Our insurance has an "estimate your cost" feature, but because that policy is a Medigap policy, it just gives a general range for our area (greater Sacramento, CA, area). It says an abdominal hernia repair cost ranges from $13,025 to $22,839 with the average being $17,609. That includes anesthesia.

Whatever you find out, you might ask about terms of paying the balance in full after your insurance has paid. I was surprised to find after a 3 day hospital stay that the hospital offered a 15% discount for one time payment in full of balance remaining after insurance. If I had just paid the bill without calling, I wouldn't have known.

You guys need better health care. Up here, it's paid for through our taxes. We don't have to worry about co-pay or the price of the surgery. Don't you pay enough for your health care already?

I also have one that I need repaired,so does my husband. I found the best surgeon here for that particular surgery. He was recommended by my primary doc. He has a surgi suite at his office and they are done there so no hospital involved and you go home the same day. You might look for that option it cost much less than having a hospital involved. I have had several procedures done in surgi suites. I much prefer it for a minimal surgery.

Debby_ab -- my husband and I pay exactly zero for our health insurance and health care. We both have Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (doctors, labs, etc.), as well as a Medicare supplement policy. Medicare Part A is free, and our retirement system (we both retired from the State of California) pays the premiums for Medicare Part B, including the surcharge for our income being above a certain amount. The retirement system also pays the premiums for the Medicare supplement policy.

The Medicare supplement policy pays the Medicare deductibles, and pays the portion of health care costs that Medicare doesn't pay. It even covers prescription meds if we were to reach the "donut hole" -- which happens to folks after a specific dollar amount is reached during the year for your meds. We do pay a maximum of $10 for a 90-day supply of meds, but even that amount can be less depending on the medication.

We are not limited as to which doctors we can see, and we are covered anywhere in the world. Medicare only covers in the United States, but if we are out of the country the Medicare supplement policy becomes primary and covers us.

We don't have to get a referral to go to a specialist. And, we don't have to wait months for tests or procedures like you do in Canada.

So, to supplement what I just wrote as well as the prices for a hernia repair that I posted earlier..... If I were to need a hernia repair, it would cost me ZERO. The price range shown is the "billed amount" not the patient cost.

DH and I have Medicare but he still is employed. His employer continues to cover me. We have office visit co-pays but lab work etc is covered 100%. In patient and outpatient surgery is covered 100% after a 150.00 co pay. We are on an EPO plan and can go anywhere but most of the major hospitals and physicians are in network anyway. We do not need a referral to see a specialist and we choose our own doctor at anytime. Because we chose a better plan we do pay higher premiums than say someone who chose Kaiser. But overall our costs are much lower than the so called budget plans under Obamacare with the outrageous deductibles.

So the hernia or any other surgery would cost us 150.00.

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set is a medical code set maintained by the American Medical Association through the CPT Editorial Panel.

For example 99213 is a level 3 office visit for about 1/2 hour of the doctors time.

Some surgeries & diagnosis will have 1 main code to cover the procedure. For example pregnancy. All the routine visits & delivery are paid in 1 negotiated sum.

In your case, I have no idea how they will bill it, or if there might be complications or aftercare. I can guarantee there will be lots of CPT codes billed.

Now not every CPT code billed has a charge attached, but the more CPT codes used explains to billing what was done & why the main CPT code indicating time was used.

For example, the office visit 99213 should usually accompany another code since the doctor was supposed to be with the patient for 1/2 hour, so it doesn't look fishy.

Doctors are routinely audited for using too many of the same CPT codes or using a higher CPT code than necessary so they get a larger check. I knew one doctor who's license was suspended for over billing insurance companies.

So, I'm not sure how they will calculate your surgery.

I had an inguinal hernia when I was in the navy, it was free. It hurt terrible for a couple days and hold a pillow on your stomach if you caugh or sneeze. They might use lasers for them now and recovery should be easier.

Good Luck!!

I have two years yet until I go on Medicare. Currently I have insurance through my retirement from the state. It used to be terrific, but now days they don't pay as much towards costs.

Good point about perhaps not needing to go to a hospital for the procedure. There are surgical clinics in my area also, so I will have to see what my doctor suggests at my next visit Sept. 16. I called the hosp. to just get a general idea of how much I need to be saving up. I know the surgery isn't going to be cheap but certainly hope it isn't $17,000. ugh. But one never knows for sure.

Don't think I'll be able to pay it off in one lump sum so will make arrangements. Last time I had unexpected EKG and other heart related tests at the hospital I got a shock when I got the bill. Quickly called to set up payments and thought all was well until after two payments I got a letter stating if I didn't pay the full amount asap I would be taken to claims court! WTH? I called them but they were not sympathetic so I scrambled and came up with the money from my mother. :( So this time I am going to set up a plan BEFORE the surgery. Someone told me afterwards that hospitals may threaten to do that to get bills paid because other patients do not pay theirs. Well I can see why it would be difficult for someone without insurance.

Pawprint, thanks for that explanation of CPT.