Urgent Care Cost vs ER Cost in Katy TX

When you or a loved one faces a sudden illness or minor injury, choosing where to seek care can make a big difference in both your health and your wallet. At Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions, we provide high-quality, affordable care for non-life-threatening medical issues—offering a cost-effective alternative to the emergency room (ER).

Why Choose Urgent Care Over the ER?

Urgent care centers are specifically designed to treat conditions such as minor injuries, infections, seasonal illnesses, and other routine health concerns. Because our overhead costs are lower than those of a hospital ER, our services are typically much more affordable. On average, an urgent care visit at our facility ranges from $100 to $200 before insurance, while a basic ER visit can start at $500 to $1,000 or more—even higher for complex cases.

Insurance Savings

Most insurance plans offer lower copays for urgent care than for ER visits. For example, your urgent care copay might be around $50, compared to $200 or more for an ER visit. For uninsured patients, the savings can be even more substantial by choosing urgent care.

If you’re experiencing minor illnesses, injuries, or need routine care—including IV infusions for hydration or medications—our team is here to help quickly and affordably. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing severe symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe bleeding, or other potentially life-threatening issues, please call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room.

For non-emergency health concerns, we offer significant savings and the compassionate, efficient care you deserve.

Most insurance plans cover both urgent care and emergency room (ER) services, but the costs and coverage details often differ—making your choice an important one for both your health and your finances.

Our urgent care center is designed for non-life-threatening conditions that still require timely attention—such as minor injuries, infections, mild illnesses, and more. Most insurance plans cover urgent care visits at a significantly lower copay compared to ER visits. For example, your copay might typically range from $30 to $75, while ER copays can be several hundred dollars or more (not including additional charges if your visit is deemed non-emergent by your insurer).

When to Use the Emergency Room

The ER should be reserved for severe or life-threatening conditions, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, serious injuries, or stroke symptoms. While insurance generally covers ER visits for true emergencies, you may face higher out-of-pocket costs or denied claims if the condition is not classified as an emergency under your plan’s guidelines.

Insurance Networks and Lower Costs

Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions accepts most major insurance plans and is in-network for a wide variety of providers. Visiting our urgent care center usually results in lower costs compared to an out-of-network ER, especially for non-emergent issues. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm that we are an in-network facility for your plan.

At Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions, we understand that dehydration can happen quickly—whether it’s due to illness, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. When drinking fluids isn’t enough or isn’t possible, our clinic offers prompt evaluation and treatment, including intravenous (IV) fluids to restore your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance.

Our experienced medical team will carefully assess your symptoms, check your vital signs, and may perform basic tests to determine the severity of your dehydration. If IV fluids are needed, we can start your infusion right here in our comfortable, state-of-the-art clinic.

For most mild to moderate cases of dehydration, we provide safe, effective, and convenient treatment—no appointment necessary. However, if you or your loved one is experiencing severe symptoms such as confusion, fainting, or signs of shock, please seek emergency care immediately, as these require advanced hospital resources.

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require urgent care or emergency attention, don’t hesitate to visit Memorial Health Urgent Care and Infusions. We’re here to help you get the right level of care, right when you need it.

Flu and COVID-19 can cause many similar symptoms, such as fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, and headaches. In many cases, these illnesses can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. However, it’s important to recognize the warning signs that mean you should seek professional medical attention.

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or trouble staying awake
• Bluish lips or face

These symptoms may indicate serious complications, such as pneumonia or low oxygen levels, and require prompt evaluation.
For children, additional signs that require urgent care include rapid or labored breathing, trouble feeding, dehydration (such as no urination), persistent high fever, or a seizure. Infants with any difficulty breathing, inability to keep fluids down, or unresponsiveness should be seen immediately.

Other reasons to visit urgent care include:

• A high fever that does not improve with medication
• Severe or worsening cough
• Dizziness or fainting
• Worsening of underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease

If you are immunocompromised, elderly, or pregnant, even mild symptoms should be evaluated sooner rather than later.For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 26077 Nelson Way, Unit 104, Katy, TX 77494. We serve patients from Katy TX, Brookshire TX, Park Row TX, Cinco Ranch TX, Fulshear TX, Pecan Grove TX, and surrounding areas.