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Message
Do urgent care visits cost significantly more than appointments with a PCP dr?
Posted on 5/1/17 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 5/1/17 at 7:51 pm
I have a high-deductible health plan, so I'm paying out of pocket either way. Had to go to the urgent care last week for the same issue that my wife (no pics) now needs to go for, so she's basically just going to get a prescription for antibiotics.
I walked in and out of the urgent care within 20 minutes...cost $110. I figure a visit to a PCP (we don't have an established one yet...just moved from out of town) has got to cost about that, right? If so, frick waiting on an appointment.
I walked in and out of the urgent care within 20 minutes...cost $110. I figure a visit to a PCP (we don't have an established one yet...just moved from out of town) has got to cost about that, right? If so, frick waiting on an appointment.
18
Posted on 5/1/17 at 7:55 pm to PenguinNinja
PCP is cheaper but you may have to wait
Posted on 5/1/17 at 7:57 pm to oVo
Did they have to run any tests on you? Your final bill could still be coming once they run your insurance. You may be done, but $110 for an urgent care visit is on the cheaper side in my experience especially if they have to run some type of test to figure out what's wrong.
But yes, primary care is always the cheapest option.
But yes, primary care is always the cheapest option.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:02 pm to PenguinNinja
I find doctors on PCP to be erratic.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:02 pm to oVo
How much cheaper?
10%? 30%? 50%?
10%? 30%? 50%?
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:04 pm to fr33manator
Have you ever seen what this stuff does to kids?!?
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:04 pm to PenguinNinja
One has a larger copay, but an after hours clinic bills the same as a PCP. An urgent care center can bill higher rates but your insurance company has a negotiated amount to prevent highway robbery. Likely comes down to time and some extra money but on a HDHP it isn't insane.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:05 pm to PenguinNinja
I would check out a virtual doctor.
I just used amwell for the flu, very pleased with the service!
I just used amwell for the flu, very pleased with the service!
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:06 pm to PenguinNinja
quote:
I walked in and out of the urgent care within 20 minutes...cost $110
damn, makes me appreciate my insurance. Mine is $25
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:07 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
damn, makes me appreciate my insurance. Mine is $25
The difference is with your $25 you may just get your bill later.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:10 pm to PenguinNinja
I move a lot for work and live off urgent care clinics. Can't say I've ever been charged??
I paid more the one time I made an appt with a dr weeks in advance. I think you're doing it wrong OP
I paid more the one time I made an appt with a dr weeks in advance. I think you're doing it wrong OP
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:11 pm to PenguinNinja
With a high deductible, if your family is healthy and not prone to getting sick, an urgent care is pretty much a wash. I have a high deductible and when my daughter broke her wrist it was 225.00 for an urgent care to X-ray and put it in a temp spent. The specialist charged us 850.00 for a cast, and a couple of mor X-rays. Had we gone to the ER it would've been 4 times as much for the initial visit. I'd rather pay the 100.00 to the after hours clinic right down the road with very little wait, than have to make an appointment drive across town to my regular dr. If I just have a flu or something. More of a convenience thing for myself.
This post was edited on 5/1/17 at 8:14 pm
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:11 pm to CaptainJ47
quote:
The difference is with your $25 you may just get your bill later.
Also the OP stated he had an HDHP meaning he's paying all costs until the deductible. This guy has a $25 copay but his premiums are much higher.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:13 pm to shotcaller1
Just don't go to an ER. Had some bad, unbearable wisdom tooth pain (got it taken out a week later by a DDS), went to an ER, cost me a total of $1500 (insurance shaved a lot off that). Pain meds didn't even work 
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:13 pm to PenguinNinja
If you are not an established patient, the initial visit to the PCP can be higher as the LOS (level of service) will be billed higher as a new patient vs an established patient.
Example: Level 3 established patient may run $75 but a Lev 3 New Patient may run $175.
Example: Level 3 established patient may run $75 but a Lev 3 New Patient may run $175.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:14 pm to PenguinNinja
Cost more than your pcp, but cheaper than going to the ER and waiting for hours
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:14 pm to PenguinNinja
That's cheap for today's rates.
Urgent Care can run over $200. Even with a policy having co-pays, rates are usually higher than $100.
If you have Blue Cross, they now offer an iPhone app that provides online urgent care evaluation. Say you have a sinus infection, and know you need an antibiotic, you can do this over the internet. Doesn't work for things like wounds or injuries, obviously. Best part is it only costs like $30
Urgent Care can run over $200. Even with a policy having co-pays, rates are usually higher than $100.
If you have Blue Cross, they now offer an iPhone app that provides online urgent care evaluation. Say you have a sinus infection, and know you need an antibiotic, you can do this over the internet. Doesn't work for things like wounds or injuries, obviously. Best part is it only costs like $30
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:17 pm to PenguinNinja
Usually more expensive and usually an idiot PA or NP. My last visit to one made me seriously wonder how that chick passed a single science college course.
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:19 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:
damn, makes me appreciate my insurance. Mine is $25
Subtle brag
Posted on 5/1/17 at 8:20 pm to StrongSafety
Yeah I'll drive myself to an urgent care with 104 fever (which I did) than have anyone take me to an ER. I used to volunteer in one, and the wait times are atrocious. The fiancee was not happy with that decision
This post was edited on 5/1/17 at 8:22 pm
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