Is Robotic Surgery Covered by Insurance?

With the advance of medical technology, one of the most notable developments has been in robot-assisted operations, which allow surgeons to conduct complicated procedures with greater accuracy and control than traditional methods.

Robotic operations have a lot of potential in healthcare for surgeries that require a high level of precision. However, patients considering robotic surgery usually have one question in mind: “Could my insurance cover robotic surgery?” And the answer is yes! Robotic surgery is categorized as robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, so any insurance covering minimally invasive surgery will also cover robotic surgery. This is true for popular insurance programs, such as Medicare. Nonetheless, the extent of coverage will be determined by your plan and benefits package.

See Also: Minimally Invasive Surgery and Its Benefits: An Overview

Medicare Coverage for Robotic Surgeries

While outpatient surgical procedures are covered by Medicare Part B, surgeries performed after someone has been admitted to the hospital are covered under Part A. There are no stipulations in place that exclude robotic surgeries from the scope of Medicare. In fact, in Medicare’s eyes, any surgical procedure that is necessary and is carried out at a Medicare-approved facility will qualify for coverage. However, the surgeon operating the robot must be a participating Medicare provider, even if they do so remotely.

How to Review Your Robotic Surgery Insurance

Whether you have adequate coverage in place to pay for any unseen expense (say, a failed procedure) will depend on the scope of your insurance policy. Therefore before confirming your robotic surgery, it’s important that you:

• Read and understand the terms and conditions of your policy
• Contact your insurer if you have any doubts regarding coverage
• Get the doctor’s approval for the robotic surgery to ensure a smooth claims process
• Take note of the waiting period involved in claim settlement
• Check sub-limits, co-pay, or any other cost-sharing terms or conditions applicable to the policy

FAQ

1. How Much Does Robotic Surgery Cost?

Robotic surgery costs around $3,000 to $7,000 more than traditional laparoscopic surgery.

2. What Is the Success Rate of Robotic Surgery?

Robotic surgery has a claimed success rate of more than 95%. Robotic surgery is generally safe, with greater precision than traditional procedures.

3. Is Robotic Surgery Better Than Open Surgery?

Yes, robotic surgery is a better option than open surgery. It is less invasive, more precise, and offers multiple benefits, which include:

• Lower infection risk
• Smaller incisions
• Less pain and blood loss
• Faster recovery
• Minimum scarring

See Also:  What Surgeries Are Performed by Robots?

At Far North Surgery, our team of expert healthcare professionals led by Dr. Madhu Prasad is well-versed in performing complex robotic surgeries with state-of-the-art technology. If you have any questions about robotic surgery or would like to know more about this advanced medical procedure, contact us today!