X-rays are an everyday and very useful part of the healthcare system. They help doctors visualize what’s occurring within your body, such as broken bones, lung infections, or other internal ailments. Many people worry about how much an X Ray is, especially if they do not have health insurance.
X-ray prices depend on where the clinic is and which part of the body needs to be scanned.
For example, a simple X-ray will likely be less costly than an X-ray that memorializes images of your chest or spine. And if you are uninsured, it is best to have an idea of how much an X-ray costs before you go in.
If you don’t have insurance, your best option would be to go to an urgent care site where you can still receive an X-ray at a lower cost than the hospital could charge, and likely less out-of-pocket cost than an urgent care facility. Many urgent care like NovaMed facilities offer X-rays on-site and save you time away from work or other opportunities, as well as the cost of going into a hospital.
In this blog, we will describe what an X-ray may cost at an urgent care site without insurance and why the amount may change, as well as give some comparisons to the alternative of visiting the doctor’s office or immediate care.
Does Urgent Care Cover X-ray?
If you are the person who thinks about Does Urgent Care Do X-Rays? Many urgent care clinics provide X-ray services to help diagnose injuries or health issues on the spot. These clinics are set up to handle a wide range of minor injuries and illnesses in a fast and cost-effective way. Many of these injuries and health issues may require an X-ray to properly diagnose.
Urgent care often has X-ray machines, and you won’t be required to go into a hospital or refer to a specialist. This process makes things more rapid and usually saves you money, as well.
Urgent care centers often offer X-rays for these common areas:
- Chest X-ray (used to check for cough, lung issues, or chest discomfort)
- Arm or leg X-ray (for sprains, fractures, or swellings)
- Back or neck X-ray (for pain or injury)
- Hand, wrist, or ankle X-ray (for possible breaks)
Getting an X-ray at urgent care is often more affordable and faster than having one done at a hospital. Generally, you will receive an X-ray more quickly through urgent care than if you went to a hospital. Hospitals generally have long wait times and can be incredibly expensive, especially via an emergency room.
A visit to urgent care can counter that wait time by getting you the help you need quickly when you think an X-ray is necessary, but it’s not an emergency.
How Much Does an X-Ray Cost Without Insurance?
If you don’t have health insurance, then how much is an X-ray without insurance? The price of an X-ray can range from $100 to $1,000, based on things like the type of scan, the body part, and where you get it done. Like many services, there are many important factors behind the price of an X-ray. Several important factors play a role in determining the price:
Factors that Affect X-ray Prices:
- Body part: A plain X-ray of your finger or hand may cost less, while a chest or spine X-ray tends to be more expensive.
- Location/Facility type: Hospitals typically charge more than urgent care or stand-alone imaging centers. In general, larger cities or high-cost areas will lead to higher prices than in smaller towns.
- Placement of X-ray: If your doctor orders multiple views of an area or extensive views of a single area, this will increase the price.
Example Prices:
- A finger or hand X-ray typically costs between $100 and $250.
- A chest X-ray costs $250 to $500.
- A spinal x-ray or extensive views may cost over 600 to 1,000 in some areas.
It’s always a good idea to ask for an estimate, especially if you’re paying for the X-ray out of pocket. Sometimes, a place will give you a cash discount for declining to use your health insurance.
What Is The Price of An X-ray without Insurance?
Generally, you wanna know how much an X-ray costs without insurance. X-ray costs without insurance can vary widely, typically falling between $100 and $1,000 based on the type and place of service.
The main things that affect pricing are:
- Body Part: Simple X-rays of the finger or foot might cost around $100 to $250, while the price of a chest or back X-ray can be 250 to 500. A more involved X-ray, such as an X-ray of the spine or one that requires multiple views, can even run 600 or higher.
- Type of Facility: Hospitals tend to charge the most, followed by urgent care and independent imaging centers.
- Location: Certain regions in the country charge more for healthcare, which affects the price.
Many patients wonder, Are X-rays without insurance cheaper? Sometimes. Some clinics or urgent care X-ray center offer cash patients lower pricing and even flat rate pricing. If you go to the hospital, the price without insurance can be a lot more because of the extra facility fees.
To save money, call ahead and ask about their pricing. Some even list their prices online or offer payment plans for uninsured patients.
Urgent Care Visit Cost Without Insurance
While visiting urgent care without insurance can still be a reasonable and economical option for you, be aware that the trend is that the typical urgent care visit out-of-pocket cost without insurance may be between $80 to $250. This charge generally covers your basic exam along with your consultation with the medical provider.
This base fee does NOT include additional services provided by urgent care, like X-rays, lab work, or treatments. If you are taking advantage of urgent care, and could potentially take more than a basic exam, then, in this case, your total amount billed will be more.
Many often start by thinking, How much does immediate care cost? Or is it less expensive than ER? The answer is yes – immediate care (or urgent care) is far less expensive than the ER(Emergency Room). Where an ER appointment could collectively cost more than $1,000, an urgent care clinic will always be more predictable and will have spent less.
Here are examples of extra fees you may incur while in urgent care:
- X-rays: $100–$400, depending on the body part
- Lab work: $20–$100+ for lab services (e.g., strep tests, blood work, etc.)
- Minor treatments: $50–$150 for splints, sutures, and wound care
When you group the fees for these with your visit fee, your total urgent care cost without insurance, if additional services are required, could be anywhere from $180 and $600.
Is there a difference between Immediate Care and Urgent Care?
The terms immediate care and urgent care refer to similar healthcare services. In the main, they refer to the same thing. Both types of healthcare services provide quick care for non-life-threatening medical needs, like minor injuries, infections, or illnesses, when you don’t have access to a regular doctor.
Some clinics use the term “immediate care” to promote that they provide a walk-in service, but they offer the same types of healthcare services as urgent care clinics. Both immediate care and urgent care services will treat:
- Flu or Cold Symptoms
- Minor cuts or burns
- Sprains or broken fingers
- Earaches or sore throats
Cost of Immediate care vs. Urgent care
The cost of immediate care services is very similar to urgent care. Whether the provider calls it urgent care or immediate care, for most people who don’t have insurance, they are looking at a total price of between $80 and $250 for a basic visit.
The price of the visit would correlate with the time the doctor spends with you and the basic level of the exam. If your doctor needs to do anything extra, that would be paid for on top of the basic visit fee. Here is an example of what a total visit would look like:
- Basic visit fee: $100
- X-ray (ankle, chest, or hand): $120 – $350
- Lab test (such as strep or flu): $20–$100
- Minor treatment (like splints or wound care): $50–$150
So, if you go without insurance and need an X-ray, your total walk-in bill could be between $200 to $600, depending on the clinic and what was involved.
Cost of Doctor Visit Without Insurance
Without health insurance, even a simple doctor’s appointment can cause you concern about the cost. The cost of a doctor visit can vary significantly depending on where you go and what kind of care you will be receiving. An average primary care visit without insurance can cost between $100 to $300 without insurance. If you need tests, imaging, or treatment, there could be a significant added cost to your bill.
So, how much does a doctor visit cost without insurance in real life? It depends. A basic check-up might cost less, but if you have something more serious, like ongoing pain, the price can go up because of extra tests or lab work.
If you live in a state or city where clinics offer scaled fees or discounts to self-pay patients, these discounts are not always guaranteed by the individual clinic. It is a good idea to call the practice ahead of time and inquire about probable prices before your office visit, so you are not surprised when it comes time to pay.
If cost is a concern for minor health issues, it is suggested to visit an urgent care center.
Conclusion
Getting an X-ray or basic medical care without insurance can feel overwhelming, but urgent care centers can be a less expensive alternative to hospitals. From chest x-rays to quick visits with a doctor, urgent care provides the fastest help at far lower prices than hospitals.
The urgent care visit cost without insurance is typically much less expensive than an emergency room visit, especially if you just need a minor test or treatment. Always ask about prices to know in advance – you can budget accordingly. With the right information, you can get the care you need while still watching your budget.
