People with shoulder injuries that do not respond to non-surgical treatments may require shoulder surgery. From rotator cuff tears to shoulder impingement and much more, shoulder surgeons can repair a wide variety of conditions affecting the bones and soft tissue of the shoulder. Since a shoulder injury is a medical condition that requires treatment, a visit to a shoulder surgeon should be covered by insurance. 
About the Shoulder
The shoulder has the widest range of motion of any other joint in the body. It has a ball-in-socket design, and a number of ligaments, muscles, and tendons allow the shoulder to move through its full range of motion while keeping the joint in place.
Shoulder injuries may occur after a fall or other trauma to the shoulder, such as contact during sports or a car accident. These injuries may take the form of fractures, arthritis, or ligament tears. After a traumatic injury to the shoulder, it is often immediately obvious that something is wrong.
Shoulder injuries may also occur after chronic shoulder overuse, which is common among athletes who frequently take the shoulder through its full range of motion or bear weight on the shoulder. Weight lifters, tennis players, and golfers are all prone to shoulder injuries. Rotator cuff tears and shoulder impingement are especially common as a sports injury.
When Surgery is Necessary
A lot of shoulder injuries respond well to non-surgical treatment. This is especially true of injuries that are mild or that occurred in older, less active individuals. However, if the condition is severe or does not respond to non-surgical methods, surgery may be required.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance should cover the cost of a trip to the shoulder surgeon, as outlined in your insurance policy. Patients unsure of the details of their policy should contact their insurance carrier for more details. Because insurance plans vary in their terms, the patient’s out of pocket costs vary based on the size of their deductible and copay.
Managing Costs
With insurance coverage, many patients are able to manage their portion of the cost of shoulder surgery out of pocket. However, patients with high deductibles may not be able to afford their trip to a shoulder surgeon all at once. These patients may consider financing options, like health care credit cards and third-party financing options, to help them manage the costs. 
When considering the cost associated with shoulder surgery, it is important to consider the long term cost/benefit analysis. Although the initial cost of surgery may be higher than allowing the condition to go untreated, getting treatment can lead to a greatly increased quality of life, and can prevent many future medical bills.
Dr. Howard Marans is an experienced shoulder surgeon who accepts most major insurance plans, including PPO. Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your shoulder injury. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Marans, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at 714.979.8981.