Spinal Compression Fracture Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Compression fractures caused by osteoporosis typically do not cause injury to the spinal cord, and can often be treated with pain medicines, such as Tramadol-Acetaminophen (Ultracet)^[2] , which for uninsured patients, costs $34 on average in generic form and $125 on average under its brand name. For insured patients, typical out-of-pocket costs include a prescription drug copay, of $5 - $50 or more.
• A doctor may also recommend a bisphosphonate, a class of medications used to treat osteoporosis, like Alendronate (Fosamax)^[3] , about $10 a month for the generic version or about $80 a month for the brand-name version, to help prevent further damage.
• Other treatments may include back braces or physical therapy. Per session, physical therapy typically costs $50- $350 for uninsured patients, or brings a copay of $10 -$75 for insured patients.
• Surgery is rarely needed but may be recommended to address severe and disabling pain that does not improve with other treatments. Surgery can cost $2,500 - $15,000, depending on the procedure. The two most common procedures ^[4] are Vertebroplasty, in which a doctor injects bone cement into a partially collapsed vertebrae, and Kyphoplasty, in which a doctor uses an inflatable bone tamp to expand the collapsed vertebrae. Kyphoplasty is the more expensive procedure, costing about $5,000 more. One study^[5] found average unadjusted inpatient costs to be $9,837 for vertebroplasty versus $13,187 for kyphoplasty and outpatient vertebroplasty to be $3,319 versus $8,100 for kyphoplasty.
• Surgery typically is covered by health insurance. For insured patients, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a specialist copay, possibly a hospital copay of $100 or more, and coinsurance of 10%-50% for the procedure, which could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.

• A doctor will take the patient's complete history and give a physical exam to see which movements cause pain or other symptoms. If the doctor believes there is a compression fracture, an X-Ray or other imaging tests will be ordered.
• Both Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are minimally invasive, if surgery is needed.
• Orthogate.com offers a detailed overview of surgical and nonsurgical treatment^[6] for the condition.

• Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured or cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital^[7] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.
• Some free clinics, such as Community Health Free Clinic^[8] in Chicago, provide orthopedic or neurological specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services^[9] posts a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.

• The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery offers an orthopedic surgeon finder^[10] by city, state or zip code. The American Board of Podiatric Surgery offers a doctor locator^[11] . And the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine also offers a doctor locator^[12] ; it is important to check board certification.
• Healthwise offers a checklist ^[13] of questions patients can ask doctors while considering treatment.

1.  www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/spinal-compression-fractures-treatments
2.  www.rxlist.com/ultracet-drug.htm
3.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000018/
4.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vertebro
5.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21546460
6.  www.orthogate.org/patient-education/thoracic-spine/spinal-compression-fractures.html
7.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
8.  www.communityhfc.org/referals.htm
9.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
10.  www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
11.  www.abps.org/content/resources/FindADoctor.aspx
12.  www.aoasm.org/find-a-do/
13.  www.sanfordhealth.org/Content/HealthInformation/HealthWise/media/pdf/hw/form_zm2258.pdf

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