Eyelid Surgery - Prepare Yourself For The Costs

You may want eyelid surgery to eliminate the issue of drooping eyelids, which can make you look old or tired, and may also interfere with your vision. These are all important problems to get rid of. However, they can be expensive issues to deal with since this treatment has several costs you may not consider. Even if you can get it covered by insurance, there are lots of costs involved. Consider what you might pay before you schedule the procedure, though you should remember that costs vary depending on where you live, when you get it done, and which doctor you use.

In most cases, you can expect to pay about $4000 for eyelid surgery. This usually includes both lids, so it might be less if you only need the upper or lower lid worked on. For example, just the upper or lower lid alone usually costs about $2500, which means it is usually best to get both treated at the same time if you plan to get both done eventually anyway, since you can save about $500 this way. Keep in mind that the expenses included in this price are usually the fees for the surgeon, operating room, and anesthesia. If you cannot afford this price, start comparing doctors near you, as one is bound to be lower than this average. If you really want to save money, find out if a local school for plastic surgeons offers this treatment at low cost or even free, since this is often a possibility in order to give students a chance to learn in this field.

You should keep in mind the hidden fees for eyelid surgery, and make room in your budget for them. For instance, the total cost might not include painkillers prescribed to you after the procedure, as you typically have to take a prescription to the pharmacy, so this is separate. Antibiotics, eye drops, and sunglasses to shield the eyes after the treatment may also cost extra. In addition, you will probably have to have some bloodwork and tests done before the procedure, and you may have to pay for this separately.

If you are getting insurance to cover your eyelid surgery, you will have to pay less. However, few policies cover every expense, as even the best plans feature at least co-pays. First, you will have to meet your deductible if you have not already, and this could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars, to a few thousand. Then you might have a co-pay to cover, which is usually not more than $20 to $50. In addition, find out what your co-insurance cost is, such as whether you have to pay for 10% of the procedure or more. You can ask your doctor for an estimate of the total price if you want an idea of what you will have to pay even with insurance.

It is a good idea to determine your budget before you schedule eyelid surgery. This way, you can decide when to get it, as you may need months or even years to save up. If the price you are quoted by one surgeon is just out of your budget, you can always shop around, getting quotes from nearby surgeons so you can afford the procedure.