CPT 99283 Emergency Medicine

How Much Does Emergency department visit - moderate complexity Cost?

Emergency department visit - moderate complexity (CPT 99283) costs $86 at Medicare rates. Hospital outpatient rate: $279.

Cost Comparison by Payer

How much Emergency department visit - moderate complexity costs across different settings and payers

Medicare
Facility rate
$86
Hospital Outpatient
OPPS rate
$279
Medicare (Facility)
$86
CMS PFS 2026 national rate
Medicare (Office/Clinic)
$145
Non-facility setting
Hospital Outpatient
$279
OPPS rate

Emergency department visit - moderate complexity Cost by Location

Medicare-adjusted rates across CMS localities

Location Medicare Rate Est. Commercial
AK — ALASKA* $114 $172 — $286
AL — ALABAMA $82 $124 — $206
AR — ARKANSAS $82 $122 — $204
AZ — ARIZONA $87 $131 — $218
AZ — Phoenix $88 $133 — $221
CA — BAKERSFIELD $90 $135 — $225
CA — CHICO $89 $134 — $224
CA — EL CENTRO $89 $134 — $224
CA — FRESNO $89 $134 — $224
CA — HANFORD-CORCORAN $89 $134 — $224
CA — LOS ANGELES-LONG BEACH-ANAHEIM (LOS ANGELES/ORANGE CNTY) $94 $141 — $235
CA — Los Angeles $96 $143 — $239
CA — MADERA $89 $134 — $224
CA — MERCED $89 $134 — $224
CA — MODESTO $89 $134 — $224
CA — NAPA $98 $147 — $245
CA — OXNARD-THOUSAND OAKS-VENTURA $93 $140 — $233
CA — REDDING $89 $134 — $224
CA — REST OF CALIFORNIA $89 $134 — $224
CA — RIVERSIDE-SAN BERNARDINO-ONTARIO $92 $138 — $229
CA — SACRAMENTO-ROSEVILLE-FOLSOM $92 $138 — $231
CA — SALINAS $92 $138 — $230
CA — SAN DIEGO-CHULA VISTA-CARLSBAD $93 $139 — $232
CA — SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND-BERKELEY (MARIN CNTY) $102 $153 — $255
CA — SAN JOSE-SUNNYVALE-SANTA CLARA (SANTA CLARA CNTY) $103 $155 — $258

How to Reduce Your Cost for Emergency department visit - moderate complexity

Practical tips that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars

  • 1
    Ask about cash-pay discounts

    Many hospitals and clinics offer 20-40% discounts for self-pay patients. Always ask before scheduling.

  • 2
    Compare facility vs. office setting costs

    For this procedure, the office rate ($145) differs from the facility rate ($86). Ask if it can be done in an office setting.

  • 3
    Shop around — costs vary significantly

    Medicare rates for this procedure range from $65 to $114 depending on location. Commercial rates vary even more.

How is the Price Calculated?

Medicare calculates procedure payments using Relative Value Units (RVUs). Each procedure has three components multiplied by a conversion factor ($33.40 in 2026) and adjusted by geographic cost indices.

1.60
Work RVU
0.85
Practice Expense RVU
0.22
Malpractice RVU

Payment = Total RVU () x CF ($33.40) = N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Emergency department visit - moderate complexity cost?

The Medicare facility rate for Emergency department visit - moderate complexity is $86. In a hospital outpatient setting, the rate is $279. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).

How much does Emergency department visit - moderate complexity cost without insurance?

Without insurance, the cost of Emergency department visit - moderate complexity can range from 150% of Medicare to 500% of Medicare depending on the facility. Many hospitals and clinics offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% off their chargemaster price. Always ask about cash pricing before your visit.

Does insurance cover Emergency department visit - moderate complexity?

Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Emergency department visit - moderate complexity when ordered by a physician for a medically necessary reason. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay/coinsurance structure, and whether you use an in-network provider. Check with your insurance company before scheduling to confirm coverage and get a cost estimate.

Why does the cost vary so much by location?

Medicare adjusts payments using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) that reflect local differences in physician work costs, practice expenses, and malpractice insurance. Manhattan, San Francisco, and other high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural regions. Commercial insurers follow similar geographic patterns.

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