Bunion surgery cost - Foot Problems Message Board

Lorrie · 02-18-2001, 08:54 PM

I'm wondering how much others have been told a bunion surgery would cost. I had surgery about a month ago. It was a simple, uncomplicatd surgery. The surgery itself took about an hour. I was an out patient at a local hospital. The total time at the hospital was about 4.5 hours. I had the bunion removed, my toe cut, realigend, two pins put in to hold it together, and internal and external stitches. My doctor told me the surgery would be about $5 thousand dollars total. The hospital has billed for over $10 thousand dollars so far, and this doesn't include the doctor fees. Also does anyone know how I would go about disputing the bill with the hospital. Thanks.

Lauracorey · 01-12-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorrie

I'm wondering how much others have been told a bunion surgery would cost. I had surgery about a month ago. It was a simple, uncomplicatd surgery. The surgery itself took about an hour. I was an out patient at a local hospital. The total time at the hospital was about 4.5 hours. I had the bunion removed, my toe cut, realigend, two pins put in to hold it together, and internal and external stitches. My doctor told me the surgery would be about $5 thousand dollars total. The hospital has billed for over $10 thousand dollars so far, and this doesn't include the doctor fees. Also does anyone know how I would go about disputing the bill with the hospital. Thanks.

Lauracorey · 01-12-2008, 02:59 PM

I was wondering the same thing myself. I had Bunion surgery in August. I have have insurance but still had to pay what was not covered. This included,the Doctor, office visits with numerous rays, blood test , and MRI before surgery and I just got a claim from the outpatient hospital where the surgery was performed, like you only there for 4 hours without complications and the hospital charge was over $25,000.00!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the envelope. The insurance covers a major portion of it but I would still owe over $900 in the balance. This seems ridiculously high for foot surgery. Ethically I think it's wrong for hospitals to charge so much money and I would not have had the surgery I had I known it would be so costly.
If you find any information about addressing the high hospital cost please pass it on,
Liz

pohtr · 01-12-2008, 05:53 PM

I had both feet done at the same time at an outpatient surgical center. The surgeon's fee was $900 , the anesthesiologist was $600 and the surgical center was $3790 for a total of $5286, plus the sandles & x rays and pre-op tests. The reason it was cheaper is because I got all prices ahead of time and asked about discounts. This was necessary because if I couldn't afford it wasn't getting done. I had a discount for the 2nd foot but also a discount for being self pay. I am confidant that you can get that amount reduced at least for some of it. It makes a big difference if you can pay it (the reduced amount) up right away. Good luck.

delem · 01-15-2008, 01:54 PM

Just yesterday I had a surprise bill arrive at my house. The surgical facility was charging me an extra $946 saying that the presurgery estimate of $753 (which I paid the day of surgery) was just an estimate. Whoever is doing these estimates needs some maaajor reschooling since the final out of pocket cost is more than double the original estimate! I then called my insurance company to verify the amount and I asked if there were any other statements that I should expect in the mail. I almost had a panic attack as the phone attendant read off a list of charges that I would have to cover myself: $608 to my podiatrist, $295 to the anesthesiologist, another $215 to the anesthesiologist, and $1,872 to the hospital (I don't know why this is separate from the 1,699 paid to the surgical center - which is part of the hospital). Honestly I still would have had the operation despite not knowing these costs ahead of time. But I would have waited a few more months until I had my finances in order. You gotta do what you gotta do I guess. I guess I'll hustle my butt off as soon as I'm given the 'ok' to work again AND get a second job. This sucks and it completely changes my plans for the year but it's not the end of the world.

My total surgery cost $30,000! I was absolutely astonished when I saw this figure. Of course the insurance company is charged a discount, which in my case brought the total cost to about $8,000. What's ridiculous is that if I didn't have insurance they would have charged me the full $30,000. Healthcare in the United states? PITIFUL.

I suggest that everyone look into the AMA's "voice for the uninsured" OR move to Canada where you don't have to fight so damn hard to be healthy.