Appendicitis is one of those health conditions that you have to treat right away. An inflamed appendix, if not removed within 48 to 72 hours, will rupture and can be lethal.
Removing an inflamed appendix is done through standard surgery or through laparoscopy. The latter is less invasive and results in a faster recovery. Of course, the convenience the procedure gives is equivalent to a higher cost.
Speaking of prices, just how much does appendicitis surgery cost?
Average Appendicitis Surgery Price
The average appendectomy cost is around $13,900. The exact price will depend on the following:
- Hospital expenses
- Doctor’s fee
- Insurance coverage
According to the Health Care Bluebook, the “fair price” for the said surgery is $13,897. The said cost, as stated by the website, is the acceptable amount you should pay for the procedure. This is provided that you have an insurance company to back you up.
Furthermore, the global insurance company AXA PPP International posted on their website that the average cost in the US is $13,910. The amount is close to the above fair price.
The appendectomy cost in America, according to the insurance company, is one of the highest worldwide.
Appendicitis Surgery Price Depending On Insurance
How much does appendicitis surgery cost if you’re not backed by insurance? Apparently, the price is hefty. Getting your appendix removed by surgeons will cost you $10,000 to $50,000. A Reddit user even claimed in 2013 that the procedure cost him/her $55,000.
If you have an insurance, on the other hand, paying for the procedure will not hurt as much. In fact, you may pay as low as $10,500 depending on your deductible.
To know how exactly you’ll have to pay, check the benefits with your insurance company.
Tips To Avoid Overpaying
There are some reported cases where the hospital charge more than what the patient ought to pay for. Just look at the Reddit user incident. Business Insider did a report on the hefty surgery cost and indicated that they (the involved company) were really overcharging.
If some hospitals overcharge, is there any way to avoid overpaying? Here are some tips:
- Know the fair price.
We earlier indicated the reasonable amount you have to pay for the procedure. If the hospital charges you a higher cost, check, confirm, and insist your right.
- Scrutinize hospital bills.
Be sure that everything included in your bill was not there by accident.
- Insist on confirming the accuracy of your bill.
If you’re not satisfied with just scrutinizing the initial bill, you may ask for an itemized one that has HCPS or CPT codes. Insist on acquiring a copy before you pay.
- Make sure your insurance company is paying everything based on their coverage.
Your insurance will considerably lessen the surgery cost. While this is a big help, there might be inconsistencies with how much they will pay. To avoid paying more than what you need to, compare your bill with the company’s explanation of benefits.
A rule of thumb is to make sure that you won’t find any inaccuracy in your bill. Talk to the billing department of the hospital and your insurance company to confirm the costs. Remember to insist your right to a fair price.
Sample Online Costs
Aside from the hospital and your insurance company, the price of the surgery will also depend on your location. One of the ways to check how much you’ll have to pay for an appendectomy is by checking online.
One of the websites you can check is MD Save. The said site features prices by state. Note that the lists of costs from the website are cheaper as they aim to give people access to less expensive health care.
Here are sample costs:
Appendectomy
- Florida: $4,471 to $5,856
- Georgia: $3,840
- Illinois: $4,025 to $5,447
- Indiana: $6,000
- Kentucky: $3,881
- Mississippi: $5,637
- Missouri: $4,025 to $4,867
- Nevada: $4,738
- Oklahoma: $3,824 to $5,308
- Pennsylvania: $4,976
- South Carolina: $4,706
- Tennessee: $4,553 to $4,910
- Texas: $4,992 to $5,872
Appendectomy (laparoscopic)
- Florida: $6,080 to $7,799
- Georgia: $5,337
- Illinois: $5,612 to $7,342
- Indiana: $7,342 to $7,810
- Kentucky: $5,401
- Mississippi: $7,349
- Missouri: $5,612 to $6,325
- Nevada: $6,991
- Oklahoma: $6,542 to $6,949
- Pennsylvania: $6,606
- South Carolina: $6,340
- Tennessee: $6,128 to $6,734
- Texas: $6,472 to $7,744
- Wyoming: $7,044
To avail of the less expensive surgery, you can contact your preferred provider through MD Save.
Considerations Before Undergoing Appendectomy
So, what do you have to consider before you undergo an appendicitis surgery?
Well, you should know first if your appendix is indeed inflamed. The symptoms include:
- Pain in the stomach
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Diarrhea
To confirm if you’re suffering from appendicitis, your physician will examine your stomach first. He/she will also take your medical history into consideration. Sometimes, your doctor will also require you to take a blood and urine test. Or, undergo an ultrasound scan or CT scan.
The procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Most patients can leave the hospital within 24 hours of the surgery, especially if it’s a laparoscopic one. Others who undergone standard appendectomy may have to wait longer.
Post Procedure Care
After the appendectomy, you will have to regularly clean the incision site to prevent infections. Your doctor will instruct you on how to do so.
You will be allowed by your provider to move and walk. However, you will have to put off engaging in tiring activities until you are fully recovered.
You will also have to take pain medicines to ease the discomfort. Remember to follow your doctor’s prescription. Other pain relievers, rather than help, may increase bleeding.
Potential Risks
Though most procedures are successful, there are some risks involved including:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Adverse reaction to the general anesthetic
- Abscess formation
- Hernia
To avoid worsening your situation, you should see your doctor if you observe the following symptoms after your surgery:
- Fever/chills
- Swelling or bleeding from the incision site
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Constant coughing, trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain in the belly
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days or no bowel movement for 2 days and up
Of course, prevention is better than cure. Take good care of yourself to avoid inflaming your appendix. Live well!