Orthopedic knee surgery may be used to treat knee problems
that do not respond to other treatments. If you have a condition that may
require surgery, you may want to understand the potential costs so that you can
plan for them. Below, we will take a look at what influences orthopedic knee
surgery costs, as well as how insurance covers knee surgery.
There are two main types of knee surgery: open knee surgery
and arthroscopic knee surgery. Open knee surgery is most commonly used to treat
more extensive knee problems, such as total knee replacement for arthritis.
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery that can be used
to treat less extensive knee problems, like meniscus or ligament tears.
It is preferable to use arthroscopic knee surgery whenever
possible. Arthroscopic surgery has lower risks and a shorter downtime, making
it preferable from the patient's perspective. In addition, arthroscopic surgery
usually costs less to perform than open knee surgery.
Each case is unique, and knee surgery can cost different
amounts depending on the specifics surrounding an individual case. Some of the
factors that influence orthopedic knee surgery costs include:
- How high the local cost of living is
- Whether or not open knee surgery is used
- Whether or not a hospital stay is required
- How long is takes to perform the surgery
- How many resources the surgery takes to perform
- What the individual surgeon's rates are
Insurance covers orthopedic knee surgery costs, because knee
surgery is only used in cases where it is medically necessary. Insurance
policies vary widely in the terms of their coverage, so that patients may have
very different out-of-pocket costs depending on their coverage. If you have a
high deductible that you have not yet met, you may pay for a large portion of
the surgery on your own. If you have a low deductible or no deductible, you may
pay very little out-of-pocket.
Thanks to insurance coverage and the widespread availability
of patient financing, the majority of patient are able to afford their
orthopedic knee surgery costs without issue. If you're out-of-pocket costs are
too high for you to handle all at once, you can use financing to spread out the
cost of treatment over a longer period of time. Some financing options include
credit cards and third-party health care financing companies.
Dr. Howard Marans would
be happy to meet with you about your knee health. To schedule your consultation
today, please click below and enter your information or call (714) 979-8981.