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How Much Does a Doctor Visit Cost With and Without Insurance?

Without insurance, medical care can get pricy fast. Where you live, what doctor you’re going to, and what tests you need will all figure into your doctor’s visit bill. In this article, we’ll break down those costs and give you some tips for saving money.

What Goes into the Cost of a Doctor’s Visit?

Geography is one of the biggest factors in the price of a doctor’s visit. Most medical facilities pass some of their overhead expenses onto their patients. If you live somewhere with a higher cost of living, like California or New York City, you’ll likely pay more for doctors’ visits. The practice has to pay more for utilities and rent, and those costs show up in your bill. For example, Mayo Clinic’s Patient Estimates tool quotes $846 for a 60-minute office visit in Jacksonville, Florida, but $605 for the same visit in Wisconsin.

Like the cost of living, supplies and equipment will also end up on your tab. Say you need a strep test, blood draw, or Pap smear. The supplies needed for the test plus the cost of the lab fees will all figure into the price.

Bills for the same exams and procedures can also vary depending on what kind of facility you’re going to. Smaller practices and public health centers are often a lot cheaper than university or private hospital systems. This is due in part to their buildings being smaller and their overhead fees being lower.

Price of Out-of-Pocket Doctors’ Visits

The cost of a doctor’s office visit also depends on what kind of doctor and the procedure you need to have done. For example, an in-office general wellness checkup will be cheaper than a specialist procedure. If you have an emergency, an urgent care center will be much more affordable than the emergency room.

Primary Care Physician — Physical Exam

Physicals usually include blood pressure readings, cholesterol measurements, and vaccines. Prostate exams for men and Pap smears and breast exams for women are also often included. Pediatric physicals focus on the growth milestones for your child’s age. Doctors check height, weight, sleep patterns, diet, and the vaccines required by public schools.

The range for a yearly physical can be anywhere from $100 to $250 or more without insurance. A CVS Minutecare Clinic may charge just $59 for a sports physical, but not all organizations will accept this as proof of physical health.

Primary Care Physician — Procedures

On top of the base cost for physical exams, you may have extra charges for any specific tests or procedures you need. According to the Cardiometabolic Health blog, the most common procedures in primary care medicine include bloodwork, electrocardiograms, and vaccines/injections.

Bloodwork is one of the biggest cost wild cards. Certain tests can run you from as little as $10 to as much as $10,000 . Large national labs like Labcorp offer pricing on their website, so you know what to expect going in. For example, Labcorp’s General Health Blood Test , which includes a metabolic panel, complete blood count (CBC), and urinalysis, costs $78.

Electrocardiograms or EKGs check your heart health and can find cardi ac issues. This quick procedure involves monitoring your heartbeat through electrodes placed on your skin. While it’s a painless and accurate way to detect heart conditions, the costs can add up without insurance. Expect to pay as little as $410 or as much as $1700 for this procedure, depending on local prices.

Vaccines are often required before sending your kids to school. The CDC publishes a vaccination price list annually to give you an idea of what to expect. For example, they quote $19-$132 for DTaP, $21 for Hepatitis A, and $13-$65 for Hepatitis B. The COVID-19 vaccine, however, is free of cost, regardless of insurance status.

Urgent Care Visit

If you have an emergency but are stable, urgent care is much cheaper than the emergency room. According to Scripps , most urgent care centers and walk-in clinics can at least treat dehydration, cuts or simple fractures, fever, flu, strep, and UTIs. Note that if you have chest pain, a serious injury, seizures, a stroke, or pregnancy complications, you should go straight to the ER .

For a base exam at an urgent care facility, expect to pay between $100-$150 . That price will go up depending on what else you need. For example, Advanced Urgent Care in Denver quotes $80 for an X-Ray, $50 for an EKG, $135 for stitches, and $5 for a urinalysis. In comparison, expect to pay $1,000-$1,300 for the same procedures in the emergency room.

How to Lower Your Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs

Healthcare expenses may seem overwhelming without insurance. Luckily, there are many resources available to help you cover the costs.

Free & Low-Cost Immunization and Wellness Clinics

For standard vaccines and checkups, look for local free or low-cost clinics. Check out The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ search tool to find a location near you. Your city’s public health department should also offer free or low-cost vaccines and basic medical care services.

Certain large vaccine manufacturers also offer vaccine programs. For example, Merck’s patient assistance program offers 37 vaccines and medicines free to eligible patients. The program includes albuterol inhalers and vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, and HPV.

Cash Negotiations

Most health systems offer lower rates for patients paying cash. Some even have free programs for low-income families. For example, Heritage UPC in North Carolina has a yearly membership for low-cost preventative care. In Northern California, the Sutter Health medical system offers full coverage for patients earning 400% or less of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline .

As of January 1, 2021, all hospitals in the United States now have to follow the Hospital Price Transparency Rule . That means they have to list procedure prices clearly on their website. You can also call medical billing before your appointment to discuss cash pay options.

