Without health insurance, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment for a sprained or broken ankle typically costs less than $500 for a mild to moderate sprain and up to $2,500 or more for a fracture requiring a cast. An ankle X-ray can cost an average of $180, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[1] , but some radiology centers charge $1,000 or more. Non-surgical treatment of a sprain that involves wrapping the ankle costs about $128, while application of a short leg cast costs about $238, not including the doctor fee, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[2] in Lincoln, Nebraska. A typical doctor fee for non-surgical treatment of a fracture would include $90 to $200 for an office visit plus $250 to $950 for treatment, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[3] .
Without health insurance, diagnosis and surgical treatment of a broken ankle typically costs just under $11,000 to $20,000 or more. For example, surgery for a fractured ankle costs between $9,719 and $17,634, not including the doctor fee, according to a cost calculator from Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[4] in Lincoln, Nebraska. And a typical doctor fee for surgical treatment of a fracture could reach $2,000 or more, according to Carolina Orthopaedic Surgery Associates[5] .
Treatment for a sprained or broken ankle generally will be covered by health insurance. Typical expenses for a patient with insurance can include an X-ray copay, an office visit copay and coinsurance of 30 percent or more for the procedure. The total could range from $100 for a mild sprain to thousands of dollars, or the yearly out-of-pocket maximum for surgery.
Ankle sprains often can be treated with a brace and compression wrap, ice, rest, elevation and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to WebMD[6] .
For non-surgical treatment of ankle fractures, a doctor usually applies a brace or short leg cast, and might order follow-up X-rays to make sure the bone is staying in place during healing.
For surgical treatment of ankle fractures, the doctor places wires, screws or other hardware to hold the bones in place during healing; the exact treatment depends on the type and severity of fracture. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons[7] outlines the typical treatment for various types of ankle fractures.
Additional costs:
Going to an emergency room for initial treatment could add $1,000 to $2,000 or more to the final bill; costs would include an emergency room visit fee, an emergency room doctor fee and the cost of a temporary cast such as an air cast; the patient would then need to seek treatment from a specialist.
Crutches cost about $15 to $40 for a basic pair or up to $100 or more for deluxe forearm crutches.
Physical therapy might be necessary for regaining strength and balance. Several sessions per week at $50 to $75 per hour for six to eight weeks could cost $1,000 or more.
For patients who have a broken bone treated surgically, metal hardware usually can be left in, unless it causes irritation in the future; if removal is required, it can cost between about $2,533 and $11,710 or more, according to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center[8] in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Discounts:
Some orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, the Southern California Orthopedic Institute offers discounted services for cash-paying patients, and the Northwest Community Hospital Orthopedic Services Center[9] , in Chicago, offers discounts for prompt payment.
Some free clinics, such as the Community Health Free Clinic[10] in Chicago, offer orthopedic specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[11] provides a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.
Shopping for a sprained or broken ankle:
A general practitioner can refer the patient to a specialist. Or, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery[12] offers an orthopedic surgeon finder by city, state or zip code. Sports-related injuries can be treated by a sports medicine specialist, who could be either a family physician or an orthopedic surgeon; the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine has a doctor finder.
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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I fell down the stairs and my foot was facing the wrong way! An ambulance came to take me to ER, had an X-ray then put under to pop the dislocation back into place then sent for another X-ray after. Was told I’d need surgery as I’d also broken my ankle, waited on a ward for two days, moved to a private room just before surgery and had 8 pins and a plate put in. Stayed in the hospital for a total of 5 days, sent home with pain meds, crutches and a walking frame. Kept the cast on for two weeks then went back to the hospital to change into a different cast which was on for four weeks. Had the cast off, given a boot and booked in for physical therapy. Crazy to think all of this would cost me money in a different country. Thank the Lord for the NHS!
Posted by: Universal healthcare for all in Melbourne, Other.
Posted: January 24th, 2020 03:01PM
Type of Injury: Fractured fibula
Type of Treatment: Cast
Medical Center: Public hospital
Insurance Carrier: N/A
Emergency room visit, two x 2 X-ray to check before and after cast was put on + painkillers + crutches supplied =$0 Visit to outpatient clinic - cast removed and replaced. 4x X-rays =$0 If surgery was required, that too would have been covered
I twisted my ankle playing ice hockey and only after 6 months discovered that I had also fractured the fibula bone and it hasn't healed. So I'm having surgery next week at a private clinic in Lyon, France. They will perform a bone graft to get the fracture to heal, and install a metal plate with screws. I already know the cost of this procedure will be about $1,450, including the surgeon, anesthesiologist, operating room and facility, and follow-up care. The CT scan used to detect the fracture was about $75. Those costs are all without insurance; with my insurance, I'll pay about $100 out of pocket. Why is heath care so expensive in the US? You're being robbed!
