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Arkansas

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in Arkansas

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Arkansas's emergency healthcare network spans from urban centers like Little Rock to rural communities across the Arkansas River delta, creating diverse cost structures for emergency care. Patients seeking an ER Visit (Low) typically pay between $51 and $115, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $77 based on negotiated insurance rates across the state's 200 active emergency providers. Browse all emergency care providers in Arkansas to compare costs and find in-network options near you.

Average

$81

Median

$77

Lowest

$51

Highest

$115

Providers

200

National avg: $94Arkansas: $81

13% below national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

How does er visit (low severity) compare to related procedures in Arkansas?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$80$115$194209
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$85$168$282214

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 99283 — Emergency department visit, low to moderate severity). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 99283 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 99283 (Emergency department visit, low to moderate severity), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 99283 covers: the provider's professional fee for er visit (low severity). It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Top-Rated Hospitals in Arkansas

These hospitals in Arkansas are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.

FAYETTEVILLE AR VA MEDICAL CENTER

FAYETTEVILLE, AR

5/5
85% would recommend371 patient surveys
HOWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

NASHVILLE, AR

5/5
76% would recommend113 patient surveys
ARKANSAS HEART HOSPITAL, LLC

LITTLE ROCK, AR

4/5
91% would recommend939 patient surveys
ARKANSAS HEART HOSPITAL-ENCORE

BRYANT, AR

4/5
90% would recommend364 patient surveys
ARKANSAS SURGICAL HOSPITAL

NO LITTLE ROCK, AR

4/5
89% would recommend540 patient surveys

Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.

Why ER Visit (Low) Visit Costs Vary Across Arkansas

Arkansas emergency care costs run approximately 12% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower overall cost of living and rural healthcare market dynamics. The state's mix of urban medical centers and rural critical access hospitals creates significant cost variations across different regions and provider types.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Arkansas's emergency care network concentrates in metropolitan areas like Little Rock-North Little Rock, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, and Fort Smith, while rural counties rely heavily on critical access hospitals with limited specialty services. Rural emergency departments often transfer complex cases to urban centers, potentially creating additional costs and delays in care. The Arkansas River valley and delta regions face particular challenges with emergency care access and provider shortages.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based emergency departments in Arkansas typically charge higher facility fees compared to urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms due to higher overhead costs and 24/7 staffing requirements. Major health systems like Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent, and Arkansas Children's Hospital operate most urban emergency facilities, while rural areas depend on smaller community hospitals. Independent urgent care centers often provide more cost-effective options for low-severity emergency conditions.

Insurance Market Competition in Arkansas

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas dominates the state's insurance market with limited competition from other carriers, reducing competitive pressure on negotiated rates with emergency providers. This market concentration means fewer insurance options for consumers but can create more predictable pricing structures across providers. The lack of robust insurer competition may contribute to less aggressive rate negotiations compared to more competitive state markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in Arkansas

With 200 active emergency care providers across Arkansas, the state maintains adequate coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions, particularly in the Mississippi delta. This geographic imbalance affects both access and pricing, with rural areas sometimes charging premium rates due to limited provider options. Urban emergency departments may experience longer wait times but offer more competitive pricing due to greater provider density and facility options.

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Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — ER Visit (Low) Costs in Arkansas

What is the average cost of a ER Visit (Low) visit in Arkansas without insurance?

Without insurance, a low-severity emergency room visit in Arkansas typically costs between $51 and $115, with a median cost of $77 based on negotiated rates from transparency data. These rates represent what insurers pay providers and may differ from cash-pay prices, which are often higher. Many Arkansas emergency facilities offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% for uninsured patients who pay upfront, potentially reducing your actual out-of-pocket cost below these figures.

Does Arkansas Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Yes, Arkansas Medicaid covers emergency visits when medically necessary, including low-severity emergency conditions that meet clinical criteria for emergency care. However, Arkansas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, limiting eligibility to pregnant women, children, disabled individuals, and very low-income adults. The state operates Arkansas Works, a Medicaid work requirement waiver program, which provides coverage to some additional low-income adults who meet work or activity requirements.

How do I find an affordable ER Visit (Low) near me in Arkansas?

