With Insurance: Copays & Coinsurance up to Out of Pocket Maximum
Non-surgical Treatment: up to $2,500+
Surgical Treatment: $16,000+
Typical costs:
Without health insurance, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment for a broken arm typically costs up to $2,500 or more. For example, a forearm X-ray costs an average of $190, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[1] , but some radiology centers charge $1,000 or more. And application of an arm splint costs $201 to $239, or application of a forearm or upper arm cast costs $228 to $242 not including the doctor fee at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[2] in Lincoln, Nebraska. A typical doctor fee for non-surgical treatment of a fracture would include $90 to $200 for the office visit and from $250 to $950 for treatment, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[3] . According to the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, non-surgical treatment for a broken arm typically costs about $2,523.
Without health insurance, surgical treatment of a broken arm typically costs $16,000 or more. For example, surgical treatment of a fracture of the humerus (upper arm bone) costs about $14,911, not including the surgeon fee, at Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis, Tennessee. A typical surgeon fee for surgical treatment of a fracture could reach $2,000 or more, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[4] .
A broken arm typically would be covered by health insurance. With health insurance, costs could include doctor visit copays and coinsurance of 30 percent or more for treatment, which could total thousands of dollars or the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
For a simple break confirmed by an X-ray, the doctor would properly position the broken bones (called a "reduction") if necessary, then place a cast on the arm to allow it to heal properly.
For a more complicated break, the doctor would make an incision and implant wires, screws or other hardware to hold the bones in place during healing.
Going to an emergency room for initial treatment could add $1,000 to $2,000 or more to the final bill; costs would include an emergency room visit fee, an emergency room doctor fee and the cost of a temporary cast such as an air cast; the patient would then need to seek treatment from a specialist.
For patients who have a broken bone treated surgically, metal hardware usually can be left in, unless it causes irritation in the future; if removal is required, it can cost between about $2,533 and $11,710 or more, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[6] in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Discounts:
Some orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[7] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
Some free clinics, such as Community Health Free Clinic[8] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[9] offers a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.
Shopping for a broken arm:
A general practitioner can refer the patient to a specialist. Or, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[10] posts an orthopedic surgeon finder by city, state or zip code. Or, seek treatment from a doctor who specializes in sports medicine, which could be either a family physician or an orthopedic surgeon; the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine[11] provides a doctor finder.
If surgery is required, risks include: reaction to anesthesia, infection, blood clots, reaction to hardware and even 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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Fell off of a scooter and fractured my elbow. Went to the ER at night and got some regular Tylenol to ease the pain, since I had to wait a few hours. After the wait, I got a bed, and then I went to get X-rays done. A doctor came and told me it was fractured, and gave me a sling. I was also told to come to follow-up appointments — one a week or so after the injury where I got a note saying I was unfit for work, and one a few months after saying I was fully healed. I also got Ketorolac and Tylenol 3s from my family doctor a few days afterwards. The total cost out of pocket was $10 for parking the night I went to the ER. The medications were initially paid for out of pocket, but my parents' insurance fully covered it. Everything else was free. God bless Canada
Broken arm after falling on kerb, taken to hospital, quick visit to ER then taken to an x-ray room. placed into cast, 3 days later change of cast, 6 weeks later cast removed. Only paid for the pie I had each visit ($5 per pie)
Broke my arm below wrist (spiral) required plates and 10 pins. Spent 3 days in hospital, waited for specialized surgeon. Full meds and monitoring during stay. I paid $35 for pain meds to take home as I have no drug plan. 🇨🇦
Type of Treatment: Cast, x rays, removal of cast, surgery
Medical Facility: Bristol Royal Infirmary
Insurance Carrier: UK NHS
Crashed my car and broke my left radius, was taken in an ambulance, given a temporary hard cast after some xrays, had surgery the next day, given a metal plate and pins. Was looking online to see how expensive America was. Insane amounts. We pay nothing in the UK, cost of bills are never mentioned nor thought about. I hope you all get universal free healthcare at some point. All the best
We saw 6 employees at the ER in 90 minutes. $100 a minute is ludicris. I'm jealous of the $1000 breaks elsewhere. This doesn't include the ortho doctor that replaced the temporary cast.
Had a plate installed on right arm with 9 screws. Almost hit the floor when I received the bill. Luckily insurance covered over 90% of the bill but this is out of control.
