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Understanding Hospital Fees

Insured costs.

If you are insured under the  Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) , the majority of costs incurred as a result of a hospital visit will be covered by this insurance. Costs that are not covered by MSP are billed to the patient directly. These uninsured costs include:

• preferred accommodation
• uninsured services
• procedures requested by third parties

If you believe you have received a bill in error and have MSP coverage, call us immediately with your Care Card number.

Uninsured Costs Payable by Patient 

Preferred accommodation.

If you request and are given a semi or private room, you (or your extended benefits) will be billed for the room at the appropriate room rate. 

Stays in hospital while awaiting long term care

You will be billed for a daily ward rate if you are waiting to transfer to a long term care home. This starts after a 30-day grace period (from the start of your wait) and will continue until the date of your transfer to a long term care facility.

Refusing discharge

If it is determined that you no longer require acute care services and are discharged, but refuse to leave you will be billed at the current ward rate set by the BC Ministry of Health for each night you remain in the hospital.

Medical supplies

Supplies, or miscellaneous charges, include but are not limited to – crutches, casts, splints, non-standard intraocular lenses, and non-standard hip or knee implants. These items are not covered by B.C. provincial health care and are items that are billable to the patient. We do not bill extended plans for these charges.

The Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) covers tests that are medically required. Some tests are only covered if you meet the medical requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, you will be billed. 

Some tests ordered by third parties such as immigration/emigration departments, midwives, nurse practitioners or naturopaths are not covered by the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) .

If you feel that you were incorrectly billed for a medically required test, have your doctor email   [email protected] with the details.

View more information on charges not covered by provincial health care on the BC Ministry of Health website.

Ambulance fees

Charges for BC Ambulance Service  are not the responsibility of Island Health. If you have a concern, contact BC Ambulance Service. BC Ambulance Service bills can be paid at any major bank.

Emergency Department

If you are an uninsured, out-of-province, or out-of-country patient, visit our non-residents page.

In order for your visit to be covered, you must have valid provincial medical coverage. If you were billed but have MSP , please call us.

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NACRS emergency department visits and lengths of stay

Provisional data (updated): NACRS Emergency Department Visits and Lengths of Stay by Province/Territory, 2023–2024 (Q1 to Q2) — Provisional Data (XLSX)

Data tables:   NACRS Emergency Department Visits and Lengths of Stay by Province/Territory, 2022–2023 (Q1 to Q4) (XLSX)

Data tables: NACRS Emergency Department Visits: Volumes and Median Lengths of Stay, 2003–2004 to 2021–2022 — Supplementary Statistics (XLSX)

Contact us:

The most recent emergency department findings based on provisional data (April to September 2023) can be found under Featured material . Note: Provisional data should be interpreted with caution.

February 22, 2024 — The data collected by CIHI’s National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS) provides valuable insights into emergency department (ED) visits and lengths of stay reported by participating provinces and territories in Canada.

NACRS data shows that from April 2022 to March 2023 (the most recent complete year of data), there were more than 15.1 million unscheduled ED visits reported in Canada — up from almost 14.0  million in 2021–2022. The number of reported ED visits has returned to pre-pandemic volumes (almost 15.1 million in 2019–2020). 

Use the data tables to explore the most recent information on ED visits and lengths of stay by participating province and territory.

Key findings

• The number of reported unscheduled ED visits rose to more than 15.1 million in 2022–2023, up from almost 14.0 million in 2021–2022. The volume of visits has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
• While ED visit volumes increased across all age groups, the largest increase was observed in the youngest (0 to 4 years), where volumes increased by 31% — from just over 1.0 million in 2021–2022 to almost 1.4 million in 2022–2023.
• Consistent with previous years, patients admitted to hospital in 2022–2023 had longer ED stays than patients who were discharged home following a less urgent ED visit. For those admitted to hospital, 9 out of 10 ED visits were completed within 49.0 hours; for those who were discharged, it was 7.6 hours.
• For admitted patients, ED stays were longer in 2022–2023 than in 2021–2022, with 9 out of 10 ED visits completed within 49.0 hours versus within 40.7 hours, respectively. 
• In 2022–2023, abdominal and pelvic pain, and pain in the throat and chest continued to be the most frequent main problem diagnoses in EDs. Volumes of ED visits increased for respiratory infections and viral infections, and these were among the top main problem diagnoses in 2022–2023.

