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Wisconsin

Cost of a ER Visit (Low) Visit
in Wisconsin

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Wisconsin's healthcare system operates with over 10,300 active ER Visit (Low) providers serving both urban centers like Milwaukee and Madison alongside rural communities throughout the state's 72 counties. Patients seeking emergency care for low-severity conditions typically pay between $56 and $355, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $129 based on negotiated insurance rates. Wisconsin residents can browse all available emergency care providers across the state to compare costs and find the most affordable options for their specific insurance plan.

Average

$180

Median

$129

Lowest

$56

Highest

$355

Providers

10,349

National avg: $94Wisconsin: $180

92% above 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 Wisconsin?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Moderate Severity)

Emergency department visit, moderate severity

99284$73$214$64710,827
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$73$277$94011,997

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 Wisconsin

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

ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN

GLENDALE, WI

5/5
95% would recommend370 patient surveys
OAKLEAF SURGICAL HOSPITAL

ALTOONA, WI

5/5
92% would recommend168 patient surveys
SAUK PRAIRIE HOSPITAL

PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI

5/5
89% would recommend289 patient surveys
MADISON VA MEDICAL CENTER

MADISON, WI

5/5
89% would recommend451 patient surveys
HOWARD YOUNG MEDICAL CENTER

WOODRUFF, WI

5/5
88% would recommend135 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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin's healthcare costs run approximately 1% above the national average, reflecting the state's mix of urban medical centers and rural healthcare challenges across its diverse geography. The state's economy and moderate cost of living contribute to more affordable healthcare compared to coastal states, though rural areas face unique access and pricing challenges.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Wisconsin's healthcare landscape spans from major medical hubs in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay to rural communities where the nearest emergency department may be 30+ miles away. Rural hospitals in Wisconsin face financial pressures that can affect pricing, while urban emergency departments benefit from higher patient volumes and specialized services. This geographic spread creates significant cost and access disparities between metropolitan areas and rural counties throughout the state.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based emergency departments in Wisconsin typically charge higher facility fees than urgent care centers or freestanding emergency rooms due to their 24/7 staffing requirements and advanced equipment capabilities. Major health systems like Froedtert Health, SSM Health, and Ascension Wisconsin operate numerous emergency departments with varying cost structures based on their trauma center designation and teaching hospital status. Independent community hospitals often offer more competitive pricing for low-severity emergency visits compared to academic medical centers.

Insurance Market Competition in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's insurance market features moderate competition with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (Anthem), UnitedHealthCare, and WEA Trust holding significant market share alongside regional players. This competitive environment helps negotiate reasonable rates with emergency care providers, though rural areas may have fewer insurer options. The presence of multiple major insurers creates opportunities for patients to comparison shop for emergency care coverage that best fits their needs and provider preferences.

Physician Supply and Demand in Wisconsin

With over 10,300 active providers handling ER Visit (Low) cases, Wisconsin maintains adequate emergency care capacity relative to its 5.9 million residents, indicating healthy supply levels that help moderate pricing pressures. The state's medical schools and residency programs help maintain physician supply, though rural areas continue to face recruitment challenges that can affect local emergency department staffing and costs. This strong provider supply generally translates to reasonable wait times and competitive pricing for low-severity emergency visits across most of Wisconsin.

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Prescriptions, lab orders, and referrals — instantly

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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 Wisconsin

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

Without insurance, ER Visit (Low) visits in Wisconsin typically cost between $56 and $355, with a median cost of $129 based on negotiated insurance rates that providers often use as baseline pricing. Uninsured patients should ask about cash-pay discounts and charity care programs, which many Wisconsin hospitals offer to reduce these costs significantly. The final amount depends on the specific hospital, additional services required, and any financial assistance programs for which you qualify.

Does Wisconsin Medicaid cover ER Visit (Low) visits?

Yes, Wisconsin Medicaid covers emergency department visits when medically necessary, including low-severity emergency care that requires immediate evaluation. With Wisconsin's Medicaid expansion in place, more residents have access to this coverage, though small copayments may apply for visits deemed non-emergency after evaluation. Medicaid recipients should present their card at registration and understand that emergency departments cannot turn away patients for inability to pay, regardless of insurance status.

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

Compare costs between different hospital emergency departments in your area, as pricing can vary significantly even within the same city in Wisconsin. Look for community hospitals rather than academic medical centers for potentially lower facility fees, and ask about cash-pay discounts if you're uninsured or have a high-deductible plan. Consider whether your condition might be appropriately treated at an urgent care center instead, which typically costs much less than emergency department visits for non-emergency situations.

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

Emergency department visits are typically billed as single encounters rather than initial consultations or follow-up visits, with costs based on the complexity and resources required for your specific case. The $56 to $355 range reflects different levels of emergency care complexity, with simple cases on the lower end and more involved evaluations reaching higher costs. Follow-up care after an emergency visit usually occurs with primary care providers or specialists at much lower costs than returning to the emergency department.

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

Yes, emergency department visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in Wisconsin. You can use these tax-advantaged accounts to pay for emergency care costs including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance amounts. Keep all receipts and documentation from your emergency visit, as these funds can cover the full range of emergency department charges including facility fees, physician services, and any additional testing or treatments received.

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

Telemedicine cannot replace emergency department visits for conditions requiring immediate physical evaluation, diagnostic testing, or hands-on treatment that emergency situations often demand. However, telehealth consultations in Wisconsin can help determine whether your symptoms truly require emergency care or might be safely managed through other options like urgent care or primary care appointments. Many Wisconsin health systems offer 24/7 telehealth triage services that can guide you to the most appropriate and cost-effective level of care for your specific situation.

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 CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWyoming