If you have a fractured ankle, getting prompt treatment can help ensure that your ankle heals as fully as possible. Sometimes, ankle fracture treatment includes surgery for fractures as well as casting. Because fracture surgery treats a medical condition, your ankle fracture surgery should be covered by your insurance provider.   

About Ankle Fractures

The ankle can be fractured in a number of situations. It is most often fractured after a fall, or some type of trauma such as compression. For example, it may be fractured in a car accident or after falling while playing a sport. People who are very active are at a higher risk of fractures, as are people who are older.

Often, casting is the primary treatment for an ankle fracture. Casting keeps the joint immobilized, allowing the ankle to heal. Other times, surgery for fractures is also necessary. Surgery may be required if the bone is broken in many places or if it is displaced from its normal position in the body. Casting follows surgery in such situations.

Insurance Coverage

Your insurance should cover the cost of surgery for fractures. As a result, your out-of-pocket costs depend primarily on the terms of your health insurance.

Some people have a high monthly premium but a low deductible, or even no deductible at all. For these patients, the cost of surgery may be quite small, allowing them to manage it without any problems.

Other patients do have a high deductible or copay. If the deductible has not yet been met this year, then the patient may shoulder a large portion of the cost of surgery. These patients may be able to manage their costs by using a health care savings account or a personal savings account.

Financing  

If your portion of the cost of surgery is too high for you to manage all at once, then there are financing options available to help you spread the cost of treatment out over time. This allows you to get the treatment you need immediately. Some financing options include:

• Credit cards – If you have credit cards with a high credit limit which you do not plan on using in the near future, this may be a good choice.
• Health care credit cards – Companies now make credit cards designed specifically for use for health care costs.
• Patient financing companies – Some companies specialize in financing medical procedures.
• Loans or lines of credit – You may be able to take out a loan or line of credit from your local bank or credit union.
• Personal loans – A friend or family member may be willing to loan you the money for the surgery.

If you have a fractured ankle, Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to hear from you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.