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How Much Does An ENT Visit Cost Without Insurance?

Published: November 8, 2023

Find out the cost of an ENT visit without insurance and discover finance options for affordable healthcare.

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Table of Contents

Introduction, average cost of an ent visit without insurance, factors affecting the cost of an ent visit without insurance, ways to save money on an ent visit without insurance, final thoughts.

When it comes to taking care of our health, visits to medical specialists are sometimes necessary. One such specialist is an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor, also known as an otolaryngologist. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, and related structures.

However, for those without insurance coverage, the cost of an ENT visit can be a concern. Without the financial safety net that insurance provides, it’s essential to understand the potential costs involved and explore ways to save money.

In this article, we will delve into the average cost of an ENT visit without insurance and explore the factors that can affect the pricing. We will also provide some practical tips to help you save money on your visit to an ENT specialist.

Please note that the costs mentioned in this article are general estimates and can vary based on several factors such as location, doctor’s experience, clinic or hospital fees, and the specific services required during your visit. It’s always best to contact the healthcare provider directly for precise pricing information.

Now, let’s dive into the details of how much an ENT visit without insurance might cost and what factors can influence that cost.

The cost of an ENT visit without insurance can vary significantly depending on several factors. On average, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 for a routine consultation with an ENT specialist. This cost usually includes the examination and diagnosis of your condition.

However, keep in mind that additional tests, procedures, or treatments may incur additional charges. For example, if you require a hearing test, nasal endoscopy, or minor surgical procedure such as tonsillectomy, the overall cost will be higher.

It’s important to note that fees can differ based on the location of the healthcare provider. In metropolitan areas or cities with a higher cost of living, the overall charges may be slightly higher compared to rural areas.

Furthermore, the experience and reputation of the ENT specialist can also influence the cost. Established doctors with years of expertise and a high demand may charge more for their services compared to those who are just starting their practice.

It’s worth mentioning that the cost of an ENT visit can be more affordable at community health clinics or teaching hospitals, where fees are often lower due to their nonprofit or educational nature.

If you require any specialized tests or treatments such as allergy testing, audiology services, or sleep studies, it’s important to consider the additional costs associated with these services. They can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Before proceeding with any diagnostic tests or treatments, it’s advisable to discuss the potential costs with your ENT specialist and inquire about any available payment plans or financial assistance programs that can help reduce the financial burden.

In the next section, we will explore the factors that can affect the cost of an ENT visit without insurance.

Several factors can influence the cost of an ENT visit without insurance. It’s essential to be aware of these factors so that you can anticipate and plan for potential expenses. Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Services Required

The specific services you need during your ENT visit will significantly impact the overall cost. Routine consultations for general ear, nose, and throat issues tend to be less expensive, while more specialized tests, procedures, or surgeries will increase the cost. Understand the services recommended by your doctor and their associated fees to better estimate the expenses.

2. Diagnostic Tests

If your condition requires diagnostic tests such as audiology exams, imaging tests (CT scans, MRI), or allergy testing, these additional procedures can add to the overall cost. Each test has its own associated fees, so it’s important to discuss the necessity and potential costs of these tests with your ENT specialist.

3. Location

The geographical location of the healthcare provider can impact the cost of an ENT visit. In areas with a higher cost of living or greater demand for medical services, prices may be slightly higher compared to rural or less populated regions. Consider seeking out healthcare providers in more affordable areas if feasible.

4. Doctor’s Experience and Reputation

The experience and reputation of the ENT specialist may influence the cost of the visit. Established doctors with extensive experience and a strong reputation may charge higher fees for their services. Conversely, less experienced or newly practicing doctors may have more affordable rates. Consider your own preferences and budget when deciding on a healthcare provider.

5. Clinic or Hospital Fees

The type of facility where your ENT visit takes place can affect the overall cost. Private clinics or specialty hospitals might charge higher fees compared to public or nonprofit community health clinics. It’s worth considering different healthcare facilities and their associated costs when planning your visit.

Understanding these factors can help you navigate the potential expenses of an ENT visit without insurance. In the next section, we will explore some practical ways to save money on your visit to an ENT specialist.

While the cost of an ENT visit without insurance may seem daunting, there are several strategies you can implement to save money and minimize expenses. Here are some practical ways to help you reduce the financial burden:

1. Research and Compare Prices

Before scheduling an appointment, research different healthcare providers in your area and compare their prices. Call the clinics or hospitals and inquire about their fees for an initial consultation and any additional services you may require. By doing this, you can find an affordable option that meets your needs.

2. Look for Community Health Clinics

Community health clinics often offer medical services at reduced costs or on a sliding scale based on your income. These clinics are a great option for people without insurance who are seeking affordable healthcare. Contact local community health centers to inquire about their ENT services and fees.

3. Inquire about Payment Plans

Many ENT specialists understand the financial challenges their patients face and may offer payment plans to help spread out the cost of your visit. Discuss this possibility with the healthcare provider or their billing department to see if you can arrange a payment plan that suits your budget.

4. Seek Out Nonprofit Organizations

There are nonprofit organizations that provide assistance for individuals without insurance who require medical care. These organizations may offer financial aid, discounted services, or resources to help cover the cost of an ENT visit. Research and reach out to these organizations to see if you qualify for any assistance.

5. Consider Telehealth Options

In recent years, telehealth has gained popularity as a convenient and cost-effective way to receive medical consultations. Many ENT specialists offer telehealth appointments, allowing you to consult with them remotely. Telehealth visits tend to be more affordable than in-person consultations, and you can save on travel costs as well.

6. Ask for Generic Medications

If your ENT specialist prescribes medication for your condition, inquire if there are generic or more affordable alternatives available. Generic medications can often provide the same benefits as brand-name versions but at a lower cost. Discuss your budgetary concerns with your doctor, who can recommend cost-effective options.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the financial burden of an ENT visit without insurance. However, it’s important to remember that your health should always be a priority, so seek medical attention when necessary and explore these cost-saving options to make healthcare more accessible.

Visiting an ENT specialist without insurance can be a financial challenge, but there are ways to navigate the costs and still receive the care you need. Understanding the average cost of an ENT visit, considering the factors that can influence the pricing, and exploring strategies to save money are crucial steps in managing your healthcare expenses.

Remember to thoroughly research healthcare providers in your area, compare prices, and inquire about payment plans or financial assistance programs. Community health clinics and nonprofit organizations can also be valuable resources for affordable ENT services.

Additionally, telehealth options have become more prevalent and can offer a cost-effective alternative for consultations with ENT specialists. Take advantage of these virtual visits to potentially save on both consultation fees and travel expenses.

While it’s important to be mindful of your budget, don’t compromise on your health. Seek medical attention when necessary, as timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent more significant and expensive issues down the line.

Lastly, it’s worth considering obtaining health insurance coverage to help alleviate the financial burden of healthcare. Explore available options and assess the benefits of having insurance coverage for routine visits and unexpected medical needs.

Ultimately, with careful planning and strategic decision-making, it is possible to manage the cost of an ENT visit without insurance. By being proactive and informed, you can prioritize your health while being mindful of your financial well-being.

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Cost of ear nose and throat doctor visit by state

The following estimated costs are based on cash prices that providers have historically charged on average for ear nose and throat doctor visit and will vary depending on where the service is done. The prices do not include the anesthesia, imaging, and other doctor visit fees that normally accompany ear nose and throat doctor visit.

Need help to cover that price?

See how Sidecar Health insurance can help cover your medical needs.

What is an ear, nose, and throat doctor?

An ear, nose, and throat doctor, also called ENT, is a physician who specializes in treating conditions and disorders of the region below the brain and above the shoulders. An ENT doctor may also be referred to more formally as an otolaryngologist. They treat both adults and children for problems that occur in the neck, head, and ears, including:

• Placing ear tubes and other ear surgeries
• Hearing problems
• Sinus issues including sinusitis and sinus headaches
• Nasal conditions, including deviated septum
• Tonsils and adenoids
• Mouth, throat, or larynx problems
• Thyroid disorders
• Cancers of the head and neck

What does an ENT look for?

ENTs look for problems or abnormalities in a patient’s ear, nose, and throat. They have special tools, such as a speculum or laryngoscope, that allow them to look deeper inside the ear and nose to help them diagnose and treat patients.

If a patient has sudden hearing loss, the ENT examines their ears to determine whether it is a blockage, physical abnormality, or damage to parts of the ear causing the issue. ENTs may physically examine the problem area or use imaging devices to see if there are any problems they can’t detect manually.

When should you see an ENT?

You should see an ENT if you have recurrent ear or sinus infections, chronic problems with your tonsils, or if you’re suffering from allergies or hearing loss. You should also see an ENT if you’re experiencing hoarseness for an extended period or feel a lump in your neck. If you suffer from tinnitus, vertigo, or other balance issues, you should consult an ENT. Your primary care doctor may refer you to an ENT for treatment.

What will an ENT do at your first visit?

During your first visit, the ENT will ask you about your symptoms. They also examine you and may run tests. Tests during your first ENT visit may include:

• Nasal exam that looks at tissues within your nose, such as your septum, with or without the use of a nasal endoscopy tool to help them look for abnormalities
• Neck exam to check your lymph nodes, salivary glands, and thyroid
• Pressure testing or audiometric testing to detect problems with hearing loss or balance issues
• Larynx and voice box examination

Can you eat before an ENT appointment?

You can eat or drink normally before your ENT appointment. The only exception is if you’re getting CT imaging tests with contrast dye. For contrast procedures, you’ll have to refrain from eating or drinking for two hours before the imaging test.

You don’t have to avoid eating for ultrasounds and all other examinations done by your ENT. If you’re having allergy testing done by an ENT, you may need to stop certain medications before your appointment.

What is the difference between an ENT and an otolaryngologist?

There is no difference between an ENT and an otolaryngologist; they are two different terms for the same profession. Otolaryngologist is the formal name for an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Many otolaryngologists go by the less formal designation, ENT, since it’s more approachable and understandable to patients. Both ENTs and otolaryngologists receive the same medical education and training before they can start practicing medicine.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.

How Much Does An ENT Cost Without Insurance?

An ENT New Patient Office Visit costs between $144 and $267 on MDsave. Those with high deductible health plans or those who do not have insurance might save money by purchasing their procedure in advance with MDsave.

Can you self refer to an ENT?

Keep in mind that you may be able to see an ENT without a referral in some cases. However, this will vary each practice, and you will almost certainly have to pay for services up advance.

Are ENTs covered by insurance?

The majority of ENT-treated illnesses are covered by private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare. As a result, your insurance company is a wonderful spot to start your ENT search. Your health insurance company will have a directory of ENTs in your area, so you may be confident that the ENT you choose accepts your insurance.

Your insurance company can also supply you with a plethora of information about the therapies that are covered by your policy. They can also tell you if an ENT visit necessitates a referral from your primary care physician.

If your referring physician suggests a surgical procedure, make sure to check with your insurance company to see if operations performed in the office are covered the same way procedures conducted in a surgical facility are. Many minor treatments can be performed in the ENT’s office, such as balloon sinuplasty.

Are ear doctors expensive?

According to a recent UCLA study, ear infections in children cost about $3 billion in medical costs each year. The following are some of the most common healthcare costs related with ear infections:

• Doctor appointments, both initial and follow-up: While the cost of a doctor visit varies by region and insurance carrier, the typical copay in the United States is between $5 and $75. A doctor’s appointment might cost anything from $25 to $250 for those without insurance.
• Treatments available over-the-counter: The majority of ear infections are viral and will heal on their own with time. In this scenario, your doctor may prescribe Tylenol, ibuprofen, or warm olive oil drops to relieve pain—these therapies are inexpensive. If the discomfort persists for more than 42 hours or your child develops a fever of more than 102°F, you may require antibiotic treatment.
• Antibiotics will almost certainly be prescribed if your child’s infection is bacterial. Antibiotic copays can be anywhere from $5 to $50, depending on your insurance carrier. For a seven-day prescription, patients without insurance can expect to pay up to $110 on average.
• Ear tubes: If your child has ear infections frequently, your doctor may suggest ear tube surgery. Patients without insurance should expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 for this procedure. Patients with insurance face different out-of-pocket expenditures depending on whether or not they have met their deductible—the average deductible for a family plan is $8352. Surgical procedures conducted in an outpatient surgical center are much less expensive than those performed in a hospital. If your child requires ear tubes, check with your doctor to see if the procedure may be done in a surgical center.

What can I expect at my ENT consultation?

A comprehensive medical history will be taken by the doctor. It will be helpful if you have written down your symptoms so that you don’t forget anything. Make careful to tell the ENT when the symptoms started. The ENT will undertake a physical and visual examination, depending on the purpose for the appointment. This could entail inspecting your ears, nose, and throat.

Palpitations may occur in your neck, throat, cheeks, and other parts of your face and head. An otoscope, an unique equipment used by ENTs to see into your ears, may be used. The use of an otoscope is not harmful. To see into your nasal passages, you can use a simple speculum. The speculum should not be painful to use and should not cause any pain. The equipment used to look, poke, and prod you may make the ENT examination seem intimidating, but none of these procedures should cause you any physical discomfort.

Let the ENT know ahead of time if having your nose, ears, or other body parts touched causes you anxiety. The ENT’s job is to relieve your pain, not to make it worse.

How long does it take to get into an ENT?

Otolaryngology is a medical speciality that focuses on issues with the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck.

An otolaryngologist must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, and then five years of residency training in this field. They will then proceed to 51 months of incremental speciality instruction before taking the ABOto board certification exam.

They will then treat a number of medical issues, such as breathing difficulties, head and neck malignancies, and chronic sinusitis. Vertigo and dizziness, structural disorders in the nose, and hearing loss are just a few of the medical conditions that an otolaryngologist may help with.

They have considerable training in a variety of procedures, such as blepharoplasty, endoscopic sinus surgery, and tumor excision. They will also be able to do facial plastic surgery, myringotomy, and thyroid surgery, as well as adenotonsomies and pancreatic excision.

When should you go to an ENT?

The medical speciality of otolaryngology deals with illnesses and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) region, as well as related parts of the head and neck. If you have an issue with your ear, nose, or throat, you may need to see an ENT specialist, often known as an otolaryngologist or an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

A board certified ENT specialist has completed at least five years of specialty training and passed the American Board of Otolaryngology certification examination in addition to graduating from medical school (usually four years). ENT doctors are knowledgeable on the medical and surgical treatment of the following conditions:

• Otolaryngology (audiology) is the study of the ear. If you have an ear disorder or condition, such as hearing loss, ear infections, balance difficulties, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or ear pain, you should consult an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Congenital ear problems can also be treated by ENT doctors (disorders you were born with).
• Conditions affecting the nose ENT doctors are frequently called upon to manage and treat issues involving the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. These issues can impair the way you smell, breathe, and look.
• Issues with the throat. Speech, singing, eating, swallowing, and digestion can all be affected by throat disorders and illnesses. These issues can be diagnosed, managed, and treated by ENT specialists.
• Head and neck disorders caused by ENT. Diseases, tumors, injuries, and abnormalities of the head, neck, and face are treated by ENT experts. In these regions, ENT physicians can undertake aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. They can also help with difficulties with the nerves that govern sight, smell, hearing, and facial motions in the head and neck.

Many ENT specialists have additionally completed one to two years of advanced training in one of the following otolaryngology subspecialties:

The following are some of the most common conditions treated by an ear, nose, and throat doctor:

Ask your primary care doctor if an ENT specialist can help you if you have one of these conditions or another problem that affects your ears, nose, throat, or a connected area.

What is an ENT surgeon called?

Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) is a medical speciality that focuses on the ears, nose, and throat. Because experts are trained in both medicine and surgery, it is sometimes known as otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. An otolaryngologist, sometimes known as an ENT, is a doctor who specializes in the ears, nose, and throat.

