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South Dakota

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in South Dakota

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

South Dakota's frontier healthcare landscape spans vast rural territories where emergency departments often serve as the primary access point for urgent care, with many small communities relying on Critical Access Hospitals for emergency services. Patients seeking ER Visit (Low) care across the state typically pay between $40 and $88, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $40 based on negotiated insurance rates. With 345 active providers offering emergency services throughout South Dakota, patients can browse all available ER Visit (Low) providers to find the most cost-effective option near them.

Average

$56

Median

$40

Lowest

$40

Highest

$88

Providers

345

National avg: $94South Dakota: $56

40% 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 South Dakota?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$62$62$121352
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$98$98$161350

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 South Dakota

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

BLACK HILLS SURGICAL HOSPITAL LLC

RAPID CITY, SD

5/5
93% would recommend805 patient surveys
AVERA HEART HOSPITAL OF SOUTH DAKOTA

SIOUX FALLS, SD

5/5
91% would recommend609 patient surveys
SIOUX FALLS VA MEDICAL CENTER

SIOUX FALLS, SD

5/5
86% would recommend298 patient surveys
DUNES SURGICAL HOSPITAL

DAKOTA DUNES, SD

5/5
85% would recommend192 patient surveys
SIOUX FALLS SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

SIOUX FALLS, SD

5/5
85% would recommend218 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 South Dakota

South Dakota's emergency care costs run approximately 3% above the national average, reflecting the state's rural geography and limited healthcare infrastructure that requires expensive transport and specialized staffing models. The predominance of Critical Access Hospitals serving frontier communities creates unique cost pressures different from urban emergency departments.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

South Dakota's emergency services concentrate heavily in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, while vast rural areas depend on Critical Access Hospitals that may be hours away from specialized care. This geographic disparity affects both access and cost, with rural facilities often charging different rates due to lower patient volumes and higher overhead costs per case.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based emergency departments in South Dakota typically charge facility fees in addition to physician fees, while some urgent care centers offer lower-cost alternatives for ER Visit (Low) cases. Major health systems like Sanford Health and Avera Health operate most emergency facilities, creating relatively standardized pricing within each system but variation between systems.

Insurance Market Competition in South Dakota

Limited insurer competition with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Sanford Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare serving most residents creates less pressure on negotiated emergency department rates. The concentrated market allows providers to maintain higher negotiated rates compared to states with more competitive insurance markets and greater leverage during contract negotiations.

Physician Supply and Demand in South Dakota

With 345 active emergency care providers serving the state's scattered population, South Dakota maintains adequate emergency physician coverage in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions. The limited supply of emergency physicians willing to work in frontier areas drives up locum tenens costs and can affect overall emergency department pricing structures statewide.

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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 South Dakota

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

Without insurance, ER Visit (Low) visits in South Dakota typically cost between $40 and $88, with a median cost of $40 based on negotiated rates that hospitals often use as starting points for self-pay pricing. However, many facilities offer cash-pay discounts that can reduce these amounts by 30-50% when paid promptly. Always ask about financial assistance programs and payment plans, as most South Dakota hospitals are required to offer charity care options for qualifying patients.

Does South Dakota Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Yes, South Dakota Medicaid covers emergency department visits for eligible recipients, including ER Visit (Low) cases when medically necessary. Since South Dakota has not expanded Medicaid, eligibility remains limited to traditional categories like pregnant women, children, elderly, and disabled individuals, leaving many low-income adults without coverage. Medicaid recipients typically pay no copay for emergency visits, though prior authorization may be required for follow-up care recommended after the emergency visit.

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

Compare costs between hospital emergency departments and urgent care centers, as urgent care often costs significantly less for ER Visit (Low) cases that aren't true emergencies. Ask about self-pay discounts and payment plans at the time of service, and consider community health centers that may offer sliding-scale fees. For non-emergent situations, telemedicine consultations can help determine if emergency care is actually necessary, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.

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 follow-up for the same condition, with costs based on the level of care provided rather than visit type. ER Visit (Low) cases generally fall into the same cost range of $40-$88 whether initial or return visits. However, follow-up care is often better handled in urgent care or primary care settings, which cost significantly less than returning to the emergency department.

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

Yes, emergency department visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) under IRS rules. You can use these pre-tax funds to pay for your ER visit, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance amounts. Keep all receipts and documentation from your emergency visit, as you may need them for FSA reimbursement or if the IRS requests verification of HSA expenses.

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

Telemedicine consultations typically cost $50-150 compared to ER Visit (Low) costs of $40-88, but can help you avoid unnecessary emergency visits by determining if your condition truly requires emergency care. South Dakota has expanded telehealth coverage since the pandemic, with most insurers now covering virtual urgent care visits. While telemedicine can't replace emergency care for serious conditions, it's an excellent first step for minor issues that might not actually require an emergency department visit.

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 ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming