How much does a lumbar spinal fusion cost?

Answer 1

Four weeks ago, I had a 2-level (involving 3 vertebrae; 2 discs; L4-S1) anterior lumbar fusion w/posterior laminectomy (L4-L5) done. I received the initial hospital bill, and it was nearly $65K. The physician's charge was around $5K.

Thank god for insurance, though!

Answer 2

It depends on many factors - the surgeon's fees, anesthesiologist fees, hospital room type (private or semi), medical supplies, OR usage fees, surgery team, your insurance coverage and deductibles, drugs used, the hospital itself, costs for any problems (respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest), any need to use the ICU, etc.

To give you an idea, my 3rd spinal fusion operation (fused L3/L4 and removed hardware from my previous fusion operation between L4/L5/S1) cost me out of pocket just over $100.

However, the total cost for the entire procedure listed out on the hospital invoices?

$85,000.

Thoracic spinal operations tend to be more expensive, depending on the location of the vertebrae involved and exactly what method of fusion they're using. Because thoracic vertebrae are near vital organs, there's a higher risk involved.