If you have an injury to the knee, shoulder, or other joint, you may need to visit an orthopedic surgeon for diagnosis and treatment. Many people worry that visiting an orthopedic surgeon in the City of Orange will be expensive, but it can be quite affordable thanks to insurance coverage. In addition, getting treatment early on is much less costly than letting something go untreated until it becomes worse.
Factors Contributing to Orthopedic Surgeon Costs in the City of Orange
The cost of orthopedic treatment depends on a variety of factors:
- Whether surgery is used – Surgery is more costly than non-surgical treatment, but it is necessary in some cases.
- Type of surgery used – If it is possible to use minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery, the cost will be lower than with open joint surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is usually shorter to perform and does not require a hospital stay.
- How complex the injury is – If an injury is very extensive or complex, treatment may be more costly.
- Diagnostic testing needed – If the injury is difficult to diagnose, it may be necessary to order multiple diagnostic tests before the cause can be identified.
- Local cost of living – Visiting an orthopedic surgeon is more expensive in areas where the cost of living is higher, but patient incomes are usually higher as well.
- The physician – Some doctors keep their operating costs to a minimum and pass on savings to clients.
Insurance Coverage
Although a number of factors can influence the cost of orthopedic surgery, the single biggest factor contributing to what you pay out of pocket for an orthopedic surgeon in the City of Orange is your insurance coverage. If you have extensive insurance coverage that does not have a high deductible or copay, you may pay next to nothing out of pocket. If you have less robust coverage, you may pay as much as thousands of dollars to meet your deductible. For most people, the reality lies somewhere between these two extremes.
Financing Options
If you have a high copay and cannot handle the cost of visiting an orthopedic surgeon in the City of Orange all at once, you can use financing to help spread the cost over a period of several months. Popular financing options include health care credit cards, which usually offer a low interest rate and a short period to pay the balance, and patient financing companies. You may also turn to resources such as traditional credit cards or loans.
Although the cost of treatment can be significant in some cases, getting treatment is much more affordable than letting an injury go untreated. Over time, orthopedic injuries can lead to more severe and extensive problems that require more expensive treatment, while also taking a greater toll on your quality of life and health. Therefore, it is best to visit an orthopedic surgeon as soon as you realize that there is a problem.
Dr. Howard Marans would be happy to meet with you about your orthopedic health. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call OC Orthopedic at (714) 979-8981.