Does Medi-Cal cover urgent care?
Asked by: Dr. Darian Collins | Last update: August 25, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (68 votes)
Can I use Medi-Cal at urgent care?
Urgent care center services – Screenings and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses at urgent care facilities are covered by Medi-Cal. Laboratory and diagnostic services – Medi-Cal covers various laboratory tests, imaging services, and diagnostic procedures.
What does Medi-Cal not cover?
Restricted scope Medi-Cal covers limited services. It does not cover medicine or primary care. If you have pregnancy-related limited scope Medi-Cal, you will have the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits, if the service is medically necessary.
Is it cheaper to go to urgent care or ER without insurance?
An urgent care visit is between $100 and $200 – about ten times less than the average ER visit. If you have insurance, it should only be the cost of your co-pay. Most urgent care clinics are open 7 days a week. And, on average, wait times are 30 minutes or less.
How much is an urgent care visit in California?
The average base cost of an urgent care visit in the state of California ranges from $90 to $300. Depending on the reason for your visit, other factors such as stitches, casts, prescriptions, and lab tests can increase the overall cost of your urgent care bill.
Do I Have To Repay California Medi-Cal?
Can I go to urgent care without insurance in CA?
Most urgent care centers, including ours, provide affordable solutions for patients without insurance. In addition, for those relying on home remedies that might not suffice, seeking professional medical attention is crucial.
Are urgent care appointments free?
An urgent care center's services are available if you don't have health insurance as well. However, without insurance, you will be responsible for the entire cost of urgent care services, usually at the time of service.
How much is the copay for urgent care?
Copays for urgent care are often higher than a visit to your primary care doctor's office but lower than an emergency room visit. For example, you might pay $30-$50 for an urgent care visit, compared to $20 for your regular doctor and $200 for the ER.
Do I have to pay upfront at urgent care?
Most urgent care centers ask for payment at the time of service, which can be a barrier if you are not financially prepared.
Can urgent care prescribe antibiotics?
While urgent care centers can prescribe antibiotics for common infections, it is essential to note that antibiotics may not always be the appropriate treatment option.
What is the disadvantage of Medi-Cal?
The perception that Medi-Cal offered poorer coverage or less respectful treatment than other types of insurance. Concerns among noncitizen respondents that applying for Medi-Cal might affect their immigration status.
What does Medi-Cal pay for?
Medi-Cal covers most medically necessary care. This includes doctor and dentist appointments, prescription drugs, vision care, family planning, mental health care, and drug or alcohol treatment.
Why do some doctors not accept Medi-Cal?
Why doctors say they don't see Medi-Cal patients. While low reimbursement rates are the most common reason California doctors say they limit the number of Medi-Cal patients they see, the program's administrative burden is also daunting. Source: California Health Care Foundation.
When should I go to urgent care?
- A cut that needs stitches.
- Abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Sore throat.
- Ear pain.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
- An eye scratch.
- Worsening of an existing condition, such as mild to moderate asthma.
Can you go to any doctor if you have Medi-Cal?
Your access to Medi-Care health plans depends on what California county you live in. Once you choose a Medi-Cal managed care plan, you will select your primary care physician (PCP), the main doctor you will see for your routine checkups and visits when you're sick.
Do urgent cares reduce ER visits?
On average, residents from each ZIP code visited the ED 161 times per hour over the course of the year. Having an urgent care center in a ZIP code reduced this number by 27.7 visits (P < 0.05), a relative decrease of 17.2%, during the hours the urgent care center was open.
Is it cheaper to go to urgent care or doctor?
Despite urgent care's reputation for being more expensive than primary care, the costs of these services are usually quite similar, especially for individuals with insurance.
Can urgent care turn you away if you owe them money?
The law requires hospitals to provide care for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The same applies to urgent care facilities owned by hospitals.
What is the difference between urgent and emergency care?
Emergency Room: At the ER, the more severe the condition, the sooner the patient will see a doctor. Urgent Care: Urgent care typically works on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to the ER, where there's a wider range of specialists and treatment options. If you experience non-life-threatening symptoms like…
Is urgent care free with Medi-Cal?
Yes, Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, does provide coverage for urgent care visits, including those to Reddy Urgent Care, under the guidance of Dr. Usha Rani K. Reddy, MD.
Does it cost extra to go to urgent care?
The average cost for an urgent care visit ranges from $75 to $150, depending on the service. You'll likely pay a copay, which can be higher than that for primary care visits but far less than emergency room costs. If you need additional services like lab tests or X-rays, those can increase the overall urgent care cost.
What to say when you walk into urgent care?
- Do you have a family doctor/GP? (You can tell her your doctor's name in your country.)
- Why do you need to see a doctor today?
- What is your medical concern?
- How long have you had this problem/these symptoms?
- Are you taking any medication?
- Do you have any allergies?
Does urgent care bill you later with insurance?
Not all urgent care centers bill you later with insurance. However, some urgent care centers may allow you to pay at a later date using insurance. It is always best to check the policy of the urgent care center you have selected before your visit.
Is urgent care the same as a walk in clinic?
Urgent care clinics and walk-in clinics are similar in many ways, as they both accept walk-in appointments, and neither are equipped to treat life-threatening medical emergencies. At Reddy Urgent Care, we proudly provide urgent care services to patients. For more information, call us now.
How long is the wait at urgent care?
On average, patients at urgent care centers are seen within 15-45 minutes of their arrival. This is significantly faster than the typical emergency room wait, which can stretch into hours.