Featured material

Nacrs emergency department visits and lengths of stay by province/territory, 2023–2024 (q1 to q2) — provisional data.

Updated February 22, 2024

This release contains 2023–2024 provisional information (April 2023 to September 2023) on ED visits and lengths of stay, based on data submitted to NACRS.

Download data tables (XLSX)

NACRS Emergency Department Visits and Lengths of Stay by Province/Territory, 2022–2023 (Q1 to Q4)

These tables contain the most recent information on ED visits and lengths of stay by province and territory, based on data submitted to NACRS.

NACRS Emergency Department Visits: Volumes and Median Lengths of Stay, 2003–2004 to 2021–2022 — Supplementary Statistics

These data tables contain information on ED visit volumes and duration of ED visits by triage level, disposition, age/sex group and selected main problems.

Related resources

• COVID-19’s impact on emergency departments
• Your Health System: In Depth
• Emergency Department Visits: Volumes and Median Lengths of Stay Metadata (PDF)

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for Health Information. NACRS emergency department visits and lengths of stay . Accessed April 28, 2024.

If you have a disability and would like CIHI information in a different format, visit our Accessibility page .

How much does an ER visit cost?

$1,500 – $3,000 average cost without insurance (non-life-threatening condition), $0 – $500 average cost with insurance (after meeting deductible).

Average ER visit cost

An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average without insurance, with most people spending about $2,100 for an urgent, non-life-threatening health issue. The cost of an emergency room visit depends on the severity of the condition and the tests, treatments, and medications needed to treat it.

Cost data is from research and project costs reported by BetterCare members.

Emergency room visit cost with insurance

The cost of an ER visit for an insured patient varies according to the insurance plan and the nature and severity of their condition. Some plans cover a percentage of the total cost once you meet your deductible, while others charge an average co-pay of $50 to $500 .

The No Surprises Act , effective January 1, 2022, protects insured individuals from unreasonably high medical bills for emergency services received from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. The act also established a dispute resolution process for both insured and uninsured or self-pay individuals.

Cost of an ER visit without insurance

An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average without insurance for non-life-threatening conditions. Costs can reach $20,000+ for critical conditions requiring extensive testing or emergency surgery. Essentially, the more severe your condition or issue, the more you are likely to pay for the ER visit.

Factors that impact ER visit costs

Many factors affect the cost of an ER visit, including:

Facility type – Freestanding emergency departments often cost 50% more than hospital-based emergency rooms.

Time of day – An ER visit at night typically costs more than the same type of visit during the day.

Level of care – The more severe your condition is, the more time and expertise it takes to diagnose and treat, and the higher the total ER visit cost.

Ambulance ride – An ambulance ride costs $500 to $1,300 on average, depending on whether you need basic or advanced life support during transport.

Medications – Oral medications, injections, or IVs needed during your stay all add the total cost of your ER visit.

Medical equipment & supplies – Any other supplies used to diagnose and treat you—such as a cast for a broken bone or bandages and sutures to close an open wound—increase the cost.

Testing – Each medical test is typically a separate charge. Tests may include urine tests, blood tests, X-rays, or other more advanced imaging tests.

Insurance coverage:

Out-of-pocket costs may be higher for those with high-deductible insurance plans.

While ER visit costs are generally higher for the uninsured, many hospitals offer discounts for self-pay patients.

ER facility fee by level

An ER facility fee ranges from $200 to $4,000 , depending on the severity level of your symptoms and condition. The facility fee is the cost to walk in the door and be evaluated by a physician. Other services you may need, such as lab tests, imaging, and surgical procedures, are charged separately.

To understand your ER bill: Emergency rooms rank severity levels 1 through 5, with Level 1 being the most severe or urgent. However, most of the billing codes for emergency room visits are reversed, with level 1 being the least severe.

Common conditions and procedures

The table below shows the average ER visit cost for common ailments. Prices vary greatly depending on how much testing and expertise is required to accurately diagnose and treat you.

Emergency room vs. urgent care

An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 , while the average urgent care visit costs $150 to $250 without insurance. Urgent care facilities can treat most non-life-threatening conditions and typically have less wait time than the ER. For more detail, check out our guide comparing the cost of an emergency room vs. urgent care .

Other alternatives to the ER for less serious health issues include primary care, telemedicine, and free clinics. Check with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to find a free clinic near you.

FAQs about ER visit costs

Why are er visits so expensive.

ER visits are expensive because emergency rooms run on a 24-hour schedule and require a large and wide range of staff, including front desk personnel, maintenance, nurses, doctors, and surgeons. ERs also run and maintain a lot of expensive equipment and need a constant supply of medications and medical supplies.

While ER visits can be expensive, ER bills are negotiable. If you receive an unexpectedly large ER bill, ask for a discount and question the coding.

Does insurance cover ER visits?

Insurance typically covers some or all of an ER visit, though you may need to meet a deductible first, depending on the plan. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance providers to cover ER visits for "emergency medical conditions" without prior authorization and regardless of whether they are in or out-of-network.

An "emergency medical condition" is considered something so severe that a reasonable person would seek help right away to avoid serious harm.

When should you go to the ER?

You should go to the ER for any serious, potentially life-threatening symptoms, including:

Trouble breathing

Serious head injury

Sudden severe pain

Severe burn

Severe allergic reaction

Major broken bones

Uncontrollable bleeding

Suddenly feeling weak or unable to move, speak, or walk

Sudden change in vision

Sudden confusion

Fever that does not resolve with over-the-counter medicine

Tips to reduce your ER bill

An ER visit can cost thousands of dollars, even if you have insurance. Here are some guidelines to ensure you are not overpaying:

Determine if you truly need an emergency room. If your health issue is not life threatening, consider going to an urgent care facility instead as the cost for the same care can be much less.

Go to a hospital-based ER. Freestanding ER centers typically cost much more than a hospital-based emergency room.

Call ahead to confirm payment options and the current wait time.

Ask about costs up front. If you are uninsured, consider asking the following questions to prevent you from surprises on your future bill:

Do you have discounted pricing for patients without insurance?

Will it cost less if I pay with cash?

What will the fee be for my specific issue?

Do you think I will need additional tests, and what will they cost?

How much do you charge for X-rays?

If I need medication, how much will it cost?

We use our proprietary database of project costs, personally contact industry experts to compile up-to-date pricing and insights, and conduct in-depth research to ensure accuracy in all our guides.

