Top Small Emergency Rooms That Accept Medicare [2024]
If you are searching for small emergency rooms that take Medicare, you will find plenty. Most emergency rooms and urgent care facilities accept Medicare insurance. If you are seen in an ER and then sent home, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the fees associated with your visit once you’ve met your deductible. If you are admitted to a hospital for care, Medicare Part A will cover your visit as long as you are admitted for at least two nights.
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Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jan 25, 2024
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UPDATED: Jan 25, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Medicare Part B will cover a visit to the ER if you are not admitted to the hospital
- If you are admitted to the hospital, Medicare PartA will cover you, but only if you are admitted for more than 48 hours
- Medigap insurance can help cover the instances when Medicare Parts A and B will not help with coverage in the ER
Occasionally, we experience things we could never predict, and we may end up needing emergency care. If you are 65 or older, you may be curious about how Medicare works when you have to go to the emergency room.
There are plenty of large and small emergency rooms that take Medicare. If you are having an emergency, even if it’s during a doctor’s regular office hours, you should go straight to the emergency room.
While a Medicare emergency room fee schedule is something you may have to consider after your trip to the ER or an urgent care, when you’re in the moment, the last thing you want to worry about is money.
So do emergency rooms and urgent care take Medicare? Does Medicare cover urgent care and emergency room visits?
Most emergency rooms and urgent care facilities do take Medicare insurance. Like most other health insurance options, Medicare is commonly used in emergency situations and is accepted in most places.
If you’re curious to see Medicare insurance quotes for small emergency rooms, keep in mind that different plans will vary when it comes to ER fees.
This is especially true for Medicare Advantage plans. Because Medicare Advantage insurance companies that cover small emergency rooms are technically independent insurance companies, their rates and coverages may be different from those of Original Medicare.
You can use our free tool above to compare Medicare insurance rates for small emergency rooms today and see how much you could be saving.
How does Medicare work in a small emergency room?
When you visit urgent care or the ER, you will initially be using Medicare Part B for your coverage.
If you are not admitted to a hospital, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of your visit to an emergency room once you have met your deductible. In 2021, the deductible for Medicare Part B is $203.
Once you are admitted to the emergency room for care, Medicare plans will typically cover you with your Plan A coverage.
The tricky part about ER visits with Medicare is the time frame. If you visit an emergency room but are not admitted, Medicare Part A does not go into effect.
But Medicare Part A doesn’t automatically cover you if you’re admitted to the hospital either. You have to be admitted to the hospital for two consecutive evenings — or over 48 hours — for Medicare Part A to kick in.
Once you are admitted for two nights or longer, Medicare Part A will cover your inpatient hospital stay and the fees associated with your outpatient ER care. (For more information, read our “Top Medicare Part A and B Coverage: What You Need to Know“).
You may feel like your health insurance costs too much. If that’s the case, you can compare rates to see what other companies are charging for the same types of coverage.
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How much will I pay to visit the ER if I have Medicare?
Your fees for the ER will vary depending on the reason for your visit, how long you stay, and whether you’re admitted to the hospital.
If everything you do in the emergency room is outpatient — meaning you’re never admitted to the hospital — an Original Medicare plan will cover 80% of your fees once you’ve met your Plan B deductible.
Most Medicare Advantage plans will also cover around 80% of the fees associated with your visit.
Once you are admitted to the hospital, you will receive full coverage with your Medicare Part A plan as long as you stay in the hospital for two nights. If you are admitted but do not stay 48 hours or more, your coverage will vary.
Regardless of how much Medicare will cover, you should still plan to pay all of your coinsurance and copay fees for your visit to an emergency room.
You may want to consider searching for affordable Medicare insurance for small emergency rooms. There is a chance you could be saving on your rates by switching to a Medicare Advantage plan.
Before you buy Medicare insurance for small emergency rooms, be sure to use our free tool below to compare rates and coverage options and see how much you could save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there small emergency rooms that accept Medicare?
Yes, there are small emergency rooms that accept Medicare. While larger hospitals often have emergency departments, there are smaller medical facilities, such as urgent care centers and freestanding emergency rooms, that also provide emergency care and accept Medicare.
How can I find small emergency rooms that accept Medicare?
To find small emergency rooms that accept Medicare, you can:
- Use Medicare’s Provider Directory: Visit the official Medicare website and use their Provider Directory tool to search for emergency rooms or urgent care centers in your area that accept Medicare.
- Contact Medicare: Call Medicare’s toll-free number and ask for assistance in finding small emergency rooms that accept Medicare in your location. They can provide you with a list of options based on your specific needs.
- Research Local Facilities: Conduct online research or contact local medical facilities directly to inquire if they have emergency rooms that accept Medicare. Smaller clinics, urgent care centers, or freestanding emergency rooms may be more likely to accept Medicare.
What should I consider when choosing a small emergency room that accepts Medicare?
When choosing a small emergency room that accepts Medicare, consider the following factors:
- Medicare Acceptance: Ensure that the facility accepts Medicare and is a participating provider in the Medicare program.
- Location: Consider the proximity of the facility to your home or the areas you frequently visit. Choose a facility that is easily accessible in case of emergencies.
- Services Offered: Confirm that the small emergency room provides the necessary emergency care services you may require. This may include diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and a range of emergency medical treatments.
- Hours of Operation: Check the operating hours of the facility, as some small emergency rooms may have limited hours compared to larger hospitals. Consider facilities that align with your schedule and offer 24/7 emergency care if needed.
- Reputation and Reviews: Research the reputation of the facility by reading online reviews or seeking recommendations from healthcare professionals or friends who have utilized their services. Look for positive feedback regarding their emergency care and Medicare acceptance.
- Insurance Coverage: Aside from Medicare, verify if the facility accepts any supplemental insurance you may have, as well as any additional out-of-pocket expenses you may be responsible for.
Will Medicare cover the costs of emergency care in small emergency rooms?
Medicare generally covers emergency care services, including those provided in small emergency rooms, as long as the facility is Medicare-approved and the care is considered medically necessary. Medicare Part B typically covers emergency room services, while Medicare Part A may cover inpatient hospital stays if required.
Will I have any out-of-pocket expenses with Medicare in small emergency rooms?
While Medicare covers a portion of the costs for emergency care, you may still be responsible for certain out-of-pocket expenses. This may include deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance, depending on your specific Medicare plan. It’s important to review your Medicare coverage and consult with your insurance provider or Medicare directly to understand your financial responsibilities for emergency care services.
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Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.