1 Jaw Surgery - $13,589
4 Plates - $1,020
22 Screws - $2,294.50
Miscellaneous Surgical Supplies - $2,567.50
Anesthesia Supplies - $517
3 Nights in Private Room - $4,590
The below are some drugs i was given, I'm not going to count how many shots of what i was given, so i've just listed how much 1 unit of something cost.
1mg Morphine - $71.50
8mg Dexamethasone (steroid to minimize inflammation) - $127
1 gm Cefazolin (antibiotic) - $63.60
15 mg Ketoralic (anti-inflammatory, like motrin) - $127.20
15 ml Vicodin - $44.60
Okay...so obviously i was given several other drugs, and there are various other charges on the bill...like i said, the list fills up 4 pages. But i think its interesting how much things actually cost. Imagine if every time a nurse came into your room and said "Okay, here's your pain killer, that'll be $71.50 please". Maybe you'd think twice about that shot of morphine? Depends on how much pain you're in I guess... =P But no, the nurses just come in every 4 or 6 hours and pump your IV with all sorts of stuff and you just see it on the bill later. And did you see the screws? They averaged at $104 per screw! I think Home Depot may have better prices..... Interested in what the total charge for everything is?
$30, 646.75 (see edit below...totally was actually about double this number)
read that again. thirty thousand six hundred forty-six dollars and seventy-five cents. Thats what jaw surgery costs (at the Mayo Clinic anyway). 10 years ago when the orthodontist told us I would need the surgery, not a penny of it was covered by any insurance plan because they considered it cosmetic. Things have thankfully changed now with insurance companies because the surgery is definitely NOT cosmetic, but has an actual medical purpose. i mean...i looked pretty good before the surgery right? I would not have gone through all this unless i really, really had to. So, thanks to our wonderful insurance company, out of that $30,646.75, we only had to pay $180 for the $60/night upgrade to a private room instead of sharing with someone else. I'd say we got out pretty easy.
Edit: We got another bill a few weeks later for another 20 or 30k... i gotta pull out the bill to give you an exact number but yeah, pretty much double the amount i previously gave.
Edit: We got another bill a few weeks later for another 20 or 30k... i gotta pull out the bill to give you an exact number but yeah, pretty much double the amount i previously gave.
Hi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI sent you an email, but don't know if you got it, saying you won the Jaw Surgery Blog Forums contest:
http://www.jawsurgeryblog.com/corrective-jaw-surgery-before-and-after-pics-contest-winner/
Feel free to post it here on your blog too, and congrats!
wow, happy i live in Canada im going for jaw surgery this week & i only had to pay $800.00 for everything!
DeleteMy insurance company paid for pretty much everything, not me though. :) I've heard a lot of crazy horror stories from people in Canada not getting to pick their surgeon and having to wait 2 years to have the surgery done because of the limited availability of tax funds. Hopefully you didn't run into too much trouble. good luck with your surgery!
Deletelol. Typical American-Conservative propaganda.
DeleteTruly propaganda. I have dual citizenship and lived in both countries. Believe when I say, it is BS. The amazing part is that people here in the US believe it. They saw it on TV (propaganda from big insurance companies) and they run with it. Not true. AT ALL!
DeleteI live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I just had double jaw surgery 4 weeks ago today. The total cost for me was $0. I did have an option to pay an additional $60 or $90 to have a private room. I did not pay the extra and got a private room anyways for the 3 days while I was there. I did have to pay for my prescription's, but with my insurance it only cost me $11. I did want to make a comment about how Americans think Canada has a lesser quality of health care. I can assure you this is totally fabricated.
DeleteHey Rebecca I'm glad everything went ok with the surgery and I am looking at getting double jaw surgery but I'm not going to lie I'm really scared how bad it it hurt and for how long also any advice you might give me
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dillon
It is kind of scary, but honestly the actual pain is pretty minimal. Its super uncomfortable and hard not being able to talk & chew normally... but you really won't be in much pain....especially with your meds. :)
DeleteThis surgery was a jaw augmentation? cosmetic one or any medical issue?
ReplyDeleteWhile the surgery had cosmetic benefits, it was done for medical reasons (please see my "about" page) Insurance doesn't cover cosmetic surgery of course... But because my top and bottom jaw didn't line up properly it was causing long term problems that needed to be repaired now - and that something that insurance can cover.