Federal Medical Payment Support

If all else fails, there are federal programs to help you cover the cost of medical bills.

Organizations like The United Way and United for Alice offer grants for ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) patients. These are people living above the poverty level, making them ineligible for other government programs but below the basic cost-of-living threshold.

Medicaid is available for children, pregnant women, and adults under a certain income threshold. If your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid but you can’t afford private insurance for your children, you may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover your children’s medical care.

Use Compare.com for the Best Doctors’ Visit Prices

Navigating bills for a doctor’s visit can feel overwhelming, but Compare.com is here to help. With our price comparison tool, you can search all clinic and doctors’ office prices in your area. Compare makes sure you’re prepared for the cost of your checkup long before you schedule your appointment.

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more.

As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.

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How Much Does a Doctor’s Visit Cost Without Insurance?

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average cost of a visit to the doctor’s office in 2016 was $265, with expenses ranging from $159 to $419 depending on the specialty.

• At an urgent care center you can expect to pay between $100-200 to see a provider, plus the cost of any treatments or testing you may need.
• Always ask for pricing information before you agree to any testing or treatment. You are entitled to this information.

Going to the doctor for any reason can be expensive. Without insurance, you can expect to pay approximately anywhere from $50–$350 just for a routine medical exam, which doesn’t include additional expenses such as x-rays , blood tests, or other lab work.

The cost of a doctor's visit

According to Solv’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rob Rohatsch, the cost of a doctor’s visit can vary widely depending on factors such as:

• The type of doctor you are seeing
• The reason for your visit
• Where you see the doctor, for example, if you go to an urgent care facility or a doctor’s office
• Whether you are a new or established patient
• Any necessary tests or treatments
• Whether you need lab work

Visits to specialists such as primary care providers, pediatricians, and psychiatrists were lower than the average cost, while the most expensive doctor’s visits were for orthopedists and cardiologists.

Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicates that if you are visiting a doctor and don’t have insurance, you can expect to pay roughly the following amounts. The cost could vary depending on the factors listed above.

• Psychiatry: $159
• Pediatrics: $169
• Primary care: $186
• Dermatology: $268
• OB/GYN: $280
• Ophthalmology: $307
• Cardiology: $335
• All other: $365
• Orthopedics: $419

Additionally, if you are a new patient, there may be an additional charge associated with your new patient exam.

Where to see a doctor without insurance

If you don’t have insurance, the cost of your doctor’s visit can also be affected by where you go to see the doctor. There are many places you can seek medical care, some of which are more affordable than others, notes the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality:

• Community health clinics often provide free medical care or low-cost care, including preventive care, health screenings, and vaccinations .
• Urgent care centers offer many health services. Many don’t require appointments, although your wait time may be less if you schedule an appointment in advance. You can expect to pay around $100 - $200 to see an urgent care provider, plus the cost of any treatments or testing you may need.
• Many health care facilities now offer telehealth services, which are often more convenient and more affordable. For some conditions, however, you may need to be seen in person for proper diagnosis and treatment.
• If your medical need is not urgent, and you know the type of doctor you need to see, you can schedule an appointment with a primary care physician or a specialist at their office. Be sure to ask about their payment policy in advance. If you don’t have insurance, you may be required to pay the entire bill at the time of service.
• If you have a medical emergency, you can visit the nearest emergency room. Even if you don’t have insurance, you will be able to receive treatment. However, this is typically the most expensive option. If you have a non-emergency medical condition that can wait until you can be seen at one of the other options, you will likely save money.

Paying self-pay prices for doctor’s visits

Even if you have insurance, you may be able to save money by paying cash for certain medical services. While preventive care may be covered at 100% by your insurance company, other tests and treatments may be applied to your deductible. If you have a high deductible and don’t expect to meet it – especially if it’s late in the calendar year – paying cash for your medical care may be a cheaper option.

Most doctor’s offices and health care providers charge a higher price when they bill the insurance company. For example, they may charge the insurance company $70 for a treatment or service, but if the patient is paying cash, they may only charge $60. This is known as the self-pay price . If you pay cash, the claim won’t be submitted to your insurance company, but you could end up saving money.

Always ask for pricing information before you agree to any testing or treatment. You are entitled to this information. As of 2021, hospitals are required to disclose self-pay prices, even when the patient has insurance. If the doctor’s office won’t provide you with this information, be persistent, or seek care somewhere else. If you plan on paying self-care prices, you aren’t limited to the providers in your insurance network. You’ll have a wider range of options to choose from, and you can choose a provider who is willing to provide fair, clear prices.

Let your doctor’s office know that you are paying out of pocket, and ask if they offer a discount for self-pay patients. Many doctor’s offices will offer special rates for patients who are paying cash or who do not have insurance; however, they may not advertise these rates, so it’s always a good idea to ask.

