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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > General Surgery & Neurosurgery > Back Surgery

Back Surgery Cost


How Much Does Back Surgery Cost?

 
low costWith Insurance: $200-$2,000 up to Out-Of-Pocket Maximumaverage costWithout Insurance: Laminectomy $50,000-$150,000high costWithout Insurance: Spinal Fusion $80,000-$150,000

Back surgery, which is needed in only a small percentage of back pain cases, usually is recommended to be considered only when non-surgical treatments have failed to relieve symptoms and when the problem is caused by a pinched nerve, the spinal cord being compressed or excess movement between bones.

Typical costs:

  • For patients not covered by health insurance, a laminectomy, typically used to treat spinal stenosis[1] , a narrowing of the spine that occurs mostly in people over 50, typically costs $50,000 to $90,000.
  • For patients not covered by health insurance, spinal fusion, typically used to treat conditions such as a slipped vertebra, fractured vertebra or other spinal instability, typically costs $80,000 to $150,000 or more; a surgery in which high-end titanium implants are used instead typically will fall on the higher end.
  • Back surgery is covered by most health insurance plans if ordered by a doctor. According to eSpine.com[2] , the website of a Los Angeles back surgeon, most insurance plans will cover spinal surgery. Medicare generally covers back surgery.
  • For patients covered by insurance, assuming the deductible has been met, typical out-of-pocket costs would consist of coinsurance of between 10 and 40 percent of the procedure, for a total of $200 to $2,000 or more, up to the yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Patients on a forum at Spine-Health.com[3] discuss out-of-pocket costs.
Related articles: Chiropractor, Herniated Disc Surgery, Spinal Decompression, Hip Replacement

What should be included:
  • Back surgery is used to correct a physical deformity -- either to take pressure off a nerve root or the spinal cord, to stabilize an unstable part of that back that is causing pain, or to fix a deformity such as scoliosos. Two of the most common back surgeries are lumbar laminectomy and lumbar spinal fusion.
  • The Mayo Clinic provides an overview of a laminectomy[4] and the North American Spine Society describes spinal fusion[5] .
Additional costs:
  • Most patients require two to six weeks of recovery time. A back brace, which sometimes is required, can cost $200 or more.
  • Physical therapy at $50 to $100 or more per session can add $1,000 or more to the cost.
  • Pain medication probably will be prescribed during recovery, and sometimes equipment such as a walker, which can cost $50 to $100 or more, is needed.
Discounts:
  • Some providers offer discounts to self-paying patients who agree to prepay or pay within a certain time period.
  • Also, Spine-Health.com[6] has a discussion about obtaining discounted surgery through a teaching hospital.
Shopping for back surgery:
  • It is important to consult with a specialist to determine whether surgery is the right decision; a doctor might recommend surgery if there are signs of nerve damage, such as pain, numbness or weakness in the arms and legs or loss of bowel or bladder control. The Mayo Clinic[7] offers a guide on deciding whether to have back surgery.
  • The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[8] offers a surgeon locator by zip code. Or, American Board of Neurological Surgery[9] offers a neurosurgeon locator.
  • SpineUniverse.com, an informational site run by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, offers a discussion on choosing[10] between an orthopaedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon, as well as a list of questions to ask[11] your doctor if you are considering back surgery.
  • Risks of back surgery include the possibility that the surgery will not correct the problem; a chance of spinal fluid leaks, bleeding or infection, or in rare cases, paralysis or death.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
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Easiest procedure I’ve ever had. 1/4 inch incision. No drugs. Walked out pain free 1 hour after surgery.
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L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 multilevel laminectomies with micro disectomies.
Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Jose A Elizondo in Henderson, NV.Posted: June 10th, 2021 06:06PM
Procedure: L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 multilevel laminectomiMedical Facility: Spring Valley Hospital
Doctor: Dr Gary Flangas - NeurosurgeonInsurance: Workmans Comp
I had laminectomies and refused to have spinal fusion. I made a complete recovery. I had my surgery Apr/2020. Returned to work in mid-June. Feel good as new today. No back stiffness or pain. I do however have a little residual numbness to my toes. When I woke up after surgery the numbness was felt up to my knee. But it has mostly gone 90% away. I dont mind having that than the severe back pain I was having.
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WANTING TO KNOW THE COST OF laminectomy
Amount: $238,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: RHONDA ARNOLD in ENCINO, CA.Posted: April 17th, 2020 01:04PM
Procedure: L3-5 DECOMPRESSIONMedical Facility: RADIANCE SURGERY CENTER
Doctor: DR. KHOUNGANIANInsurance:
I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE THIS SURGERY IN MAY/2020. THIS DOCTOR IS LOCATED IN ENCINO,CA. I AM WONDERING IF THE FEES ARE EXCESSIVE. RESEARCHING THE THE FEES GO FROM 50,000-90,000, NOT THE $238,000 THIS DOCTOR IS CHARGING. I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME IN THE AVERAGE COST
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Harnia opretion
Amount: $15,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Raju singh in Mumbai, MI.Posted: October 10th, 2019 04:10AM
Procedure: NoMedical Facility: Yes
Doctor: SarjanInsurance: No
Pleass send me Mumbai hospital address harnia surgery
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Multilevel Lumbar Fusion
Amount: $1,750,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: BrokenCoastie in Houston, TX.Posted: October 29th, 2018 07:10AM
Procedure: S1-L3Medical Facility: Methodist
Doctor: Dr CB MeyerInsurance: Tricare
After a failed multilevel fusion and multiple infections, I received a bill for surgery and hospital stay-1.75 million dollars. Since I was on active duty when trauma happened it was taken care of after months fighting with hospital
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Spinal Fusion (Thoracic) Surgery
Amount: $94.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: CjM in Dothan, AL.Posted: May 10th, 2016 08:05PM
Doctor: James Paul MaddoxInsurance: Medicaid
Total cost: $236,000
Hospital stay 5 days
Fused from T1 to T10
Operation time was 10 hours
Includes equipment, hospital stay, prescription drugs and surgical procedure cost.
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Back fusion of L5 and S1
Amount: $0.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: John Alexander in LENOIR, NC.Posted: April 16th, 2016 07:04PM
Doctor: Dr HynesInsurance: Workers Comp
Had mine fused and was told that the hospital costs was 190,000. This was in 2006. That was without the doctors fees as well.
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More than a dozen surgeries on my spine
Amount: $1,000,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: a user in Ann Arbor, MI.Posted: February 25th, 2016 07:02PM
Procedure: Laminectomis-fusionsMedical Facility: St. joes Ann arbor
Doctor: Dr geigerInsurance:
Once u start back surgeries u will continue to have a surgery every 5-7yrs for the rest of your life
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Laser Spinal stenosis treatment
Amount: $18,000.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: MurDGor in Phoenix, AZ.Posted: May 9th, 2015 10:05AM
Procedure: Laser treatmentMedical Facility: Laser Spine Inst.
Doctor: Insurance: Medicare/ State Farm
LSI covers procedure for the MD thru Medicare but not thru the ASC since there is no contract with Medicare. They want $18,000 up front to do the procedure surgically in the ASC and not the hospital. How do they justify that cost surgically? Did not have the procedure due to cost.
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L4-5 Laminectomy
Amount: $40.00 not covered by insurance
Posted by: Coach in Boston, MA.Posted: August 12th, 2014 04:08PM
Doctor: Joseph SchwabInsurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield
Surgery was performed by the top Orthopedic surgeon in the world, via Mass General, to treat Cauda Equina Syndrome. Without the surgery I would have been in a wheelchair. Three years have passed and nerve function is still improving.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spinalstenosis.html
  2.  www.espine.com/back-faq.htm#insurance
  3.  www.spine-health.com/forum/treatment/back-surgery-and-neck-surgery/how-expensive-d...
  4.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/laminectomy/MY00674
  5.  www.knowyourback.org/Pages/Treatments/SurgicalOptions/SpinalFusion.aspx
  6.  www.spine-health.com/forum/mind-body-and-spirit/health-insurance-issues/no-health-...
  7.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-surgery/HQ00305
  8.  www7.aaos.org/member/directory/directory.aspx
  9.  www.abns.org/diplomates/default.aspx
  10.  www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/surgery/neurosurgeon-or-orthopedic-surgeon-does-m...
  11.  www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/surgery/spine-surgery-questions-ask-your-doctor
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