Cost of a ER Visit (Moderate) Visit
in California
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
California's emergency departments handle over 14 million visits annually, with moderate-severity cases representing a significant portion of patient encounters. For a ER Visit (Moderate) in California, patients typically pay between $80 and $258, with a median negotiated rate of $88 based on insurance company data. The state's nearly 20,000 active emergency providers across 400+ hospitals offer extensive options for urgent care needs. Patients can browse all ER Visit (Moderate) providers throughout California to find the most cost-effective option for their situation.
Average
$142
Median
$88
Lowest
$80
Highest
$258
Providers
19,792
0% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does er visit (moderate severity) compare to related procedures in California?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ER Visit (Low Severity) Emergency department visit, low severity | 99283 | $80 | $88 | $153 | 19,723 |
| ER Visit (High Severity) Emergency department visit, high severity | 99285 | $80 | $88 | $374 | 18,145 |
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 99284 — Emergency department visit, 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 99284 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 99284 (Emergency department visit, moderate severity), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 99284 covers: the provider's professional fee for er visit (moderate 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 California
These hospitals in California are top-rated for patient satisfaction. Review data sourced from HCAHPS Patient Survey.
SANTA CRUZ, CA
IRVINE, CA
FRESNO, CA
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
TRUCKEE, CA
Hospital ratings are based on HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey data published by CMS.
Why ER Visit (Moderate) Visit Costs Vary Across California
California's emergency care costs run approximately 18% above the national average, reflecting the state's high cost of living, stringent regulations, and competitive healthcare market. The state's diverse geography creates significant cost variations between metropolitan trauma centers and rural critical access hospitals.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
California's vast geographic spread creates dramatic disparities in emergency care access, with the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles basin offering numerous high-cost options while rural counties may have only one emergency department serving hundreds of square miles. Urban emergency departments in California typically charge premium rates due to higher real estate costs, specialized trauma capabilities, and 24/7 staffing requirements. Rural facilities often provide more affordable emergency care but may transfer complex cases to urban centers, potentially increasing total costs.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Hospital-based emergency departments in California carry significantly higher overhead costs than urgent care centers, reflected in substantial facility fees that can exceed physician charges. Major health systems like Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Cedars-Sinai operate large emergency departments with advanced capabilities but typically charge higher rates than independent community hospitals. California's seismic safety requirements and environmental regulations also increase facility costs compared to other states.
Insurance Market Competition in California
California's competitive insurance market includes major players like Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare, creating varied negotiated rate structures across emergency providers. Kaiser's integrated model often results in lower costs for members but limits provider choice, while PPO plans offer broader networks at higher prices. The state's robust Medicaid program negotiates relatively low rates, while commercial insurers face varying degrees of leverage depending on regional provider concentration.
Physician Supply and Demand in California
With nearly 20,000 emergency providers across the state, California maintains relatively good physician supply in urban areas but faces shortages in rural regions, affecting both access and pricing. High demand for emergency services in metropolitan areas allows providers to maintain premium pricing, while rural areas may struggle to maintain 24/7 emergency coverage. California's competitive residency programs and high physician compensation requirements contribute to elevated emergency care costs compared to other states.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — ER Visit (Moderate) Costs in California
What is the average cost of a ER Visit (Moderate) visit in California without insurance?
Does California Medicaid cover ER Visit (Moderate) visits?
How do I find an affordable ER Visit (Moderate) near me in California?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a ER Visit (Moderate) visit in California?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a ER Visit (Moderate) in California?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 99284)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $647 | $311 |
| 2 | Illinois Range: $80 – $431 | $223 |
| 3 | Iowa Range: $80 – $371 | $205 |
| 4 | New Hampshire Range: $102 – $307 | $202 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania Range: $55 – $431 | $191 |
| 6 | New York Range: $67 – $374 | $183 |
| 7 | Rhode Island Range: $62 – $374 | $177 |
| 8 | Maine Range: $116 – $233 | $172 |
| 9 | Massachusetts Range: $62 – $368 | $170 |
| 10 | Nebraska Range: $83 – $291 | $165 |
| 11 | Washington Range: $80 – $259 | $161 |
| 12 | Michigan Range: $80 – $291 | $158 |
| 13 | New Mexico Range: $85 – $266 | $158 |
| 14 | Wyoming Range: $85 – $262 | $157 |
| 15 | Colorado Range: $80 – $267 | $157 |
| 16 | Vermont Range: $80 – $257 | $156 |
| 17 | Georgia Range: $84 – $246 | $151 |
| 18 | California Range: $80 – $258 | $142 |
| 19 | Indiana Range: $80 – $258 | $142 |
| 20 | Kentucky Range: $70 – $246 | $140 |
| 21 | North Carolina Range: $80 – $231 | $139 |
| 22 | District of Columbia Range: $80 – $217 | $138 |
| 23 | West Virginia Range: $62 – $174 | $137 |
| 24 | Utah Range: $80 – $228 | $135 |
| 25 | Maryland Range: $80 – $206 | $132 |
| 26 | New Jersey Range: $60 – $237 | $131 |
| 27 | Hawaii Range: $80 – $217 | $130 |
| 28 | Arkansas Range: $80 – $194 | $130 |
| 29 | Virginia Range: $81 – $202 | $129 |
| 30 | Tennessee Range: $85 – $187 | $128 |
| 31 | South Carolina Range: $80 – $206 | $128 |
| 32 | Ohio Range: $75 – $197 | $127 |
| 33 | Missouri Range: $85 – $167 | $124 |
| 34 | Alabama Range: $80 – $195 | $124 |
| 35 | Oklahoma Range: $85 – $169 | $123 |
| 36 | Kansas Range: $86 – $167 | $123 |
| 37 | Texas Range: $80 – $196 | $122 |
| 38 | Arizona Range: $80 – $187 | $122 |
| 39 | Mississippi Range: $86 – $165 | $121 |
| 40 | Idaho Range: $80 – $194 | $121 |
| 41 | Delaware Range: $80 – $157 | $120 |
| 42 | Minnesota Range: $62 – $233 | $119 |
| 43 | Nevada Range: $84 – $184 | $119 |
| 44 | Connecticut Range: $55 – $211 | $118 |
| 45 | Alaska Range: $80 – $194 | $118 |
| 46 | Louisiana Range: $62 – $150 | $104 |
| 47 | Oregon Range: $62 – $183 | $102 |
| 48 | Montana Range: $62 – $145 | $96 |
| 49 | Florida Range: $35 – $190 | $95 |
| 50 | North Dakota Range: $62 – $121 | $82 |
| 51 | South Dakota Range: $62 – $121 | $82 |