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Cost of diagnostic wrist arthroscopy in South Carolina

The average cash price for diagnostic wrist arthroscopy care in South Carolina is $2,795 at a surgery center versus $4,585 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 (39%) you'd save when comparing the cost of diagnostic wrist arthroscopy performed at an outpatient hospital. Read More

Average cash price in South Carolina

A common diagnostic wrist arthroscopy at surgery center facility in South Carolina includes

  Units Avg Cash price

Provider

Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee

First time visit Standard
1 $130

Provider fee for diagnostic examination

of arm, using endoscope Standard
1 $598

Facility

Surgery center fee for diagnostic examination

Standard Standard
1 $1,586

Imaging

Radiology fee for wrist x-ray

2 views Standard
1 $45

Prescriptions

HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN

Standard Standard
30 $16

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure

Level 2 Standard
1 $133

Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure

Per minute Standard
146 $288
Total average cash price   $2,795.47

A common diagnostic wrist arthroscopy at outpatient hospital facility in South Carolina includes

  Units Avg Cash price

Provider

Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee

First time visit Standard
1 $130

Provider fee for diagnostic examination

of arm, using endoscope Standard
1 $598

Facility

Outpatient Hospital fee for diagnostic examination

level 3 Standard
1 $3,375

Imaging

Radiology fee for wrist x-ray

2 views Standard
1 $45

Prescriptions

HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN

Standard Standard
30 $16

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure

Level 2 Standard
1 $133

Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure

Per minute Standard
146 $288
Total average cash price   $4,584.62

Diagnostic wrist arthroscopy is a surgical procedure for examining and repairing tissue in and around the wrist joint. Arthroscopic surgeries are performed using tiny cameras and surgical tools to conduct examinations and make repairs. Using this minimally invasive technique allows for smaller incisions. Patients typically experience less pain and a faster recovery time using minimally invasive techniques and arthroscopy surgery. 

 

Diagnostic wrist arthroscopy is used to both diagnose and treat problems of the wrist, including:

  • Chronic wrist pain
  • Wrist fracture
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Ligament tears
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

You can expect some swelling and discomfort after wrist arthroscopy. Using minimally invasive techniques allows for less pain than traditional open surgeries. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to keep you comfortable after your surgery. Elevating your wrist and applying ice will also help with discomfort after wrist arthroscopy.

All surgery carries the risk of complications. However, most wrist surgeries are completed without further issues. Potential complications that may occur after wrist surgery include:

  • Infection at the surgical site
  • Damage to nerves, tendons, or cartilage
  • Stiffness or loss of joint motion

Healing after a diagnostic wrist arthroscopy will take about two weeks. Surgeries performed using arthroscopic techniques use smaller incisions which result in less pain and a faster recovery time. The first two to three days after your surgery elevating your arm and applying ice will help with pain and swelling. 

Diagnostic wrist arthroscopy is most often performed as an outpatient procedure. This means you’ll return home later the day of your surgery. After the surgery is complete, you’ll be taken to the recovery room for another 30 minutes to one hour to be monitored after surgery. After making sure you are doing well, you’ll be released to return home to recover after your surgery. You will need someone to drive you home the day of your surgery.

How long you will be off work after wrist arthroscopy will depend on the type of work that you do. Your activity will be limited until your wrist motion and strength return to normal. This may take two to six weeks, depending on what type of repairs were made during surgery.

After wrist arthroscopy, you will not be able to lift with the wrist that was operated on or use your hand for repetitive motion. Your surgeon will tell you the restriction for weight and when it is okay to begin using your hand again. Your arm may be placed in a sling to help support the wrist and remind you not to use it too much.

About the diagnostic wrist arthroscopy 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.