{"id":11057,"date":"2020-04-30T14:31:01","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T18:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=11057"},"modified":"2025-07-22T17:35:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T21:35:33","slug":"how-to-see-a-doctor-without-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-see-a-doctor-without-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"How to see a doctor when you don\u2019t have health insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people don\u2019t think twice about scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider. But for people who don\u2019t have health insurance, it\u2019s 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\u2019t have access to affordable health care\u2014either 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\u2019ve got the details below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/b> Why are Americans skipping healthcare services?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How much does a doctor visit cost without insurance?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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 <\/span>Debt.org<\/span>, the average cost of a doctor\u2019s visit is $150\u2013$400, and the average cost of a physical exam without health coverage is $387. That\u2019s just the base cost for a primary care visit, and it can increase if you need testing or prescriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2014an average of $165 for a walk-in visit, <\/span>according to United Healthcare<\/span><\/a>, depending on the treatment. But they<\/span> aren\u2019t nearly as pricey as a trip to the emergency room<\/span><\/a>, which the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (<\/span>AHRQ<\/span><\/a>) says can cost $440 for children and $1,110 for patients over age 65.<\/span><\/p>\n

Telehealth<\/span><\/a> might potentially save money if your medical issue doesn\u2019t require in-person attention. A 2023 study from the <\/span>American Heart Association<\/span><\/a> showed that the mean cost of a telehealth appointment for cardiovascular patients was around $112.80.<\/span><\/p>\n

What about specialist visits?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some medical conditions require more than a primary care appointment, but specialists are often more expensive for individuals who don\u2019t have insurance. Here are the <\/span>average costs<\/span><\/a> of a visit to various specialists:<\/span><\/p>\n