How much does colon cancer surgery cost? Health insurance none. help please! - Cancer: Colon Message Board

spotnumbers236 · 06-28-2008, 07:58 PM

Please can someone give me a ballpark figure on how much the surgery to remove a tumor in the lower part of the colon would run? I need to know because I want to raise money because we currently don't have health coverage. Also does anyone know of any health insurance that will accept a person with a predetermined condition? Thank you.

WA_LADY · 06-29-2008, 07:37 AM

That's a really hard question. How low down? LAR surgery costs more than colon surgery higher up. Do you know if the surgery is an LAR? Will it be done laproscopically? That will change the duration of the stay & other factors that influence the price. In addition, each person is totally different in how they recuperate. Some will heal quicker than others meaning they can get out faster meaning less $$ for the hospital stay. In addition, each person is absolutely TOTALLY different in how long it takes for their bowels to 'wake up' after surgery. The doctors will NOT allow you to be released if your bowels are not 'awake' and you are not able to eat foods without any problems. There are other facts to consider. Surgeons charge different fees as do hospitals - and a lot depends on whether or not you are seeing a colorectal surgeon vs a general surgeon, what part of the country you are in, teaching/research hospital vs smaller/ rural hospital. There will also be charges for the pathologist as well as the anestheisologist so honestly it is just too difficult to give you a $$$ figure as to how much this will cost. I would suggest you contact the hospital/doctor and discuss the situation and see if you qualify for aid for this surgery. In addition, and I don't mean to be pessimistic here, but the reality is that MOST colorectal cancer surgery cases do require adjuvant (post-surgery) chemotherapy. You need to think about that scenario also with regards to cost and possibly start researching what the state has to offer with regards to health care medicaid or basic health.

Linda_in_NJ · 06-29-2008, 11:13 AM

Speak to a social worker at the hospital. They should not turn anyone down with a serious condition. The social worker may be able to help with medicare or medicade or something like that. Good luck to you.

jethro66 · 08-08-2008, 03:58 PM

That is a very hard question,you need to talk with the
hospitals financial assistance to get a estimate which is just
that and not including the surgeons ,and other parties involved.
I saw an estimate for $25-40k for a basic LAR without
complications. Then you have to figure in your
hospital stay of 5-7 days. It is very expensive .
With chemo and all your looking at hundreds of thousands.
If you have any assets you may be able to tranfer them
into someone elses name and see if you can qualify for medicare .

If you've been diagnosed already there is no insurance company that
would insure you.

backslide05 · 08-08-2008, 07:13 PM

I would like to add that you CAN get health insurance after diagnosis after 6 months of treatment completion (i.e., chemotherapy). I know because my husband went through it and I started a new job with health insurance which included his coverage. so it depends on the scenario. There are things to check into and I wish you the very best in your recovery. Worry first about that, second about the $$.