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

In this article:

• How much does a doctor visit cost without insurance?
• Cheapest way to see a doctor without insurance
• How to save on doctor visits
• Importance of preventive care

In this article

• How much does a doctor visit cost without insurance?
• Cheapest way to see a doctor without insurance
• How to save on doctor visits
• Importance of preventive care

Many people don’t think twice about scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider. But for people who don’t have health insurance, it’s not so simple. Insurance often covers preventive care, mental health appointments, and office visits, which can save people a lot of money annually. But according to a KFF survey, 63% of uninsured U.S. adults say they simply don’t have access to affordable health care—either through employment, Medicare, or other sources. For these people, medical expenses can be expensive, causing them to avoid recommended healthcare visits and screenings. However, there are still ways to save money on quality care, and we’ve got the details below. 

RELATED: Why are Americans skipping healthcare services?

How much does a doctor visit cost without insurance?

This is the big question for uninsured people. However, the exact cost is tough to nail down, since it depends on a range of factors, including your medical issue, the type of provider, and even where you live. Per Debt.org, the average cost of a doctor’s visit is $150–$400, and the average cost of a physical exam without health coverage is $387. That’s just the base cost for a primary care visit, and it can increase if you need testing or prescriptions.

For example, routine blood work can cost as little as around $30, but can also cost hundreds, depending on the lab. And X-rays can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the body part examined, lab, and other factors.

Yet how much you pay can also depend on where you receive care. Some clinics can give discounts or allow you to pay on a sliding scale based on your income, and community clinics may be cheaper than a direct care provider. However, urgent care clinics are often more expensive—an average of $165 for a walk-in visit, according to United Healthcare, depending on the treatment. But they aren’t nearly as pricey as a trip to the emergency room, which the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) says can cost $440 for children and $1,110 for patients over age 65.

Telehealth might potentially save money if your medical issue doesn’t require in-person attention. A 2023 study from the American Heart Association showed that the mean cost of a telehealth appointment for cardiovascular patients was around $112.80.

What about specialist visits?

Some medical conditions require more than a primary care appointment, but specialists are often more expensive for individuals who don’t have insurance. Here are the average costs of a visit to various specialists:

• Psychiatry: $159
• Pediatrics: $169
• Dermatology: $268
• OB/GYN: $280
• Ophthalmology: $307
• Cardiology: $335
• Orthopedics: $419

Like primary care physicians, these expenses typically depend on where you’re receiving medical care.

Cheapest way to see a doctor without insurance

There’s more than one way to see a healthcare provider, and some are more affordable than others if you’re uninsured. The cheapest solution may depend on what you need, your location, and other factors, but here are a few recommendations. 

1. Community health clinics

These are clinics that provide medical treatment, dental care, mental health services, or other treatments to people who need help accessing or paying for health care. Some might offer medical care for free, and others might be low-cost. And sometimes, “community clinics may charge based on a patient’s income,” says Tonie Reincke, MD, founder of Reincke Vein Center. It’s called “sliding scale” payment, and “this option may be significantly less impactful on a tight budget.”

Community health centers provide some of the most necessary care, such as preventive screenings and vaccinations, without insurance requirements or the hefty price tag of a direct primary care provider. They’re located across the U.S., so there’s likely one near you, and you can search for them using the Health Resources and Services Administration website.

2. Telehealth platforms

“Often, you need to see a healthcare provider in person. But in some cases—whether for a consultation, follow-up, or new symptoms—you may be able to do a telehealth appointment, which is generally less expensive,” says Austin Kilgore, an analyst with the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights. In fact, a 2023 study on cancer patients showed that telehealth appointments saved around $147–$186 per visit.

But it also saves money indirectly. A study of more than 3 million telehealth appointments estimated that they saved patients a cumulative of 1,788,813  hours of commute time and a total of $33,540,244 in travel costs. Plus, it saves wear and tear on your vehicle and, when applicable, child-care costs as well.

Like in-person visits, however, the cost may still depend on the provider type. There may still be additional costs beyond the visit like necessary blood work or imaging.

3. Retail walk-in clinics 

Often attached to pharmacies or retail stores, these clinics can treat minor illnesses or injuries, and are typically staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants. They can take cash payments if you do not have insurance, and Consumer Reports says these visits often cost less than $100.

However, that usually depends on the treatment you receive, and not all of these are as affordable as others, so make sure to ask about the costs 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. 

4. Urgent care centers

“Urgent care visits are typically less expensive than an ER visit, and usually less time is spent waiting for an evaluation by a provider,” Dr. Reincke says. They’re typically best for immediate emergencies and other time-sensitive medical needs and often can take direct payment from the patient. 

These centers are like walk-in clinics for more serious concerns, such as broken bones, sprains, and wounds requiring stitches. However, they are better equipped for more detailed imaging and testing than a walk-in clinic for these more serious matters. True emergencies like cardiac arrest or anaphylactic shock still require an emergency room visit.

A note on emergency rooms: If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, go to an emergency room, regardless of the cost. But for anything else, you might want to avoid them, since they can be very expensive—an average of $750 per visit, according to the AHRQ. In situations when a trip to the ER is unavoidable, some hospitals may have programs for patients who can’t afford the bills, and others may offer retroactive aid if you qualify.

How to save on doctor visits

Where you go can influence the amount you spend on medical services, but how you go about it can too. Here are some tips to help make treatment more affordable, no matter where you go.

• Call ahead: Knowing how much your treatment will cost can help you prepare. You can even call multiple clinics to compare prices or ask about sliding scale payment options. Per Kilgore, “most medical practices have a billing manager who can provide this information, which can help you prepare and plan finances.”
• Ask about discounts: “Many providers offer substantial discounts when a patient pays by cash (rather than filing an insurance claim),” Kilgore says. “Ask about this upfront, before you receive treatment and before you are billed.”
• Look into Medicaid: Funded by state and federal governments, Medicaid provides financial assistance for people who need help paying for health care. Eligibility requirements typically include certain income thresholds, although these vary by state.
• Research affordable health insurance plans: Many people are uninsured and don’t have to be. You can visit healthcare.gov to find out whether you qualify for free or low-cost health plans through the health insurance marketplace.
• Get prescription discounts: If your healthcare provider prescribes a medication, you can get free coupons through SingleCare. These work at over 35,000 pharmacies nationwide and can save you up to 80% hundreds on prescription drugs.

RELATED: How can I save on my medication?

Importance of preventive care

The more intensive the treatment, the more it will typically cost, which can be difficult for anyone trying to pay out of pocket. That’s why the best way to avoid sky-high medical bills is to prevent serious health conditions as best as you can. By living a healthy lifestyle and staying on top of your annual checkups, you can avoid more expensive treatments in the future. It might cost a couple of hundred dollars upfront, but it could save you a lot more in the long run.

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