How Much Does Surgery Cost?

Since the US does not have universal health care, the price an individual pays for a surgical procedure will vary greatly depending on the particulars of their insurance coverage, or lack thereof.

If you or a loved one is facing surgery, it is important to understand your insurance policy. Ask your doctor for a cost breakdown of each part of your surgery. Having just one surprise out-of-network provider alone could drive the surgery cost up. So, ask questions upfront and be as prepared as you can be.

Unpaid medical bills after surgery can easily lead to medical debt, and medical debt is more and more common for many Americans, even those with insurance.

• 50% of Americans have medical debt. (Debt.com)
• While those without health insurance are more likely to struggle to pay medical bills, 62% say the bills were for someone with health insurance when treatment began. (Kaiser Family Foundation/New York Times)
• Nearly four in 10 Americans say they would borrow money to cover an unexpected $1,000 bill, such as an ER visit. (Bankrate)

If you’ve got piles of medical bills that you are scared to open, the worst thing you can do is ignore them, according to Medifind. Do your research to help you understand your options and possibly consider enlisting the help of a patient advocate.

Whether you do or don’t have insurance, you may need to get creative to pay for the costs of surgery. Look for any government programs that can offer support based on your situation and income. Another option is to consider crowdfunding. In fact, in a recent article by the Atlantic, “crowdfunding to pay medical bills has become so routine, in some cases health professionals recommend it.”