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Colorado

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in Colorado

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Colorado's healthcare costs run approximately 7% above national averages, reflecting the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural provider challenges. For an ER Visit (Low) in Colorado, patients typically pay between $54 and $159, with a median negotiated rate of $85 based on transparency data from over 1,800 active providers statewide. Colorado maintains strong provider networks across major metropolitan areas like Denver and Colorado Springs, though rural counties may have limited options for emergency care.

Average

$99

Median

$85

Lowest

$54

Highest

$159

Providers

1,888

National avg: $94Colorado: $99

6% above national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$80$123$2671,987
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$80$186$3901,884

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 Colorado

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

ANIMAS SURGICAL HOSPITAL, LLC

DURANGO, CO

5/5
92% would recommend191 patient surveys
ST ANTHONY SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER

FRISCO, CO

5/5
85% would recommend182 patient surveys
ORTHOCOLORADO HOSP AT ST ANTHONY MED CAMPUS

LAKEWOOD, CO

5/5
82% would recommend337 patient surveys
GRAND JUNCTION VA MEDICAL CENTER

GRAND JUNCTION, CO

5/5
80% would recommend215 patient surveys
SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

CORTEZ, CO

5/5
77% would recommend107 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 Colorado

Colorado's healthcare costs run 7% above national averages, driven by the state's unique geographic challenges, altitude-related medical complexities, and concentrated provider networks along the Front Range corridor. The state's mix of urban medical centers and rural critical access hospitals creates distinct cost and access patterns for emergency care.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Colorado's emergency care concentrates heavily along the Front Range from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, while rural counties rely on critical access hospitals with limited emergency services. Mountain communities face particular challenges with seasonal population fluctuations and weather-related access issues that can drive up emergency care costs.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based emergency departments in Colorado typically charge higher facility fees compared to freestanding emergency centers, though they offer more comprehensive services for complex cases. Major health systems like UCHealth, Presbyterian/St. Joseph, and SCL Health operate extensive emergency networks with varying cost structures based on facility designation and services offered.

Insurance Market Competition in Colorado

Colorado's insurance market features strong competition between UnitedHealth, Anthem, and Kaiser Permanente, along with regional plans that help moderate emergency care costs through negotiated rate competition. The state's health insurance exchange and regulatory oversight contribute to relatively transparent pricing for emergency services compared to other states.

Physician Supply and Demand in Colorado

With over 1,800 emergency medicine providers active statewide, Colorado maintains adequate emergency physician supply in urban areas while facing shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution affects both cost and wait times, with rural emergency departments often relying on locum tenens physicians at higher rates.

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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 Colorado

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

Uninsured patients in Colorado typically pay between $54 and $159 for low-severity emergency department visits, with a median cost of $85 based on negotiated rate data. However, many Colorado emergency departments offer self-pay discounts of 10-40% for uninsured patients, potentially reducing costs to $32-95 for qualifying individuals. Payment plans and financial assistance programs are commonly available through major health systems to help manage these expenses.

Does Colorado Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Yes, Colorado's expanded Medicaid program covers emergency department visits for low-severity conditions with typically minimal patient cost-sharing. Colorado Medicaid members usually face small copays of $3-8 for emergency department visits, though true emergencies may have no patient responsibility. Coverage includes both the physician services and facility fees associated with emergency care, making it one of the most affordable options for emergency treatment in Colorado.

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

Compare costs between hospital-based emergency departments and freestanding emergency centers in your area, as prices can vary significantly for the same level of care. Many Colorado providers offer online cost estimates and self-pay discounts for uninsured patients. Community health centers and urgent care facilities may provide more affordable alternatives for non-emergency conditions, while federally qualified health centers offer sliding-scale pricing based on income.

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

Emergency department visits are typically coded based on complexity and time spent rather than whether it's an initial or follow-up visit, with low-severity visits averaging $85 in Colorado regardless of patient history. Follow-up care for emergency department visits usually transitions to primary care, urgent care, or specialist offices rather than returning to the emergency department. The emergency department visit cost remains consistent at $54-159 for low-severity presentations, though additional diagnostic tests or procedures will increase the total bill.

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

Yes, emergency department visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement under IRS guidelines. You can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for emergency care costs including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts not covered by insurance. Keep all receipts and documentation for emergency department visits, as these are considered qualified medical expenses for tax-advantaged account purposes.

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

While traditional emergency departments don't offer telemedicine services, Colorado has expanded virtual urgent care options that can address some low-severity conditions at significantly lower costs of $30-75 per visit. Many Colorado health systems now provide 24/7 virtual care options that can help determine whether an emergency department visit is necessary for your symptoms. Telemedicine consultations can provide initial assessment and care guidance, potentially avoiding unnecessary emergency department visits while connecting you to appropriate care levels.

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
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming