Health Care Insurance

Are you facing surgery? You are not alone. Every year, more than 15 million Americans have surgery.

Most operations are not emergencies and are considered elective surgery. This means that you have time to learn about your operation to be sure it is the best treatment for you. You also have time to work with your surgeon to make the surgery as safe as possible. Be active in your health care to have quality care.

Your regular doctor is your primary care doctor. He or she may be the doctor who suggests that you have surgery and may refer you to a surgeon. You may also want to find another surgeon to get a second opinion, to confirm if surgery is the right treatment for you. You might want to ask friends or co-workers for the names of surgeons they have used.


Make sure you ask some questions of your primary care doctor and surgeon before you have surgery. There are good reasons for asking these questions as the answers will help you make the best decisions.

Your doctors should welcome questions. If you do not understand the answers, ask the doctor to explain them clearly. Bring a friend or relative along to help you talk with the doctor. Research shows that patients who are well informed about their treatment are more satisfied with their results.





Here are some more questions that will help you recieve the best health care.

How Much Will the Operation Cost?

Even if you have health insurance, there may be some costs for you to pay. This may depend on your choice of surgeon or hospital. Ask what your surgeon’s fee is and what it covers. Surgical fees often also include some visits after the operation. You also will get a bill from the hospital for your care and from the other doctors who gave you care during your surgery. Before you have the operation call your insurance company. They can tell you how much of the costs your insurance will pay and what share you will have to pay. If you are covered by Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find out your share of surgery costs.

What Are the Benefits of Having the Operation?


Ask your surgeon what you will gain by having the operation. For example a hip replacement may mean that you can walk again with ease. Ask how long the benefits will last. For some procedures, it is not unusual for the benefits to last for a short time only. You may need a second operation at a later date. For other procedures, the benefits may last a lifetime.

When finding out about the benefits of the operation, be realistic. Sometimes patients expect too much and are disappointed with the outcome or results. Ask your doctor if there is anything you can read to help you understand the procedure and its likely results.

What Are the Risks of Having the Operation?

All operations have some risk. This is why you need to weigh the benefits of the operation against the risks of complications or side effects.

Complications are unplanned events linked to the operation. Typical complications are infection, too much bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, or accidental injury. Some people have a greater risk of complications because of other medical conditions. There also may be side effects after the operation. Often, your surgeon can tell you what side effects to expect. For example, there may be swelling and some soreness around the incision.

There is almost always some pain with surgery. Ask your surgeon how much pain there will be and what the doctors and nurses will do to help stop the pain. Controlling the pain will help you to be more comfortable while you heal. Controlling the pain will also help you get well faster and improve the results of your operation.

Recently we published some information on improving the quality and safety of your family’s health care by asking questions. Today we expand on that theme and share with you some information about asking questions if you are considering surgery.

Your first question should be “Why Do I Need an Operation?”

There are many reasons to have surgery and some operations can relieve and prevent pain. Others can reduce a symptom of a problem or improve some body function. Some surgeries can also be done to find a problem. Your doctor will tell you the exact purpose of the planned procedure.

Keep asking questions until you understand how the proposed operation will help your medical issue. For example, if something is going to be repaired or removed, find out why it needs to be done.

Your next question should be “What Operation Are You Recommending?”

Ask your surgeon to explain the surgery and how it is done. Your surgeon can draw a picture or a diagram and explain the steps in the surgery.

Also ask if there is more than one way of doing the operation? One way may require more extensive surgery than another. Some operations that were once quite invasive can now be done using much smaller incisions (for example, laparoscopic surgery).

With some surgeries you are requird to stay in the hospital for 1 or more days. Others let you come in and go home on the same day. Ask why your surgeon wants to do the operation one way over another.

Next you should ask it there “Are Alternatives To Surgery?”

Sometimes, surgery is not the only answer to a medical problem. Medicines or treatments other than surgery, such as a change in diet or special exercises, might help you just as well-or more. Ask your surgeon or primary care doctor about the benefits and risks of these other choices. You need to know as much as possible about these benefits and risks to make the best decision.

One alternative to surgery may be watchful waiting. During a watchful wait, your doctor and you check to see if your problem gets better or worse over time. If it gets worse, you may need surgery right away. If it gets better, you may be able to wait to have surgery or not have it at all.

Source: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/surgery/surgery.htm