The total cost of any surgery includes many different bills. Your surgeon can tell you how much he or she charges. You may also be billed by other doctors, such as the anesthesiologist. There will be hospital charges as well. To find out what the hospital will cost, call the hospital's business office.
For information about Medicare benefits, call the customer service line at 800-633-4227. If you have secondary or supplemental health insurance, check to see what part of the costs it will pay. Talk to your surgeon if you can't afford the surgery.
In case of emergency surgery
An accident or sudden illness may result in emergency surgery. That's why you should always carry the following information with you:
- Doctor's name and phone number
- Family names and phone numbers
- Ongoing medical problems
- Medicines your parent takes, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs
- Allergies to medicines
- Health insurance information and policy numbers
Make copies of this information to keep in your wallet and glove compartment of your car—just in case you need emergency care.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institute of Health (NIH) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.