This medical speciality extends back to the nineteenth century, when doctors realized that the head and neck were made up of a number of interrelated systems. Doctors developed strategies and instruments for inspecting and treating head and neck issues, resulting in the formation of a medical speciality. It is the oldest medical speciality in the United States, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Otolaryngologists are different from other doctors in that they are trained to operate on the delicate and complicated tissues of the head and neck.

What is a deviated septum?

A deviated septum is a disorder that impairs our breathing and affects the nasal septum. Our nasal septum is a bone and cartilage divider wall that separates the left and right sides of our nose.

The septum of someone with a deviated septum is crooked or off-center (usually significantly so).

It can be angled to the left, right, or in an S-shape. This frequently leads to a slew of issues that range from inconvenient to life-threatening. While certain differences in the size of our respiratory passageways are quite normal, major differences (especially those that cause breathing issues) should be taken seriously.

Can a septum piercing cause a deviated septum?

Not at all. The fleshy membrane component between your nostrils, not the actual cartilage in your nose, is pierced in a correct septum piercing.

What causes a deviated septum?

There are various reasons for a deviated septum. In some circumstances, a deviated septum develops during fetal development, but in many other cases, a deviated septum develops as a result of an injury as a child, adolescent, or adult, such as a fall, sports injury, vehicle accident, or hit.

An injury that results in a deviated septum can happen to anyone at any age. Infants, for example, may sustain trauma during birthing, leading in a deviated septum. Adults are at risk for a variety of traumatic incidents that can result in a deviated septum, including falls, physical attacks, and car accidents.

• As people age, a deviated septum can worsen; typical aging processes have an affect on the nose, particularly the septum and nostrils.

How to tell if you have a deviated septum?

If you have a deviated septum, you may notice specific signs or symptoms. We’ve listed some of the most frequent signs and symptoms of a deviated septum below. You may learn more about the symptoms of a deviated septum by going there.

Increased facial pain and awareness of the nasal cycle are potentially possible side effects. Our nostrils are obstructed on one side or the other on a regular basis, but with a deviated septum, this process (known as the nasal cycle) can become hyper-obvious.

The problem is that many septal abnormalities go unnoticed. The majority of them, according to Mayo Clinic, do not. It may be difficult to notice a deviated septum when it forms as a result of this.

Can a deviated septum get worse?

A deviated septum might change over time for certain people. The natural aging of our faces and noses has the potential to exacerbate a deviated septum. Even if a person’s deviated septum does not physically deteriorate, their symptoms may change or worsen.

Does insurance cover deviated septum repair?

Yes, most insurance companies will cover a deviated septum correction if surgery is only to change the interior of the nose for breathing or functional reasons and not to change the exterior or cosmetic aspect. However, contacting your insurance carrier is the best method to get an answer to this topic. Many insurance companies, however, cover septoplasty as one of the most common procedures. It is frequently judged medically required because to its tendency to induce sleeping and breathing problems, as well as sinus infections and migraines. Patients must have failed intranasal steroid sprays (i.e. Flonase, Nasacort, etc. ), antihistamines (i.e. Claritin, Zyrtec, etc. ), sinus rinses, and decongestants in order for insurance to fund the operation (i.e. Sudafed etc.).

How can you fix a deviated septum? Can a deviated septum heal on its own?

A deviated septum is unable to repair on its own. Treatment for a deviated septum, on the other hand, differs according on the conditions and severity of the condition. Depending on the severity of the deviated septum, a patient may be a candidate for a simple in-office operation called partial septoplasty, which can be done under local anesthetic. A modest outpatient surgery under general anesthesia is the best technique to repair it in more common and severe cases.

Other precautions that most doctors advise patients to take before surgery include:

Do nasal strips help deviated septum?

They certainly can! It is dependent on your specific circumstances. Nose strips can help elevate and open inflamed nasal and sinus passages for many people.

What is deviated septum surgery?

Septoplasty is the medical term for surgery to correct a deviated septum. A surgeon makes a small incision in the septum through the inside of a patient’s nose. The surgeon can then remove or resculpt extra cartilage or bone to balance out the breathing gaps in both nostrils and nasal passageways after the incision is completed.

In order to maximize your airflow via both nasal passages, your surgeon will usually address any turbinate inflammation, valve collapse, or sinus abnormalities that may be present after deviated septum surgery.

During deviated septum surgery, some individuals may want to change the look of their nose or correct any cosmetic defects.

A rhinoplasty is the medical term for this procedure. Rhinoplasties are sometimes referred to as nose jobs. These aid in the enhancement of the nose’s external look. A septorhinoplasty is the name for the entire procedure.

• Newer methods are being developed; some people may be able to avoid surgery by having a balloon septoplasty or a partial septoplasty performed in the office.

Can a deviated septum return after surgery?

The possibility of redeviation of the septum without future trauma to the nose is less than 3-5 percent in the hands of the most qualified and brilliant surgeon. However, after deviated septum surgery, up to 25% of patients experience nasal congestion or obstruction redeveloping. This is because, aside from anatomical abnormalities with the nose, congestion can be caused by a variety of factors. Severe allergies and/or severe inflammation caused by irritants (smoking, vaping, fumes, etc.) or chronic sinusitis are examples of these reasons. So it’s not so much that a deviated septum may return after surgery as it is that the symptoms of a deviated septum may continue (or return).

How much does deviated septum surgery cost with insurance?

If you aren’t undergoing a rhinoplasty, deviated septum surgery without insurance coverage can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000. The real cost to the patient is determined by copays and deductibles with insurance; so, it could be completely free or a modest cost of $500 to $2500.

How long does deviated septum surgery take?

Septoplasties usually last between 30 and 60 minutes. They aren’t particularly lengthy procedures. When a rhinoplasty is added to the operation, the total time can be between 90 and 180 minutes.

How long does someone’s nose bleed after deviated septum surgery?

After your deviated septum surgery, you’ll be given a drip pad to help collect the blood that flows from your nose. It may seep for up to two days after surgery, but excessive bleeding should be reported to your doctor.

How long does it take to recover from deviated septum surgery?

• Most patients heal completely in 2-3 weeks and return to work after 3-5 days of surgery; also, with uncomplicated deviated septum correction, there is no external bruising or swelling.
• Patients who have septorhinoplasty heal in 3-6 weeks but can return to work in 7-10 days; exterior bruising and swelling can continue up to 3 weeks.
• Some individuals may feel numbness and a minor loss of smell near the tip of their nose, but this usually resolves within 1-2 months.
• Following 7-10 days, exercise is fine after septoplasty, and 3 weeks after septorhinoplasty.

Can you correct a deviated septum without surgery? How can you help a deviated septum without surgery?

Alternatives to septoplasty may be able to alleviate the symptoms of a deviated septum or nasal blockage. Some people benefit from nasal steroids and allergy drugs; others employ nasal strips or nasal irrigation to try to open up their nasal passages.

Can a deviated septum cause snoring or sleep apnea?

It is a relatively prevalent cause of snoring, and deviated septum correction can significantly reduce the loudness and intensity of snoring. It is unlikely, however, to cure sleep apnea. This is a typical misunderstanding. A deviated septum can exacerbate or complicate the treatment of sleep apnea.

What other problems does a deviated septum cause?

• Is a runny nose caused by a deviated septum? Yes, a deviated septum can induce a runny nose and postnasal drip, which are both frequent symptoms of the condition. Stuffy noses and trouble breathing are other common symptoms of deviated septums.
• Is it possible for a deviated septum to induce nosebleeds? Yes, nosebleeds can occur when the surface of the nasal septum becomes dry.
• Can clogged ears be caused by a deviated septum?
• Ear fullness and poor middle ear airflow can be caused by deviated septums.
• Is poor breath caused by a deviated septum? It’s possible! Especially if your breathing patterns are disrupted, causing you to breathe through your lips all of the time.
• Is snoring caused by a deviated septum? Yes, a lot of the time. Snoring is frequently caused by deviated septums. With a deviated septum, many people endure noisy breathing and snoring while sleeping; however, just because you don’t snore doesn’t mean you don’t have a deviated septum.

