SelfPayRates
Cash prices Illinois Outpatient

ER visit cost in Illinois without insurance

In Illinois, the median cash price for Level 3 ER visit is $700.00 across 112 hospitals, from $121.78 to $3,495.00. The lowest is at Loretto Hospital (Chicago). The US median is $644.80.

Illinois law (Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, 210 ILCS 89): an uninsured Illinois resident with family income up to 600% of the federal poverty level (300% at rural and critical access hospitals) can apply for a discount that brings the bill down to about 135% of the hospital's cost; up to 200% (125% at rural hospitals) medically necessary care is free. A hospital may collect no more than 25% of family income in 12 months. Ask the billing office for the application. Other states' laws.

The ER visit price is the hospital's facility fee for one emergency department visit, set by one of five levels (99281–99285) that reflect how complex the care was. The emergency physician bills separately, and lab tests, imaging, medicines and procedures are added on top. In an emergency, go to the nearest ER or call 911: under the federal EMTALA law, hospital emergency departments must screen and stabilize anyone regardless of ability to pay.

Collected Nov 10, 2026 One price per hospital: its lowest outpatient cash price for the code

ER visit prices in Illinois by type

The level is assigned after the visit based on how complex the evaluation and treatment were, so it cannot be chosen in advance. Level 3 (99283) is a common middle level and is used in the state table; a minor problem is usually level 1 or 2, and a serious illness that leads to admission is usually level 5.

ProcedureHospitalsRangeMedianUS median
Level 1 ER visit Emergency room visit, level 1 of 5, minor problem that may not need a doctor · code 99281 111 $56.80–$1,646.00 $224.00 $222.62
Level 2 ER visit Emergency room visit, level 2 of 5, straightforward problem · code 99282 112 $70.67–$1,155.08 $400.17 $389.18
Level 3 ER visit Emergency room visit, level 3 of 5, low-complexity problem · code 99283 112 $121.78–$3,495.00 $700.00 $644.80
Level 4 ER visit Emergency room visit, level 4 of 5, moderate-complexity problem · code 99284 111 $112.84–$6,500.00 $1,144.08 $1,043.20
Level 5 ER visit Emergency room visit, level 5 of 5, high-complexity problem · code 99285 111 $296.80–$12,285.00 $1,597.64 $1,531.15
Procedure The service and its billing code (CPT or HCPCS). Opens the comparison of every hospital that prices it. More
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Middle 80% Cash prices of most hospitals: a tenth of hospitals charge less than the first number (P10), a tenth charge more than the second (P90). More
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
US median The median cash price across all US hospitals that publish one for this code.

Outpatient cash prices in Illinois. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest cash price for the code; prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Pick a procedure to compare every hospital in the state.

Lowest Level 3 ER visit prices in Illinois

ER visit cost by metro area in Illinois

ER visit cost in other states

Paying cash: what to do

  • Ask for an itemized bill with CPT codes, and check the visit level against the prices on this page.
  • Ask for the hospital's financial assistance application; nonprofit hospitals must have a written policy and cannot charge eligible patients more than they generally bill insured patients.
  • The emergency physician group sends its own bill, so ask it separately for a self-pay discount and a payment plan.