How much more expensive is the Emergency Department than the Urgent Care?

We all know that for significant concerns such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, a patient should go to the Emergency Department (ED).  Emergency Department visits are expensive, averaging $1200 per visit.  In the United States, $47 billion total is spent for Emergency Department visits per year.

For minor complaints, how does Urgent Care compare for costs?

The average cost for a visit to the ED for Bronchitis is $595.  At an Urgent Care it would be $127.

If a patient goes to the ED for an earache, the average cost would be $400.  At an Urgent Care it would be $110.

For a Urinary Tract Infection, the average cost at an ED would be $665.  At an Urgent Care it would be $112.