Enormously variable - the facility fee (the biggest line), the separate physician bill, imaging, labs, and procedures all stack by severity level.
Two truths to hold: never let cost triage a real emergency - EMTALA requires emergency departments to stabilize you regardless of ability to pay, and chest pain, stroke signs, or severe injury are always worth the door. And for non-emergencies, the ER is the most expensive door in the system for the same problem. Afterward: nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance - always ask - and every bill is negotiable with payment plans standard.
What to do
Common questions
How much is an ER visit without insurance?
Honestly: ER bills without insurance vary enormously - by the severity level they code your visit at, and by what gets done: the facility fee (the door charge, the largest single line), the physician's separate bill, imaging, labs, procedures, and medications each stack on top. Two truths to hold together. First, never let cost fear triage a real emergency: federal law (EMTALA) requires emergency departments to stabilize you regardless of ability to pay - chest pain, stroke signs, severe injury, and trouble breathing are always worth the door. Second, for non-emergencies, the ER is the most expensive door in the system for the same problem, and urgent care, retail clinics, or telehealth exist precisely to spare you that bill. After the visit: as an uninsured patient you have the right to a good faith estimate in advance for scheduled care, hospitals must offer financial assistance (nonprofit hospitals are legally required to have charity care policies - ask, always), every bill is negotiable, and payment plans at low or no interest are standard. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you figure out which door your situation needs.