Broken Jaw Cost

Typical costs:

• Without health insurance, diagnosis and treatment for a broken jaw typically includes the cost of the X-ray, a facility fee and a doctor fee for a typical total of less than $1,000 for a minor jaw fracture that requires rest and pain medication up to $10,000 to $30,000 or more for a severe jaw fracture that requires surgery. Dental and gum injuries can add tens of thousands to the bill, depending on severity. A jaw X-ray costs an average of $310, according to NewChoiceHealth.com^[1] , but some providers charge $1,000 or more. 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^[2] .
• Treatment for a broken jaw typically is typically covered by health insurance. A patient with insurance would typically pay an X-ray copay, an office visit copay and coinsurance of 10% to 50% percent for the procedure. The cost probably would reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum if surgery is required.

• For a minor jaw fracture, treatment might consist of rest, pain medication and a diet of liquid or soft foods.
• For a more severe jaw fracture, the doctor might use general anesthesia and perform surgery to wire the jaw to increase stability during healing, or to insert hardware. Recovery takes six to eight weeks and requires a diet of liquid or soft foods.
• The National Institutes of Health^[3] offers a primer on jaw fractures and treatment.

• A broken jaw might require immediate emergency medical treatment, so additional costs might include an ambulance ride to the hospital, which could cost $500 to $1,000 or more, and an emergency room visit fee of $500 or more.
• If there are post-surgery complications, such as infection or allergic reaction to hardware, this could add thousands of dollars to the final bill. Infections typically occur in about 15%of patients. Treatment would include antibiotics, wound care and possibly removal of fixation devices, and the cost could reach $5,000 or more.

• Some hospitals and oral and maxillofacial surgeons offer discounts for uninsured patients, cash-paying patients or patients who pay within a certain timeframe. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System^[4] in California offers a 35%discount for uninsured patients as well as a financial assistance program for qualifying uninsured patients. And King Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center^[5] in California offers discounts for cash-paying patients.

• A broken jaw is considered a medical emergency, so it might be necessary to seek treatment at a hospital emergency room. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon should evaluate the break. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons^[6] offers a surgeon locator, but it is necessary to verify board certification by contacting the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

1.  www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/Procedure/72/Jaw%20X-Ray
2.  www.c-osa.com/charges.htm
3.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000019.htm
4.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
5.  www.kingoralsurgery.net/
6.  www.aaoms.org/findoms.php

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