Being in pain due to an injury or degenerative disease can limit the range of motion, creating difficulty in the simplest of daily routines. Treating pain related to the musculoskeletal system will require an expert in the field. An orthopedic doctor can evaluate the disease or injury in relation to a person’s ligament, tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and bones. The orthopedic doctor visit cost will vary with each individual.
The Consultation Meeting
Meeting with an orthopedic specialist is vital to planning a non-surgical treatment program or surgery. An orthopedic specialist will provide an accurate diagnosis of the injury or illness to aid in an optimal outcome. In some situations, a non-surgical approach with physical therapy can help elevate the symptoms while keeping the expenses at a minimum. The orthopedic doctor can give recommendations to local physical therapists who are experienced in dealing with specific ailments related to the musculoskeletal system. Other non-surgical options may help in returning a patient back to a normal routine.
- Rest is critical to give the body a chance to heal properly
- Keep the injured area elevated
- Ice packs in 20 minute intervals over a span of 2-3 days to help reduce pain and swelling
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication to help reduce swelling and inflammation
- Bracing to help keep the injured area from moving for proper healing
The various non-surgical options will be implemented depending on the degree of injury or type of disease. The orthopedic specialist will evaluate the progress before recommending surgery.
Orthopedic Doctor Visit Cost
The initial orthopedic doctor visit cost will be dependent on a variety of factors. If a patient has to pay for the consultation directly due to minimal or no insurance coverage, the cost can range around $250 per visit. If the patient’s primary health care provider requests the consultation, the insurance provider will provide coverage. The coverage will depend on the patient’s co-pay amounts, deductibles, out of network costs, or other guidelines set when signing up for health care coverage. Additional cost may result from various testing.
- X-rays to verify the bones in the area of the injury are not broke or fractured
- MRI to determine the degree of tissue and ligament damage
- Physical examination to determine the degree of injury
Finding the Right Orthopedic Surgeon
To lower the orthopedic doctor visit cost, consider different options for finding the right specialist for individual needs.
- Consider a local orthopedic specialist – The doctor should be within short driving distance to save on traveling expenses
- Find a doctor who’s within the insurance network
- Utilize the Internet for online referrals and reviews to aid in the search
- Ask friends and family members for advice
- Seek a referral from the primary care physician
The orthopedic doctor visit cost may outweigh the need to eliminate pain and return to a healthy lifestyle. A patient’s overall health is vital for normal daily living. In the Malibu area, contacting Dr. Howard Marans for an accurate diagnosis is a cost-saving step. Dr. Marans will work to give the patient a complete treatment program starting with non-surgical options to explain the need for surgery. Accepting PPO and the willingness to work with other insurances, Dr. Marans provides all his patients with optimal care. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.