Know Before You Go Solo
What common care really costs — and how to pick the deductible that fits.
On a high-deductible plan, you cover the cost of non-preventive care until you reach your deductible — so it helps to know the range before you go. The figures below are illustrative national estimates to help you plan, not a quote or a guarantee of your cost. Questions? Talk to our team.
Solo's PPO network and reference-based pricing may reduce what you actually owe compared to full billed charges.
Most people don't find out what a doctor's visit, an ER trip, or a scan costs until the bill shows up. Here's a general look at what common medical services run in the U.S.
| Medical scenario | Typical cost range* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual urgent care visit | $0 | Included 24/7 via Clever Health telehealth |
| Primary care / office visit | $100 – $300 | Higher for new-patient or extended visits |
| Specialist visit | $150 – $400 | Varies by specialty and same-day testing |
| Urgent care visit | $150 – $300 | Add $100 – $500+ if X-rays or labs are needed |
| X-ray | $100 – $500 | Lowest at imaging centers; highest in an ER |
| Lab work / bloodwork panel | $100 – $500 | Depends on number and type of tests |
| MRI or CT scan | $500 – $3,000+ | Hospital imaging runs well above independent centers |
| Colonoscopy | $1,250 – $4,800 | ACA preventive screening is $0, deductible waived |
| Ambulance ride | $500 – $1,300+ | Air ambulance can run into the tens of thousands |
| Emergency room visit | $1,500 – $5,000+ | Can exceed $20,000+ for severe cases |
| Broken bone (cast, no surgery) | $500 – $2,500 | X-ray, splint/cast, and follow-up included |
| Broken bone requiring surgery | $10,000 – $30,000+ | Facility, surgeon, anesthesia, and hardware |
| Outpatient surgery (scope, hernia) | $5,000 – $15,000+ | Facility fee is usually the largest line item |
| Inpatient hospital stay (per day) | $10,000 – $15,000+ | Before physician and specialist fees |
| Childbirth — vaginal delivery | $9,000 – $17,000+ | Includes hospital, delivery, and OB fees |
| Childbirth — C-section | $15,000 – $29,000+ | Higher due to surgery and longer stay |
*Ranges reflect general U.S. averages and self-pay/billed-cost estimates from national healthcare cost research (2025–2026). They are illustrative only — not a quote, coverage determination, or guarantee of your cost. Actual charges vary by provider, location, and diagnosis.
Your deductible is also your out-of-pocket max — once you hit it, covered medical care is paid at 100%, with no coinsurance surprises. There's no single right answer; it comes down to how often you expect to need care and how much monthly cost you'd rather pay versus keep in reserve. There's also no deadline pressure on the decision — our blog explains how year-round enrollment works without an open enrollment period.
V2500
Worth weighing if you expect frequent visits, manage an ongoing condition, or simply want the lowest possible cap on what you'd pay in a year. Higher monthly cost, lower total exposure.
V5000
A middle-ground option for members who want a lower monthly cost than V2500 but still want a lower ceiling on out-of-pocket exposure than V10000 offers.
V10000
Worth weighing if you expect minimal medical use and want the lowest monthly cost, with the plan mainly protecting you against a large, unexpected medical event.
This is general information to help you think through the decision — not a recommendation for your specific situation.
- Deductible = out-of-pocket max. There's no coinsurance. Once you reach your deductible, the plan covers 100% of covered medical expenses for the rest of the plan year.
- Deductibles are per individual. The family aggregate is 2× the individual amount — for example, a $5,000 individual deductible has a $10,000 family aggregate.
- Once the family aggregate is met, covered medical care is paid at 100% for the whole family for the rest of the year. Pharmacy shifts to a copay structure after the deductible rather than 100%, so some prescription costs still apply.
- Preventive care is always $0, with the deductible waived, in line with ACA preventive guidelines.
- No annual or lifetime benefit limits. Reinsurance sits above the plan so you're never personally responsible for covered costs beyond your deductible.
- The V2500 and V5000 plans are HSA-eligible. Their high-deductible structure lets you pair them with a Health Savings Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. The V10000 plan is not currently HSA-eligible.
- Monthly plan costs are generally tax-deductible as a business expense.
- HSA eligibility ultimately depends on IRS rules and your overall coverage situation. Confirm specifics — including how to structure contributions — with your tax advisor or HSA provider.