How does one afford this surgery??

[Jabberfest]

I keep hearing that this surgery is not usually covered by insurance. For me, it's not medically necessary, but I am really self-conscious about my open bite and the shape of my jaw/chin. I would love to have this surgery, but I have no idea how I will ever be able to afford this

[littleviolet]

If your on the top cover of a health insurance they do cover some of the costs (hospital stay, anesthetist, and a few other things) which does help a little bit. I pay about $30 a month to be on top cover, and you have to be on it for a year before you can use it.

My surgery is costing me $6000. I also had to have my wisdom teeth out to prepare for it (9 months before the jaw surgery) and that cost me $3000, and my braces are $7500... plus you need extra money for x-rays and things like that.

I had to get a loan out to pay for mine, because my oral surgeon does not do payment plans... I wish he did, it's so much better as my orthodontist does that and I pay him $300 a month interest free for my braces.

Im lucky that Im also getting some help from my family. Im paying for most of it though... pretty much most of my pay goes towards my teeth & I never have any spending money lol but it will be worth it in the end

[survenant]

In my case, I'm lucky to live in Canada since the surgery is covered by the medicare program (at least in Québec). I had to pay for the braces though.

[Jabberfest]

I wish I lived in Canada! Medical care here sucks. And I'm mad at myself, because I used to be on top cover, but just recently switched to "save money" (I wasn't using my health insurance at all for the past few years. Then this year, I found out that I was a good candidate for this surgery. Go figure!). I guess I'll just consult with different orthodontists and surgeons, and see if I can't find one that will work with me. I'd prefer one who does payment plans, because there's no way I could come up with that much money upfront.

[sm531]

I'm getting Lefort I, Sagittal Split and a septoplasty all at once.

My surgery would cost me $36K were I to pay for it out of pocket, but with my insurance and my doctors, well.... My oral surgeon was able to convince the insurance company that my surgery is a medical necessity... I went and got tested for sleep apnea but unfortunately do not have it. My doctor claimed umm... maybe a skeletal deformity as the way my jaws are set is causing difficulty in breathing and eating. Also, my orthodontist said that I unnecessarily grind on my teeth and with them being on top of each other instead of off-set like they're supposed to be, I am preventing further root canals/crowns (already have one at 36 ) by getting the surgery to re-align my jaws.

I would greatly suggest checking around with insurance and making sure you read all the fine prints along with finding a good ortho and oral surgeon like you said that will be willing to work with you. I've heard horror stories of the surgeon not taking insurance at all, and/or overcharging.... In the end, MOST doctors I would assume would like to figure out a way for you to get the surgery by their hands bc they'd get paid by either you or insurance but if that's the last roadbump, they should be able to do what it takes (within reason of what the ins co will put up with of course) to get you there.

Good luck!!

[Van'braces]

Again, I'm in Canada and the Healthcare system paid for my SARPE. I gladly paid for my braces, however.

[Bullfighter]

I keep hearing that this surgery is not usually covered by insurance. For me, it's not medically necessary, but I am really self-conscious about my open bite and the shape of my jaw/chin. I would love to have this surgery, but I have no idea how I will ever be able to afford this

If you have an open bite that cannot be corrected through orthodontia, orthognathic surgery may be medically necessary (of course you can live for a long time with misaligned jaws, but that creates other complications.)

I would (a) make sure you have health insurance before investigating, and (b) have a consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon and a couple of orthodontists to ascertain whether the surgery is medically necessary. Surgeons, as you would imagine, are very experienced in dealing with insurance companies. If you get coverage preapproved, in writing, then you will have that option available.

Separately, you can change the shape of your chin through genioplasty, if the shape really bothers you. (There are side effects.) Genio is much less expensive than orthognathic surgery, but obviously wouldn't do anything about your open bite. I don't think any insurance would cover this except in cases of injury (car/motorcycle accident, etc.) So, you're basically on your own there no matter what.

[MrNovember]

I had to pay around 4,000.00 for my jaw surgery. The rest was covered (I also live in Canada). I took out a loan to cover the 4000. Do you have an idea what the cost will be for your surgery?

[lexchomp]

I need a top jaw surgery to correct my open bite, lip incompetence, and muscle strain on my chin. I was planning on being self pay but the facility fee of the surgeon i consulted with is $30,000! That's just for the facility fee not even the surgery or anesthesia... I am currently uninsured so i need to find an insurance company that will cover it...

I think mine is medically necessary, my openbite is ruining all my back teeth they are all flat now and im only23. My dentist says my back teeth are more worn down than a 60 year old's.

such a confusing process.. i don't even know where to being on finding self paid insurance and plans that will cover....

[angelstrings]

That is astronomical! $30,000 for top jaw alone? I'm not sure what to think. Is this normal? Do different surgeons charge radically different fees? It seems from most posts, aside from surgery with a few world-class surgeons, that orthognathic surgery costs between $20,000-$30,000. What is the average cost anyway? Are there parts of the country where it's simply more expensive/less expensive?

[lexchomp]

it would be more like $40,000 for top jaw alone, the $30,000 was just for the operating room/facility fee + 6,500 surgeon fee, 1,500 surgical assistant fee, and anesthesia.It is insane! and depressing. I keep hearing about Dr. Dunson who is suppose to be the best of the best but he is very expensive but i don't get any definite answers as to how much expensive is 20K? 30K? 40K? 50+K???. Is Dunson more than $40,000? or is $40,000 in the expensive range.... I would rather go to the best of the best at that price than someone no ones heard of.

Its so confusing and hard to figure out!!! grrrrrrrrrr