Published by Commons Clinic. [Web version](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/) Reviewer names are abbreviated. Patient reviews describe individual experiences. Review counts describe source records, not unique patients or clinical outcomes; the acquired snapshot may not include complete platform histories. Clinical education and patient accounts do not replace a consultation. Choosing your care # 8 cost questions to ask before orthopedic surgery A useful cost discussion covers the operation, the people and facilities involved, and the care needed afterward. Ask for written information early enough to resolve uncertainties before scheduling becomes difficult to change. Published by Commons Clinic · Updated October 21, 2026 · 5 min read [Questions to ask ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#consultation-questions) [Patient experiences ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#patient-experiences) In this guide 1. [What exact procedure and setting are being estimated?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-1) 2. [Which clinicians and facilities will bill separately?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-2) 3. [How does my insurance apply to this particular plan?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-3) 4. [What part would I be expected to pay?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-4) 5. [Can I request a good faith estimate if I am self-paying?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-5) 6. [What care after surgery is included?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-6) 7. [What if the plan changes or I need financial assistance?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-7) 8. [Who will reconcile the final bills with the estimates?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#guide-section-8) [Go to your consultation questions ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/#consultation-questions) ## 1. What exact procedure and setting are being estimated? Ask the surgeon's office for the planned procedure name, location, and information the insurer or billing team needs to prepare an estimate. Confirm whether the estimate assumes an outpatient procedure or a hospital stay. If the surgical plan changes, ask whether the financial estimate must change too. Keep the clinical decision and the estimate connected. A price for a different operation or setting is not a meaningful comparison. Ask which alternatives are medically reasonable before comparing their expected costs, and have the office explain any assumptions that remain uncertain. Sources: [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) · [10 Questions to Ask Before Having an Operation](https://www.facs.org/for-patients/surgery-faq/10-questions/) ## 2. Which clinicians and facilities will bill separately? The surgeon's estimate may not include every service involved. Ask about the facility, anesthesia, assistants, imaging, and any other expected separate bills. Request a list of the organizations you should contact rather than assuming one office can quote the entire episode of care. For each estimate, write down what is included, what is excluded, and whom to contact with a question. If the answers overlap or leave a gap, ask the relevant billing teams to clarify. A clear set of itemized estimates is more useful than one reassuring total with unspecified exclusions. Sources: [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) ## 3. How does my insurance apply to this particular plan? Contact the insurer with the proposed procedure and provider information. Ask about network status, coverage rules, referral requirements, prior authorization, and whether the planned facility is covered under your benefits. Confirm the details for each relevant clinician or organization rather than only the surgeon. Request a reference number or written response when available. Ask what authorization establishes and what costs may still depend on the final claim. If a benefit representative and a billing office give different answers, resolve the discrepancy before relying on either estimate for a major financial decision. Sources: [Your total costs for health care](https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/your-total-costs/) ## 4. What part would I be expected to pay? Deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limits describe different parts of cost sharing. Ask the insurer to apply your current benefits to the proposed care, including how much of the relevant deductible or limit has already been met. Do not infer your responsibility from the billed charge alone. If treatment spans a new benefit year, ask how that affects the estimate. Clarify whether medicines, therapy, or equipment have different rules. Use the insurer's explanation to build a realistic range, and ask which circumstances could move the final amount outside that range. Sources: [Your total costs for health care](https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/your-total-costs/) ## 5. Can I request a good faith estimate if I am self-paying? CMS explains that people who are not using health insurance generally have a right to a good faith estimate when they request one or schedule qualifying care sufficiently in advance. Ask each relevant provider or facility about an itemized estimate and the current rules that apply to your circumstances. Keep the written estimate. Ask whether separately scheduled services, such as therapy or preoperative visits, require their own estimates. This article does not determine your eligibility or settle a billing dispute; the linked CMS guidance explains the federal process and how to obtain help with a specific concern. Sources: [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) ## 6. What care after surgery is included? Ask about follow-up visits, physical therapy, medicines, braces or mobility aids, home services, and any other expected recovery expenses. Clarify whether routine postoperative care is included in a quoted surgical fee and what could generate an additional charge. Describe your home and transportation situation so that the expected recovery plan is realistic. A lower estimate for the procedure itself may not answer what the whole plan will cost. Ask who can help estimate the services that depend on how recovery progresses and which costs cannot be known precisely in advance. Sources: [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) · [Patient Guide to Safe Surgery](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/patient-guide-to-safe-surgery/) ## 7. What if the plan changes or I need financial assistance? Ask about deposits, cancellation terms, payment arrangements, and how an unexpected change in treatment would be communicated financially. If cost is a barrier, raise it before the operation. Request information about any applicable assistance or alternative arrangements without assuming that a particular program is available. Discuss nonmedical expenses too: time away from work, childcare, transportation, and help at home. These may not appear on a medical estimate but can affect whether a recovery plan is workable. Bring those constraints into scheduling and care coordination rather than treating them as an afterthought. Sources: [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) · [Your total costs for health care](https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/your-total-costs/) ## 8. Who will reconcile the final bills with the estimates? Keep estimates, insurer communications, explanation-of-benefits documents, and bills together. Ask the billing office to explain an unexpected charge and compare it with the agreed assumptions. Verify what has been billed and what insurance has processed before concluding that every document requests a separate payment. We encourage patients to ask direct cost questions. Clear communication about fees supports informed planning, while medical recommendations should still be explained on their clinical merits. A useful process gives you named contacts and written information so that uncertainty can be resolved before and after care. Sources: [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) · [Your total costs for health care](https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/your-total-costs/) Make the most of your visit ## Questions to bring to your consultation Choose the questions that matter most to you. Bring them along, and ask us to explain anything that is unclear. - What procedure, setting, and assumptions does this estimate cover? - Which clinicians or facilities will send separate bills? - Have network status and authorization requirements been checked for the entire plan? - What is my estimated responsibility under my current benefits? - If I am self-paying, how do I obtain the applicable good faith estimates? - Which postoperative visits, therapy, medicines, and equipment are excluded? - What payment, cancellation, or financial-assistance options should I understand? - Who will help explain a final bill that differs from the estimate? ## Sources & further reading - [What is a good faith estimate?](https://www.cms.gov/initiatives/your-patient-rights/medical-bill-rights/get-help/guides-resources/what-good-faith-estimate) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - [10 Questions to Ask Before Having an Operation](https://www.facs.org/for-patients/surgery-faq/10-questions/) American College of Surgeons - [Your total costs for health care](https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/your-total-costs/) HealthCare.gov - [Patient Guide to Safe Surgery](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/patient-guide-to-safe-surgery/) AAOS OrthoInfo We use these medical sources to help explain your options and prepare you for a conversation with our team. Our guides feature our own clinicians; patient reviews describe individual experiences. [Read as Markdown](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/orthopedic-surgery-cost-questions/index.md) Meet our team ## People behind your care. [**Allyson Estess, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) [More about Allyson Estess ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/allyson-estess-m-d/) [**Andrew Wassef, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [More about Andrew Wassef ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [**Evish Kamrava, MD** Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Management](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) [More about Evish Kamrava ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-m-d/) [**Sanjay Khurana, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) [More about Sanjay Khurana ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-m-d/) Explore our clinicians, then talk with us about your symptoms, goals, and the care you need. Patient experiences ## Meet the clinician. *Hear the experience.* Read how patients describe their care, then bring the questions that matter to your own visit. Each portrait stays with that clinician’s accounts. [![Sanjay Khurana, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/sanjay-khurana-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) ## [Sanjay Khurana, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-m-d/) Excerpt > Friendly staff. Great doctor and takes the time to talk. D. Linnan Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: September 4, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/101405720787291718595/place/ChIJCTVQzX26woARV5EyXoh3nDU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Sanjay Khurana, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. Excerpt > Attention to detail is spot on. Excellent Doctor and staff. R. Zeller Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: August 28, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/117367814746200604477/place/ChIJCTVQzX26woARV5EyXoh3nDU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Sanjay Khurana, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. [![Evish Kamrava, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/evish-kamrava-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) ## [Evish Kamrava, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Management [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-m-d/) Excerpt > It was a great experience with Dr Kamrava and staff as well as my visit. K. Kiles Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: October 9, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106516040516001536669/place/ChIJi_9WeE-7woARVE5YYjWvq60) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Evish Kamrava, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. [![Allyson Estess, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/allyson-estess-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) ## [Allyson Estess, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/allyson-estess-m-d/) Excerpt > Office was well designed and comfortable , staff was nice & helpful, and the doctor was excellent- smart & helpful. S. Familant Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: September 20, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/108931523117086809464/place/ChIJnyoB9x5L3YAREV8eH7Wj8ZA) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Allyson Estess, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. Excerpt > Always the staff and Dr are engaged and kind professionals. And the office is fresh and clean too T. emerson Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: September 5, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114029278183390733805/place/ChIJnyoB9x5L3YAREV8eH7Wj8ZA) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Allyson Estess, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. [![Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/andrew-wassef-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) ## [Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Excerpt > Very little pain. Great staff at long beach memorial. R. Graves Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: October 29, 2017 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/114868918450254870891/place/ChIJqeNILuQy3YAR9WA5ym3pGLU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Andrew Wassef, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. Keep exploring ## Your next *good question.* More guidance to help you understand your options and plan your next step. Choosing your care ### [6 questions to compare treatments around your life](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/shared-decisions-treatment-options-patient-goals/) A good treatment decision connects the evidence with your life: what you hope to do, which risks concern you, and what recovery would ask of you. Your priorities belong in that discussion. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/shared-decisions-treatment-options-patient-goals/) Choosing your care ### [7 questions to coordinate care before and after orthopedic treatment](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/care-coordination-before-after-orthopedic-treatment/) Good coordination turns a treatment recommendation into a plan you can follow: the right records, clear responsibilities, and someone to contact when the next step is unclear. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/care-coordination-before-after-orthopedic-treatment/) Choosing your care ### [7 questions to plan a realistic return to work](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/return-to-work-after-orthopedic-surgery/) A realistic return-to-work plan describes tasks, restrictions, and a reassessment point. The job title alone rarely captures what your body has to do through an entire shift. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/return-to-work-after-orthopedic-surgery/) Meet the clinicians ## Explore your *next conversation.* [![Allyson Estess, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/allyson-estess-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Sports Medicine ### [Allyson Estess, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) Marina del Rey · Torrance · Long Beach – Bixby Knolls [Meet Allyson Estess](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/allyson-estess-md/) [![Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/andrew-wassef-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints ### [Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Andrew Wassef](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [![Evish Kamrava, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/evish-kamrava-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Management ### [Evish Kamrava, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) Santa Monica · Long Beach – Douglas Park · Westlake Village [Meet Evish Kamrava](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/evish-kamrava-md/) [![Sanjay Khurana, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/sanjay-khurana-m-d.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine ### [Sanjay Khurana, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) Marina del Rey · Santa Monica [Meet Sanjay Khurana](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/sanjay-khurana-md/) ## Publisher & attribution Commons Clinic Reviews is operated by Commons Clinic. 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