This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you enroll through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Many people visit a doctor regularly or have yearly health checks. However, a doctor’s visit can be prohibitively expensive without a policy.
But how much does a doctor’s visit cost without health insurance, exactly?
Without insurance, a doctor’s visit costs between $300 to $600, depending on the type of doctor, appointment, treatment administered, and location of the doctor’s office or clinic. The cost of a specialty doctor visit is higher than the cost of a primary care doctor visit.
Keep reading to learn more about the cost of uninsured doctor’s visits.
How Much Does a Doctor’s Appointment Cost Without Insurance?
The following table has the average cost of a doctor’s visit without insurance.
| Specialty Type | Average Cost Without Insurance |
|---|---|
| Average | $265 |
| Psychiatry | $159 |
| Pediatrics | $169 |
| Primary care | $186 |
| Dermatology | $268 |
| OB/GYN | $280 |
| Ophthalmology | $307 |
| Cardiology | $335 |
| All Other | $365 |
| Orthopedics | $419 |
Exactly how much it will cost to go to the doctor varies on the following factors.
- Type of doctor you are seeing
- Reason for your visit
- Where you see the doctor (urgent care facility, doctor’s office)
- New or frequent patient
- Tests and treatments
- Lab work done
The cost of a specialty doctor is often higher than the cost of a primary care specialist. Orthopedists and cardiologists are the most expensive doctors to visit.
“The average cost of a doctor’s visit in 2016 was $265, with expenses ranging from $159 to $419 depending on the specialty.”
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
How Much Does a Doctor’s Appointment Cost With Insurance
Now that we’ve answered the question, “How much does a doctor appointment cost without insurance,” let’s compare the relevant costs to the same appointments with insurance.
| State | Primary Care Copay (Average) | Primary Care Copay (Maximum) | Specialist Copay (Average) | Specialist Copay (Maximum) |
| Arkansas | $34 | $50 | $66 | $100 |
| Alabama | $38 | $50 | $71 | $150 |
| Arizona | $36 | $95 | $71 | $150 |
| Florida | $37 | $85 | $61 | $150 |
| Indiana | $33 | $50 | $66 | $115 |
| Louisiana | $33 | $60 | $64 | $150 |
| Missouri | $34 | $100 | $72 | $160 |
| Massachusetts | $34 | $65 | $68 | $150 |
| North Carolina | $38 | $100 | $78 | $150 |
| North Dakota | $36 | $50 | $65 | $150 |
| Oklahoma | $41 | $100 | $77 | $200 |
| South Carolina | $34 | $65 | $67 | $150 |
| Tennessee | $37 | $70 | $73 | $150 |
| Texas | $38 | $115 | $66 | $135 |
| Wisconsin | $38 | $80 | $78 | $155 |
| Average | $37 | $115 | $69 | $200 |
Where to See a Doctor If You Don’t Have Health Insurance
If you don’t have health insurance, these are a few affordable options for medical care.
Community Health Clinics
Community health clinics provide free or low-cost services to their patients. These services include preventative care, vaccinations, and health screenings.
Average Cost: Free
Urgent Care
Urgent Care facilities offer many different services to their patients, including doctor’s appointments. Some urgent care facilities take walk-in appointments, while others require you to book in advance (usually on their website).
Average Cost: $100-200 + service-related fees
Telehealth
Many healthcare providers offer telehealth services to make care more accessible. After consultations, the doctor may prescribe medication or give you medical advice. Sometimes, they’ll advise you to see a doctor in person.
Average Cost: $65-260 (Teladoc, MDLive, and Doctor on Demand); $5 for Mira Members
Doctor’s Office
You can still see a doctor at most doctor’s offices if you don’t have health insurance. Ask the office in advance about their policies and pricing for uninsured patients. If you tell your doctor that you don’t have health insurance ahead of time, you may be able to negotiate the cost of your doctor’s visit.
Average Cost: Around $315 (varies significantly by specialty and specific offices)
Mira
Mira is a great option if you do not have access to health insurance. Mira members can have virtual visits for $25 and in-person visits to urgent care for $99. Mira also offers affordable lab testing, prescriptions, and behavioral services.
However, Mira is meant to be used by women to track their fertility health. It’s not the best option for men or women who aren’t looking for fertility help.
Average Cost: $25-99
How Much Is a Doctor’s Visit Without Insurance: Factors Affecting Cost
Multiple factors affect how much a doctor’s visit costs. The exact cost ultimately depends on the appointment needed and the type of provider you see.
Type of Appointment
The type of patient you are affects the cost of a doctor’s visit.
Your first visit to a new doctor’s office is typically longer than a regularly scheduled check-up because your medical provider needs information about your medical history. As a result, new patients might need to pay an additional fee in addition to the original cost of the appointment.
Healthcare Provider
The type of healthcare provider you choose also affects the costs. Seeing a primary care provider will cost you less than seeing a specialist or cardiologist.
For example, primary care office visits cost around $265, while seeing an orthopedic doctor costs about $416 without health insurance.
Some primary care offices have physician assistants who see patients. Generally, those visits cost much less than seeing an actual physician or doctor.
Services
The type of service performed also affects the cost of the visit. For visits requiring only a minor examination, the appointment may cost less than a normal visit. However, if the visit requires additional examinations and procedures, such as injections or lab draws, it will cost more than a normal doctor’s visit.
