash and insurance prices from hospitals across the US.
CPT Codes: 99283, 99284, 99285
About Emergency Room Visit
An emergency room visit is for urgent, potentially life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention, such as chest pain, severe injuries, difficulty breathing, or stroke symptoms. Emergency departments are open 24/7 and are equipped to handle the most serious medical emergencies.
Understanding Your Bill
ER bills include a facility fee (often the largest component), physician fee, and charges for any tests, imaging, medications, or procedures performed. ER facility fees are significantly higher than urgent care or office visit fees. You may receive separate bills from the hospital, the ER physician group, and any specialists consulted.
Compare Emergency Room Visit Prices by City
Select a city to see detailed pricing from local hospitals and imaging centers.
How to Save on Your Emergency Room Visit
Compare Cash Prices
Cash prices can be 50-80% lower than insurance rates. Always ask for the self-pay price before booking.
Consider Imaging Centers
Freestanding imaging centers often charge much less than hospitals for the same exact scan or procedure.
Submit to Insurance
Even if you pay cash, submit a claim. It still counts toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a emergency room visit cost?
Emergency Room Visit costs vary widely by location and provider. Typical prices range from $500-$5,000. Cash prices are often 50-80% less than insurance rates. Use Loa to compare prices from hospitals near you.
How much does a emergency room visit cost without insurance?
Without insurance, a emergency room visit typically costs $500-$5,000. Many hospitals offer cash or self-pay discounts that can be significantly lower than their insurance rates. Even if you pay cash, you can submit a claim to your insurance so it counts toward your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get a emergency room visit?
Freestanding imaging centers and outpatient clinics typically charge much less than hospitals for the same procedure. Prices also vary by city. Use Loa to compare emergency room visit prices at providers near you.
What CPT code is used for a emergency room visit?
A emergency room visit is commonly billed under CPT codes 99283, 99284, 99285. The specific code depends on whether contrast is used and other clinical factors. Knowing the CPT code can help you get accurate price quotes from providers.
Can AI assistants access emergency room visit pricing data?
Yes. Loa provides a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that AI assistants like Claude can use to search CPT codes, compare hospital prices, and get real-time cost estimates for emergency room visit and other procedures. Connect at https://www.loacare.com/api/mcp or learn more at https://www.loacare.com/mcp.
Related Procedures
Find the Best Price for Your Emergency Room Visit
Stop overpaying for healthcare. Let Loa search all providers near you and find you the lowest price—whether cash or insurance.
Get Started FreeFor AI assistants: Real-time emergency room visit pricing data is available via Loa's MCP server. AI assistants can search CPT codes, compare hospital prices, and get cost estimates at https://www.loacare.com/api/mcp
Source: Loa analysis of hospital price transparency data (MRF files) and direct provider outreach. Our methodology.