How do you pay for expensive surgery?

Asked by: Leland Nikolaus  |  Last update: May 28, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (59 votes)

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.

What to do when you need surgery but can't afford it?

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.

What happens if you get surgery and can't pay?

Legal Action: Hospitals or collection agencies may take legal action to recover the debt. This could result in a lawsuit, and if they win, they might obtain a judgment against you, which can lead to wage garnishment or bank account levies.

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.

Do you pay for surgery before or after?

It depends on the situation. If it's emergency surgery, you don't have to pay anything before the surgery happens. If it's planned medical surgery, you usually pay a small amount ahead (mine is $200--250, but the amount you pay is dependent on your insurance coverage) and the rest later.

Paying for Plastic Surgery

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Does surgery have to be paid upfront?

In other situations, including a pre-scheduled surgery, the hospital or other providers can ask for at least some payment upfront. But in most cases, a health plan's network contract with the hospital or other medical provider will allow them to request upfront payment of deductibles, but not to require it.

How are surgeries priced?

The cost of surgery in the United States can vary significantly depending on the type of surgery, location, and whether the patient has insurance. On average, hospital services, which form a large part of surgical costs, account for over 31% of the U.S.'s total healthcare spending, which exceeded $4.3 trillion in 2021.

Which surgery is most expensive?

Here is our list of the 15 most expensive medical treatments/procedures in the world.
  • Bowel-to-bowel fusion.
  • Craniotomy.
  • Tracheostomy.
  • Spinal Fusion.
  • Exploratory chest surgery.
  • Aortic valve replacement.
  • Small bowel transplant.
  • Intestine transplant.

Do hospitals do payment plans 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 do surgeries get paid?

The funding a general practice receives depends on a complex mix of different income streams. Much of a practice's income comes from its core contract agreements – meeting mandatory requirements, running essential services and operating additional and out-of-hours services where they have been agreed.

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 you get surgery and pay later?

There are many lenders available that provide financing for elective medical procedures. You can sign up for monthly payments and schedule your surgery or procedure in advance.

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 someone can't pay for a surgery?

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. Negotiate medical bills after the surgery. Most billing offices are willing to set up payment arrangements with patients.

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.

What happens if you ignore medical bills?

Once medical bills enter collections, they are often reported to consumer credit reporting companies. Medical debt collections on a credit report can impact your ability to buy or rent a home, raise the price you pay for a car or insurance, and make it more difficult to find a job.

How do you get surgery when you can't afford it?

4 Helpful Ways to Get Surgery Assistance
  1. Payment plans. If you need help paying for surgery without insurance. ...
  2. Temporary disability. ...
  3. Government programs that help pay for surgery. ...
  4. Turn to online fundraising for medical expenses.

Can a hospital make you pay upfront?

Doctors want to be sure that they will be compensated for the care they provide. Fourth lesson: It is not illegal to be asked to pay what you may owe in advance for a major medical event. But if you are asked to pay upfront, legally you don't have to.

How do payment plans work?

Within a payment plan for financing, the consumer pays back a fixed amount of money every month until the balance is cleared. Credit cards require a more flexible payment plan, where there is a minimum required payment per month, and the borrower can decide how much to pay back and when.

What's the hardest surgery to go?

One of the most complex surgeries that patients can undergo is surgery related to the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal system. The surgery itself is a lengthy and complex process and requires a team of specialists to carry out the operation.

How to afford expensive surgery?

How to Pay For Surgery Costs That Insurance Won't Pay
  1. Review Costs.
  2. Talk to Billing.
  3. Lower Fees.
  4. Ask Questions.
  5. Borrow From Retirement.
  6. Use Your Savings.
  7. Use Home Equity.
  8. Take Out Unsecured Loans.

How to 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.

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.