Know what you’ll pay ahead of time with Solv ClearPrice TM

According to Healthcare Finance News, more than half of Americans avoid going to the doctor when they’re sick due to high medical costs or unclear costs. Solv is committed to eliminating surprise medical bills with Solv ClearPrice™ . We partner with thousands of providers across the country who have agreed to display self-pay prices for their services. When you book an appointment on Solv, you will be able to see the self-pay price for many common services.

To schedule an appointment, search our directory for a provider in your area. Begin typing the service you are looking for, and choose from the list of options that appear. If you aren’t sure which type of doctor you need to see, you may want to try an urgent care clinic or a walk-in clinic . In many cases, you can schedule an appointment quickly and conveniently online, and many of our providers have same-day or next-day appointments available.

Frequently asked questions

What factors affect the cost of a doctor's visit, what is the average cost of a visit to the doctor’s office, are there any additional charges for new patients, where can i seek medical care if i don't have insurance, what is the self-pay price, are hospitals required to disclose self-pay prices, can i get a discount if i'm paying out of pocket, what is solv clearprice™.

Michael is an experienced healthcare marketer, husband and father of three. He has worked alongside healthcare leaders at Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, St. Luke's, Baylor Scott and White, HCA, and many more, and currently leads strategic growth at Solv.

Dr. Rob Rohatsch leverages his vast experience in ambulatory medicine, on-demand healthcare, and consumerism to spearhead strategic initiatives. With expertise in operations, revenue cycle management, and clinical practices, he also contributes his knowledge to the academic world, having served in the US Air Force and earned an MD from Jefferson Medical College. Presently, he is part of the faculty at the University of Tennessee's Haslam School of Business, teaching in the Executive MBA Program, and holds positions on various boards, including chairing The TJ Lobraico Foundation.

Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Expenses for Office-Based Physician Visits by Specialty and Insurance Type, 2016 https://meps.ahrq.gov/data_files/publications/st517/stat517.shtml
• Hospital Price Transparency, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (2022) https://www.cms.gov/hospital-price-transparency
• More than half of Americans have avoided medical care due to cost (2019) https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/more-half-americans-have-avoided-medical-care-due-cost
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Hospitals Have Started Posting Their Prices Online. Here's What They Reveal

Julie Appleby

Many hospitals around the country, including Medstar Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C., have started sharing their prices online in compliance with a recent federal rule. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Many hospitals around the country, including Medstar Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C., have started sharing their prices online in compliance with a recent federal rule.

A colonoscopy might cost you or your insurer a few hundred dollars — or several thousand, depending on which hospital or insurer you use.

Long hidden, such price variations are supposed to be available in stark black and white under a Trump administration price transparency rule that took effect at the start of this year. It requires hospitals to post a range of actual prices — everything from the rates they offer cash-paying customers to costs negotiated with insurers.

Many have complied.

But some hospitals bury the data deep on their websites or have not included all the categories of prices required, according to industry analysts . A sizable minority of hospitals have not disclosed the information at all.

While imperfect and potentially of limited use right now to the average consumer, the disclosures that are available illustrate the huge differences in prices — nationally, regionally and within the same hospital. But they're challenging for consumers and employers to use, giving a boost to a cottage industry that analyzes the data.

While it's still an unanswered question about whether price transparency will lead to overall lower prices, KHN took a dive into the initial trove of data to see what it reveals. Here are five takeaways from the newly public data and tips for how you might be able to use it to your benefit.

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Hospitals forced to be more transparent about pricing. will that save you money.

The New Year Will Bring More Transparency In Hospital Prices

1) As expected, prices are all over the map

The idea behind the requirement to release prices is that the transparency may prompt consumers to shop around, weighing cost and quality. Perhaps they could save a few hundred dollars by getting their surgery or imaging test across town instead of at the nearby clinic or hospital.

Under the Trump-era rule, hospitals must post what they accept from all insurers for thousands of line items, including each drug, procedure or treatment they provide. In addition, hospitals must present this in a format easily readable by computers and include a consumer-friendly separate listing of 300 "shoppable" services, bundling the full price a hospital accepts for a given treatment, such as having a baby or getting a hip replacement.

The negotiated rates now being posted publicly often show an individual hospital accepting a wide range of prices for the same service, depending on the insurer, often based on how much negotiating power each has in a market.

In some cases, the cash-only price is less than what insurers pay. And prices may vary widely within the same city or region.

In Virginia, for example, the average price of a diagnostic colonoscopy is $2,763, but the range across the state is from $208 to $10,563, according to a database aggregated by San Diego-based Turquoise Health , one of the new firms looking to market the data to businesses, while offering some information free of charge to patients.

2) Patients can look up the information, but it's incomplete

Patients can try to find the price information themselves by searching hospital websites, but even locating the correct tab on a hospital's website is tricky.

Typically, consumers don't comparison-shop, preferring to choose convenience or the provider their doctor recommends. A recent Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker brief , for instance, found that 85% of adults said they had not researched online the price of a hospital treatment.