What is day care room?

Treatments given at a hospital under local or general anesthesia within 24 hours are referred to as daycare treatments. When a patient visits a clinic or a consultation room, a doctor provides outpatient department treatment (OPD).

How much is a doctor visit without insurance 2020?

Going to the doctor without insurance can cost anything from $300 to $600. The cost will vary based on whether you consult a specialist, if you have lab testing done, and if you have any operations done.

No Insurance? How to See a Doctor Without Insurance

Shop around, ask about cash discounts and consider community health centers and free clinics.

This article is based on reporting that features expert sources.

8 Tips for Getting Medical Care Without Insurance

Millions of people in the U.S. live without health insurance, a circumstance that can cause people to weigh the need to see a doctor against the cost. Unfortunately, many people will put off or do without medical care because they can't afford it, a decision that could jeopardize their health.

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While the Affordable Care Act has boosted the number of Americans with insurance, millions remain uninsured. In 2018, 27.5 million people – more than 8% of the U.S. population – were uninsured, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Private health insurance covered 67% of Americans. Those without health coverage face the dilemma: Where can I go for medical care without insurance?

The Coverage Gap

In addition to the people who are uninsured, millions are underinsured, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund. Among people with health insurance, 29% were underinsured in 2018, compared to 23% in 2014, according to the fund's Biennial Health Insurance Survey: "People who are 'underinsured' have high health plan deductibles and out-of-pocket medical expenses relative to their income and are more likely to struggle paying medical bills or to skip care because of cost."

The survey found that 41% of underinsured adults reported they delayed needed medical care because of cost. By contrast, 23% of people with adequate insurance coverage said they delayed such treatment. Also, 47% of underinsured adults reported medical bill and debt problems.

Tips for Finding Affordable Medical Care

If you're uninsured or underinsured, here are eight strategies for finding affordable medical care:

• Research your eligibility for insurance.
• Shop around.
• Agree to a price in writing.
• Ask about a cash discount.
• Keep good records.
• Be prepared.
• Consider community health clinics.
• Think about urgent care centers.

1. Research your eligibility for insurance.

Depending on your situation, you might be eligible to buy individual health insurance coverage from the ACA marketplace or in the individual market, or you might qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children's Health Insurance Program for your kids, says Kim Buckey, vice president of client services at DirectPath, a company that provides personalized health benefits education and enrollment services to large employers.

2. Shop around.

Prices for health care appointments and procedures vary dramatically, with differences of up to 2,000%, says Bill Kampine, co-founder and senior vice president, analytics and innovation, for Healthcare Bluebook. The company's client base includes municipal and large self-insured employers. It also offers a free online tool that individuals can use to comparison shop for health care services by region.

3. Agree to a price in writing.

4. Ask about a cash discount.

5. Keep good records.

6. Be prepared.

7. Consider community health centers and free clinics.

There are a number of health care providers that provide services at little or no cost to those who are eligible, says April Temple, an associate professor of health sciences at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

8. Also, think about urgent care centers.

Nationwide, there's been a meteoric rise in the use of urgent care centers in recent years. These facilities provide a higher level of care than what's available at some pharmacy retail clinics, but aren't equipped to provide emergent care for things like heart attacks and strokes. Urgent care centers can treat a wide array of maladies, including upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, diverticulitis; high blood pressure, food poisoning, sprains, minor fractures and lacerations. An urgent care visit typically costs around $150, according to Debt.org.

12 Common Medical Emergencies

The U.S. News Health team delivers accurate information about health, nutrition and fitness, as well as in-depth medical condition guides. All of our stories rely on multiple, independent sources and experts in the field, such as medical doctors and licensed nutritionists. To learn more about how we keep our content accurate and trustworthy, read our  editorial guidelines .

Buckey is vice president of client services at DirectPath, a company that provides personalized health benefits education and enrollment services to large employers.

Kampine is co-founder and senior vice president, analytics and innovation, for Healthcare Bluebook. The company’s client base includes municipal and large self-insured employers. It also offers a free online tool that individuals can use to comparison shop for health care services by region.

Temple is an associate professor of health sciences at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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How Much Does a Doctor Visit Cost With and Without Insurance?

Without insurance, medical care can get pricy fast. Where you live, what doctor you’re going to, and what tests you need will all figure into your doctor’s visit bill. In this article, we’ll break down those costs and give you some tips for saving money.

What Goes into the Cost of a Doctor’s Visit?

Geography is one of the biggest factors in the price of a doctor’s visit. Most medical facilities pass some of their overhead expenses onto their patients. If you live somewhere with a higher cost of living, like California or New York City, you’ll likely pay more for doctors’ visits. The practice has to pay more for utilities and rent, and those costs show up in your bill. For example, Mayo Clinic’s Patient Estimates tool quotes $846 for a 60-minute office visit in Jacksonville, Florida, but $605 for the same visit in Wisconsin.

Like the cost of living, supplies and equipment will also end up on your tab. Say you need a strep test, blood draw, or Pap smear. The supplies needed for the test plus the cost of the lab fees will all figure into the price.

Bills for the same exams and procedures can also vary depending on what kind of facility you’re going to. Smaller practices and public health centers are often a lot cheaper than university or private hospital systems. This is due in part to their buildings being smaller and their overhead fees being lower.

Price of Out-of-Pocket Doctors’ Visits

The cost of a doctor’s office visit also depends on what kind of doctor and the procedure you need to have done. For example, an in-office general wellness checkup will be cheaper than a specialist procedure. If you have an emergency, an urgent care center will be much more affordable than the emergency room.

Primary Care Physician — Physical Exam

Physicals usually include blood pressure readings, cholesterol measurements, and vaccines. Prostate exams for men and Pap smears and breast exams for women are also often included. Pediatric physicals focus on the growth milestones for your child’s age. Doctors check height, weight, sleep patterns, diet, and the vaccines required by public schools.

The range for a yearly physical can be anywhere from $100 to $250 or more without insurance. A CVS Minutecare Clinic may charge just $59 for a sports physical, but not all organizations will accept this as proof of physical health.

Primary Care Physician — Procedures

On top of the base cost for physical exams, you may have extra charges for any specific tests or procedures you need. According to the Cardiometabolic Health blog, the most common procedures in primary care medicine include bloodwork, electrocardiograms, and vaccines/injections.

Bloodwork is one of the biggest cost wild cards. Certain tests can run you from as little as $10 to as much as $10,000 . Large national labs like Labcorp offer pricing on their website, so you know what to expect going in. For example, Labcorp’s General Health Blood Test , which includes a metabolic panel, complete blood count (CBC), and urinalysis, costs $78.

Electrocardiograms or EKGs check your heart health and can find cardi ac issues. This quick procedure involves monitoring your heartbeat through electrodes placed on your skin. While it’s a painless and accurate way to detect heart conditions, the costs can add up without insurance. Expect to pay as little as $410 or as much as $1700 for this procedure, depending on local prices.

Vaccines are often required before sending your kids to school. The CDC publishes a vaccination price list annually to give you an idea of what to expect. For example, they quote $19-$132 for DTaP, $21 for Hepatitis A, and $13-$65 for Hepatitis B. The COVID-19 vaccine, however, is free of cost, regardless of insurance status.

Urgent Care Visit

If you have an emergency but are stable, urgent care is much cheaper than the emergency room. According to Scripps , most urgent care centers and walk-in clinics can at least treat dehydration, cuts or simple fractures, fever, flu, strep, and UTIs. Note that if you have chest pain, a serious injury, seizures, a stroke, or pregnancy complications, you should go straight to the ER .

For a base exam at an urgent care facility, expect to pay between $100-$150 . That price will go up depending on what else you need. For example, Advanced Urgent Care in Denver quotes $80 for an X-Ray, $50 for an EKG, $135 for stitches, and $5 for a urinalysis. In comparison, expect to pay $1,000-$1,300 for the same procedures in the emergency room.

How to Lower Your Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs

Healthcare expenses may seem overwhelming without insurance. Luckily, there are many resources available to help you cover the costs.

Free & Low-Cost Immunization and Wellness Clinics

For standard vaccines and checkups, look for local free or low-cost clinics. Check out The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ search tool to find a location near you. Your city’s public health department should also offer free or low-cost vaccines and basic medical care services.

Certain large vaccine manufacturers also offer vaccine programs. For example, Merck’s patient assistance program offers 37 vaccines and medicines free to eligible patients. The program includes albuterol inhalers and vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, and HPV.

Cash Negotiations

Most health systems offer lower rates for patients paying cash. Some even have free programs for low-income families. For example, Heritage UPC in North Carolina has a yearly membership for low-cost preventative care. In Northern California, the Sutter Health medical system offers full coverage for patients earning 400% or less of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline .

As of January 1, 2021, all hospitals in the United States now have to follow the Hospital Price Transparency Rule . That means they have to list procedure prices clearly on their website. You can also call medical billing before your appointment to discuss cash pay options.

Federal Medical Payment Support

If all else fails, there are federal programs to help you cover the cost of medical bills.

Organizations like The United Way and United for Alice offer grants for ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) patients. These are people living above the poverty level, making them ineligible for other government programs but below the basic cost-of-living threshold.

Medicaid is available for children, pregnant women, and adults under a certain income threshold. If your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid but you can’t afford private insurance for your children, you may be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover your children’s medical care.

Use Compare.com for the Best Doctors’ Visit Prices

Navigating bills for a doctor’s visit can feel overwhelming, but Compare.com is here to help. With our price comparison tool, you can search all clinic and doctors’ office prices in your area. Compare makes sure you’re prepared for the cost of your checkup long before you schedule your appointment.

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more.

As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.

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Price Transparency

How much does a doctor’s visit cost without insurance.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average cost of a visit to the doctor’s office in 2016 was $265, with expenses ranging from $159 to $419 depending on the specialty.

• At an urgent care center you can expect to pay between $100-200 to see a provider, plus the cost of any treatments or testing you may need.
• Always ask for pricing information before you agree to any testing or treatment. You are entitled to this information.

Going to the doctor for any reason can be expensive. Without insurance, you can expect to pay approximately anywhere from $50–$350 just for a routine medical exam, which doesn’t include additional expenses such as x-rays , blood tests, or other lab work.

The cost of a doctor's visit

According to Solv’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rob Rohatsch, the cost of a doctor’s visit can vary widely depending on factors such as:

• The type of doctor you are seeing
• The reason for your visit
• Where you see the doctor, for example, if you go to an urgent care facility or a doctor’s office
• Whether you are a new or established patient
• Any necessary tests or treatments
• Whether you need lab work

Visits to specialists such as primary care providers, pediatricians, and psychiatrists were lower than the average cost, while the most expensive doctor’s visits were for orthopedists and cardiologists.

Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality indicates that if you are visiting a doctor and don’t have insurance, you can expect to pay roughly the following amounts. The cost could vary depending on the factors listed above.

• Psychiatry: $159
• Pediatrics: $169
• Primary care: $186
• Dermatology: $268
• OB/GYN: $280
• Ophthalmology: $307
• Cardiology: $335
• All other: $365
• Orthopedics: $419

Additionally, if you are a new patient, there may be an additional charge associated with your new patient exam.

Where to see a doctor without insurance

If you don’t have insurance, the cost of your doctor’s visit can also be affected by where you go to see the doctor. There are many places you can seek medical care, some of which are more affordable than others, notes the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality:

• Community health clinics often provide free medical care or low-cost care, including preventive care, health screenings, and vaccinations .
• Urgent care centers offer many health services. Many don’t require appointments, although your wait time may be less if you schedule an appointment in advance. You can expect to pay around $100 - $200 to see an urgent care provider, plus the cost of any treatments or testing you may need.
• Many health care facilities now offer telehealth services, which are often more convenient and more affordable. For some conditions, however, you may need to be seen in person for proper diagnosis and treatment.
• If your medical need is not urgent, and you know the type of doctor you need to see, you can schedule an appointment with a primary care physician or a specialist at their office. Be sure to ask about their payment policy in advance. If you don’t have insurance, you may be required to pay the entire bill at the time of service.
• If you have a medical emergency, you can visit the nearest emergency room. Even if you don’t have insurance, you will be able to receive treatment. However, this is typically the most expensive option. If you have a non-emergency medical condition that can wait until you can be seen at one of the other options, you will likely save money.

Paying self-pay prices for doctor’s visits

Even if you have insurance, you may be able to save money by paying cash for certain medical services. While preventive care may be covered at 100% by your insurance company, other tests and treatments may be applied to your deductible. If you have a high deductible and don’t expect to meet it – especially if it’s late in the calendar year – paying cash for your medical care may be a cheaper option.

Most doctor’s offices and health care providers charge a higher price when they bill the insurance company. For example, they may charge the insurance company $70 for a treatment or service, but if the patient is paying cash, they may only charge $60. This is known as the self-pay price . If you pay cash, the claim won’t be submitted to your insurance company, but you could end up saving money.

Always ask for pricing information before you agree to any testing or treatment. You are entitled to this information. As of 2021, hospitals are required to disclose self-pay prices, even when the patient has insurance. If the doctor’s office won’t provide you with this information, be persistent, or seek care somewhere else. If you plan on paying self-care prices, you aren’t limited to the providers in your insurance network. You’ll have a wider range of options to choose from, and you can choose a provider who is willing to provide fair, clear prices.

Let your doctor’s office know that you are paying out of pocket, and ask if they offer a discount for self-pay patients. Many doctor’s offices will offer special rates for patients who are paying cash or who do not have insurance; however, they may not advertise these rates, so it’s always a good idea to ask.

Know what you’ll pay ahead of time with Solv ClearPrice TM

According to Healthcare Finance News, more than half of Americans avoid going to the doctor when they’re sick due to high medical costs or unclear costs. Solv is committed to eliminating surprise medical bills with Solv ClearPrice™ . We partner with thousands of providers across the country who have agreed to display self-pay prices for their services. When you book an appointment on Solv, you will be able to see the self-pay price for many common services.

To schedule an appointment, search our directory for a provider in your area. Begin typing the service you are looking for, and choose from the list of options that appear. If you aren’t sure which type of doctor you need to see, you may want to try an urgent care clinic or a walk-in clinic . In many cases, you can schedule an appointment quickly and conveniently online, and many of our providers have same-day or next-day appointments available.

Frequently asked questions

What factors affect the cost of a doctor's visit, what is the average cost of a visit to the doctor’s office, are there any additional charges for new patients, where can i seek medical care if i don't have insurance, what is the self-pay price, are hospitals required to disclose self-pay prices, can i get a discount if i'm paying out of pocket, what is solv clearprice™.

Michael is an experienced healthcare marketer, husband and father of three. He has worked alongside healthcare leaders at Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, St. Luke's, Baylor Scott and White, HCA, and many more, and currently leads strategic growth at Solv.

Dr. Rob Rohatsch currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Solv Health. Dr. Rohatsch brings his extensive background in multi-site ambulatory medicine operations, on-demand healthcare, and consumerism to Solv, where he helps drive strategic initiatives in a cross functional executive role. He brings comprehensive healthcare expertise ranging from medical group operations to revenue cycle management and clinical expertise. 

Dr. Rohatsch completed his military service in the US Air Force and earned his MD from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Rohatsch served on the Yale School of Medicine faculty teaching at the medical school and is currently on faculty at the Haslam School of Business at the University of Tennessee teaching in the Executive MBA Program. He also serves on several boards and chairs The TJ Lobraico Foundation.

Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Expenses for Office-Based Physician Visits by Specialty and Insurance Type, 2016 https://meps.ahrq.gov/data_files/publications/st517/stat517.shtml
• Hospital Price Transparency, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (2022) https://www.cms.gov/hospital-price-transparency
• More than half of Americans have avoided medical care due to cost (2019) https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/more-half-americans-have-avoided-medical-care-due-cost
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Free ENT(Ear, Nose, Throat) Clinics Near Me

Almost everyone experiences issues with their ears, nose, sinuses, throat or voice from time to time. But what do you do when they keep coming back? Otolaryngologists (ENT doctors) specialize in treating simple, complex and chronic conditions of the sinus, ear, nose and throat problems – in children and adults.

Your ear, nose and throat are closely connected to three of your five senses. Even a small change to one of these senses can have a big impact on your daily life.

Free ENT clinics treat below conditions:

• Chronic ear infections
• Earwax buildup
• Hearing loss
• Perforated ear drum
• Swimmer's ear
• Vertigo and dizziness
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Deviated septum
• Loss of smell
• Nasal obstructions
• Nasal polyps

Throat and Mouth

• Chronic strep throat
• Loss of taste
• Polyps or cysts
• Sleep apnea
• Speech problems
• Swallowing disorders
• Thyroid and parathyroid
• Tonsillitis

Free ENT clinics provide a full range of ENT (otolaryngology) services:

• Ear surgery, including endoscopic ear surgery
• Evaluation and treatment of ear disorders
• Ear tube surgery
• Evaluation and treatment of nose and sinus disorders
• Hearing Aid
• Nasal and sinus surgery
• Sleep apnea treatment and surgery
• Snoring treatment and surgery

Federal Poverty Limits

The poverty guidelines are sometimes loosely referred to as the "federal poverty level" (FPL). Many Free Clinics only accept patients who is at or below 200 to 300% of the federal poverty level

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• No registration required.
• Everyone is eligible.
• Get discount up to 80%.
• Card can be used for person with Insurance or without insurance for discount.
• Never expires.
• Ready for immediate.
• No activation required.
• Prescription Coupon

Free ENT Clinics By State

Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer free ENT(Ear, Nose, Throat) clinics.

• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)

Are free clinics really free.

There are 1400 free clinics that do not charge anything. However, most “free clinics” operate using a sliding scale for payment so you may pay a small fee for care depending on your income.

Can free clinics write prescriptions?

Yes, Free clinics use a licensed doctor, who can write prescriptions.

Do I need an appointment to be seen at the free clinics?

Yes, Most free clinics only see patients with appointments but there are few free urgent care who takes walk-ins.

I am an undocumented person. Will the free clinic see me?

Depends on clinics, Some clinics require you to be a legal resident but most of them don't. They just need your residency proof.

How does the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care) affect the Free Clinic?

Even after obama care there are 29 millions uninsured people in the US, so if you don't have any insurance then it does not affect free clinics.

Is the Clinic staffed with licensed health professionals?

Yes, all of medical staff is licensed with the State and are covered under the one or other federal insurance.

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ENT doctors: What consumers need to know before a visit

ENT is short for Ear, Nose and Throat – doctors that specialize in that part of the body are known as ENTs.  The official name for their specialty is Otolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery. Sometimes insurance websites will list them as otolaryngology and not ENT, but they are the same thing. ENTs commonly put tubes in children’s ears when they have chronic ear infections, treat sinus problems/congestion and evaluate chronic hoarseness (often associated with vocal polyps).

When choosing an ENT for yourself or your family, there are three important factors to consider to help improve the cost of your healthcare, without sacrificing quality. 

Here are 3 things consumers need to know before their visit to an ENT:

• ENTs may perform an in-office test with a device called a nasopharyngascope. It is a fiber-optic camera that is inserted in the nose to evaluate the nose, throat and vocal cords. That ‘scope’ test is often billed separately and will most often not be included in the office visit copay.
• ENTs also frequently order CT scans and MRIs of the head and sinuses. As with other imaging tests, the costs of those CT scans and MRIs is very different depending on where you have them done—even in-network. A CT scan of the sinuses could cost as much at $800 at one facility and as little as $115 at another—for the same scan. Often ENTs refer out to several different facilities-maybe one hospital and 2 or 3 different independent imaging centers. Check with the nurse, office manager or scheduler to see what your options are.
• ENTs commonly prescribe antibiotics for sinus infections and many of those antibiotics are available in generic form or have generic therapeutic alternatives. Also, ENTs commonly prescribe steroid nasal sprays and oral steroid pills—both of those are available generic as well. 

Remember these three important factors before your next ENT visit. You should also always clarify any medical information with your primary care physician.

With healthcare navigation services like those from Alight, having a good understanding of your ENT appointment can help you make better choices that fit within your budget.

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Ear Infections: Cost, Treatment and Prevention

March 14, 2018 | Ear, Nose, Throat • Value-Based Care

Ear infections are some of the most common reasons parents take their children to the doctor. They’re also the most common reason for antibiotic use in children. Symptoms of ear infections include ear pain (often exhibited through fussiness, crying or tugging/pulling at the ears), fever, fluid drainage from the ear, difficulty sleeping, and trouble balancing or hearing.

If you suspect your child has an ear infection, you may be wondering how much treatment costs, where you should go for care and how you can prevent recurring infections. Here are some answers to parents’ common questions.

How much does it cost to treat an ear infection?

A recent study conducted by UCLA found that ear infections in children account for nearly $3 billion in health expenses each year. Typical healthcare costs associated with ear infections include:

• Initial and follow-up doctor visits: Although the price of a doctor visit varies by region and your insurance provider, the average copay in the United States for a visit is between $5 and $75. For patients without insurance, a doctor’s visit can cost an average of $25 to $250.
• Over-the-counter treatments: Most ear infections are viral and can cure themselves with time. In this case, your doctor may recommend Tylenol, ibuprofen or warm olive oil drops for pain management—costs for these treatments are minimal. If pain does not improve within 42-78 hours or your child develops a fever over 102°F, you may need an antibiotic.
• Antibiotics: If your child’s infection is bacterial, your doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic. Depending on your insurance provider, typical copays for antibiotics can cost anywhere from $5 to $50. Patients without insurance can expect an average cost up to $110 for a seven-day prescription.
• Ear tubes: If your child has frequent ear infections, your doctor may recommend ear tube surgery . The average cost of this surgery for patients without insurance ranges from $2000 to $3000. Out-of-pocket costs for patients with insurance vary depending on whether they have met their deductible—the average deductible for a family plan is $8352 . Surgeries performed in an outpatient surgical center cost significantly less than those in a hospital setting. If your child needs ear tubes, ask your doctor if the surgery can be performed in a surgical center.

Should I Take My Child to the Urgent Care or ER for an Ear Infection?

If your child has an ear infection and needs medical attention, it may be difficult to know what level of care he or she needs. Urgent care facilities are typically open after hours and on weekends to care for medical needs that can’t wait until the next day, and they are significantly cheaper than hospitals. Urgent care providers are trained to handle immediate medical needs that are not life-threatening, like ear infections.

Although most ear infections can be treated at an urgent care, some symptoms may require emergency treatment:

• Dehydration: Signs of dehydration include dry, cracked lips, absence of tears when crying and long periods of time without urinating.
• Lethargy: Signs of lethargy include difficulty waking up, unusual sleepiness and slower responses than normal.
• High fever or clearly severe pain.
• Pus or blood leakage from your child’s ear.

If you aren’t sure whether your child’s ear infection is a true emergency, call your doctor or local urgent care.

How Can I Help Prevent Ear Infections?

The best way to avoid doctor visits and healthcare costs associated with ear infection is prevention, and the best way to prevent ear infections is to minimize the risk factors that cause them. Here are some things you can do to lower your child’s risk of ear infection:

• Vaccinate your child against the flu each year.
• Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke and other forms of air pollution.
• Never put your child down to sleep with a bottle.
• Teach your children about proper hygiene and the importance of washing their hands regularly.
• Avoid exposing your child to other sick children and look for smaller daycare settings when practical.

Ear infections are not usually serious, but the cost of treating recurring infections can add up. If your child has an ear infection, contact your doctor. He or she can offer treatment and prevention recommendations.

Our specialists have received extensive training and completed a variety of procedures, offering the best ENT care for our patients. Our team also has access to a variety of specialties to ensure that patients receive coordinated care.

http://health.costhelper.com/ear-infection.html#extres1

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/kids-ear-infections-cost-the-health-246435

https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/tc/complications-of-ear-infections-topic-overview

https://www.verywell.com/child-ear-infection-weekend-1192223

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/ear-infections-children

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/131/3/e964.full.pdf

WRITTEN BY:

The Live Better Team

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5 Ways to Affordably See a Doctor Without Insurance

Posted: January 27, 2024 | Last updated: January 27, 2024

Seeking Care

Healthcare is broken in the United States. The costs are exorbitant, millions remain uninsured , and tens of thousands of Americans die every year because they can’t afford medical attention. That said, there are ways to survive in the U.S. healthcare system — especially if you know where to find affordable health care. 

We’ll cover five of the cheapest ways to see a doctor without insurance and answer some common questions regarding uninsured care. If your condition is life-threatening, don't wait. Call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.

1. Community Health Centers

Costs: Free to low

To find one of the 1,400 community health centers, use this tool from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA). The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics also has a search for free and low-cost healthcare.

2. Urgent Care Center

Costs: Low to medium

Urgent care facilities offer low-cost healthcare for patients — both insured and uninsured — with non-life-threatening conditions. According to a Forbes analysis , the average cost of an urgent care visit can range between $32 and $175, depending on what treatment and lab tests you need. For example, a wellness exam might cost $139, while a few stitches might be $150.

3. Amazon Clinic

For around $30 to $40, both uninsured and insured patients can receive treatment and virtual, chat-based consultations via Amazon’s online clinic . Like the MinuteClinic at CVS, Amazon’s service is perfect for simple, everyday healthcare issues like seasonal allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, COVID-19, and birth control. However, the service is only available in 33 states. If Amazon Clinic isn’t available or can’t treat your illness, consider other telehealth providers. And don't forget to learn how to skip the waiting room at Amazon Clinic. 

4. Walk-In Clinics

Nurse practitioners, doctors, and other licensed health professionals at CVS’ MinuteClinic can vaccinate against meningitis ($205), treat bug bites and stings (between $99 and $139), and screen for HIV ($99-$139), among a whole host of other everyday treatments.

For more affordable healthcare coverage, please sign up for our free newsletters .

5. Emergency Room (ER)

Costs: High

However, if you are suffering from an emergency medical condition such as chest pain or shortness of breath, you should go to your nearest ER as soon as possible.

Medicare or Medicaid

If your income is low, you’re over 65, or both, then you could qualify for subsidized health insurance from the government. Check to see if you’re eligible at healthcare.gov .

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a doctor’s visit without insurance?

Prices vary depending on where you go, what type of treatment you need, and your income level. For some low-income individuals, community health centers will be free, while other affordable options could cost from $30 to a couple hundred dollars.

What is the cheapest way to see a doctor?

The cheapest way to see a doctor is to visit a community health center. Or, if you only need basic care, try a low-cost telehealth provider.

How can I lower my medical bills?

This article was originally published on Cheapism

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Doctors Take On Dental Duties to Reach Low-Income and Uninsured Patients

DENVER — Pediatrician Patricia Braun and her team saw roughly 100 children at a community health clinic on a recent Monday. They gave flu shots and treatments for illnesses like ear infections. But Braun also did something most primary care doctors don’t. She peered inside mouths searching for cavities or she brushed fluoride varnish on their teeth.

“We’re seeing more oral disease than the general population. There is a bigger need,” Braun said of the patients she treats at Bernard F. Gipson Eastside Family Health Center, which is part of Denver Health, the largest safety-net hospital in Colorado, serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents.

Braun is part of a trend across the United States to integrate oral health into medical checkups for children, pregnant women, and others who cannot afford or do not have easy access to dentists. With federal and private funding, these programs have expanded in the past 10 years, but they face socioeconomic barriers, workforce shortages, and the challenge of dealing with the needs of new immigrants.

With a five-year, $6 million federal grant, Braun and her colleagues have helped train 250 primary care providers in oral health in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona. Similar projects are wrapping up in Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, and New York, funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Beyond assessment, education, and preventive care, primary care providers refer patients to on- or off-site dentists, or work with embedded dental hygienists as part of their practice.

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“Federally qualified health centers have a long history of co-locating dental services within their systems,” Braun said. “We’re taking that next step where care is not just co-located, meaning, say, we’re upstairs and dental is downstairs, but we’re integrated so that it becomes part of the same visit for the patient.”

Having doctors, nurses, and physician assistants who assess oral health, make referrals, and apply fluoride at community health centers is critical for the many children who lack access to dental care, said Tara Callaghan, director of operations for the Montana Primary Care Association, which represents 14 federally qualified health centers and five Urban Indian organizations.

“Providing these services during medical visits increases the frequency of fluoride application,” Callaghan said, and “improves parents’ knowledge of caring for their child’s teeth.” But obstacles remain.

Because of Montana’s large geographic area and small population, recruiting dental professionals is difficult, Callaghan said. Fifty of the state’s 56 counties are designated dental shortage areas and some counties don’t have a single dentist who takes Medicaid, she added. Montana ranks near the bottom for residents having access to fluoridated water , which can prevent cavities and strengthen teeth.

Pediatric dental specialists, in particular, are scarce in rural areas, with families sometimes driving hours to neighboring counties for care, she said.

Embedding dental hygienists with medical doctors is one way to reach patients in a single medical visit.

Valerie Cuzella, a registered dental hygienist, works closely with Braun and others at Denver Health, which serves nearly half of the city’s children and has embedded hygienists in five of its clinics that see children.

State regulations vary on which services hygienists can provide without supervision from a dentist. In Colorado, Cuzella can, among other things, independently perform X-rays and apply silver diamine fluoride, a tool to harden teeth and slow decay. She does all this in a cozy corner office.

Braun and Cuzella work so closely that they often finish each other’s sentences. Throughout the day they text each other, taking advantage of brief lulls when Cuzella can pop into an exam room to check for gum disease or demonstrate good brushing habits. Braun herself takes similar opportunities to assess oral health during her exams, and both focus on educating parents.

Medical and dental care have traditionally been siloed. “Schools are getting better at interprofessional collaboration and education, but by and large we train separately, we practice separately,” said Katy Battani, a registered dental hygienist and assistant professor at Georgetown University.

Battani is trying to bridge the divide by helping community health centers in nine states — including California, Texas, and Maryland — integrate dental care into prenatal visits for pregnant women. Pregnancy creates opportunities to improve oral health because some women gain dental coverage with Medicaid and see providers at least once a month, Battani said.

In Denver, housing instability, language barriers, lack of transportation, and the “astronomical cost” of dentistry without insurance make dental care inaccessible for many children, the migrant community, and seniors, said Sung Cho, a dentist who oversees the dental program at STRIDE Community Health Center, serving the Denver metro area.

STRIDE tries to overcome these barriers by offering interpretation services and a sliding pay scale for those without insurance. That includes people like Celinda Ochoa, 35, of Wheat Ridge, who waited at STRIDE Community Health Center while her 15-year-old son, Alexander, had his teeth cleaned. He was flagged for dental care during a past medical checkup and now he and his three siblings regularly see a dentist and hygienist at STRIDE.

One of Ochoa’s children has Medicaid dental coverage, but her three others are uninsured, and they couldn’t otherwise afford dental care, said Ochoa. STRIDE offers an exam, X-rays, and cleaning for $60 for the uninsured.

In the past year, Cho has seen an influx of migrants and refugees who have never seen a dentist before and need extensive care. Medical exams for refugees at STRIDE increased to 1,700 in 2023 from 1,300 in 2022, said Ryn Moravec, STRIDE’s director of development. She estimates the program has seen 800 to 1,000 new immigrants in 2024.

Even with growing needs, Cho said the Medicaid “unwinding” — the process underway to reexamine post-pandemic eligibility for the government program that provides health coverage for people with low incomes and disabilities — has created financial uncertainty. He said he worries about meeting the upfront costs of new staff and of replacing aging dental equipment.

At STRIDE’s Wheat Ridge clinic, two hygienists float between dental and pediatrics as part of the medical-dental integration. Yet Cho said he needs more hygienists at other locations to keep up with demand. The pandemic created bottlenecks of need that are only now being slowly cleared, particularly because few dentists take Medicaid. If they do accept it, they often limit the number of Medicaid patients they’ll take, said Moravec. Ideally, STRIDE could hire two hygienists and three dental assistants, Moravec said.

In 2022, Colorado enacted a law to alleviate workforce shortages by allowing dental therapists — midlevel providers who do preventive and restorative care — to practice. But Colorado does not have any schools to train or accredit them.

Before age 3, children are scheduled to see a pediatrician for 12 well visits, a metric that medical and dental integration capitalizes on , particularly for at-risk children. As part of Braun’s program in the Rocky Mountain region, providers have applied more than 17,000 fluoride varnishes and increased the percentage of children 3 and younger who received preventive oral health care to 78% from 33% in its first 2½ years.

Callaghan, at the Montana Primary Care Association, witnesses that on the ground at community health centers in Montana. “It’s about leveraging the fact that kids see their medical provider for a well-child visit much more often and before they see their dental provider — if they have one.”

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Copy And Paste To Republish This Story

By Kate Ruder April 10, 2024

DENVER — Pediatrician Patricia Braun and her team saw roughly 100 children at a community health clinic on a recent Monday. They gave flu shots and treatments for illnesses like ear infections. But Braun also did something most primary care doctors don’t. She peered inside mouths searching for cavities or she brushed fluoride varnish on their teeth.

“We’re seeing more oral disease than the general population. There is a bigger need,” Braun said of the patients she treats at Bernard F. Gipson Eastside Family Health Center, which is part of Denver Health, the largest safety-net hospital in Colorado, serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents.

With a five-year, $6 million federal grant, Braun and her colleagues have helped train 250 primary care providers in oral health in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona. Similar projects are wrapping up in Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, and New York, funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Beyond assessment, education, and preventive care, primary care providers refer patients to on- or off-site dentists, or work with embedded dental hygienists as part of their practice.

“Federally qualified health centers have a long history of co-locating dental services within their systems,” Braun said. “We’re taking that next step where care is not just co-located, meaning, say, we’re upstairs and dental is downstairs, but we’re integrated so that it becomes part of the same visit for the patient.”

“Providing these services during medical visits increases the frequency of fluoride application,” Callaghan said, and “improves parents’ knowledge of caring for their child’s teeth.” But obstacles remain.

Because of Montana’s large geographic area and small population, recruiting dental professionals is difficult, Callaghan said. Fifty of the state’s 56 counties are designated dental shortage areas and some counties don’t have a single dentist who takes Medicaid, she added. Montana ranks near the bottom for residents having access to fluoridated water , which can prevent cavities and strengthen teeth.

Valerie Cuzella, a registered dental hygienist, works closely with Braun and others at Denver Health, which serves nearly half of the city’s children and has embedded hygienists in five of its clinics that see children.

Braun and Cuzella work so closely that they often finish each other’s sentences. Throughout the day they text each other, taking advantage of brief lulls when Cuzella can pop into an exam room to check for gum disease or demonstrate good brushing habits. Braun herself takes similar opportunities to assess oral health during her exams, and both focus on educating parents.

Medical and dental care have traditionally been siloed. “Schools are getting better at interprofessional collaboration and education, but by and large we train separately, we practice separately,” said Katy Battani, a registered dental hygienist and assistant professor at Georgetown University.

In Denver, housing instability, language barriers, lack of transportation, and the “astronomical cost” of dentistry without insurance make dental care inaccessible for many children, the migrant community, and seniors, said Sung Cho, a dentist who oversees the dental program at STRIDE Community Health Center, serving the Denver metro area.

One of Ochoa’s children has Medicaid dental coverage, but her three others are uninsured, and they couldn’t otherwise afford dental care, said Ochoa. STRIDE offers an exam, X-rays, and cleaning for $60 for the uninsured.

In the past year, Cho has seen an influx of migrants and refugees who have never seen a dentist before and need extensive care. Medical exams for refugees at STRIDE increased to 1,700 in 2023 from 1,300 in 2022, said Ryn Moravec, STRIDE’s director of development. She estimates the program has seen 800 to 1,000 new immigrants in 2024.

Even with growing needs, Cho said the Medicaid “unwinding” — the process underway to reexamine post-pandemic eligibility for the government program that provides health coverage for people with low incomes and disabilities — has created financial uncertainty. He said he worries about meeting the upfront costs of new staff and of replacing aging dental equipment.

At STRIDE’s Wheat Ridge clinic, two hygienists float between dental and pediatrics as part of the medical-dental integration. Yet Cho said he needs more hygienists at other locations to keep up with demand. The pandemic created bottlenecks of need that are only now being slowly cleared, particularly because few dentists take Medicaid. If they do accept it, they often limit the number of Medicaid patients they’ll take, said Moravec. Ideally, STRIDE could hire two hygienists and three dental assistants, Moravec said.

Before age 3, children are scheduled to see a pediatrician for 12 well visits, a metric that medical and dental integration capitalizes on , particularly for at-risk children. As part of Braun’s program in the Rocky Mountain region, providers have applied more than 17,000 fluoride varnishes and increased the percentage of children 3 and younger who received preventive oral health care to 78% from 33% in its first 2½ years.

Callaghan, at the Montana Primary Care Association, witnesses that on the ground at community health centers in Montana. “It’s about leveraging the fact that kids see their medical provider for a well-child visit much more often and before they see their dental provider — if they have one.”

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Low cost MRI for $399 available without a doctor's order and without insurance

By taylormed mri | posted - april 15, 2024 at 12:59 p.m., (taylormed mri).

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

You're not imagining things if you feel that healthcare costs have shot up in the last few years.

In fact, medical costs have inflated even more than other sectors. According to Health System Tracker data from Peterson-KFF, medical care costs have increased 114.3% since 2000, while the costs of all goods and services have increased 80.8% since 2000.

And when you're dealing with an injury or chronic pain the typical process of visiting the doctor, then perhaps going to a specialist before getting an MRI can take weeks. One Utah clinic has found a way to bypass the headaches of waiting for a doctor's appointment and dealing with the hassle of insurance.

TaylorMED MRI offers scans starting at $399 — no insurance or doctor's order is necessary.

The TaylorMED way

TaylorMED MRI clinic whittles down the typical wait time and cost of receiving an MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. You don't even need a doctor's order. You can get a quick and affordable MRI with same-day or next-day scheduling usually available.

An MRI is the best imaging modality to diagnose injuries to soft tissue and organs. With MRIs, doctors can diagnose patients faster and start necessary treatments sooner. An MRI can evaluate the source of headaches or dizziness, look for causes of bone or muscle pain, and even screen for cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If you're wondering whether you might benefit from an MRI, you can check out TaylorMED MRI's full list of services .

Why a low-cost cash alternative can be better than using insurance

Because many insurance plans require a doctor's order for an MRI, you can potentially spend hundreds even before getting the okay, depending on your plan and co-pay.

With insurance, many factors affect the cost of your MRI. Type of health insurance, in-network provider versus out-of-network provider, body area being scanned, and even the region you live in can all affect your final costs.

In many cases, it's advantageous to skip the insurance hassle and pay a flat fee. That's what you can expect at TaylorMED MRI, where the cost for each type of imaging is clearly listed with most at $399.

There are no hidden costs involved, and since you don't have to make multiple specialist visits before finally getting an order for your MRI, it could save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in the long run.

Schedule your MRI today and be on your way back to health

At TaylorMED MRI, the process is simple and hassle-free. First, schedule your exam online or by calling 385-831-7674. Next, you'll show up 15 minutes prior to your appointment to fill out paperwork and pay the one-time fee via cash, credit card, or your HSA account. Your imaging takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, and within 24 business hours you'll receive your industry-standard radiology report.

TaylorMed has locations in Salt Lake City, Lindon, Farmington, St. George and Henderson, Nevada. TaylorMED MRI is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours some evenings. To learn more, visit taylormedmri.com .

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