A broken toe usually does not require invasive treatment, and often is treated with taping and rest. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and, in some cases, trouble walking and a crooked toe.
Typical costs:
Without health insurance, diagnosis and treatment for a broken toe 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 non-surgical treatment to $10,000 or more for surgical treatment. A toe X-ray costs an average of $110, according to NewChoice Health.com[1] , but some providers charge $1,000 or more. Non-surgical treatment of a fracture of the big toe can cost $254, not including the doctor fee, while surgical treatment costs about $8,900, not including the doctor fee, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[2] in Lincoln, NE. 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 toe 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 could be $100 or less for non-surgical treatment up to the yearly out-of-pocket maximum for surgery.
For a minor fracture, realignment of bones might not be necessary and treatment typically includes taping and rest.
If necessary, the doctor will use local anesthesia to realign the bones, then will tape the broken toe to the adjacent toe, with a piece of gauze in between, to hold the bones in place. Diabetic patients will have to wear a special hard shoe instead. Surgery usually is not required.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[4] offers a primer on toe fractures and treatment.
Additional costs:
Going to an emergency room for initial treatment could add an emergency room visit fee of $500 or more to the final bill.
Discounts:
Some hospitals and podiatric and orthopedic surgeons offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, the Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and so does For Your Feet Podiatric Medicine/Foot Surgery in Colorado.
Some free clinics, such as the Community Health Free Clinic[5] in Chicago, offer orthopedic and podiatric specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[6] 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 broken toes:
A broken toe would be treated by an orthopedic surgeon or a podiatric surgeon. A sports-related injury also could be treated by a doctor who specializes in sports medicine, who could be either a family physician or an orthopedic surgeon.
The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[7] offers an orthopedic surgeon finder by city, state or zip code. The American Board of Podiatric Surgery offers a doctor locator[8] . And the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine offers a doctor locator.
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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Broke my toe while on vacation in Mexico. I went to one of the area hospitals. All of the staff I dealt with spoke English, and made things comfortable for me. I had an initial exam by a doctor, then an x-ray. An orthopedic doctor was called in and he set my toe and taped it. The boot was $325, the ortho doctor was $400, and everything else was $75. Paid USD via credit card. Overall good experience (other than the whole broken toe thing).
went to er,then sent to sports med.paid cash first visit.$289.00.next 3 have been to see dr.and 2 xrays.Billed Global charge for toe fractures,$2169.00.he has never done anything except look at foot and referred me to pt.I feel i'm paying a fine for injury
Medical Center: Monmouth Medical center and Centra State
My toe isn't broken yet cause I had an infection and bleeding. The company I worked for let me go so they wouldn't have to pay for anything. I have kept it safe cause I only want the surgery to correct the problem and the company refuses to pay for it and my lawyer is not fighting for it. I have been sick and it seems the medical profession doesn't want to help. I am suffering financially and medically cause no one wants to do the right thing.
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