Urgent Care
Walk-in medical care for acute illnesses and minor injuries without the wait or cost of an emergency room
Urgent Care is the specialty focused on walk-in medical care for acute illnesses and minor injuries without the wait or cost of an emergency room. OpenDoc keeps the common visit types visible so patients can compare the care path before they book. Transparent pricing on this page currently ranges from $25 to $600 across 14 common visit types. Urgent care centers treat the same common illnesses and injuries as emergency rooms — at a fraction of the cost. The average ER visit costs over $2,200, while an urgent care visit for the same condition averages $150 to $250. OpenDoc urgent care providers offer transparent pricing starting at $75 for basic sick visits, with X-rays, lab tests, and minor procedures all priced upfront. Over 160 million urgent care visits occur annually in the US, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in healthcare.
Common services and transparent pricing
Pricing estimates are modeled from the current OpenDoc specialty taxonomy, visit archetypes, and transparent cash-pay assumptions. Posted provider pricing should be treated as the source of truth whenever it is available. Pricing last reviewed April 8, 2026.
- Sick Visit (Basic) — $75–$175: Sick Visit (Basic) is a common urgent care entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Sick Visit (Moderate Complexity) — $125–$250: Sick Visit (Moderate Complexity) is a common urgent care entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Injury Evaluation — $125–$275: Injury Evaluation is a common urgent care entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- X-Ray (Single View) — $50–$150: X-Ray (Single View) is a common urgent care entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- X-Ray (Multi-View) — $75–$250: X-Ray (Multi-View) is a common urgent care entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Laceration Repair (Simple, <5 cm) — $150–$350: Laceration Repair (Simple, <5 cm) is a procedure-oriented urgent care service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Laceration Repair (Complex, >5 cm) — $250–$600: Laceration Repair (Complex, >5 cm) is a procedure-oriented urgent care service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Rapid Strep Test — $25–$50: Rapid Strep Test is a diagnostic urgent care service used to clarify the condition before treatment decisions are made.
- Rapid Flu Test — $25–$50: Rapid Flu Test is a diagnostic urgent care service used to clarify the condition before treatment decisions are made.
- UTI Treatment (Visit + Urinalysis) — $100–$200: UTI Treatment (Visit + Urinalysis) is a common urgent care entry point on OpenDoc with transparent pricing before booking.
- Tetanus Shot — $50–$100: Tetanus Shot is a procedure-oriented urgent care service with transparent pricing shown before anything happens.
- Sports Physical — $50–$100: Sports Physical is a screening-focused urgent care service for earlier detection, monitoring, or preventive care planning.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an urgent care visit cost without insurance?
A basic urgent care sick visit costs $75 to $175 cash pay. Visits requiring X-rays, lab tests, or minor procedures will add to the total, typically bringing the all-in cost to $150 to $400. This is a fraction of the average ER visit cost of over $2,200 for similar conditions.
What is the difference between urgent care and the emergency room?
Urgent care handles non-life-threatening conditions — infections, minor injuries, sprains, lacerations, and acute illness. The ER handles emergencies — chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, and major trauma. If you are unsure, call ahead. Choosing urgent care appropriately can save $1,500 to $3,000 compared to an ER visit.
How much does it cost to get stitches at urgent care?
Simple laceration repair (less than 5 cm) costs $150 to $350 at urgent care, including the visit fee. Complex lacerations cost $250 to $600. The same repair at an ER typically costs $1,000 to $3,000. Urgent care can handle most cuts that do not involve tendons, nerves, or facial cosmetic concerns.
Can urgent care do X-rays?
Yes, most urgent care centers have on-site X-ray capability. X-rays cost $50 to $250 depending on the number of views and body part. Urgent care can diagnose simple fractures, evaluate chest conditions, and assess abdominal concerns. Complex imaging like CT and MRI requires referral to an imaging center.
How much does a sports physical cost at urgent care?
A sports physical (pre-participation physical exam) costs $50 to $100 at urgent care. This includes a history review, physical examination, and clearance form completion. No appointment is usually needed, and most visits take 15 to 20 minutes.
Does urgent care treat UTIs?
Yes, UTIs are one of the most common conditions treated at urgent care. A visit including urinalysis and prescription typically costs $100 to $200 cash pay. You can often be seen within minutes and leave with a prescription the same day, avoiding the cost and wait time of a primary care or ER visit.
How long is the wait at urgent care?
Average urgent care wait times range from 15 to 45 minutes, compared to 2-4 hours at many ERs. Some OpenDoc urgent care providers show real-time wait estimates and allow you to check in online. Walk-in visits are standard, though some centers also accept scheduled appointments.
Can urgent care prescribe antibiotics?
Yes, urgent care providers can diagnose infections and prescribe antibiotics for strep throat, UTIs, sinus infections, ear infections, skin infections, and other bacterial conditions. They can also prescribe antivirals for influenza if caught within 48 hours. All prescriptions can be sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy.