Breast removal or mastectomy is typically done in case of a presence of a tumor which may be cancerous. The essential costs that need to be covered in order to get the breasts removed include-
Insurance: A surgery like a mastectomy is generally covered by health insurance. Nevertheless, some insurers may have restrictions on mastectomy to prevent breast cancer.
Other Expenses: In case the patient is covered by insurance, the additional out-of-pocket costs in order to undergo a mastectomy include the doctor visit, lab tests and drugs needed. The patient may also have to pay for the coinsurance of 10-15% of the surgery.
Without Insurance: For patients who are not covered by a health insurance, the surgery may cost in between $15,000-$55,000. It should be remembered that this amount is just for breast removal and does not include breast reconstruction. The exact amount required depends on the hospital and the surgeon who is going to perform the surgery.
Cost of Modified Radical Mastectomy: In case of modified radical mastectomy, the hospital may charge about $ 15,000-$32,000. This is because such a surgery involves removal of breast tissue, nipple and also some lymph nodes.
Overall Costs: From the patient’s point of view, an estimate of about $37,000 should be expected to pay for a radical mastectomy. The cost can reach $50,000 in case of complications. Apart from this, the doctor fees and laboratory costs can add up to another 2,000 dollars each to the total bill.
What Are The Medical Procedures That Are Included In This Range Of Expenses?
The medical procedures should be known that will be included in this range of cost. The procedures include-
Simple Mastectomy: In case of a small tumor which although might be cancerous but has not spread to the nearby lymph nodes, a simple mastectomy may be recommended. The patient will be placed under general anesthesia while the surgeon will remove the entire breast along with the nipple and areola. The patient might have to stay overnight for observation.
Modified Radical Mastectomy: Modified radical mastectomy will be required when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes near the breast. In this case, the patient’s breast, nipple, areola along with the lymph nodes will be removed under general anesthesia. The patient has to stay in the hospital for at least a night.
Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Another form of mastectomy includes skin-sparing mastectomy. In this, the surgeon removes the breast, nipple and areola, but leaves the skin in place. This is typically done when mastectomy is immediately followed by reconstruction surgery. This may include the time period of 6hours for the surgery. In such case, the patient has to stay for five nights or longer in the hospital. The cost of breast reconstruction surgery should be additionally covered.
What Are The Additional Costs That May Be Required If The Patient Has To Go For Mastectomy?
In order to go for breast removal surgery, one has to think about the additional costs which invariably will be required. Additional costs may include-
Radiation Therapy: The patient will require radiation therapy after mastectomy. This may be covered in between a range of $10,000-$50,000. If the patient has to go for chemotherapy, it may cost around $30,000 or more depending on the drug used.
Breast Implants: In case the patient chooses to undergo breast reconstruction surgery, additional cost may be in between $5,000-$15,000 per breast. This range is true in case of breast implants. For reconstruction with flap technique, a range of $25,000-$50,000 per breast has to be covered.
Follow-up Appointments: Patients with breast cancer need regular follow up to the doctors for screenings to check for recurrence even after breast removal. This follow-up may be done in every three to six months for the first three years which might cost about $100 per visit.