The cost of an EKG isn’t cast in stone. You could pay as low as $30 with insurance coverage.
But, without insurance, you’re likely to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for the same treatment.
It depends on the health facility you choose, that is, whether it’s a hospital or an urgent care service, and other factors.
If you’ve been wondering, how much does an EKG cost at urgent care without insurance? Read on.
We’ll break down all the costs of EKG services below and share a few money-saving tips when getting an EKG without insurance.
What Is An EKG?
An EKG or ECG is short for an electrocardiogram. It’s a medical test done to measure a person’s heart rate and examine its electrical activity.
Doctors use EKG tests to check a patient’s heart health or diagnose various heart conditions. A few of these conditions include heart attacks, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and coronary artery disease.
An EKG test also reveals one’s risk of heart disease. It can help prevent heart problems when done early.
Health professionals recommend getting an EKG if you experience any of the following issues:
- Difficulty breathing
- Palpitations or fast heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Tiredness
Overall, the entire procedure is painless and lasts less than twenty minutes. It’s also quite affordable because you can pay via different options.
The Cost Of An EKG Without Insurance
Overall, there are two main costs you could pay when getting an EKG
- The amount you pay for the procedure
- The amount you pay for the analysis of the final test results
The total cost of an EKG without insurance can be between $100 and $5,000, depending on where you get the service.
Patients often pay more for medical treatments at hospitals compared to smaller medical locations such as walk-in clinics or urgent care centers. The situation is not any different for an ECG procedure.
If you get an EKG without insurance at a hospital, expect to pay approximately $500 to $5,000.
The national average cost is around $1,500. However, some people, especially those in metropolitan areas, may charge way more than this. An example is New York, where an EKG test cost without insurance can be as high as $4,700.
Some hospitals and private doctors offer discounts for patients getting an EKG test without insurance.
For instance, the Washington Healthcare System in California provides a discount of about 35% for uninsured patients. Since the cost of an EKG without insurance in California is about $4,300, with a 35% discount, you’d pay approximately $1,505 total.
Cost Of An EKG With Insurance
You can reduce the amount you pay for an EKG to less than $100 by getting insurance coverage. Most medical insurances cover 80-100% of ECG testing.
Meaning, you’ll only have to pay small amounts as copays with the cover, depending on the insurance plan you choose.
Say your insurance plan covers 80% of the EKG cost. And you can choose to get the test at urgent care, which charges an average of $200.
If the center accepts your medical insurance, 80% of the $200 could be covered depending on your insurance plan. Then you’ll only pay the remaining 20% – around $40. This is relatively low compared to any other payment plan.
Remember, these figures are estimates. The actual total cost relies on various factors.
6 Things That Affect The Cost Of An EKG
Several factors affect the cost of an EKG at different health facilities. We’ll summarize them in this section so you can know what to look out for to avoid getting surprise bills.
Some top things that influence the amount you pay for EKG procedures include:
Insurance Coverage
Your insurance status and type of coverage affect how much you’ll pay for the procedure. This is the first thing you should consider when looking for an EKG service.
As we’ve seen, people with insurance pay less for EKGs than those without insurance. The difference in payment is also high and might be thousands of dollars in certain situations.
If you have insurance, it’s always good to confirm how much your plan covers and where you can use it.
Often, medical insurance providers work with specific health facilities only.
Having this information about your insurance coverage is essential. You’ll know the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket if your plan doesn’t cover the entire test.
It’ll also help you decide which hospital or urgent care center to go to and get the procedure done at the lowest copay cost.
Type Of Clinic
Going to a hospital for an EKG will cost you more than visiting an urgent care center for the same service.
Going by the results of your EKG tests, your primary care physician may recommend additional services to examine your heart’s condition further. Some include:
- Blood work such as a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). A BMP may cost you between $20 and $150 at urgent care or over $1000 at a hospital.
- A stress test. It may cost an additional $500 at urgent care or a few thousand dollars in a hospital setting.
- Prescription medications. The additional price for medication varies based on the type of prescription you need.
Geographical Location
Most medical facilities in large metropolitan areas charge more for services than those in rural communities.
Duration Of Appointment
Some medics charge separately for in-office doctor consultations according to the duration of the appointment. This is true for hospital appointments.
Doctor’s Level Of Experience
Usually, more experienced doctors charge higher fees than those with less experience.
Where To Get An EKG
There are several places where you can get an EKG. The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has a searchable directory of several cardiology professionals. You might want to visit their site and follow the prompt to find a specialist near you.
Alternatively, you could search for an urgent care center closest to your current location online.
Tips To Save Money When Getting An EKG
There are several ways you can save money when getting an EKG, including:
- Avoid hospitals and go for smaller medical locations like urgent care services if you can.
- Research adequately – perform your due diligence before getting an EKG. This may involve calling various facilities and speaking directly to their staff.
You might want to ask different questions, such as:
- Do you charge an office visit fee? If yes, how much?
- What other administrative fees should I expect?
Your goal during this research process is to find out all the fees that come with getting an EKG at a specific center. So you can estimate the amount you’re likely to pay accurately.
- Compare prices. Check how much different facilities charge before settling on one.
- Discounts. Confirm if the place you choose offers discounts when you pay using your credit card or cash upfront. Most EKG providers do. Others may have financial assistance programs you can take advantage of and save a lot.
- Free services. You may qualify for free EKG services if you meet specific income requirements. Check with your local government agencies for qualifications.
- Insurance. Consider getting insurance if you have none. It will save money when getting an EKG and may be handy during life-threatening situations.
There are several insurance policy options you can get. Get in touch with Enhance Health to compare the options available and find one that suits your needs.
Conclusion
An EKG is an essential procedure that can help you take good care of your heart and keep your body healthy. Many people hesitate to take the test because of its cost.
However, as we have seen, there are cheap options for getting an EKG through health insurance.
It’s worth noting that, contrary to what many people think, getting medical insurance is not expensive.
You can get good insurance coverage even with low or no income, provided you know how to go about it. Contact us for help selecting the healthcare coverage you require today!