And hospitals say the transparency push alone won't help consumers much, because each patient's situation is different and may vary — and individual deductibles and insurance plans complicate matters.

But if you do want to try, here's one tip: "You can Google the hospital name and the words 'price transparency' and see where that takes you," says Caitlin Sheetz, director and head of analytics at the consulting firm ADVI Health in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

Typing in "MedStar Health hospital transparency," for example, likely points to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center's " price transparency disclosure " page, with a link to its full list of prices, as well as its separate list of 300 shoppable services.

By clicking on the list of shoppable services, consumers can download an Excel file. Searching it for "colonoscopy" pulls up several variations of the procedure, along with prices for different insurers, such as Aetna and Cigna, but a "not available" designation for the cash-only price. The file explains that MedStar does not have a standard cash price but makes determinations case by case.

Performing the same Google search for the nearby Inova health system results in less useful information.

Inova's website links to a long list of thousands of charges, which are not the discounts negotiated by insurers, and the list is not easily searchable. The website advises those who are not Inova patients or who would like to create their own estimate to log into the hospitals' "My Chart" system, but a search on that for "colonoscopy" failed to produce any data.

3) Third-party firms are trying to make searching prices simpler – and cash in

Because of the difficulty of navigating these websites — or locating the negotiated prices once there — some consumers may turn to sites like Turquoise. Another such firm is Health Cost Labs, which will have pricing information for 2,300 hospitals in its database when it goes live this month.

Doing a similar search for "colonoscopy" on Turquoise shows the prices at MedStar by insurer, but the process is still complicated. First, a consumer must select the "health system" button from the website's menu of options, click on "surgical procedures," then click again on "digestive" to get to it.

There is no similar information for Inova because the hospital has not yet made its data accessible in a computer-friendly format, said Chris Severn, CEO of Turquoise.

Inova spokesperson Tracy Connell said in a written statement that the health system will create personalized estimates for patients and is "currently working to post information on negotiated prices and discounts on services."

Firms like Turquoise and Health Cost Labs aim to sell the data gathered from hospitals nationally to insurers, employers and others. In turn, those groups may use it in negotiations with hospitals over future prices. While that may drive down prices in areas with a lot of competition, it might do the opposite where there are few hospitals to choose from or when a hospital raises its prices to match competitors.

4) Consumers could use this data to negotiate, especially if they're paying cash

For consumers who go the distance and can find price data from their hospitals, it may prove helpful in certain situations:

• Patients who are paying cash or who have unmet deductibles may want to compare prices among hospitals to see whether driving farther could save them money.
• Uninsured patients could ask the hospital for the cash price or attempt to negotiate for the lowest amount the facility accepts from insurers.
• Insured patients who get a bill for out-of-network care may find the information helpful because it could empower them to negotiate a discount off the hospitals' gross charges for that care.

While there's no guarantee of success, "if you are uninsured or out of network, you could point to some of those prices and say, 'That's what I want,' " says Barak Richman, a contract law expert and professor of law at Duke University School of Law.

But the data may not help insured patients who notice their prices are higher than those negotiated by other insurers.

In those cases, legal experts say, the insured patients are unlikely to get a bill changed because they have a contract with that insurer, which has negotiated the price with their contracted hospitals.

"Legally, a contract is a contract," says Mark Hall, a health law professor at Wake Forest University.

Richman agrees.

"You can't say, 'Well, you charged that person less,' " he notes, but neither can they say they'll charge you more.

Getting the data, however, relies on the hospital having posted it.

5) Hospitals still aren't really on board

When it comes to compliance, "we're seeing the range of the spectrum," says Jeffrey Leibach, a partner at the consulting firm Guidehouse , which found earlier this year that about 60% of 1,000 hospitals surveyed had posted at least some data, but 30% had reported nothing at all.

Many in the hospital industry have long fought transparency efforts, with some hospital groups even filing a lawsuit seeking to block the new rule. The suit was dismissed by a federal judge last year.

They argue the rule is unclear and overly burdensome. Additionally, hospitals haven't wanted their prices exposed, knowing that competitors might then adjust theirs or that health plans could demand lower rates. Conversely, lower-cost hospitals might decide to raise prices to match competitors.

The rule stems from requirements in the Affordable Care Act. The Obama administration required hospitals to post their chargemaster rates, which are less useful because they are generally inflated, hospital-set amounts that are almost never what is actually paid.

Insurers and hospitals are also bracing for next year when even more data is set to come online. Insurers will be required to post negotiated prices for medical care across a broader range of facilities, including clinics and doctors' offices.

In May, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent letters to some of the hospitals that have not complied, giving them 90 days to do so or potentially face penalties, including a $300-a-day fine.

"A lot of members say until hospitals are fully compliant, our ability to use the data is limited," says Shawn Gremminger, director of health policy at the Purchaser Business Group on Health, a coalition of large employers.

