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Freestanding Emergency Room

Many people are surprised by their bill after visiting a freestanding or neighborhood emergency room (ER)

These types of facilities bill at ER rates (or higher) and can be $1,500 or more than an urgent care center.

If you have a life-threatening situation, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

A spot for every symptom

When you need care and it’s not an emergency, comparing care options could help you save time, money and frustation. 



 

Call your primary care provider (PCP) or family doctor first. Your PCP has easy access to your records, knows the bigger picture of your health, and may offer same-day appointments.

Before receiving care at a freestanding or neighborhood ER, ask before you enter:

  • Is this an urgent care center or ER?
  • Is this facility a network provider?1

 

1IMPORTANT: 1) Your health plan is not contracted with certain freestanding and hospital emergency rooms. Call your health plan for more information. 2) Some neighborhood hospitals may not have specialists on staff, so you could be transported to a hospital emergency room for complex conditions that require a specialist.