Bunion surgery sounds terrifying to most people who will have to face it. Eliminating the bunions that appear on the sides of the joint is essential to improve walking and stop the pain it often causes.
Although, in the past, it was a surgery recognized for the pain that it was, with technological advances, it has been managed to make it less invasive and annoying. Some insurances cover the intervention to do it in time and not wait for the situation to get a little more complicated.
The price of bunion surgery with insurance
Different factors can influence the price of bunion surgery; the average cost is around $5560, although, in some health centers, it can range between $3500 and $12000; everything will depend on the patient’s condition.
The rate is complicated for payment with insurance because each hospital and doctor network has its price. Everything will depend on the type of surgery, if it is a traditional surgery, it will need hospitalization, and the cost will increase. If it is an outpatient surgery, the prices are more affordable.
The determination of the surgery price will also influence your current health and the emergencies that occurred during the intervention. Depending on your possibilities, some types of surgeries may or may not be performed.
Do all insurances cover bunion surgery?
Most insurances cover at least part of the intervention. Keep in mind that there are different types of bunions. For example, some bunions cause pain or affect how you walk, and surgery is mandatory. In these cases, the insurance usually pays for the surgery.
The smaller bunions that do not cause any inconvenience or pain when walking are not always considered by insurance companies; some may refuse to cover the surgery. To take advantage of your insurance, you should go to the doctors associated with the insurance company you have contracted.
If you opt for doctors outside the insurance network, the operation prices will be higher, and, possibly, they will not accept the insurance you have. The insurances that typically cover foot care are Medicare and Medicaid.
They have quality services for people over 65, who typically suffer from bunion problems. But you should know that insurance will always need medical evidence to prove that the procedure is necessary.
Is it advisable to have bunion surgery?
When there is no pain or discomfort, it is not advisable to carry out the surgical procedure. With time, bunions begin to worsen, but doctors do not recommend surgery to avoid them.
Sometimes, when the bunion is discovered early, doctors treat it with proper footwear and some preventive care to delay its progression as long as possible. They may recommend some orthopedic techniques to prevent further damage to the area and avoid resorting to surgery.
It is also essential to find a quality doctor; if the procedure is not properly performed, you may have worse sequelae.
Factors that can intervene in your bunion surgery quotation
There are some reasons why the final price of the surgery may be higher or lower; it is important to evaluate them to avoid surprises once you decide to start the procedure.
The location where you are
Depending on the city where you are, the prices will be more affordable or not; for example, in Oklahoma, OK, the surgery is around $4,110. Still, in Portland, Vancouver – Hillsboro, OR – WA, the price is $6,277.
The insurance plan you have purchased
To take advantage of your health insurance benefits, you must ensure that foot problems are within the policy and that the operation is medically necessary. The coinsurance, copayment, and deductible amount you have available can also be determining factors.
The network fee is another determining element, consisting of the total negotiated by the insurer and the doctor or hospital where the procedure will be performed.
Additional expenses incurred
If other health issues arise during the procedure, all will be additional costs and increase the total bill. For example, an emergency during the process will be a reason to raise the final price.