His group and others have called for increasing the penalty for noncomplying hospitals from $300 a day to $300 a bed per day, so "the fine would be bigger as the hospital gets bigger," Gremminger says. "That's the kind of thing they take seriously."

Already, though, employers or insurers are eyeing the hospital data as leverage in negotiations, says Severn, Turquoise's CEO. Conversely, some employers may use it to fire their insurers if the rates they're paying are substantially more than those agreed to by other carriers.

"It will piss off anyone who is overpaying for health care, which happens for various reasons," he says.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).

• health care price transparency

Cost of pediatrician visit by state

The following estimated costs are based on cash prices that providers have historically charged on average for pediatrician visit and will vary depending on where the service is done. The prices do not include the anesthesia, imaging, and other doctor visit fees that normally accompany pediatrician visit.

Need help to cover that price?

See how Sidecar Health insurance can help cover your medical needs.

When should you see a pediatrician?

You should see a pediatrician with your child at least once per year for a general physical exam.  Your child should see a pediatrician more frequently depending on age, with infants and toddlers requiring closer monitoring for routine vaccinations and to ensure that the child is growing properly and achieving developmental milestones.

Typically, an infant and toddler is seen every few months for routine vaccinations, up to age 4 years old, and every year thereafter for a general physical exam, up to age 18 years old, although some physicians will treat patients up to age 21 years old.

Additionally, if your child is sick, including with a fever, seizure, or a medical issue that is of concern, you should book an appointment with the pediatrician for further evaluation.

What can I expect at a pediatric appointment?

Your expectations for a pediatric appointment will depend on the nature of the office visit.  If your child is feeling well and the visit is routine, you can expect to have vital signs taken, height and weight recorded, and the vaccination record reviewed.  Your child should receive a routine physical exam.  The pediatrician will likely speak with you about developmental milestones and growth issues that are routine for the child’s age.  He or she will likely ask you questions about how your child is functioning at home and at school, both socially and academically.  Healthy lifestyle practices should be discussed, including dietary intake, sleep habits, and hygiene practices.  The physician will give you advice on what to expect of your child as he or she grows over the next year.  This is also an opportunity to discuss any concerns you have about your child’s well-being or receive answers to issues you are noticing with your child’s development.

If your child is ill and the appointment is scheduled as a sick visit, you can expect your child’s vital signs, including temperature, to be taken and height and weight to be recorded.  You will be asked questions about the nature of your child’s illness, including what symptoms you are noting, and when the problem started.  The doctor will examine your child and may prescribe medication or order further testing as appropriate for the condition.

What does a pediatrician do at a checkup?

At a routine checkup, the pediatrician will assess the child’s height and weight, measure vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, and review his or her immunization record.  The physician will also conduct a head-to-toe physical exam and order labwork or other testing as might be indicated. 

You will be given advice about the prevention and treatment of common illnesses and conditions that might occur.  The doctor should also discuss how to assess for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of your child.  The specific information on these topics depends on the child’s age.

When should a baby’s first pediatric appointment be?

The baby’s first pediatric visit is usually 3-5 days after birth.  Be sure to dress your baby comfortably with clothing that is easy to remove, so the doctor can do a careful physical exam.  The doctor will be measuring the baby’s head circumference, evaluating ears and eyes, listening to his heart, and inspecting the hips and genitals, among other things.  You should bring your insurance information, and discharge paperwork from the hospital, including the baby’s weight at time of discharge home after birth.  You will be given information about what to expect in terms of your child’s growth and development, as well as things to look out for, and which conditions warrant further evaluation by the doctor.

What is included in a well-child visit?

The well-child visit includes a check of vital signs, recording of height and weight, and assessment of the vaccination record.  A physical exam is performed to ensure that your child is developing appropriately. Depending on your child’s age, you will be given information on what to expect over the coming year, in terms of your child’s physical, emotional, and social development.  This can include tips on healthy habits for your elementary school child, and information about sexual development for preteens and teenagers. 

During these visits, you should also discuss any concerning behaviors or physical issues you are noting with your child, so they can be evaluated properly.

At what age do well child visits stop?

Typically, well child visits at pediatrician’s office end at age 18 years old, although some accept patients until age 21 years old.  After this time, your child should have yearly visits with a primary care physician, which is typically either a family practitioner or an internal medicine doctor (internist).  These physicians can monitor, evaluate, and treat all the typical health issues and illnesses in adults.

If your child reaches the age limit for your pediatrician’s office, you can ask for his or her recommendation for a trusted primary care doctor.  You should also request a copy of your child’s medical records, so the new physician has all the necessary background medical information.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.

Virtual Care

Mission Health | Virtual Care

Start an online visit only if you are not at risk and in a safe location! If you have symptoms of heart attack or stroke, or feel that you’re in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) immediately.

