97,090
Emergency Medicine Physicians
100%
Accepting patients
70%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 97,090 emergency medicine physicians nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (70%). 58% accept Medicare.
Emergency medicine physicians staff hospital emergency departments and handle every type of acute medical problem: heart attacks, strokes, severe injuries, allergic reactions, breathing emergencies, and psychiatric crises. They are trained to stabilize patients, make rapid diagnoses under pressure, and manage multiple critically ill people simultaneously.
After medical school, emergency medicine physicians complete a three- to four-year residency in emergency medicine. Their training covers trauma resuscitation, cardiac emergencies, toxicology, pediatric emergencies, and procedural skills like intubation, chest tube placement, and fracture reduction. They are generalists in the truest sense, prepared for any condition that walks through the door.
Emergency departments are designed for acute, time-sensitive conditions. They are not intended for routine care, follow-ups, or non-urgent problems. Understanding when to go to the ER versus urgent care or your regular doctor saves time, money, and ensures truly emergent patients get the fastest care.
Go to an emergency department for chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms (sudden weakness, speech problems, facial drooping), severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, seizures, severe allergic reactions, high fever with confusion, poisoning or overdose, major trauma, and any condition that feels life-threatening. Call 911 for the most serious emergencies.
Patients are triaged by severity, not arrival order. A nurse will assess your vital signs and chief complaint. You will see a physician who will order tests (blood work, imaging, EKG) as needed. Treatment begins immediately for emergencies. Wait times for non-urgent conditions can be long. Be prepared to describe your symptoms, list your medications, and share your medical history. Bring your insurance card and ID.
ER visit copay: $150-500 · Average ER visit (total billed): $1,000-3,000 · CT scan in ER: $500-3,000 · Ambulance: $500-2,500
Go to the ER for potentially life-threatening conditions: chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, high fever with confusion, and major injuries. Urgent care is appropriate for non-life-threatening issues: minor cuts, sprains, ear infections, UTIs, mild fevers, and flu symptoms. When in doubt, call 911 or go to the ER.
ERs are staffed 24/7 with physicians, nurses, and technicians ready for anything, which creates high overhead. A "facility fee" covers the cost of maintaining this readiness, separate from physician charges. Tests, imaging, and procedures are billed individually. Using in-network ERs and following up with your PCP for non-emergency issues can reduce costs.
If your condition allows it, yes. For true emergencies (heart attack, stroke, severe trauma), go to the nearest ER or call 911. For less acute situations, you can choose a hospital that is in your insurance network. Federal law (EMTALA) requires all ERs to stabilize patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
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ER visits have higher copays than regular visits, typically $150 to $500. Most plans waive the ER copay if you are admitted to the hospital. The ACA requires coverage of emergency services at in-network rates even at out-of-network facilities. The No Surprises Act protects you from surprise billing by out-of-network ER doctors. Follow-up care should be done with your regular doctor to avoid repeat ER costs.