Medical Mal-thinking
Just because a medical treatment is covered by your insurance doesn’t mean it is free.
Doug was told by an orthopedic surgeon that he needed a knee replacement. He was just 48 and understood that knee replacements usually needed to re-replaced after about ten years. He had even heard horror stories about artificial knees being recalled by the manufacturer like a mechanical malfunction on his automobile. He didn’t like the idea of surgery at all, of missed work or a lengthy rehab period.
Doug’s wife, Sharon, investigated non-surgical alternatives and discovered Prolotherapy. She learned that hundreds of people, just like Doug, had been recommended for knee replacement surgery but chose Prolotherapy instead and no longer needed surgery. Moreover, their pain was gone forever!
“But our insurance provider is not sure they will cover Prolotherapy,” Doug groaned.
Not one to be discouraged, Sharon did the math.
Cost of knee replacement surgery, including hospitalization: $22,560*
Insurance deductible: -$4,000
Co-Pay 20%: -$4,512
Out of pocket cost to Doug and Sharon: $8,512
“Your knee replacement is going to cost us over $8,500 even with insurance,” Sharon discovered. “Not to mention physical therapy, drugs, follow-up visits and missed work,” she added.
“Wow!” Doug exclaimed, “I can dodge the surgery bullet, get my knee restored permanently, get out of pain and all for a fraction of the out-of-pocket cost for a knee replacement!”
“What are we waiting for?” Doug and Sharon both said together.
What are you waiting for?
In this video, Dr. Hauser explains Prolotherapy for knee injuries vs. knee replacement surgery.
*Healthcare Blue Book (www.healthcarebluebook.com) including physician, hospital and anesthesia services, based on patient residing in suburban Chicago.