Hi all, I’m thinking about getting bunion surgery, but I’m not sure what the costs are like. For anyone who’s had it done, can you share what it cost for you and how much insurance covered? Also, how long was your recovery time? Thanks in advance!
The costs can vary a lot depending on the procedure and your insurance. I had both my feet done with Lapiplasty, and each foot was billed around $75K. My insurance covered about $42K per foot since I was in-network. I paid my $5K annual deductible using my HSA, and I made sure to do both surgeries in the same plan year, so I only had to pay it once. I also spent around $650 on recovery aids and special shoes.
I had bilateral hallux valgus correction done, and it cost me around $4K AUD out of pocket. Here’s the breakdown:
- Surgeon: $2.8K
- Assistant: $720
- Anesthetist: $650
- Hospital stay: $500
Without private health insurance, it would’ve cost me close to $20K, so the insurance definitely helped. I also pay about $2K a year for the private health insurance.
@Lior
That’s so high! In the US, where I’m at, the surgeon’s fee for bunion surgery is only about $500.
Brook said:
@Lior
That’s so high! In the US, where I’m at, the surgeon’s fee for bunion surgery is only about $500.
Yeah, it’s crazy. But I went with private everything here, so that probably makes it more expensive.
@Lior
Makes sense. I’m guessing it’s much cheaper in public hospitals, at least for bunion surgery.
I had a Lapidus procedure in the US. My total costs were around:
- $325 for the surgery center
- $550 for the surgeon
- Still waiting for the anesthesia bill (probably around $800)
I also spent about $150 on medical supplies (wheelchair, shower chair, etc.) and $100 on the walking boot. This was just for my left foot.
I had Lapiplasty on one foot, and the hospital billed my insurance around $30K for the procedure.
Sun said:
I had Lapiplasty on one foot, and the hospital billed my insurance around $30K for the procedure.
That’s an American cost, right? I didn’t realize it was that high!
Sun said:
I had Lapiplasty on one foot, and the hospital billed my insurance around $30K for the procedure.
That’s an American cost, right? I didn’t realize it was that high!
Yeah, it’s crazy here. My hospital billed $180K for my Lapidus surgery (just one foot), but I only paid around $2K out of pocket thanks to my deductible. The healthcare system here is really something.
Sun said:
I had Lapiplasty on one foot, and the hospital billed my insurance around $30K for the procedure.
That’s an American cost, right? I didn’t realize it was that high!
Yep, and that was considered on the lower side. Thankfully, I didn’t pay anything because I was covered under both of my parents’ insurance at the time.
My metatarsal joint fusion cost $33K, but I only paid $325. I’m thankful my insurance covered most of it without any hassle. I already had a lot of recovery gear from previous injuries, but I did buy a bath chair and some mattress toppers to make recovery more comfortable.
For my Lapiplasty, the total bill was $52,645, with half of that being for the hardware. Insurance allowed $16,267, and I paid $2,788 as my copay. I also spent several hundred dollars on recovery items like crutches, an ice therapy machine, and a knee scooter. I had the surgery on a Tuesday, took the rest of the week off, and started working part-time from home the following Monday. I’m three and a half weeks out now and hoping to start physical therapy soon.
My bunion surgery also included a flat foot reconstruction, and insurance billed $151,980 just for the hospital part. My more recent hardware repair was billed at $141,299. The surgeon’s fees were around $8K for each surgery. I hit my $5K deductible both times.
I paid around $8,000 CAD for my minimally invasive surgery (MIS) on one foot.
I paid around $300 per foot out of pocket. That covered the surgical center and the anesthesiologist, while the surgeon was fully covered by insurance. I ended up paying more in co-pays for physical therapy than for the surgeries themselves.
@Wynn
My first doctor quoted me $1,100 per foot because the surgical center wasn’t in-network. Luckily, I got a second opinion and found a better surgeon who also happened to be cheaper. I highly recommend getting a few opinions and checking whether the doctors and facilities are in-network. Also, make sure to find a doctor who has done your specific procedure many times and has good reviews.
I’m in the US and got my surgery through a clinical trial, so it covered all my expenses! Surgery, hospital stay, and follow-ups were all taken care of. If you can find a trial in your area, it’s definitely worth looking into.
I had a Chevron bunionectomy, and the total cost was $32K. I only paid my $1,000 deductible, and insurance covered the rest. Recovery took longer than expected—about 10 weeks. Short-term disability helped me get through it.
@Vere
Did you have any trouble getting the surgery approved for short-term disability?