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Missouri

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in Missouri

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Missouri's emergency departments report approximately 5% lower costs than the national average for low-severity visits, reflecting the state's competitive healthcare market despite lacking Medicaid expansion. Patients seeking an ER Visit (Low) in Missouri typically pay between $51.89 and $98.96, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $70.37 based on negotiated insurance rates. With 7,521 active providers across the state handling low-severity emergency cases, patients can browse all available ER Visit (Low) options throughout Missouri's diverse healthcare landscape.

Average

$74

Median

$70

Lowest

$52

Highest

$99

Providers

7,521

National avg: $94Missouri: $74

21% 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 Missouri?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$85$121$1677,537
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$88$177$2397,498

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 Missouri

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

COX BARTON COUNTY HOSPITAL

LAMAR, MO

5/5
83% would recommend101 patient surveys
COX MONETT HOSPITAL

MONETT, MO

5/5
82% would recommend145 patient surveys
MERCY HOSPITAL AURORA

AURORA, MO

5/5
81% would recommend153 patient surveys
LAFAYETTE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER

LEXINGTON, MO

5/5
74% would recommend127 patient surveys
HEDRICK MEDICAL CENTER

CHILLICOTHE, MO

5/5
70% would recommend106 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 Missouri

Missouri's healthcare costs run approximately 5% below national averages, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and competitive provider market, though rural areas face unique access challenges. The state's central location and diverse economy create varying healthcare dynamics between urban centers like Kansas City and St. Louis versus agricultural regions.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Missouri's major metropolitan areas of Kansas City and St. Louis offer numerous emergency department options with specialized services, while rural counties often rely on critical access hospitals with limited emergency capabilities. Rural emergency departments may transfer complex cases to urban centers, potentially adding transportation and additional facility costs to patient bills. The state's geography creates significant travel distances for rural residents seeking specialized emergency care, influencing both access and total treatment costs.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Large hospital systems like BJC HealthCare and Saint Luke's Health System operate major emergency departments with higher overhead costs but more comprehensive services compared to smaller community hospitals. Academic medical centers affiliated with Washington University and University of Missouri carry additional teaching and research costs that may influence emergency visit pricing. Freestanding emergency departments have emerged in Missouri's suburban areas, often offering shorter wait times but potentially higher costs than traditional hospital emergency rooms.

Insurance Market Competition in Missouri

Missouri's insurance market features moderate competition with Anthem, UHC, and Cigna as dominant players, creating reasonable negotiating power for contracted rates with emergency departments. The state's decision not to expand Medicaid reduces insurer competition for low-income populations, potentially affecting pricing strategies for emergency services. Rural areas often have fewer insurance options, which can limit provider network choices and influence emergency care costs for residents in those regions.

Physician Supply and Demand in Missouri

With 7,521 providers handling low-severity emergency cases across Missouri, the state maintains adequate emergency medicine capacity in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. This supply distribution creates cost variations, with rural emergency departments potentially charging higher rates due to limited competition and higher operational costs per patient. Emergency medicine physician shortages in certain regions may require expensive locum tenens coverage, influencing overall emergency department pricing structures.

HSA/FSA eligible

A doctor by your side, always

Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

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 Missouri

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

Uninsured patients in Missouri can expect to pay between $51.89 and $98.96 for a low-severity emergency visit, with a median cost of $70.37 based on negotiated insurance rates. Many hospitals offer self-pay discounts that can reduce these amounts by 30-50% when payment arrangements are made promptly. The final cost depends on specific services provided during the visit, including any diagnostic tests, procedures, or medications administered in the emergency department.

Does Missouri Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Missouri Medicaid covers emergency visits for eligible recipients, though the state has not expanded Medicaid, limiting coverage to specific populations including children, pregnant women, and disabled individuals. Covered emergency visits typically require minimal copays, but follow-up care or certain procedures may need prior authorization. Many low-income adults in Missouri fall into a coverage gap where they earn too much for traditional Medicaid but cannot afford marketplace insurance plans.

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

Compare costs between different emergency departments in your area, as prices can vary significantly between large hospital systems and smaller community hospitals. Look into self-pay discount programs offered by most Missouri hospitals, which can substantially reduce costs for uninsured patients when paid within specified timeframes. Consider urgent care centers for non-emergency situations, as they typically cost 60-80% less than emergency department visits while providing appropriate care for many low-severity conditions.

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

Emergency departments typically use the same billing codes regardless of whether this is your first visit or a return visit for the same condition, with costs ranging from $51.89 to $98.96 based on the complexity and resources required. The level of service provided during the visit determines the final cost rather than whether you have been seen before for similar symptoms. Follow-up care for emergency conditions is usually handled by primary care physicians or specialists at lower cost than repeat emergency visits.

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

Yes, emergency department visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) regardless of the severity level of your condition. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for emergency visit copays, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts not covered by your insurance plan. Keep all receipts and documentation from your emergency visit for HSA or FSA reimbursement purposes, including separate bills for facility fees and physician services.

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

Telemedicine cannot replace emergency department visits for conditions requiring immediate hands-on medical evaluation, physical examination, or diagnostic testing that must be performed in person. However, telehealth consultations can help determine whether your symptoms truly require emergency care or could be managed through urgent care or primary care appointments at significantly lower costs. Missouri has expanded telehealth coverage since the pandemic, making virtual consultations more accessible for initial symptom assessment and follow-up care after emergency visits.

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 ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming