Don’t we all feel a little apprehensive before seeing a doctor? If you don’t have insurance that covers physicals, the thought of an unexpected bill can make you feel anxious before you even walk into the waiting room. however, even if you don’t have insurance, you should consider going for a doctor’s visit.
A checkup can quickly reveal early signs of diseases like cancer and even reveal missing nutrients. You can also identify symptoms that you may be taking for granted, such as feeling tired or irritable all the time.
Reading: How much for a physical exam without insurance
so how much does a checkup cost if you don’t have insurance? Read on so you don’t get scammed at your next checkup and learn a few tricks to get your physical on the cheap.
cost of annual review without insurance
Now that you know what type of checkup to look for and what is typically included in one, the next topic is cost. How much does a visit to the doctor cost without insurance?
The cost of going in for a regular medical checkup typically ranges from $50 to $200. These types of checkups typically last 15 to 30 minutes. the exact cost may depend on where you live and which doctor or clinic you choose to go to.
for example, cvs minute clinic, an outpatient clinic in the united states, offers a general medical exam for $89, which includes:
- a review of your medical history, shot records, medications you are taking,
- height, weight & blood pressure,
- eye exam, and
- general physical examination of the nose, ears, throat, heart, lungs, and abdomen.
- Blood metabolic panel cost: $20 to $150
- abdominal ultrasound cost: from $180
- abdominal CT scan cost: starting at $240
- thorough lab tests
- bone densitometry
- complete cardiac test
- lung exam
- hearing test
- eye exam
- stress tests
- Option to add additional tests such as pap smears and mammograms for women, CT scans, dermatology visits, etc.
- check free clinics in your area. these clinics offer medical services for uninsured and low-income people. visit: https://www.freeclinics.com/
- Consider walk-in clinics and urgent care centers instead of hospitals. These facilities are usually much cheaper, especially if you pay out of pocket.
- shop around before scheduling an appointment. do a quick search online for the closest clinics in your area and call them to ask about the cost of a physical exam. be sure to clarify if there are any additional costs you should be aware of.
- If your doctor recommends that you undergo some tests, such as a blood test or a CT scan, don’t hesitate to first ask what the cost of these tests is before agreeing to undergo the procedure. If you don’t have insurance, these tests can be expensive, so it’s best to know ahead of time so you’re not surprised at the end. know that you are not required to be tested at the same clinic. you may consider looking for other labs or facilities with more affordable rates.
- If you cannot afford the cost of a physical exam or lab tests, check with your medical provider to see if they offer financial assistance and if you qualify. Full or partial financial assistance is offered to low-income individuals.
- medical history review of past and current illnesses and symptoms.
- review of immunization/vaccination records.
- review of supplements or medications you take.
- measurement of height, weight, temperature, blood pressure and heart rate.
- physical inspection of the face, eyes, ears, nose, throat, neck, armpits, skin, back, breasts, thyroid gland, etc. to look for any signs of infection or disease.
- listen to heart sounds with a stethoscope.
- blood metabolic panel
- stress tests
- urine and stool tests
- ecgs
- X-rays
- mammogram
- physical exam
- annual physical exam
- general medical exam
- wellness visit
- full medical exam
- executive physical exam
Other clinics and hospitals will offer more or less the same type of checkup for a higher or lower price. it is important to clarify this cost before the appointment with your doctor to avoid misunderstandings.
You should keep in mind, however, that depending on what your doctor finds out, you may also need additional tests. If your doctor suspects some problems, you may need to have a blood test, ultrasound, or CT scan.
here are some indicative prices for these tests:
the costs of these tests are not included in the cost of your physical examination. If you want a more comprehensive service, you have to pay more if you don’t have insurance or if your insurer doesn’t cover this type of health screening.
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at the cleveland clinic, for example, they offer an executive health assessment that lasts 6-8 hours. In addition to the usual physical checks, this service also includes the following:
Although the cleveland clinic has not listed the price for the executive review, you should expect the price for this type of review to be much higher than a routine 20-minute review at an outpatient clinic or treatment center. urgent care. Executive physicals typically start at $1,000 to $5,000 or more.
how to save money when getting a physical exam
The cost of a physical exam in the United States varies depending on your location and the medical provider you choose. If you are in a city with more medical providers, such as walk-in clinics and urgent care centers, the price is often more competitive, saving you money.
However, if there are only a few hospitals in your area, you may have to shell out more.
If you want to save money when you get a physical without insurance, here are some tips that might help.
what does a general checkup include?
As stated above, what is included in a general physical exam will vary depending on the medical provider chosen. however, these are some of the common things evaluated in these checkups:
In the United States, a standard/general physical exam is only viewed and evaluated by your doctor. Unless specifically stated, it will not include blood tests, X-rays, and other laboratory tests.
However, there are some physicals that include these tests, such as executive physicals or comprehensive exams. at some clinics, you may also choose tests to add to your exam if these procedures are available. These tests will have an additional cost depending on the clinic.
some of these tests include:
what kind of review do you need? only pay for what you need!
You may be wondering what kind of checkup you really need when you go to the doctor. If you don’t feel any illness or weakness and just want to get a checkup for your peace of mind, you can look for the following procedures in clinics or hospitals near you:
These tests are performed by a physician to look for any indications of disease or treatable medical condition. These tests are generally similar, but the inclusions and the sequence of how things are done will vary from doctor to doctor.
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For example, a complete medical exam will be more thorough than a general exam. Some physical exams may also include more lab tests or blood tests.
If you don’t feel anything particularly wrong with your body, it might be wiser to have a general physical exam first rather than a comprehensive executive exam that will cost a lot of money. You can also choose to add basic blood tests and EKGs that can provide an overview of your health instead of immediately performing CT scans and MRIs.
Where to get a physical without insurance?
If you don’t have any insurance but need a physical, you can get a basic medical exam at clinics and hospitals near you. depending on your need and budget, you can consider the following options:
1. outpatient clinics
Going to an outpatient clinic is a cost-effective and convenient option when you want a checkup. there are plenty of them in almost every city and town today and they accept walk-ins from patients who don’t have an immediate need for medical care but would like to get a checkup.
average cost: $50 to $200
2. hospitals
If you’re willing to pay a premium for your physical, going to a hospital is also an option for you. one of the main advantages of going to a hospital is that they usually offer more comprehensive medical exams.
In addition, there are certain procedures and tests that only hospitals can perform in the event you need follow-up tests and procedures. When making an appointment, make it known that you don’t have any insurance and ask ahead of time the exact cost of how much money to bring.
average cost: starts at $300
3. urgent care centers
Another alternative is to go to an urgent care center. Urgent care centers are frequently visited for responsive medicine, but many also provide preventive care services, such as annual physicals. one of the advantages of going to urgent care clinics is that they cost much less than going to a doctor in a hospital.
average cost: $100 to $200
get a checkup even if you don’t have insurance
Do you have a check-up pending? Even if you don’t have health insurance, it’s important not to put off these routine visits and tests because they will help ensure that any potential problems are caught early before they can cause serious damage.
See also: What happens if i go to the hospital without insurance