Hand surgery is very safe for patients overall and our patients, looking back, typically rate their hand surgery experience as “well worth it.” Hopefully this helps you to feel quite comfortable with the affordability of hand surgery in NJ.
And, since hand surgery typically improves the lives and health of patients (which is the only reason Cohen/Winters would ever perform surgery), insurance often makes NJ hand surgery even more affordable.
Patients Rate Hand Surgery Worthwhile, but What about Specific Cost?
As you may imagine, the cost of hand surgery is individualized, and varies from patient to patient. Cost depends upon details such as: the type/complexity of surgery needed, how long it takes to perform, type of anesthesia used and more.
As for region of the country; that’s definitely a cost factor. More specifically, hand surgery in a city vs. in a less-populated/rural area provides cost variation within each region.
Adding Up The Cost of Hand Surgery in NJ
Where Hand Surgery Cost is Concerned, NYC Rules
It will come as no surprise to you that, in Manhattan and much of NY, hand surgery (or any type of surgery) typically has a much higher price tag than anywhere else in the country. NYC is both highly populated and an expensive place for surgeons to conduct their practice.
We have found that NJ is the best of both worlds, convenient for patients who come to us from throughout the country and free of the needless overhead costs of NY. We are not saying you should never have surgery in NY.
If you find a well-qualified surgeon that you trust, nothing should dissuade you. So don’t avoid your favorite doctor if he or she is in NY. When you trust your surgeon (wherever he or she is located), it improves your outcome.
The Best Hand Surgery Experience (Does Not Cost Extra) in NJ
Hand surgery in NJ is convenient for patients across the East Coast and less costly than many other metro areas. NJ for hand surgery has other advantages, however.
We have found that choosing to practice in NJ allows us, as dedicated, people-centric surgeons, to spend much more time with patients than surgeons typically do in “higher traffic” cities. That’s part of the reason that Cohen/Winters’ practice is located here.
Finding the Best Hand Surgeon for You: The Most Important Stuff is Free
Dedication and Patient Focus: Find Them for Surgery Success
As mentioned, finding the best hand surgeon, who is also the right surgeon for you, is paramount to hand surgery success for any patient. We always advise that patients to choose the hand surgeon with whom they are most comfortable with after meeting him or her (when all else is equal, including: skill, qualifications, reputation and experience).
Choosing a NJ hand surgeon who clearly shows interest in you and cares about providing the hand surgery/treatment that is best for your condition is vitally important to your surgical result. Even if the price tag comes out to be a bit higher than it would with a so-so surgeon, the cost (which encompasses much more than price) will be more than worth it.
A successful surgical outcome (with a surgeon who is only happy if the patient is happy) will be worth it, when you look back in the months and years to come. True dedication to your needs is invaluable, but it won’t cost you more.
It is an integral part of the hand surgeon you choose. Look for the qualities of dedication in your surgeon. It’s the most important key to success and you will know it when you see it.
Patient Focus requires Time, Communication and Care (You can Get this for Free)
As experienced hand surgeons, as well as aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons, we realize that spending time with patients is one of the keys to our success. We take great care getting to know our hand surgery patients and their needs.
We never rush our patients through a consultation or limit their questions. Our priority is planning surgical options, communicating with each patient and helping you determine if hand surgery is right for you.
At Cohen/Winters, this phase (your hand surgery consultation) is free–because we feel it should be. It’s so important that you find the right hand surgeon and that, we choose only patients who can benefit from surgery, we simply refuse to charge for your initial consultation.
Balancing Cost and Price in Hand Surgery
Surgeon’s Experience Predicts Consistently Good Hand Surgery Outcomes
The experience of your NJ hand surgeon is another factor that plays a part in (and could add to) your final cost for hand surgery. You will find some of the best hand surgeons in the country right here in northern NJ—but don’t let that daunt you in any way.