• An emergency room visit typically is covered by health insurance. For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket cost for an emergency room visit typically consists of a copay, usually $50-$150 or more, which often is waived if the patient is admitted to the hospital. Depending on the plan, costs might include coinsurance of 10% to 50%.
• For patients without health insurance, an emergency room visit typically costs from $150-$3,000 or more, depending on the severity of the condition and what diagnostic tests and treatment are performed. In some cases, especially where critical care is required and/or a procedure or surgery is performed, the cost could reach $20,000 or more. For example, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in Minnesota, a low-level emergency room visit, such as for a minor laceration, a skin rash or a minor viral infection, costs about $150 ; a moderate-level visit, such as for a urinary tract infection with fever or a head injury without neurological symptoms, about $400 ; and a high-level visit, such as for chest pains that require multiple diagnostic tests or treatments, or severe burns or ingestion of a toxic substance, about $1,000, not including the doctor fees. At Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center[ 1 ] , a low-level emergency room visit costs about $220, including hospital charge and doctor fee, with the uninsured discount, while a moderate-level visit costs about $610 and a high-level visit about $1,400 .
• Services, diagnostic tests and laboratory fees add to the final bill. For example, Wooster Community Hospital, in Ohio, charges about $170 for a simple suture, $200 for a complex suture, about $170 for a minor procedure and about $400 for a major procedure, not including doctor fees, medicine or supplies.
• A doctor fee could add hundreds or thousands of dollars to the final cost. For example, at Grand Lake Health System[ 2 ] in Ohio, an emergency room doctor charges about $100 for basic care, such as a wound recheck or simple laceration repair; about $300 for mid-level care, such as treatment of a simple fracture; about $870 for advanced-level care, such as frequent monitoring of vital signs and ordering multiple diagnostic tests, administering sedation or a blood transfusion for a seriously injured or ill patient; and about $1,450 for critical care, such as major trauma care or major burn care that could include chest tube insertion and management of IV medications and ventilator for a patient with a complex, life-threatening condition. At the Kettering Health Network, in Ohio, a low-level visit costs about $350, a high-level visit costs about $2,000 and critical care costs almost $1,700 for the first hour and $460 for each additional half hour; ER procedures or surgeries cost $460-$2,300 .
• According to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality[ 3 ] the average emergency room expense in 2008 was $1,265 .
• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2008, about 18%of emergency room patients waited less than 15 minutes to see a doctor, about 37%waited 15 minutes to an hour, about 15% waited one to two hours, about 5% waited two to three hours, about 2% waited three to four hours, and about 1.5% waited four to six hours.
• In some cases, the doctor might recommend the patient be admitted to the hospital. The American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation offers a guide[ 4 ] on what to expect.
• An ambulance ride typically costs $400-$1,200 or more, depending on the location and services performed.
• An urgent care center offers substantial savings for more minor ailments. DukeHealth.org offers a guide[ 5 ] on when to seek urgent care. An urgent care visit typically costs between 20% and 50% of the cost of an emergency room visit. MainStreetMedica.com offers a cost-comparison tool for common ailments.
• Hospitals often offer discounts of up to 50% or more for self-pay/uninsured emergency room patients. For example, Ventura County Medical Center[ 6 ] in California offers ER visits, including the doctor fee and emergency room fee but not including lab tests, X-rays or procedures, for $150 for patients up to 200% of the federal poverty level, for $225 for patients between 200% and 500% of the federal poverty level and $350 for patients from 500% to 700% of the federal poverty level.
• The American College of Emergency Physicians Foundation offers a primer[ 7 ] on when to go to the emergency room.
• In most cases, it is recommended to go to the nearest emergency room. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a hospital-comparison tool[ 8 ] that lists hospitals near a chosen zip code.
•   patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/out_of_pocket_estimator_dhmc.ht...
•   www.grandlakehealth.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106&Itemid=60
•   meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/tables_compendia_hh_interactive.jsp?_SERVICE=MEPS...
•   www.EmergencyCareforYou.org/VitalCareMagazine/ER101/Default.aspx?id=1288
•   www.dukehealth.org/health_library/health_articles/wheretogo
•   resources.vchca.org/documents/SELF%20PAY%20DISCOUNT%20GRID%20-%20BOARD%20LETTER%20...
•   www.EmergencyCareforYou.org/YourHealth/AboutEmergencies/Default.aspx?id=26018
•   www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/(S(efntd2saaeir2l5pgarwuvvg))/search.aspx?AspxAut...

