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Cost of big toe fusion surgery in Iowa

The average cash price for big toe fusion surgery care in Iowa is $5,865 at a surgery center versus $7,991 at an outpatient hospital. While a surgery center may offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full range of support services that outpatient hospital provides, it may still be worth the (27%) you'd save when comparing the cost of big toe fusion surgery performed at an outpatient hospital. Read More

Average cash price in Iowa

A common big toe fusion surgery at surgery center facility in Iowa includes

  Units Avg Cash price

Provider

Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee

First time visit Standard
1 $117

Provider fee to fuse great toe

Complex Standard
1 $670

Facility

Surgery center fee to fuse great toe

Standard Standard
1 $4,522

Prescriptions

HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN

Standard Standard
30 $14

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure

Level 2 Standard
1 $119

Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure

Per minute Standard
237 $421
Total average cash price   $5,864.77

A common big toe fusion surgery at outpatient hospital facility in Iowa includes

  Units Avg Cash price

Provider

Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee

First time visit Standard
1 $117

Provider fee to fuse great toe

Complex Standard
1 $670

Facility

Outpatient Hospital fee to fuse great toe

level 4 Standard
1 $6,649

Prescriptions

HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN

Standard Standard
30 $14

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure

Level 2 Standard
1 $119

Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure

Per minute Standard
237 $421
Total average cash price   $7,991.50

Big toe fusion surgery is an operation that removes damaged bone from your big toe. The big toe joint is then secured with a tiny plate and screw. Big toe fusion surgery reduces the range of motion of your big toe permanently by fixing the bones at the base of the toe together.

You might need big toe fusion surgery if you have severe arthritis in your big toe. If your toe is stiff, swollen, and unable to move normally, big toe fusion surgery can reduce the amount of discomfort you are experiencing. You do not need big toe fusion surgery if your arthritis is in the early stages and the damage to your toe joint is not severe.

You will be sedated and asleep during the procedure, so you will not experience pain during big toe fusion surgery. After the procedure, the toe might be numbed with medication. After this wears off, you can take pain medication to help reduce the discomfort until your toe heals. 

Minor pain and swelling can last for up to a year after big toe fusion surgery. Your prescription health insurance can help cover the costs of medications to manage these symptoms.

For people living with severe arthritis, big toe fusion surgery can provide much-needed relief from pain. The procedure has a high success rate, and many individuals return to their everyday lives after the procedure. While there are some restrictions on what you can do after big toe surgery, many patients feel the procedure improves their quality of life.

Full recovery from big toe fusion surgery can take a year. Many patients feel normal after six months. For several weeks after the surgery, you will need to care for your surgical wound. You’ll need to change the bandages and wear a protective boot to help you heal properly. 

After six weeks, you can start doing low-impact sports and move your foot normally. You will need to attend physical therapy to improve your foot’s range of motion after surgery. Your medical insurance may cover these sessions.

You will need to wait a few weeks to walk after big toe fusion surgery. Your foot needs time to heal before you begin to put pressure and weight on it. For most patients, 2-3 weeks after surgery, they can start light walking with special shoes since the foot is likely still swollen.

You will not be able to bend your toe after fusion surgery. This is because the joint from your big toe has been removed and permanently fixed into place. Most patients can still walk normally with a fused toe, but women should not wear heeled shoes taller than one inch.

You should expect a long recovery from big toe fusion surgery. The foot may be swollen and painful for six months to a year after the procedure. As the toe heals, you should notice a reduction in pain that allows you to return to living a normal life. Your activity will be slightly restricted because you cannot bend your toe. However, most patients return to their typical hobbies, including running and dancing.

About the big toe fusion surgery Average Cash Prices

This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.

Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital, but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support services that a hospital provides.

Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital, but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to the hospital system.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.