Hemorrhoid, also known as piles, is perhaps one of the several diseases wherein the stigma is relatively more discomforting than the condition itself. Characterized by the swelling of the anal canal caused by an enlarged internal blood vessel, hemorrhoids is more often a result of strained bowel movement. Constipation may be the leading cause but hemorrhoids may somehow be attributed to related strenuous activities such as lifting extremely heavy weights.
Since its highest recorded prevalence in 1974, cases of hemorrhoids requiring serious operations have been dropping steadily in the United States. However, nearly half of the Americans are at risk of this disease as soon as they cross the age of 50 years old – accounting for a total of 10.4 million diagnosed patients per year. Only up to 20% of these patients may require surgery.
National Average Cost
So, how much does hemorrhoid surgery cost? A simple removal medical operation in the outpatient department involving a rubber band, staple or scalpel is anywhere around $932 to $3,086. However, for complicated cases that require advanced surgical removal, the broad price range could be anywhere from $10,169 to more than $31,780.
Considering the expensive median price of hemorrhoid surgeries, it is advantageous for consumers to avail discounts from renowned healthcare providers. MD Save effectively cuts down the national average cost down to almost half the price. There is a total of 132 providers that can offer budget rates in the following states:
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wyoming
All About Medical Insurance
Availing for insurance is one of the simplest ways to reduce the relatively expensive average hemorrhoid removal cost patients would pay out of their own pockets. According to the 2017 Colorectal Surgery Medicare Coding Reimbursement Guide, there is a total of 15 specific hemorrhoid procedures that can be partially covered by insurance plans. The average hemorrhoid banding price (CT 46221), for instance, is partially indemnified in all of the following billable areas:
- Physician cost (facility setting): $197
- Physician cost (non–facility setting): $275
- Hospital outpatient fees: $668
- Ambulatory surgery care: $117
By comparison, this is how much Medicare will cover for a relatively more complicated hemorrhoidectomy procedure (CT 46255):
- Physician cost (facility setting): $366
- Physician cost (non–facility setting): $520
- Hospital outpatient fees: $2,168
- Ambulatory surgery care: $1,115
Granted that medical insurance is fueled by periodic subscriptions (either via salary deduction or via voluntary payment), it is to every American citizen’s interest to know how much they ought to be charged as proportionate to their income. Here is an index of monthly Medicare premium cost based on the ranges of value for individual tax returns:
- $85,000 or less per year = $121.80 per month
- $85,001 to $107,000 per year = $170.50 per month
- $107,001 to $160,000 per year = $243.60 per month
- $160,001 to $214,000 per year = $316.70 per month
- More than $214,000 per year = $389.90 per month
Hemorrhoid Surgery Abroad
Considering that several nations around the world aspire for upholding globally competitive treatment standards, people living in affluent countries would invest on the promising reputation of these relatively cheaper facilities – hence, the rise of medical tourism as an industry. But how much does hemorrhoid surgery cost overseas? Medigo highlights the following countries and their lowest average price range for hemorrhoidectomy procedure:
- Poland: $425
- Germany: $461
- Tunisia: $471
- United Arab Emirates: $1,024
- Thailand: $1,172
Stages of Hemorrhoids
Based on the discussion featured in Steady Health forum, respondents confirm that surgery is pretty much not an expedient solution to dealing with the earlier stages of the problem. In fact, most physicians would recommend conservative measures before resorting to the ultimate method of medical intervention. Here is a summary of the four stages of hemorrhoids and their usual treatment proposals:
Stage 1 Hemorrhoid
Characteristics:
- Irritation with or without minor rectal bleeding.
- No vein prolapsed, but the blood vessels are prominent.
Treatment:
- Natural remedies
- Lifestyle (diet) adjustments
Stage 2 Hemorrhoid
Characteristics:
- Irritation with or without minor rectal bleeding.
- Vein prolapses temporarily when bearing down for bowel movement.
Treatment:
- Natural remedies
- Lifestyle (diet) adjustments
- Rubber band ligation (optional)
Stage 3 Hemorrhoid
Characteristics:
- Severe irritation with minor rectal bleeding.
- Vein prolapses when bearing down for bowel movement.
- Prolapsed vein can be pushed back in the anal canal manually.
Treatment:
- Lifestyle (diet) adjustments
- Rubber band ligation
- Sclerotherapy
Stage 4 Hemorrhoid
Characteristics:
- Severe irritation and chronic rectal bleeding.
- Prolapsed vein permanent and can no longer be pushed back into the anal canal manually.
- Hemorrhoids already contain blood clots (thrombosis).
Treatment:
- Sclerotherapy
- Hemorrhoidectomy
Standard Prescription Drug
If there is one aspect about the average hemorrhoid removal cost that is not always included in the spending, it is the money spent on prescription drugs. Medications are primarily designed to pain relief and reduce the inflammation caused by recurring hemorrhoids.
Among the most recommended drug by physicians is Hydrocortisone Acetate. As of July 2017, the average price of this medication is $155.80. However, one can buy this drug from Good RX at a much cheaper price. These are the top 5 recommended retail outlets and their costs:
- Wal-Mart: $51.29
- Walgreens: $64.39
- CVS Pharmacy: $70.07
- Rite-Aid: $76.74
- Costco: $94.95
Natural Alternative Treatments
As mentioned in the earlier part of the article, spending for the average hemorrhoid banding price may only be necessary during the second and third stages of the disease. The first and second stages are fairly manageable with natural remedies. These are the following lifestyle adjustments prescribed for patients suffering from the preliminary stages of hemorrhoids:
- Eating high-fiber and fermented foods
- Increasing water consumption
- Limiting alcohol and spicy food intake
- Not sitting too long on the toilet
- Avoiding from strained bowel movement
The following habits work when observed religiously. However, it is possible to increase the potency of natural remedy by taking essential supplements. These are the following substances recommended by expert physicians:
- Butcher’s Broom: $6.49
- Pycnogenol: $34.21
- Witch Hazel: $4.79
- Horse Chestnut: $14.99
- Psyllium Husk: $4.98
- Cypress Oil: $9.72
- Helichrysum Oil: $80.99