• You are here:

Click on a question to see the answer:

1) what is this effort about… and why now, 2) what is going wrong in bc’s ers, 3) we have been hearing about long er waits and ‘overcrowding’ in bc and across canada for years. what makes things especially urgent now, 4) how much will a solution cost how much will it add to the overall health care budget, 5) how do we know how many doctors we need, 6) can er overcrowding be fixed don’t we need hundreds more hospital beds, 7) how can tax-payers keep up indefinitely with this growing demand for er service, 8) what is government doing about the er doctor shortage, 9) what is overcrowding what does patient access block to wards mean, 10) what is government doing about er overcrowding or patient access block, 11) government is telling us that bc is actually doing well compared to other provinces. is that true, 12) i recently went to my local er and was seen fairly promptly. how can i believe that things are getting worse, 13) could er doctors just work extra hours, 14) won’t this all cost more than tax payers can afford, 15) how can you be so sure the bc er treatment plan will work, 16) isn’t the overcrowding problem simply people using the er inappropriately, 17) the government just announced funding for “a gp for me” - a program designed to help all british columbians access a family doctor. won’t this ease pressure on bc’s ers, how is your hospital doing.

Data-driven insights to improve the health of all Americans.

Feeling sick? Know where to go

3 options to seek care when you're sick.

When If you’re one of the millions of Americans with a new Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plan, congratulations!  You’ve successfully enrolled with the oldest and largest health insurance network in America and can enjoy the security of unparalleled access to quality, affordable healthcare. But what happens next?

The answer is putting your insurance to use. We know you don’t expect to get sick, or anticipate an accidental injury or life-threatening health event, but when an ailment strikes knowing where to go can help relieve some of the worry and stress. (You can find out more about your coverage by calling the number on the back of your member card or by visiting your BCBS company website .)

There are three places available for you to seek care: your physician’s office, an urgent-care or walk-in clinic, or the emergency room. Below, The Blues® offer some guidance on how to determine the right destination for your treatment needs. You can also find additional suggestions on how to choose where to go to seek treatment for common health problems  on BCBS.com.

1. Physician’s Office

“I can’t say it enough. Having a relationship with a personal physician is the most important thing you can do for your health,” says Dr. Tim Gutshall, family physician and chief medical officer at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield . According to Gutshall, if you don’t have a personal physician, make it a priority to find one.

“You should be able to talk to your personal physician about anything. Don’t hesitate when it comes to calling your personal physician in urgent care situations. Your physician’s office or on-call service is trained to guide you through these events. It’s one of the main benefits of having a physician who knows you.”

Need help finding a physician? Read our Five Tips for Choosing a New Primary Care Physician . You can also  find in-network doctors and hospitals with our provider directory. Or call the 1-800 number on the back of your member card. 

2. Emergency Room or Call 911

If you feel it’s an emergency, act quickly – don’t hesitate. Go to the emergency room or call 911. In some cases, such as a stroke or heart attack, delays in treatment often lead to more serious consequences.

It may seem obvious, but emergency rooms are not the place for routine care. However, every year millions of Americans use the emergency room for routine medical care. They face long waits for care they could receive more quickly in a physician’s office.

What's more, you'll pay far more out-of-pocket for emergency room care. Office visit copayments or coinsurance typically cost around $10-$30. Emergency room copayments or coinsurance will cost you far more, likely between $100-$300.

3. Urgent Care

If you feel your condition doesn’t require the emergency room, call your personal physician or go to a walk-in clinic or urgent care center.  Some Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies also offer a toll-free 24-hour nurse line , which you can find on the back of your member card, or by visiting your BCBS company website .

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What Is an Emergency?

Life happens. One minute you’re making dinner and the next you slice your finger. Luckily, your health care coverage puts you in control of your health care and costs.

You have choices when it comes to choosing care. Just because your finger is hurt doesn’t mean you need to go to the emergency room (ER). And in some cases, if you do go to the ER, your visit may not be covered. This means you could end up paying part or all of the bill.

Knowing what is — and isn’t — an emergency can help you plan for the unexpected.