Don’t go to south Baldwin hospital for anything $110,000 for a one night stay at the hospital that didn’t even include the surgery ?????? An additional $6.5k for the surgeon plus whatever my bill will be for anestesia I’ll be paying for the rest of my life, my after life, my reincarnation x10 times over
July 4, 2019: Broke ankle. July 5: Surgery having plate and screws installed. July 6: Discharged with soft cast/non-weight bearing/crutches. Stayed Richmond one week to see surgeon, removed the soft cast, and got a removable boot, remaining non-weight bearing, crutches/scooter. July 14: Return to NYC still non-weight, worked remotely and used taxis with knee scooter, commuter expense accounts can be used for shared cars. July 19: Staples removed, stitches and a thinner plate are better. August 13 (6 weeks): Released partial weight bearing with crutches. (8 weeks began to gently began move with boot alone). Sep 3 (9 weeks): Released full-weight bearing without boot home/work + Physical Therapy. Wearing boot during commute subway. Oct 1: (13 weeks) TBD ditch the boot, build PT The hospital bill was $123,000 USD and insurance covered $27,000, I owed nothing. Spent $1500 on copays, extra bills, and supplies. Spent $2K on taxis 2.5 months.
Insurance Carrier: OHIP, for all citizens of Ontario
Emerg visit: $0.00 X-ray: $0.00 Crutches $30 Orthopedic Dr visit: $0.00 Cast: $0.00 - asked replace case with air-boot $175. 2nd visit to Ortho Dr $0.00 This is the reality of Canadian health care.
Medical Center: Weill Cornell - New York Presbyterian
Insurance Carrier: BSBS
Broke my ankle on a slip while skateboarding on a mini ramp. My girlfriend drove me to the ER. After X-rays was told needed surgery and should do it right away. Stayed in the hospital and had surgery next day. The hospital charges were covered by the insurance but the surgeon charges exceeded the amount that the insurance pays by 10k. The insurance payed for about 6k for three plates and 11 screws. The surgeon charged 16k in total. After some calls to the insurance company and their negotiation with the surgeons office the bill was fully payed. Now I’m looking for a surgeon for the hardware removal, preferentially one that won’t charge more than the insurance covers
Type of Treatment: splint,sugery plates and screws
Medical Center: MCR COLO
Insurance Carrier: none at the time
Slipped on ice and broke my ankle- was in between insurance policies and I went to the er got some meds and a splint and crutches-they referred me to an ortho doc so i went the next day and they looked at xrays from hospital and told me i needed surgery and he could do it two days later-needed a plate and 5 screws- had the surgery-it only took 44 minutes for the surgery- recovery room for about 30 minutes and then more ortho visits after surgery was put in a splint cast then later an air boot-very hard work and lots of pain and now huge outrageous med bills-when i cant even work. :(
As stated, the treatment only consisted of them checking the ankle and wrapping it with a bandage. Literally nothing else, not even crutches. Never again will I go to the doctor when my boss tells me to from a limp. Just call in sick instead.
The amount is a little misleading. The hospital emergency room visit was $2900. I was lucky enough to be able to get a loan to pay $488 within 10 days. most emergency rooms have a humongous cash pay discount. I have not got a bill from radiology yet. But was warned it was coming. To put the fiberglass cast on at orthopedist office was @ $500. They too offer cash pay discountil (30%). But you must pay that day. Took the bigger discount from the hospital. Have at least two more office visits one for cast removal and for a boot to be put on and then final visit. Then there is the possibility of physical therapy. Then there is the associated cost not calculated in any of the bills. Time out of work, medication, travel to and from docs.(I live 50 miles away). Late charges and fees from other bills because you can't work to pay them.
For the initial Emergency visit, the total came out to be 2,500 dollars which included: emergency visit, x-ray, diagnostics, crutches and splint. After that, my leg was placed in another splint, then another cast all of which I have not received the bill for.
Medical Center: Univ Florida Sports Medicine Orthopedics
Insurance Carrier: BCBS
similar to what others reported. initial exam Xrays plus soft splint in Utah in the ski resort clinic (out of state) $900, surgery at UFlorida Shands $12,000 plus other stuff came to about $25,000. TI paid $2,300 close to my $2,500 deductible. nice Xmas ski trip :-)
Type of Treatment: x-rays, crutches and walking boot
Medical Center: Immediate care in Chicago suburb
Insurance Carrier: BCBS
I'm an HMO patient and didn't know that I wasn't allowed to go to immediate care w/o a referral. I received my benefits book a couple of weeks after my fall. For a closed fracture which the PA just examined, I've been billed for surgery (medical code 27786) - $1200. This is how it's done per http://www.myorthoteam.com/services/fracture-care The set of X-rays was billed at $150, medical visit at $360, crutches at $65 and boot at $275.
I took a tiny misstep off of my patio.(Wouldn't you know it, 95% of the time I have insurance and nothing happens.) I fell straight down and heard a snap and saw my foot and I knew it was broken. The first emergency room I went to did not set my bone back in, they sent me home with a loose semi-splint and told me to go see an orthopedic surgeon. -Three doctors told me that they should have set my bone right there and then. I then went to the orth. dr and he sent me to a public emergency room because of no insurance. After going in and out for xrays and paperwork, I finally got a bed. They tried to set my bone in, but could not get it to go. They scheduled me for surgery three days later. I received 2 screws, a plate, and 28 staples. All doctors were amazing at UHCS and at The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group. $2000 for my first emergency room visit where all they did was take xrays and give me meds;$4000 for my second emergency room visit and $19,245 for my ankle surgery.
We spent over $4000 for the ER and then there were 3 or 4 follow-up visits with Ortho MD. Insurance covered much of the ER visit, but we were still stuck with about $1000. I don't recall how much the follow up office visits cost. It was a very minor break. It did not show up on the initial xray.
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