Healthcare in the U.S. is expensive, and even with insurance, high deductibles and copays can add up quickly.
Without insurance, patients pay entirely out of pocket for routine check-ups, specialist appointments, and treatments. The cost of a doctor’s visit without insurance varies, but on average, it falls between $100 and $400. Emergency visits can be significantly higher.
With over 25 million Americans uninsured, understanding these costs is important. Below, we break down typical visit prices, explain why costs can be high, and explore alternative options for affordable care.
No matter where you are or what kind of services you need, you’ll generally pay more for a doctor’s visit if you don’t have insurance.
A primary care visit is any appointment for things like a regular check-up or a review of your medications. This is the simplest and most affordable type of healthcare visit. However, there’s a wide pricing range for uninsured patients.
This type of visit, often including a physical exam, could cost approximately $387.
In general, the more questions or concerns you have, the longer your appointment will be, and the more you’ll spend on your way out.
If it’s urgent, you can expect to pay more than your standard primary care visit. Urgent care facilities serve as an intermediate step between a doctor’s office and an emergency room. They usually charge based on your treatment needs. Here are some sample costs:
With several specialist types, it can be difficult to determine an average cost for uninsured patients.However, you can expect to pay approximately between $150 and $500 per specialist visit. When receiving a referral from a doctor, you should also be able to get a pricing estimate.
Receiving medical care when you don’t have insurance can be costly. Part of the problem is the way the system is set up. Even if you can afford care, access is a major hurdle. Average wait times for a primary care visit are about 31 days, and they’re even longer for specialty treatments.
Some of the main reasons for the healthcare system’s struggles, and the resulting price increases, include:
All of these challenges can make it even harder for people without insurance to receive timely, cost-effective care.
Virtual care have made it easier than ever for people to talk to licensed providers without long waits or high fees. Telehealth options are flexible and on-demand, allowing you to enjoy convenience and quality.Still, in most cases, you’ll pay more than someone with insurance.
What if there was a better way?
Doctor visits without insurance can be expensive, but at Counsel, we’re working to change that.
With Counsel you can get free instant answers to medical concerns by chatting with our medical AI. At any point, you can add a real doctor to the conversation with a single click to help you with a diagnosis, treatments, prescriptions, and more.This includes support for lab tests without insurance, so you can manage multiple aspects of your health in one place.
At $29 per doctor visit, Counsel provides you with seamless access to care. It is more affordable than most insurance copays, making it the cost-effecitve option for patients seeking support that is secure and always available.
Unlike traditional telehealth that is slow and transactional, Counsel delivers care that is fully integrated with your medical records so you don’t have to repeat your history ever again. This results in personalized, continuous care for a broad spectrum of conditions.
Get started for free today!
The Counsel Health editorial team is a multidisciplinary group of writers and editors dedicated to delivering clinically grounded, evidence-based health information. Their work is informed by real-world care delivery and guided by physician expertise, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, and trustworthy. By translating complex medical topics into clear, practical guidance, the team helps readers understand their health, explore care options, and make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Rishi Khakhkhar is CMO at Counsel Health. A practicing emergency physician and founding team member, he leads the clinical team in building best-in-class asynchronous care models. Previously, he served as Medical Director of Mount Sinai’s Virtual Urgent Care, the health system’s largest telemedicine service, and led emergency department operations for Hospital-at-Home while supporting mobile integrated health initiatives across the care continuum.
Our content is created for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical care. For personalized guidance, talk to a licensed physician. Learn more about our editorial standards and review process.