When the ER Should be Used

You should go to the ER for life-threatening symptoms, such as:

• Heart problems
• Breathing problems
• Heavy bleeding
• Broken bones
• Severe pain

When the ER Shouldn't be Used

You have choices other than the ER for health concerns like:

• Colds, sore throat and flu symptoms
• Ear or sinus pain
• Cuts that don’t need stitches
• Constipation
• Tolerable pain

Help Is Available When Choosing Care Options

Check out this complete list for choosing care options .

• Call our 24/7 Bilingual Nurseline Bilingual (English and Spanish) nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-581-0368 for help identifying some options when you or a family member has a health problem or concern.
• Estimate Treatment Costs Before going for any care, you can log in to Blue Access for Members SM (BAM SM ) and use the cost estimator tool to compare costs.

Freestanding Emergency Room or Urgent Care

Knowing whether to go to freestanding emergency care centers and urgent care centers can be tricky. While they may seem like the same thing, they do have different buildings and visit charges.

Emergency care centers:

• Will have the word "Emergency" in its name or on the building
• Charge ER rates, even if the care you need is minor
• Are mostly out-of-network, so you may get a bill for the amount that your health care plan doesn't cover

Knowing this may help you decide where to get care for health concerns or true emergencies.

Find urgent care centers 1  near you by texting 2   URGENTTX  to  33633   and then type in your ZIP code.

1 The closest urgent care center may not be in your network. Be sure to check our Find Care tool to make sure the center you go to is in-network.  2 Message and data rates may apply. Read terms, conditions and privacy policy at bcbstx.com/mobile/text-messaging .

Last Updated: Oct. 10, 2023

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Hospital Fees for International Patients 2023-2024

If you are not a Canadian resident with a valid health card, you will be responsible for the cost of your care. 

Health PEI charges fees for a variety of services which can differ between facilities. Fees are subject to change without notice. You may also be charged a fee for accessing your health records (fees vary). 

All costs are in Canadian funds and may be higher if special services or higher-than-service-cost drugs are used. For further information please contact: Health PEI - Central Finance Accounts Receivable at 1-902-620-3150 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Ambulance services

Patients are responsible for all costs associated with ambulance services provided by Island Emergency Medical Services (EMS). For all inquiries about Ground Ambulance services fees, please contact the EMS billing office at 1-888-420-1122.

Outpatient care

Health PEI does not bill insurance companies directly for outpatient services. You are responsible for making arrangements to pay your bill for outpatient services before leaving the hospital. Exceptions may apply for international students with insurance through their institution.

Physician fees are extra and are not included.

Additional fees will be charged for an MRI or CT Scan. Fees are subject to change without notice.

Inpatient care

If you are admitted to hospital, you will be charged a daily ward rate. This standard rate includes your room, and services provided by hospital and staff such as laboratory, prescriptions, meals, diagnostic imaging and other tests. 

These rates do not  include: 

• Physicians fees. You will be billed directly by the doctor.
• Telephone and television services.

Preferred accommodations

Cost for Private and Semi-Private accommodations are in addition to the daily ward rate. 

Personal health insurance

Plan coverage varies and insurers are required to provide a guarantee of payment before Health PEI will submit any claim. It is important that you understand what your private insurance does and does not cover. We recommend that you call your insurer to confirm the extent of your coverage.  Due to privacy laws, hospital staff cannot do this for you. It is your responsibility to confirm your coverage. You must give full details of your insurance coverage to the hospital staff at the time you are admitted. Please contact your insurance company within 48 hours to notify of admission. 

The patient is responsible for payment of any amounts not paid by insurance, including cases where the insurer denies the claim. 

Payment options

Payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit, Visa, and MasterCard.

Non-urgent care options

Health information and advice is available from a registered nurse over the phone for non-emergency and non-urgent health situations 24 hours a day by dialling 811. 

Walk-in Clinics

Walk-in Clinics service patients with non-urgent medical problems. Fees vary. For more information please visit: Walk-in Clinics .

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Day 4 of Trump New York hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell in the courthouse

Man lit himself on fire outside the courthouse where Trump's trial is underway

From CNN's Mark Morales and Brynn Gingras

A man lit himself on fire outside the courthouse where the Trump trial is underway, New York City Police Department officials said.

NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey said the man walked into the center of Collect Pond Park, which is directly across from the courthouse. He opened his backpack and took out pamphlets that he scattered in the park before setting himself on fire.

A CNN team on the ground observed one of the flyers. It said "NYU is a mob front" and had various allegations of wrongdoings against the school.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said police have not determined if the incident was related to Trump’s trial. He said the man did post about the incident on social media and that his internet presence will be part of the ongoing investigation.

At least one person used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the blaze, and an EMT rushed up to the man and tried to render aid, according to CNN's Laura Coates, who narrated the scene unfolding in front of her outside the courthouse.

This post has been updated with details from New York City Police Department officials.

All jurors have been seated for Trump's trial: Here's a recap of the end of jury selection

From CNN's Elise Hammond

The five remaining alternate jurors were sworn in Friday, meaning the full jury panel has now been seated in the hush money trial against Donald Trump.

There are 12 jurors and six alternates who will hear the case against the former president.

Opening statements are expected to start Monday.

Here’s a recap:

• A group of 22 potential jurors from the most recent panel returned to the courtroom to answer their questionnaires. From there, lawyers from the prosecution and defense each got 25 minutes to ask the potential jurors questions.
• Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger started her questioning by telling the potential jurors that this case is “only about whether the evidence” proves Trump is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. She also asked the potential jurors whether they could keep an open mind if former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen testifies.
• Trump attorney Susan Necheles focused her line of questions on biases toward Trump. "You all bring biases, and you particularly bring biases about someone who is as publicly and outspoken as President Trump,” she said.
• Jurors dismissed: Six potential jurors were excused throughout the questionnaire and questions from the lawyers. The judge then dismissed three people for cause. Lawyers used their preemptory strikes to dismiss another two potential jurors.
• Trump in court: The former president watched the alternates' answers very closely as they shared their opinions of him, turning toward the jury box as they responded. 
• Incident outside court: A man lit himself on fire outside of the courthouse where the trial is underway, two law enforcement sources confirmed to CNN. Further details were not immediately available.

The judge said there will be a Sandoval hearing after the lunch break around 3:15 p.m. ET. That routine hearing will address Trump’s criminal history and assess how much prosecutors can ask if a defendant testifies.

Secret Service agent speaking to Trump in the gallery

Former President Donald Trump is standing in the gallery. A Secret Service agent is speaking to him.

He glanced over at the press pool as he walked out.

Court adjourned for lunch

The court is adjourned for lunch.

The judge is expected to hold a Sandoval hearing at 3:15 p.m. ET. This is a common preliminary proceeding that will be used to review Donald Trump’s criminal history and assess how much prosecutors can ask if he testifies.

Judge tells jurors he expects trial to begin Monday

Judge Juan Merchan tells the jurors, "I expect we're going to begin the trial on Monday."

Merchan is giving the jurors instructions not to discuss the case with others or research it.

"There are 18 jurors in total," and we cannot start until all are present each day, Merchan says.

Alternate jurors sworn in

Jurors are being called up to be sworn in now.

The last five alternates sworn in include four women and one man.

The full jury panel has been selected

A sixth alternate juror has been selected. That means the full panel — 12 jurors and six alternates — has now been seated.

"We have our full panel," the judge said.

A fifth alternate juror has been selected

One more alternate juror has been added to the jury. We're up to five alternate jurors now.

Alternate No. 5 said she is married, works for a clothing company and gets her news from Google.

Prospective alternate dismissed

The potential alternate juror was dismissed after a review of his social accounts.

When referencing a quote in which he called Donald Trump "egomaniacal," he said, "it's not too far off base" from what he felt at the time.

He also said the top image of the Facebook account is his, but then suggests the posts in question are not his.

Prosecutors withdrew their opposition to the Trump team's challenge for cause.

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