How to Pay for Spine Surgery

Spinal surgery is an intimidating endeavor that may have you not only concerned about your future health and welfare but may also create extensive anxiety over the cost of surgery. Spinal surgery can cost thousands of dollars. Additionally, someone who has one procedure done must consider that they may have to have other procedures in the future if their condition is degenerative. Having health insurance can help mitigate the cost of surgery significantly but will still leave you with a series of bills to deal with.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor about what diagnostics and exams you need prior to surgery. This should include pre-operative exams, MRI diagnostics, nerve conduction tests and office visits. Request the costs of each exam and create a list of each.

• 2

  Contact your health insurance carrier to determine your deductible and co-payments for all exams, diagnostics and procedures prior to surgery. They will be able to tell you what percentage of the cost you are responsible for and whether that amount is capped which means that you have a limited amount that can be paid toward one specific procedure or diagnosis each year. This may be a $5,000 hospital visit cap or a limit on the number of physical therapy visits you can have in a year.

  It is important to make sure you go through the proper chains as indicated by your insurance company. You may need a referral from your primary care physician in order to see a specialist or surgeon. The specialist will determine the medical necessity of surgery to insure that the claim is not denied after you have incurred the cost. This is common with HMOs but check with your PPO to make sure you are not doing something that will leave you with a higher medical bill.

• 3

  Save the money you need prior to surgery if there are co-payments and deductibles. Pay these at the time of doctor and hospital visits.

• 4

  Give your doctor and the hospital all your pertinent insurance information to bill your insurance.

• 5

  Contact the billing department of the hospital and surgeon's office after your exam and request a payment program if you are not able to pay in full. Most hospitals and doctor's offices are more than willing to work with you because they understand the layers of costs associated with spinal surgery.