Over 44 million people lack health insurance in the United States. There’s certain information you should know if you need urgent care with no health insurance.

The lack of health insurance in the United States is a national crisis. At least 9.1% of the population is uninsured. Needing urgent care without insurance is a common occurrence in this country.

If you ever find yourself in this position, here’s what you can do without insurance:

Urgent Care With No Health Insurance: Emergency Room

The local hospital’s emergency room won’t turn you away. They’re required to treat your condition.

The major drawback is that emergency room visits are expensive. If your condition requires in-depth care, tests, or a hospital stay, you’ll be left with sky-high medical bills.

Think of the emergency room as your last resort. Before you go there, try this next option first:

Urgent Care Clinic

You’re probably wondering, “I don’t have health insurance where can I go?” Urgent care clinics will treat you or your child without health insurance for much less than an emergency room would.

The urgent care cost without insurance varies. Many urgent care clinics will require you to pay a deposit upfront. Learn more.

Research costs online before you go to the urgent care clinic. If you can’t find payment information, call the clinic and ask yourself. Also, ask about discounts and self-pay rates.

Many urgent care clinics offer payment plan options. This allows you to pay off your bill in installments rather than all at once.

Urgent Care Clinic Cost

An urgent care can treat your illness for a mere fraction of the emergency room’s cost. The average emergency room visit costs $2,259. On average, each urgent care clinic visit costs around $176.

Most people report that urgent care clinic visits cost between $50 to $180. Prices vary depending on your location.

Ultimately, urgent care with no insurance depends on what condition you have. For instance, acute bronchitis costs about $127 at an urgent care clinic. An earache costs around $110.

Most urgent care clinics accept credit cards, debit cards, personal checks, and cash.

Remember: It’s possible the urgent care clinic might refer you to a hospital. This will also drive up the cost.

Prescriptions and Tests

If you receive no insurance urgent care, you can significantly reduce your costs in 2 ways:

The health professionals at the urgent care clinic may order prescriptions for you. Ask for the drug’s generic version or free samples. Both are cheaper than buying name-brand medication.

If a health professional wants you to complete lab tests, you can choose where you have the tests done. Research rates for tests at different facilities and compare the costs. Doing this will save you money.

You Deserve Affordable Care Today

There are at least 64,000 urgent care clinics in the United States. Get the treatment you need from urgent care with no health insurance.

There are between 70 million to 160 million urgent care visits each year. As fewer Americans receive health insurance coverage, that number will only rise.

Invest in yourself and learn more useful tips. It’ll change your life.