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Hawaii

Cost of a ER Visit (Moderate) Visit
in Hawaii

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Hawaii's unique island geography and limited healthcare infrastructure create distinctive cost patterns for emergency services, with the state maintaining 178 active ER providers across its island chain. Patients seeking an ER Visit (Moderate) in Hawaii typically encounter negotiated insurance rates ranging from $80 to $217, with a median cost of $93 based on current transparency data. The state's concentration of care on major islands means many residents have access to multiple ER options, particularly on Oahu where the largest health systems operate.

Average

$130

Median

$93

Lowest

$80

Highest

$217

Providers

178

National avg: $142Hawaii: $130

9% below national average

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Compare Similar Procedures

How does er visit (moderate severity) compare to related procedures in Hawaii?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Low Severity)

Emergency department visit, low severity

99283$54$66$139175
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$80$145$313201

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.

Why ER Visit (Moderate) Visit Costs Vary Across Hawaii

Hawaii's emergency room costs run approximately 16% above national averages, reflecting the state's island geography, high cost of living, and the logistical challenges of maintaining emergency medical infrastructure across multiple islands. The state's limited healthcare market and dependence on imported medical supplies and equipment contribute significantly to elevated pricing structures.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Emergency care access in Hawaii varies dramatically between urban Oahu, where multiple hospital systems compete, and the neighbor islands where single facilities may serve entire regions. Rural areas on Hawaii's Big Island and parts of Maui face particular challenges with emergency response times and may require expensive air transport to reach specialized trauma centers in Honolulu.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hawaii's emergency departments are primarily hospital-based, with major systems like Queen's Health System, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and Hawaii Pacific Health operating the largest facilities. The high cost of maintaining 24/7 emergency services on isolated islands, combined with the need for specialized equipment and staff, drives up operational expenses compared to mainland facilities.

Insurance Market Competition in Hawaii

The Hawaii insurance market is relatively concentrated with HMSA holding significant market share, followed by UHC and Kaiser Permanente, creating less competitive pressure on negotiated rates than in larger mainland markets. This limited competition, combined with Hawaii's geographic isolation and regulatory environment, allows providers to maintain higher negotiated rates with insurers.

Physician Supply and Demand in Hawaii

With 178 active emergency medicine providers serving Hawaii's population across multiple islands, the state faces ongoing challenges recruiting and retaining emergency physicians due to geographic isolation and high living costs. This supply constraint, particularly on neighbor islands, contributes to higher compensation requirements and ultimately higher patient costs for emergency services.

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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 (Moderate) Costs in Hawaii

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

Uninsured patients in Hawaii can expect to pay between $80 and $217 for a moderate-severity emergency room visit, with a median cost around $93 based on negotiated insurance rates. However, self-pay patients often face higher list prices before discounts. Many Hawaii hospitals offer significant cash-pay discounts and payment plans to help manage these costs, so always ask about financial assistance programs when seeking emergency care.

Does Hawaii Medicaid cover ER Visit (Moderate) visits?

Yes, Hawaii Medicaid (Med-QUEST) covers emergency room visits for moderate-severity conditions, as Hawaii expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Coverage includes emergency physician services, facility fees, and necessary diagnostic tests. However, patients should be aware that some follow-up care or specialist referrals may require additional authorization, and inter-island transport for specialized care may have specific coverage limitations.

How do I find an affordable ER Visit (Moderate) near me in Hawaii?

Compare costs between different hospital systems in Hawaii, as pricing can vary significantly between Kaiser, Queen's, and other facilities. Ask about self-pay discounts upfront, which many Hawaii hospitals offer due to the state's high uninsured tourist population. Consider whether your condition truly requires emergency care or could be handled at an urgent care center, though options are limited on neighbor islands where the emergency room may be your only after-hours choice.

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

Emergency room visits are typically billed using moderate complexity codes regardless of whether it's your first visit to that facility, with costs ranging from $80 to $217 in Hawaii. Follow-up care after an ER visit usually occurs in outpatient settings with different pricing structures. The main cost difference comes from the complexity of your condition and treatments provided rather than new versus established patient status in emergency settings.

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

Yes, emergency room visits are qualified medical expenses that can be paid for using HSA or FSA funds in Hawaii. This includes the facility fee, physician charges, and any diagnostic tests performed during your visit. Keep all receipts and documentation, as you may need them for reimbursement or tax purposes, especially if your emergency care involves multiple providers or facilities.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a ER Visit (Moderate) in Hawaii?

Telemedicine cannot replace in-person emergency care for moderate-severity conditions requiring immediate evaluation and treatment. However, many Hawaii health systems offer virtual urgent care consultations that may help determine if emergency room care is necessary, potentially saving unnecessary ER visits. While telehealth is particularly valuable in Hawaii's island setting for follow-up care and consultations, true emergency conditions still require physical emergency department evaluation.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$82
$311

Office visit (CPT 99284)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage↓
1Wisconsin
Range: $73 – $647
$311
2Illinois
Range: $80 – $431
$223
3Iowa
Range: $80 – $371
$205
4New Hampshire
Range: $102 – $307
$202
5Pennsylvania
Range: $55 – $431
$191
6New York
Range: $67 – $374
$183
7Rhode Island
Range: $62 – $374
$177
8Maine
Range: $116 – $233
$172
9Massachusetts
Range: $62 – $368
$170
10Nebraska
Range: $83 – $291
$165
11Washington
Range: $80 – $259
$161
12Michigan
Range: $80 – $291
$158
13New Mexico
Range: $85 – $266
$158
14Wyoming
Range: $85 – $262
$157
15Colorado
Range: $80 – $267
$157
16Vermont
Range: $80 – $257
$156
17Georgia
Range: $84 – $246
$151
18California
Range: $80 – $258
$142
19Indiana
Range: $80 – $258
$142
20Kentucky
Range: $70 – $246
$140
21North Carolina
Range: $80 – $231
$139
22District of Columbia
Range: $80 – $217
$138
23West Virginia
Range: $62 – $174
$137
24Utah
Range: $80 – $228
$135
25Maryland
Range: $80 – $206
$132
26New Jersey
Range: $60 – $237
$131
27Hawaii
Range: $80 – $217
$130
28Arkansas
Range: $80 – $194
$130
29Virginia
Range: $81 – $202
$129
30Tennessee
Range: $85 – $187
$128
31South Carolina
Range: $80 – $206
$128
32Ohio
Range: $75 – $197
$127
33Missouri
Range: $85 – $167
$124
34Alabama
Range: $80 – $195
$124
35Oklahoma
Range: $85 – $169
$123
36Kansas
Range: $86 – $167
$123
37Texas
Range: $80 – $196
$122
38Arizona
Range: $80 – $187
$122
39Mississippi
Range: $86 – $165
$121
40Idaho
Range: $80 – $194
$121
41Delaware
Range: $80 – $157
$120
42Minnesota
Range: $62 – $233
$119
43Nevada
Range: $84 – $184
$119
44Connecticut
Range: $55 – $211
$118
45Alaska
Range: $80 – $194
$118
46Louisiana
Range: $62 – $150
$104
47Oregon
Range: $62 – $183
$102
48Montana
Range: $62 – $145
$96
49Florida
Range: $35 – $190
$95
50North Dakota
Range: $62 – $121
$82
51South Dakota
Range: $62 – $121
$82
ER Visit (Moderate Severity) in Other States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming