Cash-Pay Medical Costs:
Know the Cash Price Before You Go
Self-pay costs vary by provider, service, and location. Search a nationwide provider directory and compare published prices or labeled estimates where available.
2,200+
Hospital Systems
9M+
Provider directory listings
50M+
Price Records
6,000+
Hospitals Reporting
Why Cash-Pay Is Often Cheaper
Insurance adds hidden costs at every step. Cash-pay patients bypass the entire system.
No Insurance Billing Overhead
Hospitals spend $200-$600 per claim on insurance billing. Cash-pay eliminates this entirely.
No Chargemaster Markup
Insurance rates are based on inflated "chargemaster" prices. Cash rates bypass this markup.
Immediate Payment
Providers value guaranteed upfront payment vs waiting 30-90 days for insurance reimbursement.
No Collection Risk
Cash-pay patients have zero risk of non-payment, which reduces the "bad debt" markup.
Cash-Pay vs Insurance: Real Price Comparisons
See how much you can save on common procedures by paying cash.
MRI
CT Scan
Colonoscopy
Mammogram
Ultrasound
Blood Panel
X-Ray
Physical Exam
How to Find Cash-Pay Prices
Follow these steps to get the best self-pay rates.
Compare Prices First
Use FairVisitHealth to compare cash-pay prices from multiple providers in your area. Prices for the same procedure can vary by 500% or more.
Ask the Right Question
Call the provider and ask: "What is your self-pay or cash-pay rate?" This is different from the list price billed to insurers, and is lower than it.
Request Good Faith Estimate
Under the No Surprises Act, providers must give you a written estimate before scheduled services. Get this in writing to avoid surprise bills.
Negotiate if Needed
Cash prices are almost always negotiable. Offer to pay upfront for an additional discount, or ask them to match Medicare rates.
Get It in Writing
Before any service, get the agreed cash price in writing. This protects you from billing errors or price changes.
Cash-Pay Healthcare FAQs
Start Saving on Healthcare Today
Search the nationwide provider directory and review available cash-pay prices or labeled estimates. Availability varies by service and location.