Level 5 ER visit cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 55 hospitals list a cash price for emergency room visit, level 5 of 5, high-complexity problem: from $588.31 to $9,731.47, with a median of $1,763.04. The lowest listed price is at Harris Health and 1 other hospital — $1,174.73 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $1,763.04 at 291 hospitals.
- The median here, $1,763.04, is 15% above the US median of $1,531.15.
- That is 2.9× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($608.43).
- Houston, TX has the lowest median of 4 metro areas in Texas with at least 10 hospitals pricing this code.
- 13 of 55 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 55 facilities across 20 cities for code 99285, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 3, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Lowest$588.31Harris Health + 1 more
Median$1,763.04half of hospitals charge less
Highest$9,731.47in this market
Difference16.5×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $588.31Highest $9,731.47
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harris Health lowest Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG�FORENSIC DEPT VISIT LEVEL V+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $588.31 | $1,533.00 | $386.32–$2,240.00 | 62% |
| Harris Health lowest Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG�FORENSIC DEPT VISIT LEVEL V+1 more line at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $588.31 | $1,533.00 | $386.32–$2,240.00 | 62% |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 ER LEVEL 5 File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $588.67 | $3,261.73 | $568.07–$837.54 | 82% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG CRITICAL CARE VISIT, 1ST 30-74 MINUTES File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $808.53 | $4,030.00 | $1,200.00–$2,619.50 | 80% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 ECHG CRITICAL CARE VISIT, 1ST 30-74 MINUTES File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $808.53 | $4,030.00 | $1,200.00–$2,619.50 | 80% |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Emergency department visit with high level of medical decision making File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $1,156.86 | $1,928.10 | $280.00–$1,870.26 | 40% |
| Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center Liberty, TX · (936) 336-7316 99285- Ed Visit Level 5 High Decision Making source file | $1,287.00 | $1,839.00 | $1,103.00–$1,747.00 | 30% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 LEVEL V EMERGENCY EXAM File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,627.50 | $4,650.00 | $279.00–$5,687.00 | 65% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,695.20 | $5,297.50 | — | 68% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 FSED ER LEVEL V File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,753.15 | $5,009.00 | $333.10–$7,146.00 | 65% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC CEC LEVEL 5 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,760.15 | $5,029.00 | $402.32–$7,146.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC CEC LEVEL 5 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,760.15 | $5,029.00 | $442.14–$7,127.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC CEC LEVEL 5 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,760.15 | $5,029.00 | $442.14–$7,146.00 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC CEC LEVEL 5 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,760.15 | $5,029.00 | $442.14–$7,146.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC CEC LEVEL 5 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,760.15 | $5,029.00 | $402.32–$7,146.00 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC CEC LEVEL 5 File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $1,760.15 | $5,029.00 | $402.32–$7,146.00 | 65% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT LEVEL 5 VISIT HIGH SEVERITY&THREAT FUNC File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,763.04 | $5,509.50 | — | 68% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,376.00 | $4,752.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC ER VISIT LEVEL V File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $2,491.50 | $4,983.00 | — | 50% |
| Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 Emergency department visit for the E&M of a patient File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file | $2,588.57 | $5,177.13 | $374.70–$499.59 | 50% |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $3,048.00 | $3,048.00 | $426.72–$2,590.80 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $3,138.23 | $3,138.23 | $439.35–$2,667.50 | — |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC LEVEL 5 ED SERVICES+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $3,612.64 | $5,392.00 | $1,455.84–$5,122.40 | 33% |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 LVL 5 EMER DEPT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $3,700.95 | $3,700.95 | $363.00–$7,960.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $5,009.34 | $5,009.34 | $701.31–$4,257.94 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $5,550.33 | $5,550.33 | $777.05–$4,717.78 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high level of medical decision making +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $5,616.42 | $5,616.42 | $363.00–$7,960.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $5,616.42 | $5,616.42 | $786.30–$5,054.78 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $5,665.00 | $5,665.00 | $793.10–$4,815.25 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $6,019.00 | $6,019.00 | $842.66–$5,417.10 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination and high level of medical decision making +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $6,817.38 | $6,817.38 | $363.00–$7,960.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $7,151.00 | $7,151.00 | $1,001.14–$6,435.90 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $8,314.00 | $8,314.00 | $1,679.43–$7,482.60 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 LVL 5 EMER DEPT File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $9,731.47 | $9,731.47 | $1,362.41–$8,271.75 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $588.31, median $1,763.04, highest $9,731.47 — a 16.5× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 40 facilities here, median $1,760.15. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 16 of 28 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What level 5 ER visit is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Level 5 ER visit explained.