Compare costs between hospital emergency departments, urgent care centers, and freestanding emergency rooms, as urgent care often costs significantly less for low-severity conditions. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider community health centers or federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for urgent but non-emergency care. Use Momentary Lab to compare actual negotiated rates across Arkansas providers and verify which facilities accept your insurance before you need emergency care.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

Emergency department visits are typically billed using a single encounter model rather than separate initial and follow-up visit codes like traditional office visits. The cost for an ER Visit (Low) in Arkansas ranges from $51 to $115 regardless of whether it's your first visit for a condition or a return visit. However, if you're discharged and return within 72 hours for the same condition, some facilities may bill differently or potentially waive facility fees, though this varies by provider policy.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a ER Visit (Low) visit in Arkansas?

Yes, emergency room visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) under IRS guidelines. You can use these tax-advantaged accounts to pay for your portion of emergency care costs, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Keep all receipts and documentation from your emergency visit for HSA/FSA reimbursement purposes, as you may need to provide proof that the expense was medically necessary.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a ER Visit (Low) in Arkansas?

Telemedicine cannot replace true emergency care for conditions requiring immediate hands-on evaluation, but virtual urgent care services can help determine if emergency care is necessary. Arkansas has expanded telehealth access since 2020, with many urgent care providers offering virtual consultations at $30-80, significantly less than emergency department visits. For low-severity conditions, starting with a telehealth consultation can help you avoid unnecessary emergency department costs while still getting appropriate medical guidance about whether emergency care is needed.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$56
$271

Office visit (CPT 99283)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage↓
1Pennsylvania
Range: $47 – $693
$271
2Wisconsin
Range: $56 – $355
$180
3Illinois
Range: $57 – $252
$133
4Maine
Range: $86 – $184
$131
5New Hampshire
Range: $59 – $204
$130
6Michigan
Range: $54 – $252
$126
7Iowa
Range: $44 – $218
$119
8Rhode Island
Range: $40 – $204
$111
9California
Range: $80 – $153
$107
10Vermont
Range: $53 – $171
$107
11Indiana
Range: $57 – $171
$105
12New York
Range: $47 – $202
$105
13Washington
Range: $57 – $167
$101
14Colorado
Range: $54 – $159
$99
15Wyoming
Range: $54 – $155
$97
16Idaho
Range: $60 – $142
$96
17Nebraska
Range: $44 – $171
$95
18Massachusetts
Range: $40 – $206
$95
19Utah
Range: $53 – $139
$93
20District of Columbia
Range: $49 – $142
$92
21Maryland
Range: $43 – $162
$91
22Connecticut
Range: $53 – $153
$90
23Georgia
Range: $53 – $143
$90
24Alaska
Range: $69 – $118
$89
25New Mexico
Range: $54 – $139
$88
26Kentucky
Range: $40 – $139
$88
27Hawaii
Range: $54 – $139
$87
28Texas
Range: $54 – $118
$86
29North Carolina
Range: $51 – $136
$85
30New Jersey
Range: $44 – $142
$84
31South Carolina
Range: $51 – $128
$83
32Arkansas
Range: $51 – $115
$81
33Nevada
Range: $60 – $108
$81
34Alabama
Range: $49 – $131
$80
35Virginia
Range: $47 – $119
$79
36Arizona
Range: $53 – $107
$77
37Ohio
Range: $43 – $117
$77
38Minnesota
Range: $40 – $145
$75
39Tennessee
Range: $51 – $105
$75
40Oklahoma
Range: $51 – $104
$75
41Delaware
Range: $60 – $90
$74
42Missouri
Range: $52 – $99
$74
43Mississippi
Range: $51 – $104
$73
44Montana
Range: $40 – $91
$70
45Kansas
Range: $51 – $91
$70
46Florida
Range: $35 – $110
$67
47West Virginia
Range: $40 – $115
$65
48Louisiana
Range: $40 – $87
$63
49Oregon
Range: $40 – $108
$63
50North Dakota
Range: $40 – $91
$57
51South Dakota
Range: $40 – $88
$56
ER Visit (Low Severity) in Other States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming