When you’re facing the prospect of spinal surgery, the last thing you want to have to worry about is how it is all going to be paid for. From MRIs and blood work to the surgery itself, money shouldn’t be something you fret over while you are recovering from your procedure.
Naturally, cost is a huge factor in any major medical procedure, which is why it’s doubly important that you do your research to find the perfect balance between quality care and a reasonable price for your spinal tumor surgery in NJ.
Finding the Right Provider
Although it may seem like a no-brainer, finding a provider doesn’t just mean finding the perfect surgeon to perform your surgery. You also need to find a practice with staff that is knowledgeable enough to help you navigate through the tricky maze of insurance while also advocating for you to ensure you get the care you need and deserve. Here are a couple tips to help you out:
- Be sure to ask plenty of questions when you’re meeting with your surgeon and their staff to make sure they’re familiar with all of the intricacies of properly billing for spinal tumor surgery in NJ.
- If something doesn’t “feel right,” go with your gut instincts and seek another surgeon to work with.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for an itemized quote of the procedure and the pre- and post-surgical care. Make plenty of inquiries for points that are not crystal clear.
- Read up on your provider — with the numerous review sites now available, these may be able to help you determine if you are on the right track in choosing your particular surgical practice.
Utilize Your HSA
If you have an HSA (health savings account), it’s very possible that you can use it to pay for any expenses related to your spinal tumor surgery in NJ that aren’t covered by your insurance. Each program is a little different, so it’s important to clarify what expenditures do and don’t qualify with your particular HSA rules.
Plan Accordingly
Before Surgery
It may seem that the surgery you are about to undergo is the biggest expenditure of the whole process, however, it’s important to take into account the many expenses that will be related to your surgery. Prior to undergoing your spinal tumor surgery in NJ, you’re going to want to get an accurate accounting of all of the associated costs for exams, blood work, imaging and visits with specialists, etc.
To help keep track of your out-of-pocket expenses, get an estimate of each item and what your insurance will pay. This will help you budget accordingly.
Day of Surgery
Before you go into any procedure, make certain that you are aware of the fees for the surgery, anesthesiologist, anesthesia itself and other related charges. Most insurances require a pre-authorization for major expenditures, be they surgical or otherwise. You will probably be quite focused on the surgery itself the day of, so if possible, have a friend or family member accompany you so they can help you keep track of the details.
After Surgery
Once you’ve undergone your spinal tumor surgery in NJ, you’re well on your way to recovery. Of course, the buck doesn’t stop there. You will very likely need to spend some time in the hospital after your procedure — make sure this goes into your accounting for the overall cost of your surgery.
Luckily, with minimally invasive techniques, less damage is done to the surrounding structures, allowing for a typically smoother and speedier recovery (often within only a day or two of the surgery.) Nonetheless, hospital stays are not cheap.
Depending on the location and severity of your tumor, aftercare such as physical therapy, follow-ups and medications can span a wide range. It is helpful to find out not only what kind of outlay you’ll be looking at before and for your spinal tumor surgery itself, but also the more long-term costs you might incur during recovery.
Get A Second Opinion
You’ve got the paperwork in-hand, but it’s just not computing. What do you do? If you feel that the numbers you’re being quoted don’t quite match up with your expectations (either to the negative or positive ends), first talk with the practice that issued you the estimate.
It’s also fine to continue to question or shop around — don’t hesitate to get a second opinion and quote. You’re dealing with your health and well-being and you deserve to be able to make informed decisions.
Finding the right combination of a skilled surgeon and a fair price doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Most doctors that have nothing to hide (such as additional fees!) will be very forthcoming and shouldn’t be offended by your desire to get the best price AND service for your spinal tumor surgery in NJ.
