Ummm, this really isn't the appropriate forum for medial-financial advice. In short, no you don't have to pay upfront for care. This is the US and we have laws like EMTALA that require all Emergency Departments to provide emergency care and evaluation to patients regardless of their ability to pay. So, when you check in, even if you have some BS complaint like ankle pain for 2 years, you will get an evaluaiton. However, you will still get billed when this is over, if you pay the bill and how much of it you pay is a whole other issue. What your insurance covers is dependent on your insurance. Getting your problem evaluated/treated as an outpatient/non-emergency department case is often cheaper. I suggest you search for community clinics in your area that may be government sponsored and see people on a sliding scale fee basis. In Cincinnati we have a huge list of clinics that see patient with visits starting at 20.00 each (labs/radiology/testing is extra). Good luck.