Get convenient care online for only $35

Receive an online diagnosis and prescription (as needed) for your illness from the convenience of your home. Answer questions about your symptoms to begin your online doctor visit, and receive a response between  7am – 7pm within one hour.

Start your Virtual Clinic visit now View all Virtual Care Options 

Virtual Clinic Is Open Every Day from 7 am-7 pm

Skip the trip — just click.

A Mission Virtual Clinic consultation costs $35, payable online by any major credit card. It is $35 regardless of the insurance you have, or even if you do not have insurance.

Illnesses we treat through the virtual clinic :

Respiratory infections and allergies.

• Cold or sinus infection
• Influenza (flu)*
• Hay fever/allergies

Common Female Infections

• Female bladder infection (UTI)
• Vaginal yeast infection

Eye and Mouth Problems

• Canker or cold sore
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Sty (bump or bumps on the eyelid)

Skin and Nail Problems

• Athlete’s foot
• Diaper rash
• Fungal skin infection (tinea)
• Skin irritation (contact dermatitis)
• Unwanted or other skin conditions

Stomach Pains

• Constipation and/or diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome)
• Heartburn or acid reflux (GERD)

Travel Medication

• Malaria prevention
• Motion sickness prevention

Medication to Prevent an Illness or Infection

• Influenza prevention
• Pertussis (whooping cough) exposure

*Strep throat and some flu consultations require a visit to a local clinic where a rapid test is performed to confirm diagnosis.

Click for video transcript

Learn more about the virtual clinic.

You can use Mission Virtual Clinic for the following conditions:

• Cold, flu and allergies
• Cold, sinus infection or sore throat
• Influenza (flu)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Eczema and dermatitis

We've been careful to select only health conditions that can be safely diagnosed and treated online. If an online diagnosis is not right for you, we will direct you to the care you need.

Once you are done with the online interview, a board certified Mission Health provider will review your symptoms and develop a treatment plan unique to you.

A Mission Virtual Clinic visit takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Depending on your symptoms and answers, the total number of questions for your condition will vary. Note: The interview is written questions/answers only; there is no interactive video component.

Mission Virtual Clinic is available to patients in North Carolina ages 2-65, depending upon the condition.

A Mission provider is available online every day Monday through Sunday, between 7 am – 7 pm. You can complete an online written interview anytime and receive a response within one hour. You can even complete it in the middle of the night and receive a response from 7-8 am the following morning.

If appropriate, Mission Virtual Clinic providers can prescribe medications that will be sent to the pharmacy of your choice. We treat minor health conditions, and we do not provide prescriptions for pain medications or narcotics. Mission Virtual Clinic is not an online pharmacy. You are responsible for the cost of any prescriptions, over-the-counter treatments or follow-up visits you may need. NOTE: Because Mission Virtual Clinic providers are licensed only in North Carolina, patients must be physically located in North Carolina in order to access it.

Strep throat and some flu consultations through Mission Virtual Clinic do require an extra step beyond the online virtual visit. This is called a ZipTicket, and here’s how it works:

• A ZipTicket is an order from the Mission Virtual Clinic provider for a rapid test to confirm a specific diagnoses after completion of an online virtual visit.
• Mission Virtual Clinic patients can select the nearest ZipTicket location, walk in without an appointment and complete rapid testing with minimal wait time.
• Patients must activate their prescribed ZipTicket, choose the location and arrive within 24 hours from the time it is ordered. Patients check-in at the front desk and are seen by the next available medical assistant or nurse with a minimal wait time since they have already seen the medical provider online. The medical assistant or nurse completes the testing and enters the results through the Mission Virtual Clinic portal so that the patient may receive the final diagnosis and prescription (if applicable) online. The patient is not charged separately for the visit at the ZipTicket location since they are charged for the virtual visit online.

A consultation will cost $25, payable online by any major credit card. No fee is charged if we are unable to diagnose and offer a treatment plan.

Mission Virtual Clinic is a self-pay service. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to submit your Mission Virtual Clinic receipt for reimbursement.

Please call Mission Virtual Clinic customer support at 828-222-7962 .

My Care Now

Coronavirus (covid-19) questionnaire, mammogram screening scheduling.

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Healthcare in Moscow – Personal and Family Medicine

Emergency : 112 or 103

Obstetric & gynecologic : +7 495 620-41-70

About medical services in Moscow

Moscow polyclinic

Emergency medical care is provided free to all foreign nationals in case of life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical treatment. You will be given first aid and emergency surgery when necessary in all public health care facilities. Any further treatment will be free only to people with a Compulsory Medical Insurance, or you will need to pay for medical services. Public health care is provided in federal and local care facilities. These include 1. Urban polyclinics with specialists in different areas that offer general medical care. 2. Ambulatory and hospitals that provide a full range of services, including emergency care. 3. Emergency stations opened 24 hours a day, can be visited in a case of a non-life-threatening injury. It is often hard to find English-speaking staff in state facilities, except the largest city hospitals, so you will need a Russian-speaking interpreter to accompany your visit to a free doctor or hospital. If medical assistance is required, the insurance company should be contacted before visiting a medical facility for treatment, except emergency cases. Make sure that you have enough money to pay any necessary fees that may be charged.