DeleteDo you mind if I ask what insurance company you used? I went for a surgical consultation when I was 16 (I am now 25) and my parent's insurance wouldn't cover the procedure because it was "cosmetic". I need practically the exact same surgery. I have a severe underbite/open bite and under-developed upper jaw. Essentially,they need to bring the top out and bring the under in. I am in pain on a daily basis and don't know where to really begin as far as insurance goes. I work for an orthodontist practice so the orthodontic aspect of the process is covered. I would appreciate any additional info or advice. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI had Bluecross/Blue Shield at the time. The surgeon and orthodontist worked with them and made it clear they understood it was not a cosmetic procedure. Now i have McClaren insurance and my understanding is they cover 50% of it, which isnt as good as Blue Cross...but better than nothing! Hopefully you can figure that out!
DeleteHi Rebecca,
DeleteDo I start with the orthodonist or my medical doctor?
I would start with your orthodontist. For me - my dentist noticed some issues forming when i was in elementary school and referred me to my orthodontist. My orthodontist then laid out what procedures they recommended i go through for the next 10 years to prepare for the surgery. (because i was only 8 yrs old they had to wait till i was done growing for surgery) Either way, start with your ortho and they can recommend treatment and refer you to a surgeon.
DeleteHi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteIf you don't mind me asking what was the 2nd bill for? the other 30.000 Dollars?
Cheers,
Meri
We got the hospital bill for the hardware, meds, stay in hospital, etc.
DeleteThe doctor doesnt know what to bill, so all he billed was surgery and observation afterwards. the insurance company paid 20% and we owe the rest! Do you have any other items you were billed for by the doctor? My doctors office manager said if i found anything to let her know. I cant believe i have to research this. my son had alot of xrays at the doctors office, im assuming they can file that. also, the had frequent consultations with a company that did a digital image that the doctor worked with during the surgery. they had to pay that company, probably alot and didnt bill the insurance co. can you think of anything else at all? I hope you can help me. If there is anyone out there that had this surgery and can tell me any additional items im missing that the doctor billed (not the hospital) I would be forever grateful!
I just had jaw surgery 16 days ago. I can personally say that I was totally unprepared. I thought 1-2 weeks would go by and I'd be back to my old self but that proved to be otherwise. Nevertheless, I'm really happy I did do it. My insurance is covering 80% and the rest is out of pocket. Hopefully, that doesnt leave too much for me to pay. CHICAGO.
ReplyDeleteNo, the first 2 weeks are the worst but the process is definitely MUCH longer. Glad you feel good about having it done though! There were days when i felt so crappy i regretted it and didnt feel prepared, but in the long run i'm glad i had the surgery too.
DeleteHi! I live in Chicago as well. What insurance and surgeon did you have?
DeleteI'm in Australia and I have full private health insurance which costs approximately $4000 per year. I'm about to have the final surgery. This has all been done for medical reasons and not cosmetic reasons but despite this, Medicare in Australia covers a very tiny fraction of the cost (a pathetic amount). All up it has cost me out of pocket $6000 in braces (after private health paid some) $3000 for the first surgery and now at least $10,000 for the final surgery. After this I will cancel my private insurance and only rely on public hospitals where I may have had the surgery for free.
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ReplyDeleteI have to have upper and lower jaw surgery and my braces are going on June 12th and they they will prepare me for surgery. I am 44 years old, any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHello, I am also planning to have a jaw surgery but have not decided yet where. May I know which Mayo Clinic did you have yours done? I'm from Texas so I was wondering if you did yours in Arizona because it's closer to where I live.
ReplyDeleteI had mine done at the main Rochester location. My understanding is that the Arizona and Florida clinics focus on geriatrics, but you can always call and see if they do oral surgery! I definitely recommend my surgeon - Dr. Rieck - though. He did a GREAT job. I live out of state as well, so it was a little bit challenging traveling for my consultation, the actual surgery, then the follow up afterword... But if you can afford to travel, I think its worth it.
DeleteDid you have to have your jaw wired shut after the surgery? If so how long? I have an under bite and soon start prepping for surgery. I've heard its really painful too?
ReplyDeleteMy jaw was not wired shut, i had rubberbands though that attached to my braces and linked my bottom and top jaw. They act as a cast to keep everything in place. You wont really have any mobility with your jaw anyway so you dont notice the rubberbands (or wires) anyway. They gradually moved to looser rubberbands as my jaw was strong enough to move on its own.. that might not be the same for everyone but you can still open a little bit to talk or eat. The surgery is not super painful, but it is very uncomfortable. The worst part is how swollen you will be, but most of your face will be numb so you wont feel a lot of pain.
