I want to find out the estimated cost for a lumbar spinal fusion
surgery including surgeon fees, hospital and anesthesia cost.  Ideally
the cost would be broken down with estimates for an anterior lumbar
fusion, posterior lumbar fusion and 360 fusion.  I would prefer for
the information to come  from an identifiable reputable medical or
consumer information source.

---

Request for Question Clarification by nancylynn-ga on 07 Jan 2004 09:24 PST

Hello clz3-ga:

Could you please tell us in which country or state you reside? (If you
can narrow it down to a precise city, that would be even better.)

Also, does the patient in question have any health insurance? My
impression is you're talking about what the cost would be to the
*uninsured* patient.

Thanks,
nancylynn-ga

---

Clarification of Question by clz3-ga on 07 Jan 2004 10:29 PST

baton rouge, louisiana.  I would like the cost for an uninsured patient.
Thanks

---

Request for Question Clarification by richard-ga on 08 Jan 2004 14:58 PST

Hello:

I can provide you with a quote from an article in a reputable
newspaper that gives the typical cost of lumbar fusion procedure (they
don't specify anterior versus posterior) and also the typical cost of
the (more expensive) 360 fusion.  These figures include typical
hospital charges for the procedures.

I also can provide you with the Medicare reimbursement rate for lumbar
fusion--but it's only the surgeon's fee, which is a small part of the
total cost.

Please let me know if you would consider that an adequate answer.

Sincerely,
Google Answers Researcher
Richard-ga

So far, I'm coming up empty. 

You may need to call around to various orthopedic surgeons' offices in
Baton Rouge, and talk to business managers to get estimates. Then call
the hospitals to find out their estimates for your stay. (Remember:
you likely won't have a choice of hospital; your surgeon has surgery
privileges at whichever hospital and that's where the operation will
be performed.)

You  may also want to contact the Louisiana Dept. of Health and
Hospitals for information. They may even be able to guide you to a
low-cost insurance program:
http://www.dhh.state.la.us/

Sorry I wasn't able to answer your question. I hope one of my
colleagues can be of more help.