Is Laser Neck Surgery Expensive

Laser neck surgery is a cutting-edge procedure that can be used to treat a number of common neck conditions. With laser neck surgery, many people with spine conditions are able to regain their previous quality of life and prevent serious complications. Thanks to insurance, laser neck surgery should be as affordable as it is effective.

What is Laser Neck Surgery?

During traditional spine surgery, the physician must make a large incision along the spine, cutting through layers of skin and muscle. To actually operate on the spine, it's often necessary to cut through bone or perform spinal fusion. Traditional spine surgery is a major surgery, and patients spend several days in the hospital afterwards. It's common to spend weeks out of work, and it may take months to make a full recovery. 

In contrast, laser neck surgery is a minimally invasive procedure with a short recovery time. Here's how it works:

• The patient is placed under local anesthesia and sedation
• The physician makes a tiny incision along the spine
• A camera and laser probe are inserted into the spine
• The camera guides the physician as he uses the laser probe to treat the affected area of the spine

Patients can return home the same day as the surgery. Within a week, most patients are ready to return to work. A full recovery is typically made within 6 weeks. The risks associated with laser neck surgery are lower than those associated with traditional neck surgery, although even minimally invasive surgery comes with some risks.

Who Needs Laser Neck Surgery?

Laser surgery has numerous advantages over traditional spine surgery. However, it's still preferable to use non-surgical methods whenever possible, because the costs and risks are even lower. 

Laser neck surgery is typically used on patients who haven't responded to non-surgical methods, or on patients whose condition is severe or getting progressively worse. It can be used for herniated discs, bulging discs, and other types of spinal stenosis. Even if you have been told that you're not a candidate for traditional spine surgery, you may still be a good candidate for laser spine surgery.

Only a doctor can determine whether or not laser surgery is the right treatment for your spine condition. This will be based on the severity of your condition and your response to past treatments, among other factors. 

Insurance Coverage

Your insurance will cover any medically necessary treatments for the spine. The exact terms of coverage for laser neck surgery depends on your insurance plan: some people have a lower deductible and copay than others. It's important to understand the terms of your insurance coverage before getting treatment, so that you're not surprised by your share of the costs.

Your insurance will only pay for treatment from doctors who accept your insurance plan. In addition, patients with PPO insurance need to go to an in-network doctor. Be sure to confirm that your doctor accepts your insurance before your appointment.

Factors Affecting Cost

In general, laser neck surgery is less expensive than traditional spine surgery, since there is no hospital stay and fewer resources are required to perform the surgery and assist in your rehabilitation. However, the upkeep of materials and the expertise and resources still mean that, like all other types of surgery, the costs of laser neck surgery are significant. Some factors that influence the cost include: 

• Local cost of living - In areas where the cost of living is higher, the cost of laser neck surgery will be higher as well
• The physician - Some costs are unavoidable, but doctors can help keep surgery affordable by running an efficient office and passing on savings to clients
• Type of surgery - If you need more extensive or complex surgery, the cost will be higher in most cases

Your doctor will be able to give you a better idea of your expected portion of the cost based on your insurance coverage and your particular clinical situation. If necessary, your physician's office may also contact your insurance company about coverage on your behalf.

Managing Costs

In many cases, patients with insurance are able to handle their portion of the costs of surgery. However, if you have a high copay or deductible, that may not be possible. In such cases, you can use financing options to help spread the cost of treatment over a longer period of time. Some possible sources of financing include: 

• Financing from a third-party company, which may work directly with your physician
• Credit cards, which can be especially useful if you already have a credit card with a high credit limit that you don't plan on using for other purposes
• Health care credit cards, which are designed for use on health care purchases only
• Loans or lines of credit from your bank or credit union
• Personal loans from a trusted (and trusting) friend or family member

With insurance and, in some cases, financing, the majority of patients are able to get the treatment they need to start living life again. Given the long-term health benefits of getting treatment, along with the benefit of increased work productivity, your portion of the costs of surgery is often a bargain. In addition, the benefit of improving your quality of life is invaluable. 

Local Doctors

Dr. Sukdeb Datta of the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center is an experienced laser spine surgeon. Dr. Datta works to keep costs low for patients by running an efficient office and using cost-efficient treatment methods like laser spine surgery. At the same time, Dr. Datta never sacrifices the high-quality, personalized care that's essential to making a recovery from your spine condition. Dr. Datta accepts most major insurance providers, including Aetna and Cigna. 

The first step to getting well is to meet with a trusted physician who can diagnose your condition and recommend a course of treatment. To schedule a consultation about whether laser neck surgery is right for you, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (212) 430-0312.