X-Ray Services at Urgent Care Centers
The majority of urgent care facilities have on-site X-ray equipment staffed by trained technicians. This allows them to quickly diagnose broken bones, fractures, dislocations, and lung conditions like pneumonia—all without the long wait times of an emergency room.
What Types of X-Rays Can Urgent Care Do?
Urgent care centers typically offer X-rays for:
- Extremities: Arms, legs, hands, feet, ankles, wrists
- Chest: Pneumonia, bronchitis, lung infections
- Spine: Basic back and neck imaging
- Ribs: Suspected rib fractures
What they can't do: MRIs, CT scans, or complex imaging requiring specialized equipment. For these, you'll need a hospital or imaging center.
How Much Do X-Rays Cost at Urgent Care?
| Situation | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Without insurance | $100-$250 |
| With insurance (copay) | $25-$75 |
| With Medicaid | $0-$25 |
This is significantly cheaper than emergency room X-rays, which can cost $500-$1,500 or more.
What to Expect During Your Visit
The X-ray process at urgent care is straightforward:
- Check in and describe your symptoms/injury
- A provider examines you and orders the X-ray
- A technician takes the images (5-10 minutes)
- Results are typically ready in 15-30 minutes
- The provider reviews results and discusses treatment
When to Go to the ER Instead
Head to an emergency room if you have:
- Severe trauma or multiple injuries
- Suspected spinal cord injury
- Open fractures (bone through skin)
- Chest pain with difficulty breathing
- Head injuries with loss of consciousness