Does Medicare cover urgent care visits?

5-minute readPublished 06/26/2026Updated 09:53 AM EST, 06/26/2026

Yes, both Medicare Part B (Medical insurance) and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) cover medically necessary urgent care visits. However, what’s covered, where you can go and how much you’ll pay depends on your Medicare plan.

Here’s a closer look at Medicare coverage for urgent care visits.

Key points

Part B covers medically necessary urgent care visits for non-life-threatening conditions.
Medicare Advantage plans offer the same urgent care coverage as Original Medicare, some with extra benefits.
Your costs can vary based on your plan, your deductible and if the urgent care clinic accepts Medicare (not all do).

What parts of Medicare cover urgent care visits?

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover urgent care visits when they’re medically necessary. Let’s explore how they compare.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare covers medically necessary urgent care visits through Part B. To be medically necessary, your provider needs a clinical reason to treat you, like a respiratory infection or sudden illness. Your treatment must only need quick attention, not a trip to the emergency room (ER).

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers and must cover everything Original Medicare covers—including urgent care. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer lower copays for urgent care or other perks.

Note: Medicare Advantage plans have their own provider networks. Some plans may require you to use in-network providers for the lowest costs.

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5-minute readPublished 06/26/2026Updated 09:53 AM EST, 06/26/2026

What urgent care services does Medicare cover?

If your urgent care is medically necessary and the provider accepts Medicare, covered services could include:

Checking and treating sudden illnesses like sinus infections or a sore throat.
Taking care of minor injuries like sprains or cuts that need stitches.
Wound care and other simple procedures.

Note: If your problem is more serious, the urgent care clinic may send you to the emergency room.

How do I find an urgent care facility that accepts Medicare?

Here are a few easy ways to find an urgent care center that accepts Medicare near you.

1. Use Medicare's Care Compare tool
Visit Medicare.gov opens in new window and search for facilities that take Medicare.

2. Call ahead
If you have a facility in mind, call and ask if they accept Medicare.

Check your Medicare Advantage plan's directory
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, look in your plan’s provider list.

What’s the cost of urgent care with Medicare?

If you only have Original Medicare, you’ll pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan , most plans charge a flat copay for urgent care visits. Check your plan's summary of benefits to understand your specific costs.

Learn more about Medicare

For more information on the costs, coverage and types of Medicare plans, check out our library of Medicare articles . To see Medicare plans in your area with their premiums, copays and participating doctors and pharmacies, visit our Humana Medicare plans page .