Appendectomy Cost

Appendix is the part of intestine at the end of the bowel. It is hollow and its exact purpose in the body is not known. Inflammation of appendix is called appendicitis. It is characterized by severe abdominal pain. Although, the pain can be controlled with the medications, in some cases, appendectomy or appendix surgery may become inevitable. It is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world. Men are more prone to appendicitis than women.

Appendectomy Surgery

Inflamed or infected appendix often warrants the need for appendix removal surgery. In the absence of a surgery, there is a risk that the appendix might rupture. The contents of the infected appendix may then get mixed in the bloodstream, which could be detrimental to the health of a person. To evade this situation appendectomy surgery becomes a must. Appendectomy surgery can be performed using two techniques, the first one is open procedure while the other is laparoscopic surgery. Open procedure involves making a large incision in the abdomen to remove the affected part. This is an invasive surgery and carries the usual surgery risks like bleeding, infection etc.

Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive and makes use of a device known as laparoscope. Several small incisions are made on the abdomen, one of these is used to insert a laparoscope. The other incisions are used to hold the abdominal tissue. Abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide so that the surgeons get enough room to perform the tissue manipulation. This surgery involves lesser risks than the open surgery. However, at times, an open surgery may be prescribed for the patient rather than the laparoscopic surgery. The decision for the surgery can be made as an emergency measure.

Appendectomy Cost

Appendectomy surgery is a medium complicated surgery that requires you to stay in the hospital for 2 to 5 days. Laparoscopic appendectomy recovery time is lesser and demands a hospital stay of only 2 days. You can resume work after 4 to 6 weeks of rest. Since, the surgery involves hospital stay, you should expect a hefty medical bill at the end of your stay. Moreover, the surgery involves certain pre-operative and post-operative tests, which can add to the bill. However, the good news is that your medical insurance is likely to cover a substantial part of it. If you are a Canadian citizen, then the cost of an appendectomy can be nil if you have an insurance. For US citizens, the exact cost would depend upon your individual insurance plan.

However, those without a health insurance are in for a deep financial trouble. The average cost of this surgery without an insurance coverage could be anywhere between $23,000 and $35,000. Out of these charges, you may have to pay $12,000 toward hospital charges, $4000 for doctor's fees and the rest toward tests, medications and other procedures. Cost of a laparoscopic appendectomy may elevate further. The costs are also greatly influenced by your geographic location, hospital standard, facilities provided and doctor's expertise. These factors can add or take about $10,000 from your medical bill.

Appendectomy in India is a widely sought after option these days, owing to lower prices and world-class facilities provided. More and more people from Europe, Australia and other nations are traveling to India for medical purposes. Needless to say, medical tourism in India is booming like never before. However, US travelers should check if the cost of surgery is indeed less than what you would pay for in US, by considering the air fare, accommodation charges, etc.

Thus, appendectomy cost is a major medical expense. A medical insurance can make a lot of difference to your financial situation, hence always invest in one.