That’s a good thing! As we have highlighted, the more skilled and experienced the hand surgeon, the better your outcome typically is. With a complex and incredibly important anatomical structure like the hand, the skill of your surgeon makes a huge difference.
The basic structure of the hand is supported by no fewer than 27 small bones, and hand surgery therefore requires meticulous technique. Surgical precision and skill, which you get from an experienced hand surgeon, affect even the smallest detail of your surgical experience.
Not only can an excellent surgeon produce consistently great outcomes for patients, your recovery may be shorter and more comfortable. Getting back to monetary cost: even if you pay more for an experienced, highly credentialed, surgeon’s fee–you may save elsewhere–on the operating room fee, for example.
That’s because experienced surgeons are efficient–and often take less time to perform surgery than less experienced surgeons. So this lower OR cost will often balance a higher surgical fee, to equal a lower price tag overall. It all boils down to…
Experience (Sometimes) Costs More, but It’s Always Worth It
Hand surgery is very safe for patients overall and our patients, looking back, typically rate the experience as “well worth it.” But the top hand surgeons do make a big difference. The best hand surgeons operate with superior attention to detail.
Scars are minimized, blood supply is preserved (necessary for proper and speedy healing) and nerve function is improved or restored, if the patient suffered from lack of sensation in the hands.
Furthermore, the more experienced your Bergen County hand surgeon, the less trauma your surgery will cause to the delicate bones and soft tissues of your hands. So paying “extra” (but only for important things) makes sense–because it saves you from the highest potential cost of surgery: regret!
Specific Experience to Look for In Top NJ Hand Surgeons
In a hand surgeon, you are looking not only for years of experience, but also for a specific type of experience. To improve the result of your hand surgery, look for ideal extras like:
- Plastic surgery board certification: When your hand surgeon also has plastic surgery knowledge, he or she will be best qualified to limit and hide scarring of your hands with special surgical and suturing techniques. Choosing a hand surgery practice that is also an aesthetic practice will enhance your outcome.
- Hand surgery specialization and focus: Your ideal hand surgeon should spend a good deal of their time doing hand surgery as opposed to spending most of their time on another type of surgery or procedure.
- Complex microsurgery experience: This skill provides the best methods of improving nerve and blood vessel function.
- Reconstructive experience: Choose a reconstructive practice, because such surgeons understand how to rebuild or construct substitutes for parts of the hand, fingers, thumbs, etc. Even if your hand surgery is not this complex, the deep anatomical knowledge that comes with reconstruction will make your surgery go even more smoothly.
- Hospital privileges: Even though your surgery typically won’t take place in a hospital, privileges at a well known hospital provide another level of assurance of your surgeon’s skill, since he or she has also been vetted by hospital management. Cohen/Winters surgeons maintain privileges at nearby Hackensack University Medical Center.
Additional Costs of Hand Surgery
Operating Room Fees
Your hand surgery will likely take place in our (conveniently adjacent) outpatient surgery center. The Vanguard Surgical Center is fully accredited and state-of-the-art. Because of this, hospital OR costs are avoided. We perform outpatient hand surgery there daily. Make sure any surgery center that your surgeon uses is accredited.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is not typically needed with outpatient hand surgery, so this lowers your cost. Regional anesthetic, local or sedation and monitoring during your outpatient surgery is often included in your total cost at Cohen/Winters. In that case, there is no additional bill or cost. Your surgeon will let you know all these personalized details at your consultation.
Travel
Many of our patients travel into Bergen County for hand surgery. Our office can help you with suggested arrangements to make any travel or overnight hotel stay (for air travelers who choose to) easier. (If you are within driving distance, do not plan on driving yourself home after hand surgery. Make sure to have a friend or family member drive you home on surgery day.)
Is Hand Surgery Right for You?
Get hand surgery details (including cost) by making an appointment with Cohen/Winters Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Bergen County. Once we determine if you are a good candidate who will benefit from hand surgery–and which type of procedure is needed–we can explain the hand surgery cost.
We will be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you have about hand surgery!