11 year old daughter broke her trochlea (elbow) had it x-rayed and a soft cast placed prior to seeing the orthopedist the next day. The visit with the orthopedist was 30 min and a cast was placed by a technician. There were 3 line items on my bill. Physician, surgery and supplies. The surgery charge was $1900. What surgery? You mean to tell me there isn't a billing code for a long arm cast? And then they replaced the cast after 2 1/2 weeks. So I'm expecting another outrageous bill. I think the doctor is just trying to increase revenue by replacing the cast and taking a new set of x-rays after only 2 weeks.
Luckily I have insurance, but the out of pocket cost is still almost 2,000. My daughter's radius near the wrist was broken. The cost for just getting it set is over 28,000. The bone was set at Dell's Children Hospital. Their facility charge is what sent the price through the roof, $25,000!!! The bone did not even require any surgery, and required no more than 20 min of the doctors time. We were in and out in 3 hrs. $25,000 facility charge for a three hour visit!
Type of Treatment: Closed reduction, long arm cast
Medical Facility: Abrazo Arrowhead
Insurance Carrier: Aetna
Facility charged $2600 (after quoting $400 during admission). "Surgeon" charged nearly $600 for a closed reduction that took approximately 10 minutes. Have not yet received a bill from the anesthesiologist.
Let me start by stating within the past year between my 4 children who are all very active in sports we have had a broken leg, foot, and arm. Emergency bills and Orthopedists are no strangers to us. However when I received my sons broken arm bill I nearly fell over. The breakdown: med supplies (splint) = $242, X-ray =$875, Emergency room =$4,788.00 ibuprofen = $2.00. Grand total for 4 hours = $5,907...they never found the break and only set it in a splint. The Orthpedist set the cast 4 days later. I think the hospital is taking their own drugs....! Cheaper to get a lawyer.
I broke my wrist while playing with my kids at night time. I had to rush to the ER and I was recommended surgery. The total cost of the ER + surgery has reached almost 15K. The hospital charged me $8,000 upfront for the OR and anesthesia. The surgeon was nice and charged me $2k and just recently I received a bill for the metal plate at $3600 (discounted to $1800) because I would self-pay. Apart from that, I paid a lot of money for all the x-rays, braces, etc. I am from India and I can bet the same surgery would not have cost me more than $3k. I am also planning to remove the plate when I go there next. My hand does not feel the same after the surgery and I am seriously thinking on getting the plate removed.
Just broke ulna in several places. 46,000 to date, PT is yet to come. $32,000 for surgery. Once ortho doc saw me for 15 minutes - knowing it was broken from xrays I brought from ER with me. Referred to me elbow specialist. Charged $1,132. what?? 15 MINUTES and sent me to someone else. Hosptial and surgeon awesome. but $46,000??
Went to maimia for a trip on broke my right wrist in 3 places in a jet ski accident, being out side of Canada and no travel insurance it costed me out if pocket still paying it off 4vyears later
No, that's not a typo. My daughter dislocated he left elbow and the elbow cup snapped off. She spent one night in the hospital (non-ICU), had a plate and 6 screws inserted. Hospital charges were $23,000; Orthopedic surgery was $22,000, and the rest was anesthesiology, etc, etc. I paid $11,000 out of pocket! Now they want $12,000 to remove the plate and insurance won't cover it. Thanks Washington, DC. Bunch of crooks.
Posted by: Karla Ceballos Dupuy in The Woodlands, TX.
Posted: October 28th, 2014 09:10PM
Medical Facility: UT Physicians- The Woodlands, TX
Insurance Carrier: NONE
My 2 year old broke her poor little arm while playing in a bounce house at a birthday party. My husband is a disabled veteran and he was working and going to school, that got too stressful so he dropped his classes only to lose his job a few weeks later. So without insurance we rushed her straight to the E.R still waiting on the bill for that. Since we didn't have insurance the E.R told me I had to call any doctor on a list they gave me so that I could set up a payment plan in order to get my daughter's cast. I called a variety of doctors and they all told me the same, that only the doctor that was on call the day I took her in to the E.R would be able to see her. I called him and was told by the receptionist that they didn't do payment plans, I was immediately fustrated. I asked the price and she said the estimate would be about $530 and that she could be seen the next day. Fortunately my parents offered to help us pay and when it came time to pay the lady said it $460.
Posted by: Fireman Dan in MANILA, PHILIPPINES, CA.
Posted: September 29th, 2014 09:09PM
Type of Injury: PROXIMAL HUMERUS FRACTURE
Type of Treatment: ER/SURGERY
Medical Facility: SAINT LUKES,QUEZON CITY,MANILA,PHILIPPIN
Insurance Carrier: BLUE SHIELD
BROKEN UPPER ARM REQUIRING TITANIUM FIXTURE PLATE PLATE , $1300 US FROM AMERICAN SUPPLIER,CHINA MADE. PRE OPP STAY,SURGERY,POST OPP STAY. BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA NOT ACCEPTED IN PHILIPPINES , MUST SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT AFTER USING CREDIT CARDS . PAIN MANAGEMENT NOT AS AGGRESSIVE AS IN USA, HAD A LOT OF PAINFUL SLEEPLESS NIGHTS....
child fractured both bones of the left forearm. Emergency room visit, anesthesia in OR, set bone, cast and recovery in hospital room, and, to date, one post incident follow-up with orthopedics. No surgery required, the total billed charges to UHC so far are $9872. Post insurance negotiated rates and limited copay after deductible reached, my estimated out of pocket will $2,419. total time at hospital on the day of the incident, 4 hours.
Medical Facility: Indian PathMed Ctr?AOK Orthopedics
Insurance Carrier: none
My 62 yr old husband fractured both bones above his wrist. $2,100 for ER, for xrays, and a temp cast. Another $464 for ER doctor and $63 for someone to read xrays. Had to see orthopedic dr next day to have it set and another set of xrays and temp cast for $2250! Doctor's charges alone were $1906 for him to spend, maybe a grand total of 45 minutes with him. 2 weeks later, surgery was recommended, which my husband declined. Can't imagine what the cost of that would have been. Its no wonder insurance cost are so high, when doctors etc are charging these kinds of prices!
Type of Injury: small fracture in radius near elbow
Type of Treatment:
Medical Facility: Cincinnati Children's Medical Center
Insurance Carrier: Anthem
Our 4 year old got a very small fracture in her radius near her elbow from playing in a bouncy house at a birthday party. We spent most of our time either in the lobby waiting room or in the room waiting for the doctor to come in. We had xrays done at an urgent care right after it happened (was billed $160 for that), so Cincinnati Childrens didn't even do the initial xray, just read it to confirm the fracture. Our daughter is in a cast for 3 weeks. We got 2 bills so far from Cincinnati Childrens. One for $850, which says it's billed as a "surgery" and is the doctors fees,etc. And another bill for $314, for hospital fees (waiting around for over an hour sure is costly). She gets her cast taken off this week, and I'm sure we'll get another lovely giant bill for them to remove it, and take follow up xrays, and of course, more waiting. And this is WITH insurance. A bit ridiculous. How can anyone afford medical care these days even with insurance??!!
Medical Facility: South Texas Regional Medical Center
Insurance Carrier: Self pay, live in México
I stil cant¨nt believe this amount. Additional, we have to pay to the emergency Doctor, the Orthopedician, the anestesian and the x rays. My little 5 years old son, broke his arm in our way to Mexico, the nearest hospital was that. Additional, they do not want to translate the lines on the bill, because we do not understand every line. If somebody could help us. Thank you and sorry about my english writting.
My son had a simple buckle fracture. Urgent care-$290 (not itemized) for diagnoses and x-ray. One week later, orthopedic care facility. $200 dollars for "all doctor's expenses. Treatment-arm was put in a cast. Three weeks later, cast removed, new x-rays, my son was given an arm brace to wear. Cost (not itemized)$869.99. Apparently, one plaster cast, one arm brace, and one x-ray cost 869.99 in this country. I just moved back here from living in Japan for 25 years. My son broke his arm twice there. The treatments there were the same as here. Each time we paid $60 dollars for everything. Our insurance company paid the other 80%. Real cost-$200. The U.S. medical system is pathetic.
Type of Injury: green stick fracture just above wrist
Type of Treatment: x-rays and cast
Medical Facility: Ogden Clinic
Insurance Carrier: Blue Cross Blue Shield
Total cost before insurance adjustments was 1008.00 After insurance I paid a total of 648.00 The biggest part of the expense was wrapping her arm in a cast. That just seems like a huge cost for what seemed to be a simple procedure. I thought the biggest cost would come from charges for the x-rays. But those seemed somewhat reasonable. It just seems like a large amount for such a short time spent with the doctor.
Our 1 year old had a buckle fracture in her arm, near her wrist. After going to her pediatrician and confirming with x-rays, we went to Ortho Indy for the treatment. Doctor saw us for about 5 minutes then a tech put the cast on. The total cost, before discounts, copay, our portion is $981. Looking at some medical cost websites this seems very high. There is a line item for surgery for $767, a line item for physician for $200 and supplies for $14.
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