DeleteHi Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI hope everything goes well with you now. I have to have a surgery to bring forward my overbite jaw. I have spent the last couple of hours reading through your and others posts to get some information.
I am almost 40 years and my teeth gone due this problem already. what you suggest me? I am in Canada and have an insurance plan too but I don't know it covers the surgery or not.
Thanks
I just wanted to firstly say thank you for posting this it helps so much but I was wondering what insurance you have. I am a 20 yr old living on my own and I have to have this surgery in a year and afraid of all the cost.
ReplyDeleteMy husband had a 6 hour emergency surgery in India. His surgeon was ex-Mayo clinic, the team, consisting of 3 trauma surgeons put his entire face back together after he was hit by a motorcyclists helmet while crossing the road. 2 weeks in ICU, 2 weeks in an AC suite....he is still recovering, we paid, in all about 4000.00 dollars for the whole thing. A lot in rupees, but.......... our insurance just reimbursed us, and happily!
ReplyDeleteThe cost of my daughter's double jaw surgery was over $140,000 for surgeon and all hospital costs. Not including Orthodontia costs. Our out of pocket with insurance was about $9,000. This was performed in Dallas, Texas in February 2015.
ReplyDeleteWho was/is your insurance company? Thanks! Bob
DeleteI had Blue Cross Blue Shield purchased privately by my parents, not through an employer. Keep in mind this was 2010 before "health care reform" so most policies are not as good as what I had then. Good luck!
DeleteSuch issues can occur form birth or from environmental sources, such as an injury. Our Oral surgeon in Montreal will examine your mouth and facial area to create a treatment plan that is best for you. Bite and jaw misalignments can cause a host of complications, including trouble with speaking, eating and even low self esteem.
ReplyDeleteWho was your surgeon? Do you have contact information? Trying to arrange surgery for daughter. Been through all orthodontics and close to surgery, but after 2 years now being told insurance will not cover. Thanks! Bob
DeleteWho was your surgeon? Do you have contact information? Trying to arrange surgery for daughter. Been through all orthodontics and close to surgery, but after 2 years now being told insurance will not cover. Thanks! Bob
DeleteMy surgeon was Dr. Rieck who performed my surgery at Mayo Clinic. He now works in Nebraska. http://www.nebraskaoralfacialsurgery.com/meet-us/dr-kevin-rieck/
DeleteInsurance will typically only cover if medically necessary and not coded as a cosmetic procedure.
Wow this is amazing. I never thought that double jaw surgery could be covered by insurance. I thought paying 15000 dollars in korea is a pretty great deal overall when it's compared with other countries. But never knew that there are people who undergo the surgery almost for free. God blessed you! You can't imagine how much do i envy you!
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteI love all the information im finding here. I'm to have a double condylectomy and replacement due to bone degeneration. My questions are, did you have physical therapy after your surgery and how long was it until you could use your jaw enough to eat and talk? Thank you.
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ReplyDeletewhat tupe of insurance do you have rebbeca i want to get insurance for my daugther who needs jaw surgery! but want to make sure insurance covers most of the costs
ReplyDeleteyou all know if your dentist recommends jaw surgery for medical purposes, it must be covered for medical purposes. get a good dentist and you'll have no issue unless there is really no need. nobody wants corrective surgery unless necessary.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, you sound fairly dum
ReplyDeleteI'm going to assume you meant to say dumb? It's okay, spelling is hard. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts!
Deleteleft side of my jaw bone is longer than my right side, and man does it cause headaches, clicking and popping and it can be painful on top of having a nasty under bite that is also not aligned. should i get jaw surgery?
ReplyDeleteTalk to your dentist, who will have opinions. S/he may also refer you to an orthodontic specialist for further evaluation.
DeleteHi! I have the same issue with my joints. One is longer than the other and of course I also have open bite and wearing my molars out. Let me know how it goes for you please!
DeleteRebecca, are you from mn?
ReplyDeleteNo, mid Michigan :)
DeleteI live in Vancouver, Canada. Jaw surgery is not covered by our public health insurance in British Columbia, even though it is covered in other provinces. So far, I have spent~$19,500 on orthodontics and surgery. I'm still waiting to have my surgery, but spending nearly $20,000 on my face seems pretty ridiculous in hindsight.
ReplyDeleteI also live in vancouver and thought it was covered. I am thinking of having this double jaw surgery in my province i.e. B.C. any suggestions on good doctors and insurance coverage?
Delete