Insurance in Russia

Travelers need to arrange private travel insurance before the journey. You would need the insurance when applying for the Russian visa. If you arrange the insurance outside Russia, it is important to make sure the insurer is licensed in Russia. Only licensed companies may be accepted under Russian law. Holders of a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit (valid for three and five years respectively) should apply for «Compulsory Medical Policy». It covers state healthcare only. An employer usually deals with this. The issued health card is shown whenever medical attention is required. Compulsory Medical Policyholders can get basic health care, such as emergencies, consultations with doctors, necessary scans and tests free. For more complex healthcare every person (both Russian and foreign nationals) must pay extra, or take out additional medical insurance. Clearly, you will have to be prepared to wait in a queue to see a specialist in a public health care facility (Compulsory Medical Policyholders can set an appointment using EMIAS site or ATM). In case you are a UK citizen, free, limited medical treatment in state hospitals will be provided as a part of a reciprocal agreement between Russia and UK.

Some of the major Russian insurance companies are:

Ingosstrakh , Allianz , Reso , Sogaz , AlfaStrakhovanie . We recommend to avoid  Rosgosstrakh company due to high volume of denials.

Moscow pharmacies

A.v.e pharmacy in Moscow

Pharmacies can be found in many places around the city, many of them work 24 hours a day. Pharmaceutical kiosks operate in almost every big supermarket. However, only few have English-speaking staff, so it is advised that you know the generic (chemical) name of the medicines you think you are going to need. Many medications can be purchased here over the counter that would only be available by prescription in your home country.

Dental care in Moscow

Dentamix clinic in Moscow

Dental care is usually paid separately by both Russian and expatriate patients, and fees are often quite high. Dentists are well trained and educated. In most places, dental care is available 24 hours a day.

Moscow clinics

«OAO Medicina» clinic

It is standard practice for expats to visit private clinics and hospitals for check-ups, routine health care, and dental care, and only use public services in case of an emergency. Insurance companies can usually provide details of clinics and hospitals in the area speak English (or the language required) and would be the best to use. Investigate whether there are any emergency services or numbers, or any requirements to register with them. Providing copies of medical records is also advised.

Moscow hosts some Western medical clinics that can look after all of your family’s health needs. While most Russian state hospitals are not up to Western standards, Russian doctors are very good.

Some of the main Moscow private medical clinics are:

American Medical Center, European Medical Center , Intermed Center American Clinic ,  Medsi , Atlas Medical Center , OAO Medicina .

Several Russian hospitals in Moscow have special arrangements with GlavUPDK (foreign diplomatic corps administration in Moscow) and accept foreigners for checkups and treatments at more moderate prices that the Western medical clinics.

Medical emergency in Moscow

Moscow ambulance vehicle

In a case of a medical emergency, dial 112 and ask for the ambulance service (skoraya pomoshch). Staff on these lines most certainly will speak English, still it is always better to ask a Russian speaker to explain the problem and the exact location.

Ambulances come with a doctor and, depending on the case, immediate first aid treatment may be provided. If necessary, the patient is taken to the nearest emergency room or hospital, or to a private hospital if the holder’s insurance policy requires it.

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Every year we host more and more private tours in English, Russian and other languages for travelers from all over the world. They need best service, amazing stories and deep history knowledge. If you want to become our guide, please write us.

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Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Ticket prices and travelcards

Fares for Moscow's public transport network are the same for every mode of transport making it really easy to travel. See all the different tickets here !

Troika Ticket

This is the most economical option if you're spending a few days in the Russian capital. The card can be purchased and recharged at various station machines or even with the special Moscow Metro application. Your balance can be checked on the app or in the small yellow terminals inside the metro stations. A trip works out at ₽ 42 ( US$ 0.50), but if you change transport within 90 minutes, you'll only pay ₽ 23 ( US$ 0.20) for the next trip.

The day ticket for the Moscow metro can be purchased at any of the stops in the city. The price is ₽ 265 ( US$ 2.80) per day and ₽ 500 ( US$ 5.40) for three days.

90-Minute Ticket

The most convenient card if you want to take several types of transport within an hour and a half period. It costs  ₽ 65 ( US$ 0.70) per person and allows one metro ride and an unlimited number of trips on other types of public transport in Moscow during the time of its duration.

You may also be interested in

Moscow's crazy traffic and its excellent metro network mean that the city's buses and trolleybuses aren't the number one option for tourists.

Where to stay

Moscow has a wide range of accommodation: find the perfect district for you and book hotels, hostels and apartments at the best possible price.

