Urgent care accepting
BlueCross BlueShield

Blue Cross Blue Shield Urgent Care FAQs

• Is urgent care covered by health insurance?

  According to Section 2719A of the Affordable Care Act, plans must cover emergency services. However, many providers may not consider urgent care as an emergency services location. Under most circumstances, though, patients will find urgent care coverage if they pay a copay or deductible. Always call ahead if you're unsure of your coverages.

• Does Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance cover urgent care?

  If you’re a member who visits an approved urgent care center, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers urgent care visits. The recommendation is to check to see if your primary care physician offers extended hours prior to going to an urgent care, however. Many network physicians have extended hours to help their patients during evenings and weekends. If you can't find help, then visiting an approved urgent care center is an excellent alternative.

• Do retail clinics take Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance?

  According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, as much as 29.8 percent of emergency room visits could have had treatment in a retail clinic. These locations are optimal for those who need care for acute or straightforward conditions. Retail clinics have locations in "big box" stores, grocers, and pharmacies. There are over 2,000 retail clinics throughout the country and, despite having Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage, they're underutilized by those with employer-based insurance.

• What is my urgent care copay with Blue Cross Blue Shield?

  Depending on your location, copays could be approximately $60 per urgent care visit. That's significantly lower than potentially paying $200 for an emergency room visit. However, this copay is still higher than if you visit a retail clinic. Those copayments could be as low as $20 per visit. Keep in mind that urgent care and retail clinics aren’t available 24-hours. However, you can receive 24-hour care in the emergency room.

• Can I use Medicare at urgent care?

  According to MedicareFAQ, patients who go to urgent care for services will receive Medicare coverage. The recommendation is to visit an urgent care center, however, if you aren't experiencing a life-threatening issue. While the temptation remains to visit an emergency room for stitches or treat a urinary tract infection, those are issues urgent care can address inexpensively.

• How much does urgent care cost without insurance?

  Depending on your location, urgent care costs could range between $75 and 150 for each visit. So, if you have no insurance, those are moderate costs. However, you'll incur other fees for tests, medications, or charges for extended hour visits. While these costs are lower than when you visit the emergency room, uninsured patients should prepare for all additional fees. For example, when you look at the price for treating strep throat, urgent care costs $111 compared to $531 in the emergency room.

• Urgent care vs ER vs walk-in clinic

  Urgent care centers are mid-range for co-payments, and you'll find nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses on staff. These locations are optimal for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Many areas offer extended hours. Walk-in clinics, also known as retail clinics, are the most affordable option for patient care. Their locations are usually found outside of or next to "big box" stores, pharmacies, or other large retail locations. They're open weekends, as well as other extended-hour times. Emergency rooms are the priciest option for medical care. While they're open 24/7, they're not good to use as a first-choice unless you're experiencing a life-threatening issue. Emergency rooms have staff and equipment available to handle just about every medical emergency.