| |
|
 |  | With Health Insurance: Copays + 10%-50% Coinsurance |  | Without Health Insurance: $1,000-$15,000+ |
|
|
|
A bunion is a problem with the big toe joint that causes a bone to protrude from the foot and the toe to be improperly aligned. It often can be treated conservatively, but surgery sometimes is required.
Typical costs: | - For patients with health insurance, the typical out-of-pocket cost for bunion treatment consists of a copay or coinsurance of 10%-50%. Bunion treatment might not be covered by health insurance, depending on the plan. For example, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield[1] excludes most treatment for bunions because treatment is considered palliative or cosmetic.
- For patients without health insurance, bunion treatment typically costs less than $1,000 for conservative treatment, and costs depends on which treatments are used. Or, treatment can cost about $2,000-$15,000 or more if surgery is required.
- For example, bunion splints[2] cost from less than $20 to about $70 at FootSmart.com. Cortisone shots typically cost $100-$300 when administered to a joint. And custom orthotics cost about $200-$800.
- At Affordable Foot Care in Texas, bunion surgery[3] costs $2,000. At Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, in Nebraska, surgery to correct a bunion[4] costs roughly $8,000-$15,000 or more, not including the doctor fee. Patients on a forum[5] at HealthBoards.com report total costs for bunion surgery of $5,000-$30,000.
Related articles: Cortisone Injection, Foot Orthotics, Physical Therapy, Health Insurance
| |
What should be included: | - Conservative treatment for a bunion can include anti-inflammatory medication, roomy shoes, custom orthotics, stretching exercises and a foot splint that is worn at night. A doctor sometimes will inject cortisone near the bunion to reduce inflammation.
- If conservative treatment fails to alleviate symptoms, bunion surgery[6] sometimes is recommended. Surgery depends on the individual case and might involve removing the bump on the toe and realigning the joints. A nerve block typically is used to numb the foot, but sometimes general anesthesia is used. Recovery from surgery typically involves wearing a special boot for about six weeks.
- MedicineNet.com has an overview of bunion treatment[7] .
Additional costs: | - In some cases, bunion surgery fails and additional treatment might be needed. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 85%-90% of surgery patients are happy with their results.
Discounts: | - Many hospitals and doctors give discounts of up to 35% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, UC Health, in Cincinnati, offers a 40% discount[8] .
Shopping for bunion treatment: | - A podiatrist should treat bunions. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers a podiatrist locator[9] . It is important to make sure the podiatrist is certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine[10] or the American Board of Podiatric Surgery[11] , depending on their area of specialty.
- WebMD offers a guide to bunion surgery[12] .
|
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.
|
|
|
|
CostHelper News
| 
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
| | 
Fix-it Favorites: Duct Tape and WD-40
My mother taught me that all home fixit-projects can be accomplished with either duct tape or WD-40. If something shouldn't move and it does, use duct tape. If something should move and it doesn't, use WD-40. || Posted September 30 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Simsof in Corpus Christi, TX. | Posted: June 2nd, 2020 06:06PM |
| Type of Treatment: Bunion surgery | Physician or Medical Center: Corpus Christi Medical Center |
I had the surgery in December 2019. The original bill sent to my insurance was $157,000 for lapiplasty (bunion surgery with implants for one foot).
The insurance negotiated to $26,300 and I had to pay the max out of pocket of $4,500.
I am still amazed how can they send a bill of $157,000 for an outpatient surgery. The implants (one plate and 6 screws) were billed with $46,000 and the insurance approved $17,000 (still a lot!!) |
|
|
| Posted by: Liz in Texas in Austin, TX. | Posted: February 4th, 2020 11:02AM |
| Type of Treatment: Lapiplasty | Physician or Medical Center: Cedar Park Regional Hospital |
The hospital billed my insurance $121,999 for the surgery, including the hardware. The fee was reduced by $69,823 (by in network insurance). The final total HOSPITAL cost was $52,176 for the outpatient surgery. Of that, the price of the patented hardware kit (negotiated insurance rate) was $12,511. I have had to pay the full out of pocket max of $4,500 for my part of the procedure. The surgeon's bill all told is about $1,200 and the anesthesiologist bill will probably come in at about $2,000. And that was just for ONE FOOT. I also had to obtain a shower chair and a knee scooter (both borrowed). It's an expensive surgery. I'm going to make sure to have the other foot done before the end of the year so I don't have to pay any more out of pocket! |
|
|
| Posted by: Edly in Cleveland, TN. | Posted: November 19th, 2015 07:11AM |
| Type of Treatment: metal implant | Physician or Medical Center: Sky Ridge |
My doctor charged $3000 and was paid $600 under insurance contract. The hospital charged $88,000 and the contract paid $15,000, leaving me $1,500 to pay out of pocket. It seems like this was excessive charges by the hospital. If I ever need any other surgeries, I'll shop around for a hospital. |
|
|
| Posted by: Angelique Stamps in Chicago, LA. | Posted: July 27th, 2015 08:07PM |
| Type of Treatment: Bunion removed | Physician or Medical Center: Dr. Fried, |
I had had my bunion removed on my left foot in 2001. I used my Medical card, in Chicago, IL. I have not had a problem with my left foot at all. The only thing I didn't like was the scar on top of my foot. But I rather deal with that than the big knot, that was sticking out. I was suppose to go back to have my right foot done and I never did. Now I have to pay and I can't find no one with a cheap price. And this big bunion is killing me. Please help. I am embarrassed to show my right foot. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
External Resources: | - www.anthem.com/wps/portal/ahpprovider?content_path=shared/va/f3/s6/t0/pw_m008961.h...
- www.footsmart.com/bunion-splints-s.aspx?searchterm=%5e*%5ebunion+splints
- www.affordablefootcare.com/services.html
- tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
- www.healthboards.com/boards/foot-problems/54142-bunion-surgery-cost.html
- orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00140
- www.medicinenet.com/bunions/article.htm
- www.uchealth.com/patients-visitors/financial-services/discounts/
- www.apma.org/Directory/FindAPodiatrist.cfm
- www.abpoppm.org/membership/public/public2.html
- www.abps.org/content/resources/FindADoctor.aspx
- www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/should-i-have-surgery-for-bunions
More Health & Personal Care Topics
|
Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com
|
|
| |
| Today's Featured Cost Articles |
|
|
|
|
Post