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BBC unveils 2024 Proms lineup: Daniel Barenboim, Daleks and disco

The 81-year-old conductor makes a rare UK visit with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, while Yo-Yo Ma, Doctor Who, Florence Welch, Sam Smith and Rule, Britannia! all feature

The BBC today announces details of this summer’s Proms festival of 90 concerts over eight weeks. Daniel Barenboim will be making a rare visit, conducting the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra that he and the Palestinian-American academic Edward Said founded 25 years ago. The 81-year-old conductor has almost completely stepped back from performing because of a neurological condition and has not conducted in the UK since 2019.

Sir Simon Rattle, who at last year’s Proms gave his final UK performance as the London Symphony Orchestra’s music director , will be returning to the Albert Hall with his new orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony. Rattle’s orchestral home before the LSO, the Berlin Philharmonic, will give two concerts with its principal conductor Kirill Petrenko, the group’s only appearance in the UK this year. Also set to be a hot ticket is the 28-year-old Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä, who comes with the Orchestra de Paris to perform Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.

Audiences will have the opportunity to get to know the incoming music director of the Royal Opera House, Jakub Hrůša , who brings two all-Czech programmes to the festival with the Czech Philharmonic, and starry soloists who will be in South Kensington include cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton. The 20-year-old South Korean piano sensation Yunchan Lim makes his Proms debut playing Beethoven’s Emperor piano concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Proms favourites the Aurora Orchestra will again be performing a work by heart: Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, in its 200th anniversary year. The first half of their concert will explore the piece dramatically and musically, focusing on how Beethoven wrote it in the midst of a personal crisis and hearing loss . One in three concerts will include a soloist or conductor from an ethnic minority, and music written by a female composer will feature in almost one-third of this year’s programmes. Ten female conductors will be on the podium across the season, including the 37-year-old Hong Kong-born Elim Chan, who will conduct the opening night.

Chan made her Proms debut last year. “When I first heard her five, six years ago conducting in Heidelberg it was clear she had an enormous amount of potential,” said Proms director David Pickard. “She did a wonderful concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra last year, and we felt now was the moment to give her this opportunity to do the first night, and I’m delighted.”

Beyond the core classical content, Doctor Who’s Tardis returns to the hall with special guests and monsters promised, and disco makes its Proms debut. “We had a huge success with the Northern Soul Prom last year … the Disco Prom I hope will do exactly the same, focusing on this amazing music of the late 1970s from Studio 54, which is in fact all very orchestral in the way that it’s put together,” said Pickard, who pointed to the fact that on the first night you can hear Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and on the second night, Walter Murphy’s A Fifth of Beethoven from Saturday Night Fever – surely a Proms first.

More firsts come in the shape of pop stars Florence Welch and Sam Smith, who both give specially curated concerts that arrange their breakthrough albums (2009’s Lungs, and 2014’s In the Lonely Hour) with orchestral settings. The August Prom will be Smith’s only UK appearance this year. The singer, whose fetish-inspired performances have prompted controversy will, promises Proms and Radio 3 controller Sam Jackson , be presenting a show that is “entirely appropriate for the festival. We’ve worked very hard with Smith and their management to look at how we can create something that is authentically Proms and that works for the audience.”

Jackson and Pickard were quick to head off accusations of dumbing down. “Popular music has always been part of the Proms,” said Pickard. “Henry Wood used to put in, frankly, pretty dreary Victorian parlour songs. Thank God we’ve got Florence + the Machine!”

It is a perennial accusation, said Jackson. “I’m not apologetic about the fact that we want to use the Proms to introduce people to the joys of orchestral music and to create compelling programmes of a kind that you cannot experience anywhere else.”

The controversial Last Night remains unchanged, however. Jackson acknowledged the comments made by last year’s Last Night soloist, star cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who told Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs that Rule, Britannia! makes a lot of people uncomfortable , and he decried the “abhorrent” social media attacks that resulted.

“We want the Proms to be somewhere where everybody feels welcome,” said Jackson. “The challenge we have is that because we serve everybody and we believe in that universality we will have very different opinions expressed about our programme, and that is embodied by the response to Rule, Britannia! We know that for a very large number of people, particularly the TV audience – 3.5 million people at its peak watched the Last Night on BBC One last year – the traditions are very important.”

The festival’s expansion beyond its London base continues with concerts in Newport, Belfast and Aberdeen, two in Nottingham, a residency in the newly opened Bristol Beacon plus a return to Gateshead’s Glasshouse for five concerts over the last weekend in July. In London on Choral Day, three concerts will celebrate amateur and professional choirs, performing music ranging from Handel to Woody Guthrie.

This season is Pickard’s final in charge ; Hannah Donat, currently Proms’ artistic producer, is to become director of artistic planning. Promming tickets, 1,000 of which are available on the day, remain £8, while the top price – for the Last Night, has risen to £150. Booking opens on 18 May; the season begins on 19 July and closes on 14 September.

• Classical music
• Florence + the Machine
• Daniel Barenboim

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