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 |  | With Health Insurance: 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $6,000-$15,000+ |
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A broken hand should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible. Symptoms of a broken hand can include bruising, swelling, pain and problems moving the fingers. Typically a broken hand can be treated with a cast or splint, but in some cases insertion of pins or other hardware might be required.
Typical costs: | - Without health insurance, diagnosis and treatment for a broken hand typically includes the cost of the X-ray, a facility fee and a doctor fee for a typical total of $6,000 or more for non-surgical treatment and from $7,000 to $15,000 or more if surgery is required. A hand X-ray costs an average of $180, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[1] , but some providers charge $1,000 or more. Non-surgical treatment of a broken hand costs $4,100 to $5,100, not including the doctor fee, and surgical treatment costs $5,800 to $13,700, not including the doctor fee, according to 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 an office visit and could also include $250 to $950 for a procedure, such as realignment, or $2,000 or more for surgery, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[3] .
- Treatment for a broken hand is typically covered by health insurance. A patient with insurance would typically have to pay for an X-ray copay, an office visit copay and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for the procedure. The cost could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum, especially if surgery is required.
Related articles: MRI, First Aid Kits
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What should be included: | - In most cases, the doctor will perform a physical exam and check for nerve damage, then, using local anesthesia, will realign the bones and apply a splint, brace or cast that might extend up the forearm and stay in place three to six weeks.
- In some cases, especially if the bone has been crushed, a surgeon might have to use general anesthesia and surgically insert wires, plates or other hardware to hold the bones in place during healing.
- The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[4] offers an overview of treatment for a broken hand.
Additional costs: | - Going to an emergency room for initial treatment could add a $500 emergency room visit fee to the total bill.
- Some physical therapy might be required, at $50 to $75 or more per session, to regain function in the hand after healing.
Discounts: | - Some hospitals and orthopedic and other specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, the Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and the Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[5] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
- Some free clinics, such as the Community Health Free Clinic[6] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[7] offers a directory of federally funded health centers. These centers are open to anyone and fees are charged on a sliding scale based on federal poverty guidelines; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends contacting clinics directly for specific information on their discount policies. If the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.
Shopping for a broken hand: | - An orthopedic surgeon or a hand surgeon -- who could be an orthopedic surgeon, a plastic surgeon or a general surgeon -- would treat a broken hand. A sports medicine doctor also could treat a sports-related injury. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[8] offers an orthopedic specialist finder by city, state or zip code. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand[9] offers a surgeon locator, but it is important to verify that the doctor is board-certified in either orthopedic (The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[10] ), plastic (The American Board of Plastic Surgery[11] ) or general (The American Board of Surgery[12] ) surgery. Or, the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine[13] offers a doctor locator; it is important to check board certification.
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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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External Resources: | - www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/Procedure/101/Hand%20X-Ray
- tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
- www.c-osa.com/charges.htm
- orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00010
- www.nch.org/medical-services/orthopedic-services/index.php
- www.communityhfc.org/referals.htm
- findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
- www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
- www.assh.org/Public/Pages/HandSurgeons.aspx
- www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
- /www.abplsurg.org/ModDefault.aspx?section=PubFind
- home.absurgery.org/app.jsp?type=vc&id=27
- www.aoasm.org/find-a-do/
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