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.
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.
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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