How much does a walk-in clinic cost?

There are no real industry standards, so not all walk-in clinics are the same in terms of services or pricing. Even though the clinics will charge different prices, depending on location, the base prices range between $75 and $125. That is for the normal services and not specialized ones. You should expect to incur additional costs if you require a special service or medication such as a lab test, an X-ray, or an immunization shot. These may range between $50 and $150, again depending on location. Of course, these costs apply only when you are paying in cash as opposed to using your insurance policy. If you are walking in with insurance, on the other hand, you can expect to co-pay around $20-$50, depending on location, your plan and whether you are in network with the provider.

Is insurance accepted at walk-in clinics?

Each insurer determines if their plans cover walk-in clinics or not. Your insurer may not cover that, which is the reason why you should always call ahead and be sure before walking in for treatment with your insurance plan. Most plans cover that though so it is highly likely that your nearest walk-in clinic will say yes when you call to find out if they accept insurance plans.

Is a walk-in clinic a substitute for a primary care physician?

While walk-in clinics treat most minor injuries and illnesses, it is generally not a good idea to substitute them for a primary care physician. These facilities exist to supplement, not replace, primary care providers which may be closed in the evenings or on weekends and holidays. Using a walk-in clinic as your primary care provider may limit your access to healthcare due to the lower capacity of these facilities compared to a regular medical facility. Additionally, you may have trouble seeing the same provider visit to visit, so they may have very little awareness of your medical needs on an on-going basis.