Pinched Nerve Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of doctor visit copays, prescription drug copays or coinsurance of 10%-50%. Treatment for a pinched nerve typically is covered by insurance, but certain treatments might be excluded, depending on the plan.
• For patients not covered by health insurance, treatment for a pinched nerve can cost less than $300 for a doctor visit, rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medication; it can cost $50-$350 per session -- or a total of hundreds or thousands of dollars -- for physical therapy; it can cost up to $1,000-$5,000 or more per year for anticonvulsant medications prescribed to treat nerve pain; and it can cost about $8,000 for carpal tunnel release surgery; and it can cost $20,000-$150,000 or more for spinal surgery.
• For example, if the pinched nerve is caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, a doctor visit would cost up to $200 and a wrist brace would cost about $20-$40. Drugstore.com charges about $20-$100 or more, depending on dose, for a one-month supply of the generic drug gabapentin[1] , and charges from less than $70 to $400 or more, depending on dose, for the brand-name equivalent, Neurontin[2] . And Drugstore.com charges about $100-$250 or more for a one-month supply of the drug Lyrica[3] .
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center[4] charges about $7,600, after a 30% uninsured discount, for a carpal tunnel release surgery. Herniated disc surgery typically costs $20,000-$50,000, while back surgery for spinal stenosis costs $50,000-$90,000 and spinal fusion surgery costs $80,000-$150,000.

• A doctor might first prescribe rest, ice and possibly an anti-inflammatory medication. If symptoms do not resolve or are severe, the doctor might prescribe an anticonvulsant medication such as gabapentin[5] (brand name Neurontin) or pregabalin[6] (brand name Lyrica), both of which can be used for nerve pain. A doctor might recommend physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility, and reduce pain. According to MedicineNet.com[7] , most patients recover with these conservative treatments. Recovery can take several weeks or longer.
• If those treatments do not work, and/or if the patient experiences muscle weakness that gets progressively worse -- a sign of nerve damage -- surgery might be recommended. Surgeries used for pinched nerves include a carpal tunnel release[8] , a diskectomy[9] or a laminectomy[10] . In some cases, spinal fusion[11] is required.
• MedicineNet.com[12] has an overview of pinched nerves and treatment.

• Some patients who have surgery might require a cane, which typically costs about $15-$80, or a walker, which can cost $200 or more.

• Many hospitals and doctors give discounts of up to 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[13] in California offers a 35% discount.
• Some drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs. Any patient without prescription drug coverage who also is not eligible for Medicare typically qualifies for the Together Rx Access[14] , a discount card that offers 25%-40% off brand-name drugs from many pharmaceutical companies. Most companies also offer free drugs to patients who have no coverage and meet certain criteria.

• A family doctor can provide a diagnosis and initial treatment. If symptoms do not resolve or are severe, the doctor can make a referral to a specialist such as a neurologist, an orthopaedic surgeon or neurosurgeon. Or, the American Academy of Neurology offers a neurologist locator[15] . A neurologist should be board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology[16] . The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery offers an orthopaedic-surgeon finder[17] . And the American Board of Neurological Surgery offers a neurosurgeon locator[18] .
• Both orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons can perform surgery on the spine. SpineUniverse.com, a site run by orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, offers advice on choosing between an orthopaedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon[19] . The American Physical Therapy Association offers a physical-therapist locator. Physical therapists are licensed at the state level after passing an exam, and it is important to verify that a provider is licensed. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy offers contact information[20] for each state licensing body.

1.  www.drugstore.com/gabapentin/qxdgabapentin
2.  www.drugstore.com/neurontin/qxdneurontin
3.  www.drugstore.com/lyrica/qxdlyrica
4.  patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/out_of_pocket_estimator_dhmc.ht...
5.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000940/
6.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000327/
7.  www.medicinenet.com/pinched_nerve/page5.htm
8.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002976.htm
9.  www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007250.htm
10.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/laminectomy/MY00674
11.  orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00348
12.  www.medicinenet.com/pinched_nerve/article.htm
13.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
14.  www.togetherrxaccess.com/p/prescription-savings/about-together-rx-access/enroll.aspx
15.  patients.aan.com/findaneurologist/
16.  application.abpn.com/verifycert/verifycert.asp
17.  www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
18.  www.abns.org/diplomates/default.aspx
19.  www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/surgery/neurosurgeon-or-orthopedic-surgeon-does-m...
20.  /www.fsbpt.org/LicensingAuthorities/index.asp

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