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Minnesota

Cost of a ER Visit (Moderate) Visit
in Minnesota

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Minnesota's healthcare system serves nearly 6 million residents through major health networks like Mayo Clinic, Allina Health, and Fairview, creating a competitive landscape for emergency services. ER Visit (Moderate) patients in Minnesota typically pay between $62 and $233, with a median negotiated rate of $62 based on transparency data from over 3,300 active providers statewide. The state's robust provider network spans from the Twin Cities metro to rural communities, offering patients numerous options for emergency care across all regions of Minnesota.

Average

$119

Median

$62

Lowest

$62

Highest

$233

Providers

3,385

National avg: $142Minnesota: $119

16% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

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

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
ER Visit (Low Severity)

Emergency department visit, low severity

99283$40$40$1453,388
ER Visit (High Severity)

Emergency department visit, high severity

99285$91$98$3123,352

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 99284Emergency 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 Minnesota

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

5/5
89% would recommend537 patient surveys
5/5
86% would recommend196 patient surveys
PERHAM HEALTH

PERHAM, MN

5/5
85% would recommend160 patient surveys
5/5
84% would recommend171 patient surveys
5/5
84% would recommend162 patient surveys

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 Minnesota

Minnesota's healthcare costs run approximately 2% above national averages, reflecting the state's high-quality care standards and competitive provider market. The concentration of major health systems in the Twin Cities creates cost pressures that ripple throughout the state's emergency care network.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

The Twin Cities metropolitan area contains the highest concentration of emergency facilities, creating competitive pricing pressure, while greater Minnesota's rural regions often have fewer options but lower overhead costs. Critical access hospitals in northern and southwestern Minnesota serve large geographic areas with limited competition, which can affect both availability and pricing. Distance from major medical centers like Mayo Clinic or the University of Minnesota Medical Center influences referral patterns and cost structures.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-based emergency departments, particularly those affiliated with major health systems like Allina, Fairview, or Essentia Health, typically carry higher facility fees due to their 24/7 staffing requirements and advanced equipment. Independent urgent care centers and retail health clinics offer lower-cost alternatives for moderate emergency situations. Minnesota's strong health system consolidation means many emergency facilities operate under large networks with standardized pricing structures.

Insurance Market Competition in Minnesota

Minnesota's insurance market includes strong regional players like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and HealthPartners competing alongside national carriers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna. This competitive environment generally results in better negotiated rates for emergency services compared to less competitive markets. The state's active insurance regulation and oversight help maintain relatively stable premium growth and network adequacy requirements.

Physician Supply and Demand in Minnesota

With over 3,300 providers handling moderate emergency cases statewide, Minnesota maintains adequate emergency physician supply in most regions. The state's medical training programs, including the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic, help maintain steady physician recruitment. This healthy supply-demand balance generally keeps wait times reasonable and prevents extreme pricing due to provider shortages, though rural areas may still experience occasional staffing challenges.

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 (Moderate) Costs in Minnesota

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

Without insurance, ER Visit (Moderate) visits in Minnesota typically cost between $62 and $233, with a median rate of $62 based on negotiated rates from over 3,300 providers. However, uninsured patients often face higher list prices than these negotiated rates, making it important to ask about self-pay discounts and payment plans. Many Minnesota hospitals offer charity care programs or sliding fee scales for uninsured patients based on income levels.

Does Minnesota Medicaid cover ER Visit (Moderate) visits?

Yes, Minnesota's expanded Medicaid program (Medical Assistance) covers emergency department visits for moderate severity conditions when medically necessary. The state expanded Medicaid eligibility to include adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, providing comprehensive emergency care coverage. Prior authorization is typically not required for emergency visits, and covered services include physician evaluation, necessary diagnostic tests, and treatments provided during the visit.

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

Compare costs between hospital emergency departments and urgent care centers, as urgent care facilities often charge significantly less for moderate conditions that don't require hospital-level resources. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, as many Minnesota facilities offer 20-40% reductions for immediate payment. Community health centers and federally qualified health centers throughout Minnesota also provide urgent care services on sliding fee scales based on your ability to pay.

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

Emergency department visits are typically billed using the same moderate complexity code regardless of whether it's your first visit or a return visit for the same condition, with costs ranging from $62 to $233 in Minnesota. However, if you return for follow-up care through the same provider's clinic rather than the emergency department, those visits would be billed at lower rates. The complexity and time spent during your emergency visit, rather than whether it's initial or follow-up, primarily determines the billing level.

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

Yes, both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used to pay for emergency department visits in Minnesota, as they qualify as eligible medical expenses. This includes copays, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts you owe for emergency care. Using HSA or FSA funds provides tax advantages and can help manage the out-of-pocket costs associated with emergency visits.

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

Telemedicine cannot replace in-person emergency department visits for moderate severity conditions that require physical examination, diagnostic testing, or immediate interventions. However, Minnesota's robust telehealth infrastructure allows for virtual urgent care consultations that may help determine whether an emergency visit is necessary, potentially saving costs. Many Minnesota health systems offer 24/7 virtual urgent care services for initial assessment of symptoms before deciding on emergency department care.

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