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Minnesota

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in Minnesota

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Minnesota's robust healthcare infrastructure supports 3,388 active ER Visit (Low) providers across the state, reflecting strong emergency care capacity in both metropolitan and rural regions. Patients seeking ER Visit (Low) services typically pay between $40 and $145, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $40 based on negotiated insurance rates. Minnesota residents can browse all available emergency care providers throughout the state to find the most cost-effective option for their needs.

Average

$75

Median

$40

Lowest

$40

Highest

$145

Providers

3,388

National avg: $94Minnesota: $75

20% below national average

HSA/FSA eligible

Always available primary care

Just $19.99/mo

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$62$62$2333,385
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$91$98$3123,352

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 Minnesota

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

RIVER'S EDGE HOSPITAL & CLINIC

ST PETER, MN

5/5
89% would recommend537 patient surveys
GLACIAL RIDGE HOSPITAL

GLENWOOD, MN

5/5
86% would recommend196 patient surveys
PERHAM HEALTH

PERHAM, MN

5/5
85% would recommend160 patient surveys
COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

CLOQUET, MN

5/5
84% would recommend171 patient surveys
RIVERWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTER

AITKIN, MN

5/5
84% would recommend162 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 Minnesota

Minnesota's emergency care costs run approximately 2% above national averages, reflecting the state's strong healthcare infrastructure and higher provider density in metropolitan areas. The state's geographic diversity creates distinct cost patterns between the Twin Cities metro region and rural outstate communities.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Minnesota's 3,388 ER Visit (Low) providers are heavily concentrated in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Rochester, creating cost disparities as rural facilities often charge less due to lower overhead but may have limited specialist availability. Northern and western Minnesota regions face provider shortages that can drive up costs when emergency transfer to larger facilities becomes necessary.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Major health systems like Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, and HealthPartners operate emergency departments with varying cost structures, with academic medical centers typically charging premium rates due to research and teaching responsibilities. Independent community hospitals across Minnesota often provide more cost-effective emergency care for low-severity conditions while maintaining quality standards.

Insurance Market Competition in Minnesota

The presence of multiple strong insurers including BCBS MN, UHC, and HealthPartners creates competitive negotiated rates for emergency services, though rate variations can be substantial between different health systems. Minnesota's regulatory environment and strong consumer protections help moderate extreme pricing disparities compared to less regulated markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in Minnesota

With 3,388 active emergency medicine providers serving Minnesota's 5.7 million residents, the state maintains adequate physician supply in urban areas while facing shortages in rural regions. This geographic imbalance affects both access and pricing, as emergency departments in underserved areas may charge premium rates to maintain 24/7 coverage with limited physician pools.

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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 Minnesota

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

Uninsured patients in Minnesota can expect to pay between $40 and $145 for low-severity emergency visits, with a median cost of $40 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, hospitals often charge higher list prices to uninsured patients, making cash-pay discounts and payment plans essential for managing costs. Many Minnesota facilities offer significant discounts for immediate payment or financial hardship programs for qualifying patients.

Does Minnesota Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Yes, Minnesota's expanded Medicaid program covers emergency department visits with minimal patient cost-sharing, typically requiring small copays or no payment for qualifying recipients. Coverage includes both facility fees and physician services for emergency care, regardless of whether the condition is ultimately classified as low-severity. Patients should bring their Medicaid card and be prepared to provide documentation of the urgent nature of their visit.

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

Compare costs across different hospital systems in Minnesota, as community hospitals often charge less than academic medical centers for low-severity emergency care. Look for facilities offering self-pay discounts, explore community health center emergency services, and consider urgent care centers for non-emergent conditions. Geographic location matters significantly, with rural facilities typically offering lower rates than Twin Cities metro area hospitals.

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

Emergency department visits are typically billed using the same fee structure regardless of whether it's a patient's first visit or a return visit, with costs ranging from $40 to $145 in Minnesota based on the complexity of care provided. The billing level depends on the medical decision-making required and resources used rather than previous visit history. Follow-up care is usually recommended in outpatient settings rather than repeat emergency visits, which are more cost-effective for ongoing management.

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

Yes, emergency room visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement in Minnesota. You can use HSA or FSA funds to pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance associated with emergency care, including both facility and physician fees. Keep all receipts and documentation for reimbursement purposes, as emergency medical care clearly meets IRS requirements for qualified medical expenses.

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

While traditional emergency care cannot be delivered via telemedicine, Minnesota has expanded telehealth triage services that can help determine whether emergency care is necessary for low-severity conditions. Many health systems offer 24/7 telehealth consultations for $30-80, potentially avoiding unnecessary emergency visits and saving hundreds of dollars. Virtual urgent care has become particularly popular in rural Minnesota areas where emergency department access may be limited or more expensive.

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
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming