Nobody wants to be hit with a major medical expense, but at the same time, you don’t want to go through life in pain because you’re worried about the financial impact of a medical procedure. A shoulder surgery will likely be a significant expense, but it won’t be nearly as impactful on your life if you take some simple steps prior to your procedure. Below, we explain how to create a financial plan so that the expense of surgery doesn’t cause a major issue for you and your family.
Financially Planning For Surgery
The unfortunate reality is that surgeries are oftentimes expensive here in America. That fact isn’t isolated to shoulder operations, but since we specialize in shoulder surgeries, we’re going to talk about all the ways we help patients become financially prepared for the expenses associated with a shoulder procedure. Here are some things we discuss with patients and some tips you should consider to become financially prepared for the cost of a surgical procedure.
- Communicate With Your Surgical Team And Insurance – Your surgical team will likely be able to give you a rough estimate of the billable portion of your procedure and care, but you’ll want to run these expenses by your insurance company to make sure you understand your coverage options. You likely won’t be given an exact figure, but if the surgical team can provide you with billing codes or procedural information, the insurance company should be able tell you what percentage will be covered by insurance and a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay out of pocket. Understanding your expected expenses is the first step in any smart financial plan.
- How Surgery Will Affect Your Work – You’ll also want to consider how surgery and your recovery period will affect your ability to earn a paycheck. Talk with your surgeon about your operation, your rehabilitation and your current work duties to understand when you may be able to return to work. Depending on your situation, you may be able to return to work in a partial or limited capacity, so consider talking with your employer to see if light duty work may be available. We understand that you want to return to work and keep a paycheck coming in, but stepping outside your surgical restrictions can lead to a setback or a failed surgery, so don’t return to work until you’ve been given the green light. If possible, try to save some money in the months leading up to surgery to help offset this short period where you’ll be unable to work. You may also be eligible for short-term disability, so consider reaching out to your insurance provider to learn more about your coverage options.
- Planning For Extra Services – It’s also helpful to consider other expenses you may incur as a result of your limited physical capabilities while you recover from shoulder surgery. These expenses will be different for each individual based on their needs and their operation, but it’s not common to have to pay for housekeeping services, lawn maintenance, transportation services or pet care while you are recovering from shoulder surgery. Again, you’ll feel less financial strain if you start saving for these potential expenses months in advance.
- Trust Your Care To The Right Team – Finally, putting your trust in the right team to perform your operation can help save you on additional expenses related to your condition. Dr. Holloway specializes in a variety of techniques that are a little more technical on him, but are less taxing on the patient, and that can greatly reduce discomfort and your recovery time after surgery. This can help to save on hospital costs and rehabilitative services, and you’ll have the peace of mind in knowing that your operation was performed correctly. We also strive to be very open and honest about the cost of services and with helping patients navigate insurance hurdles so that there are no surprise expenses.
We know that the financial unknowns associated with a surgical procedure can be intimidating, but we’re confident we can ease these concerns and ensure you aren’t financially strained as a result of your elective shoulder procedure. For more information, or to talk to a specialist about your shoulder issues, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
