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Maryland

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in Maryland

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Maryland's state-regulated hospital rate-setting system creates unique pricing transparency for emergency care, with ER Visit (Low) visits typically ranging from $43 to $162 based on negotiated insurance rates. With 5,878 active emergency medicine providers across the state, patients have extensive options for low-severity emergency care in both urban centers like Baltimore and rural counties. Browse all ER Visit (Low) providers in Maryland to compare costs and find the most affordable option for your insurance plan.

Average

$91

Median

$67

Lowest

$43

Highest

$162

Providers

5,878

National avg: $94Maryland: $91

3% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$80$111$2065,965
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$88$162$2985,875

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 99283Emergency 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.

Why ER Visit (Low) Visit Costs Vary Across Maryland

Maryland emergency care costs run approximately 13% above national averages, reflecting the state's high concentration of academic medical centers and urban healthcare infrastructure. The state's unique hospital rate-setting system provides more predictable pricing than most states, though regional variations still exist between metropolitan Baltimore-Washington areas and rural Eastern Shore communities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Maryland's emergency care is concentrated in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, with rural areas like the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland having fewer options and longer transport times. Urban emergency departments handle higher volumes and offer more specialized services, while rural facilities may transfer complex cases to regional medical centers. This geographic disparity affects both access and pricing for emergency services.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based emergency departments in Maryland range from major academic centers like Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland to community hospitals with varying overhead structures. Freestanding emergency departments have emerged in suburban areas, typically offering shorter wait times but potentially higher costs than traditional urgent care. Teaching hospitals often have higher fees due to academic missions and resident training programs.

Insurance Market Competition in Maryland

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield holds significant market share in Maryland, followed by UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, creating moderate competition in negotiated emergency care rates. The state's rate-setting authority helps standardize hospital pricing, though physician fees remain subject to standard insurance negotiations. This regulatory environment generally produces more predictable emergency care costs than in fully deregulated markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in Maryland

With 5,878 emergency medicine providers, Maryland maintains adequate emergency physician coverage relative to its population, particularly in urban areas. The state's proximity to major medical schools ensures steady recruitment of emergency medicine residents and attendings. However, rural areas still face occasional staffing challenges, which can affect wait times and availability rather than pricing.

JP

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 Maryland

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

Without insurance, ER Visit (Low) visits in Maryland typically cost between $43 and $162, with a median cost of $67. These rates represent negotiated prices between hospitals and insurers, though self-pay patients may face different pricing structures. Many Maryland hospitals offer cash-pay discounts that can significantly reduce these amounts for uninsured patients.

Does Maryland Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Yes, Maryland Medicaid covers emergency visits when medically necessary, including low-severity emergency care. Since Maryland expanded Medicaid, more residents qualify for coverage of emergency services through the HealthChoice program. Prior authorization is typically not required for emergency care, though the medical necessity may be reviewed after treatment.

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

Compare costs between hospital emergency departments and freestanding emergency centers in your area, as prices can vary significantly. Consider urgent care centers for non-life-threatening conditions, as they typically cost less than emergency departments. Ask about self-pay discounts and payment plans if you're uninsured, and verify network status with your insurance before seeking care.

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

Emergency departments typically use the same billing structure regardless of whether it's your first visit or a return visit, with costs based on the level of care provided rather than visit type. The median cost of $67 for low-severity emergency visits applies to most standard emergency evaluations. Follow-up care is often better handled through primary care physicians or urgent care centers at lower cost.

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

Yes, emergency medical care qualifies as an eligible expense for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). You can use these pre-tax funds to pay for emergency department visits, associated tests, and prescribed medications. Keep receipts and documentation for tax purposes and HSA/FSA reimbursement claims.

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

Telemedicine cannot replace in-person emergency care for most conditions requiring ER Visit (Low) evaluation, as physical examination and diagnostic testing are typically necessary. However, telehealth consultations can help determine whether your symptoms truly require emergency care or could be managed through urgent care or primary care. Some Maryland health systems offer virtual urgent care as a lower-cost alternative for minor conditions.

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