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How Much Does Bunion Surgery Cost?

Last Updated on July 30, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by Certified CFA CFA Alexander Popinker

If you’re wearing high heels, shoes that are too narrow, or any combination of these two, you might end up with a painful condition of your foot, known as bunions. Because there isn’t enough room in your shoe for the toe to properly flex, the stress on the tendon in the upper-mid foot of your big toe won’t contract. What happens next is that the toe pushes the second toe misaligning the joint, instead of flexing upward while walking. There are a lot of treatments for this condition, like orthotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or new shoes, but nothing will fix these conditions like bunion surgery.

How Much Does Bunion Surgery Cost?

Depending on where you live and how complex the procedure will be, bunion surgery can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $4,700. Statistics show an average nationwide cost of bunion removal surgery of around $3,263. If you live on the east or west coast expect to pay the highest fees, around $4,600. If instead, you live in the southern US, you will only pay around $3,900 for the same surgery.

Why Have Bunion Surgery?

This particular surgery can be performed only by a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon. There is around an 85% to 90% post-surgery satisfaction rate, according to statistics from the American Academy studies. Your first treatment option for bunions shouldn’t be surgery. You should only consider surgery if one of the circumstances below is met:

  • You tried all of the other medical alternatives and they have failed, including anti-inflammatory drugs, and orthotics, or show changes. bunions
  • You can’t find relief from bunion pain with anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • You notice you can’t bend or straighten your toe anymore.
  • The inflammation of your toe doesn’t seem to react to the medication.
  • The pain is unbearable and the patient has problems dealing with daily tasks.

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Different Types of Surgery

To correct bunions, you can choose one of five types of surgery. Then, taking your age and physical condition into account, your surgeon will pick the best type of surgery to fix your condition.

  1. Osteotomy. The procedure of realigning the joint after an initial cut.
  2. Resection Arthroplasty. by removing any damaged parts of the joint, this procedure will create “a flexible scar joint”. This is an option if you`ve had previous unsuccessful bunion surgeries if you`re suffering from arthritis or if you’re too old for other kinds of surgeries.
  3. Exostectomy. This is the perfect procedure if your toe hasn’t drifted and it will only remove the bump from the outer edge of the toe. The problem is that this procedure won’t address the cause of the bunion, so it’s not used too often.
  4. Arthrodesis. If you opt for this procedure you should know that the surgeon will remove any damaged surfaces of the joint and then he will insert metal screws or plates to fix the join together until it will be completely healed. Opt for this procedure only if you`re suffering from structural deformities, severe arthritis or other procedures have failed.
  5. Repair of Tendons and Ligaments. This surgery will loosen the tendons and ligaments that are too tight and it will also shorten the ligaments that have become loose, to realign the toe into its proper position.

Bunion Surgery Cost Breakdown

There are three components of the cost of bunionectomy.

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  1. Surgical Repair/Doctor’s Fee. This is what the physician will take for his job along with any post-operative expenses.
  2. Facility Services. You will need to go to an outpatient surgery center to get a bunion surgery. This is the fee for the operating room, pre-operative testing, supplies, and any medications needed before and during the surgery.
  3. Anesthesia Services. You will have to pay for anesthesia services separately and this will include the cost of the anesthesiologist and the meds required for the anesthesia along with some pre and post-operative services.

You should discuss any other options you have with the doctor before this o any other procedure, as surgery is a serious undertaking. Bunion surgery will be the best way to lower your pain when all of the other treatment methods fail.

Should you, as a normal working man, get such an operation with these costs? If any other treatment methods fail, you should get this surgery done. Health is much more important than money, so as soon as you realize that this is your last option, don’t give it a second thought and prepare for surgery.

What Influences the Price of Bunion Surgery?

Insurance coverage and your location will impact the final cost of this surgery, as long as your plan will cover the procedure. The health centers and physicians you have access to are the very first things that will affect the cost of this surgery. The very same goes for the city you live in. Individuals who live in bigger cities will always have more possibilities.

Your insurer works out the network rate with your physician and hospital or clinic. That implies that these 2 parties will have a big impact on the expense of your bunion surgery. This is not to say an individual does not have alternatives. Individuals ought to be open to getting a 2nd and 3rd opinion. An insurance provider will usually provide you with more than one physician.

The kind of treatment needed and what will happen throughout the operation, are other elements that enter into the cost of bunion surgery. Standard techniques need hospitalization. If an emergency situation happens during the surgery, there will be extra costs for sure.

Finally, personal health can play a huge role in the price of bunion surgery. Specific health issues can make conventional bunion surgical treatment harder. Minimally intrusive treatments may be less pricey. In addition, you will not need to miss out on a lot of work.

Health insurance coverage

Insurance coverage will most likely cover part or all of the surgical treatment, due to the fact that most bunion surgeries are not considered cosmetic. A bunion that is triggering discomfort or altering the way you walk or run, is seen as a medical issue. If it is smaller in size and triggers no discomfort, insurance might not cover the treatment. The kind of insurance coverage you have will impact the final cost of your bunion surgery.

Your co-pay, co-insurance, and deductible all impact your final price. If you opt for a surgeon that is out-of-network, it can also lead to inflated expenses. Your insurance provider will want you to go to individuals they have deals with, however, that does not necessarily mean you need to. Your health must always be the most essential thing to consider.

Medicare and Medicaid typically cover foot care. This is due to the fact that roughly 35% or all people over the age of 65 will have some kind of foot-related issue. As long asit is deemed medically necessary, the majority of insurance providers will cover the treatment with evidence of pain/discomfort from a medical professional.

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The Best Care For The Price

You shouldn’t be tied to a certain surgery type based on the insurance company you’re working with or the coverage you’re under. Any person has an obligation to look for the very best care possible for what they can pay for.

Even when insurance covers a part of the final cost, individuals are still most likely to pay something from their own pocket. Here are a couple of methods ways you can ensure you’re getting the most for the price:

Research and compare local hospitals and surgeons. Call and get a price quote.
Ask your insurer about all expenses in advance. That includes everything from co-pays, and deductibles, to co-insurance.
Take advantage of a Flexible Investing Account (FSA), Health Cost Savings Account (HSA), or Health Repayment Account (HRA) to cover any extra costs.

A person can most often speak with their medical professional. Physicians are thoughtful people and will want to talk with you to help in reducing expenses if you are paying from your own pocket.

You should not postpone bunion surgery because you fear the price. The longer you wait, the worse it will get, it will be more pricey to repair, and the needed time for recovery will be longer. It’s up to the clients to do their research prior to surgery.

Typical Questions About Bunion Surgery Costs

Is bunion surgery covered by medical insurance?

It depends. If the bunion is triggering discomfort and disrupting your regular life, it is seen as a medical condition and it is normally covered by medical insurance. If the bunion surgery is provided for only cosmetic factors, it isn’t seen as a medical condition and health insurance will generally not cover it.

What are the hidden expenses of bunion surgery?

Standard open-foot bunion surgical procedure features high hidden expenses of weeks or months of missed work and wear and tear on those who need to look after you throughout the weeks and months of healing. Minimally intrusive bunion surgery will help you avoid these hidden expenses entirely due to the fact that you will not need to miss work and you won’t be incapacitated so nobody needs to look after you.

Do they put you to sleep for bunion surgery?

Standard open-foot bunion surgery will require you to be put to sleep. During a minimally intrusive bunion surgical treatment, an anesthetic is utilized on the foot and you stay awake and conscious during the complete procedure.

1 reply
  1. Victoria Addington
    Victoria Addington says:

    My uncle has been having problems lately with his toe since he mentioned that he can’t bend or straighten it anymore. With that, he’s thinking of getting a bunion surgery. It’s good to know that this method is the best way to lower the pain he’s experiencing. Hopefully, we can find a clinic that offers check up and surgery services.

    Reply

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