Location
The cost of a doctor’s visit varies depending on where your appointment is being held. Seeing a physician in an emergency room will cost significantly more than seeing one at a walk-in clinic. Visiting a medical provider in a larger city will likely cost more than a doctor’s visit in a smaller city.
Check the prices of the other medical offices before scheduling an appointment to ensure you know how much you are paying. Remember that in-office appointments typically cost more than visits conducted over the phone.
How to Save Money at the Doctor Without Health Insurance
Here are a few ways to save money on doctor’s visits without health insurance.
Ask for Self-Pay Discounts
When calling to make an appointment, tell the receptionist at the desk that you are a self-paying patient. Then ask if the office has any special prices for patients paying for themselves. In some circumstances, this method can be cheaper than insured rates.
Negotiate Cost
Some doctor’s offices allow patients without health insurance to negotiate the cost of a visit. When you make a doctor’s appointment, ask if you can negotiate the appointment cost and tell the receptionist that you don’t have health insurance.
Call in Other Providers
Call multiple offices around town and compare prices with each location. You might see that there are huge price differences if you shop around! Make a list of the cost of each provider or location so you can find the most affordable one.
Community Health Clinics
Community health clinics are great at providing cheap healthcare, so go to a local community health clinic rather than a traditional doctor’s office. Some may offer services for free, while others may charge you based on your family’s income.
Avoid Unnecessary Tests
Tests can cost a lot of money, especially if you don’t have health insurance. If you want to save money, ask your doctor if the tests they are conducting are really necessary. If they aren’t, don’t allow them to do the test.
Use Telehealth Services
To save money on a doctor’s visit, use telehealth services and don’t physically go to the doctor’s office. Telehealth doctor’s visits typically cost between $30 and $100 without health insurance. Plus, you never have to leave your home, and you won’t have to wait for the doctor to be ready!
Find out if your primary care provider offers telehealth services. If they don’t, there are many affordable telehealth services that you can use.
However, remember that a telehealth doctor’s visit involves many questions about your health, which takes time. Telehealth doctors also can’t conduct tests, so they may refer you to a physical doctor or specialist if you have health issues that they can’t diagnose remotely.
Visit University Clinic
If you live near a medical school or the local university has a clinic that people who aren’t students can visit, make a doctor’s appointment at the clinic. The visit will likely be cheaper than a doctor’s visit at a non-university clinic, as most employees will be students.
Possible Questions to Ask Before a Doctor’s Visit
To help you determine the cost of a doctor’s visit, ask the receptionist at the doctor’s office you are calling the following questions.
- How much is a doctor’s visit without insurance?
- How much will a new patient appointment cost?
- How much will a follow-up visit cost?
- How much will a check-up cost?
- How much do lab tests typically cost?
Places that Offer Free Doctor Consultations
There is a wide variety of online doctors to speak with free of charge. Below are some ideal options that can work for a wide spectrum of diverse patients with unique needs!
Your Doctor’s Online
Your Doctor’s Online is a free online doctor chat service that provides connections with certified physicians. If you download their free app, you can book appointments promptly. All of these appointments will be online. As a member, you can receive free urgent care anywhere in the area.
ICliniq
ICliniq is a useful service that offers 24/7 doctor consultations at reduced costs. With this program, you can receive answers from doctors and consultants for all kinds of medical questions. To participate in this program, you need to write a detailed health inquiry, choose a chat plan that fits your needs, and chat with a doctor whenever you need advice based on your plan.
Health Resources Services Administration
Consult the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). These health centers can provide low-cost health care. Their programs have supported people with low incomes, people who have come in contact with HIV, pregnant women, parents and families with children, people in or from rural communities, patients who require transplants, and people in the health workforce.
Smart DocMD
SmartDocMD gives customers access to an online doctor for free if they need to discuss existing health problems or issues with a healthcare professional. You can get started by contacting an online doctor. You can easily get in touch with experts and learn more about their various services.
If you are looking for cheap or free doctor’s visits, many of the resources listed above can help you with these existing issues. These resources can provide cheap healthcare that generally takes place within your home. Don’t pass up these opportunities, especially if you are eligible for these services!
Overall, while doctor’s visits can be expensive if you do not have health insurance, there are things that you can do to save money. While you may not think it is important to go to the doctor regularly, especially if you are a relatively healthy person, it is important because it lets you track your health and notice potential issues before they negatively affect you.
Finding a place that offers affordable doctor’s visits may take work, but the effort will be worth it in the end. Before you make an appointment at a free or low-cost medical clinic, keep in mind that the number of appointments available may be limited. Many people need affordable health care, and only so many doctors can work at free or low-cost clinics.
No Insurance?
When it comes to healthcare, most people think that their only options are to pay for expensive Health Insurance or try their luck being uninsured.
The great news is that you have a third option: join an affordable Health Share plan that meets your needs! Health Sharing programs are one of the most effective and affordable alternatives to Health Insurance.
If you don’t know what a Health Share is, you can start here to learn how it works and why it’s a great alternative to health insurance. If you are looking for affordable healthcare, I highly recommend checking out my article about the Best Health Share Plans.
Leave a Reply