Where to go for care

What each place is generally used for, what it usually costs, and how your coverage treats it.

Costs and rules for:

Telehealth (video or phone)$40 to $150
Often used for prescription refills, many mental health visits, and some minor problems a clinician can assess without examining you. The clinician decides whether a video or phone visit is enough, and may tell you to be seen in person.
Not for: Anything that needs a hands-on exam, a test, or stitches, or symptoms that are severe or getting worse.
With Employer or MarketplaceOften $0–$50; same as an office visit if billed by your regular doctor.
Your regular doctor$100 to $300
Ongoing conditions, checkups, medication changes, and problems that can wait a day or two. They know your history.
Not for: Problems that can’t wait for an appointment.
With Employer or MarketplaceUsually a primary care copay ($0–$50 is common) or deductible plus coinsurance.
Urgent care$150 to $300
Often used for minor injuries and illnesses that can’t wait for your doctor, like a sprain or a small cut. Many have X-rays. Services vary by center.
Not for: Chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, or anything that could be life-threatening.
With Employer or MarketplaceOften a $25–$100 copay, or deductible plus coinsurance.
Emergency room$1,000 to $4,000
Anything that could threaten life or a limb, severe pain or injury, and any time you think you might be having an emergency.
Not for: Minor problems your doctor, urgent care, or telehealth can see you for (the ER usually costs more). If you’re not sure, go.
With Employer or MarketplaceOften a $100–$500 ER copay or deductible plus coinsurance; physicians and imaging can add separate charges.

Where	Best for	Typical total price	With Employer or Marketplace
Telehealth (video or phone) $40 to $150 Often used for prescription refills, many mental health visits, and some minor problems a clinician can assess without examining you. The clinician decides whether a video or phone visit is enough, and may tell you to be seen in person.	Often used for prescription refills, many mental health visits, and some minor problems a clinician can assess without examining you. The clinician decides whether a video or phone visit is enough, and may tell you to be seen in person. Not for: Anything that needs a hands-on exam, a test, or stitches, or symptoms that are severe or getting worse.	$40 to $150	Often $0–$50; same as an office visit if billed by your regular doctor.
Your regular doctor $100 to $300 Ongoing conditions, checkups, medication changes, and problems that can wait a day or two. They know your history.	Ongoing conditions, checkups, medication changes, and problems that can wait a day or two. They know your history. Not for: Problems that can’t wait for an appointment.	$100 to $300	Usually a primary care copay ($0–$50 is common) or deductible plus coinsurance.
Urgent care $150 to $300 Often used for minor injuries and illnesses that can’t wait for your doctor, like a sprain or a small cut. Many have X-rays. Services vary by center.	Often used for minor injuries and illnesses that can’t wait for your doctor, like a sprain or a small cut. Many have X-rays. Services vary by center. Not for: Chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, or anything that could be life-threatening.	$150 to $300	Often a $25–$100 copay, or deductible plus coinsurance.
Emergency room $1,000 to $4,000 Anything that could threaten life or a limb, severe pain or injury, and any time you think you might be having an emergency.	Anything that could threaten life or a limb, severe pain or injury, and any time you think you might be having an emergency. Not for: Minor problems your doctor, urgent care, or telehealth can see you for (the ER usually costs more). If you’re not sure, go.	$1,000 to $4,000	Often a $100–$500 ER copay or deductible plus coinsurance; physicians and imaging can add separate charges.

Prices are rough national totals before insurance. Check whether an urgent care center or telehealth service is in your network: an out-of-network urgent care visit can cost far more.

Medicare, Medicaid, and most private plans must cover emergency care without prior approval if a reasonable person would think it was an emergency, and most private plans must charge in-network cost sharing at an out-of-network ER. This is general information about costs and insurance, not medical advice: it can’t tell you how serious your symptoms are.

Not sure?

Most plans have a free 24/7 nurse line; the number is on the back of your insurance card. A nurse can ask about your symptoms and help you decide where to go. If you’re still unsure, treat it as an emergency. To see what a specific visit or test would cost you, use Plan a visit.