How do you get surgery when you can't afford it?
Asked by: Bailee Zulauf V | Last update: June 11, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (42 votes)
- Payment plans. If you need help paying for surgery without insurance. ...
- Temporary disability. ...
- Government programs that help pay for surgery. ...
- Turn to online fundraising for medical expenses.
What happens if I can't afford surgery?
Contact the hospital's billing office and ask who administrates its financial assistance programs. Be open about your struggle to afford the procedure and see what options might be available to you. Even if the hospital can't help, it may be able to refer you to a local nonprofit that can.
Can you be denied surgery if you cant pay?
For sure! Medical professionals can deny patients if they can't pay for their services. Doctors practice their limited right to refuse patients on this basis. But wait! This happens when doctors' offices don't have alternatives to make it easier for patients to afford the treatment.
How do people afford surgeries?
The best option may be to start with the money in your Health Savings Account. Since typically, people do not have enough in their HSA to cover the entire expense of the surgery, some use their personal savings to make up the difference.
How can I get help paying for surgery?
Charity care - If you still need help with medical bills after health insurance or Medicaid payments have been applied, a charity care program may assist you with the remaining costs. In most cases, you can apply for charity care through a doctor or hospital where you are seeking medical treatment.
Can't afford cataract surgery? You may be able to get it free
Can I do a payment plan for surgery?
Financing Options: Many hospitals and clinics offer financing options, such as payment plans, to help you cover the cost of surgery over time. You can also consider taking out a personal loan or using a credit card to pay for the surgery.
How can I make surgery more affordable?
Explore financing options such as payment plans or medical credit cards. These can help you spread out the cost of the surgery over time. Don't be afraid to negotiate with your surgeon or hospital. Ask if they offer any discounts or if they can match a competitor's price.
What is the cheapest surgery?
Cataract surgery is the least expensive on our list with an average cost of about $3,441. In this procedure, a cloudy eye lens is removed and typically replaced with an artificial lens. With either having cataracts or having had surgery to correct it, it is one of the most common and regularly performed surgery.
How much does surgery cost without insurance?
The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof. Some of the most common surgeries have price tags that top $100,000. Those are alarming figures, especially for families with limited budgets or no insurance.
What surgeries are not covered by insurance?
Cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery or vein removal are nearly always considered elective and so are not covered. Fertility treatments are only covered in certain states, and even then, there are loopholes that allow insurers to deny coverage.
What do doctors do if you can't pay?
If you don't qualify for financial assistance, work directly with your doctor or hospital on a repayment plan. Sometimes, if you offer to pay a portion of your bill right away, they will offer you a discount. Many health care providers offer low- or no-interest repayment plans over several years.
Can hospitals turn you away if you can't pay?
Because of EMTALA, you can't be denied a medical screening exam or treatment for an emergency medical condition based on: If you have health insurance or not. If you can pay for treatment.
What happens if you don't pay medical bills under $500?
Waiting to pay can be beneficial
That means if the card becomes delinquent, even debts under $500 can appear on your credit report and hurt your score. Despite the potential consequences of ignoring a medical debt, there are some advantages to letting the bill go unpaid.
How to get insurance to pay for surgery?
For instance, many plans require a pre-authorization process, where the insurance company must approve the surgery before it can be scheduled. Some insurance plans may also require that the patient sees an in-network provider or obtain a referral from their primary care physician before scheduling the surgery.
Should I go to the hospital if I can't afford it?
If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.
How to get hospital bill reduced?
What to do when you need surgery but can't afford it?
In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.
How much does a 3 day stay in the hospital cost?
It's easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. The average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.
Which surgery is most expensive?
- Bowel-to-bowel fusion.
- Craniotomy.
- Tracheostomy.
- Spinal Fusion.
- Exploratory chest surgery.
- Aortic valve replacement.
- Small bowel transplant.
- Intestine transplant.
How do I afford surgery?
- Review Costs.
- Talk to Billing.
- Lower Fees.
- Ask Questions.
- Borrow From Retirement.
- Use Your Savings.
- Use Home Equity.
- Take Out Unsecured Loans.
Why is surgery so cheap in Mexico?
Another important factor that can explain this disparity in prices is overhead expenses. From heating and A/C to property costs, overheads are considerably lower. The cost of most Medical supplies is cheaper in Mexico too, despite being the exact same brands manufactured and used in the US and Europe.
What surgery has the lowest survival rate?
Mortality rates and procedure volume
The higher risk procedures included upper GI cancer resection, colorectal cancer resection and elective aortic aneurysm repair (mortality rate 2.2–4.5%, table 1). Lower risk procedures were bariatric surgery, thyroidectomy and hip replacement (mortality rate 0.07–0.4%, table 1).
What happens if you can't afford surgery in the US?
Hospital charity care may be available based on your income and savings. In fact, according to Fox, some hospitals are required by state law to provide free or reduced services to low-income patients. As soon as your bills arrive, let your providers know if medical problems have affected your income and ability to pay.
How to get help paying for surgery?
Most hospitals offer discounts and sometimes free care to those who cannot afford to pay. Your eligibility usually depends on your household income and the number of people who live in your household. This is compared to the federal poverty level and is referred to as the "percent of federal poverty level" (% FPL).
How to reduce surgery costs?
If you need a procedure or surgery, ask your provider if you can have it done at an outpatient clinic. Often, getting care at a clinic is cheaper than having the same procedure in a hospital. Depending on your health coverage, you may have the choice to see providers who are in-network or out-of-network.