What Is the Cost of an X-Ray Without Insurance?

An x-ray at an urgent care facility will cost between $120- $325 out of pocket. The cost of an emergency room visit ranges from $260 to $460. Additional fees and views, on the other hand, can lead the price to rise even higher.

The cost of your procedure will be determined by the number of x-rays you receive, as well as administrative costs, additional testing, and procedures. If you have insurance, the cost of an x-ray will be determined by your co-pay once your deductible has been met.

If you’re searching for a more economical alternative to acquiring x-rays and other diagnostic procedures at urgent care, it could be a good fit. You can get low-cost care at over 1,000 walk-in clinics, low-cost lab tests, and reduced medicines with a membership.

The Out-of-Pocket Cost of X-rays

Several urgent care facilities provide x-rays. Below we outline the cost of getting an x-ray at ProHealth Care, MedRite Urgent Care, GoHealth Urgent Care, ModernMD Urgent Care, and CityMD.

Before getting an X-ray, you should confirm the price, as the cost can vary depending on your medical circumstances. 

The Cost of X-Rays at Urgent Care Centers

Urgent CareCost of an x-ray
ProHealth Care$115 visit fee + about $38 – $153 for ankle x-ray but maybe more for other body parts
MedRite Urgent Care$120 visit fee + $50 for an x-ray with 2 view + $25 for each additional view
GoHealth Urgent Care$120 visit fee + $60 per body part
ModernMD Urgent Care$99 visit fee + $50 for x-ray
CityMD$230 + additional fees

The Cost of X-Rays at the Emergency Room

While x-rays can be done at both urgent care centers and the emergency room, getting an x-ray at urgent care is much more cost-effective. 

At the emergency room, x-rays range in cost between $260- $460. This does not include additional fees that might incur during your visit.

Factors That Influence X-ray Cost

The amount you will have to pay for an x-ray at urgent care may vary depending on your injury and insurance status. Below, we outline some of the factors that can affect the cost of an x-ray. 

  • Insurance coverage: The cost of the x-ray is not covered by all insurance plans. If you have a high-deductible health plan and haven’t reached your deductible yet, you may be responsible for the entire cost of your visit. If you satisfy your deductible and your insurance is accepted by the urgent care clinic, the price you pay will be determined by your plan’s co-pay.
  • Extra Tests: If your injury necessitates additional diagnostic tests or treatment, such as sutures or bloodwork, you are responsible for the additional expenditures.
  • Prescription Medications: Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be given medicine to assist manage pain and infection. This drug will have to be paid for in advance. PakOption can help you access coupon codes to get discounted prescription medications at pharmacies near you.

Does insurance cover X-ray cost?

Yes, full health insurance coverage would entail this type of exam with some co-pay needed. If you are on a high-deductible health plan or have a large co-pay, you might be asked to pay hundreds of dollars for this exam and will not receive the best rate.

Most insurances require facilities to charge you the sticker price which is 4x-10x higher than what they usually reimburse the facilities or a patient would pay with the cash price.

Insurance is denying my X-ray – what to do?

The good news is that you can still get the X-ray for a cheaper price than what your co-pay would be if your insurance covered it.

You can go the cash route and, instead of waiting 3–4 weeks for your insurance to approve the appointment, you can get the next day X-ray appointment through one of the AffordableScan facilities.

How to Avoid High Costs for X-rays

There are several ways to advocate for yourself at urgent care and get all of the information you need to know about the cost of your visit. Below are some questions you can ask to understand how much you will pay for an X-ray at an urgent care facility: 

  • How much will the X-ray cost?
  • Is one type of X-ray more expensive than another?
  • Will I need to have additional tests?
  • How much will this prescription medicine cost?
  • Is there an office visit fee?
  • What other administrative fees can I expect?
  • Are there alternatives to acquiring an x-ray?

What are X-rays usually used for?

  • Bone fractures and broken bones
  • Infections (such as pneumonia)
  • Calcifications (like kidney stones or vascular calcifications)
  • Some tumors (although a CT scan or an MRI scan is preferred for better accuracy)
  • Arthritis in joints
  • Bone loss (such as osteoporosis)
  • Dental issues A special type of X-ray called a CBCT scan is usually used for this.
  • Heart problems (such as congestive heart failure)
  • Blood vessel blockages
  • Digestive problems
  • Foreign objects (such as items swallowed by children)

X-ray Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below, we walk through some frequently asked questions about x-rays and when you should get one done. It’s important to listen to your doctor’s recommendations and make sure you understand what your insurance covers before scheduling the test. 

Are x-rays harmful to my health?

You will be exposed to modest quantities of radiation during an x-ray. The amount of radiation you are exposed to is determined by the part of your body that is being radiated. The amount of radiation emitted by a normal x-ray is generally so low that it is not detrimental to your health.

The amount of radiation emitted by a basic x-ray is roughly equivalent to the amount of radiation emitted by natural sources each day.

As a result, the advantages of having a conventional x-ray usually outweigh the hazards. CT scans, for example, release higher quantities of radiation and are requested less frequently than normal X-rays. These scans are not available at most urgent care locations. It is critical to notify.

When should I get an X-ray? 

You may decide to get an x-ray to help diagnose fractured bones and other medical conditions. An x-ray can be used to detect any of the following: 

You can also receive an x-ray at the emergency room; however, the cost may be significantly higher than with urgent care.

What should I do after I receive my x-ray?

Depending on the results of your x-ray, the provider at an urgent care clinic will advise a treatment plan for your injury. If you have a minor injury, such as a sprain, you may be able to get it treated at the urgent care clinic. However, In some cases, your provider at urgent care will recommend that you see a specialist or a primary care provider. 

Bottom Line

The price of an x-ray at urgent care will depend on several factors, such as your insurance or health coverage status. You’ll be charged a minimum of $230, but it could be as high as $325 if you’re tasked with getting additional images taken for your unique situation.

Having a partner that caps the costs on your behalf would be beneficial and could provide a nice peace of mind that you’ll be able to get the x-ray you need at the right moment.

If you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible plan, membership can help you pay less for services, such as x-rays. For only $45 per month, members have access to low-cost services such as lab testing, discounted prescriptions, and urgent care visits.

Also Read:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *