Ear Surgery Costs

Prices

Cosmetic ear surgery (otoplasty) will generally cost between $2,000 and $5,000, and this price normally does not include pre- and post-operative care and medication. Though this may not come as good news to prospective patients, most surgeons offer payment plans and other financing options to help cover the cost of otoplasty. Patients should also check their insurance coverage to see if their provider covers the cost of the procedure.

Anesthesia fees are generally not included in the surgical otoplasty cost. The preferred anesthesia for an otoplasty procedure is a local anesthetic with a mild sedative. When it is in the best interest of the patient, a surgeon might suggest general anesthesia that will allow the patient to sleep through the procedure. The average otoplasty cost for anesthesia ranges from $350 to $800. Otoplasty cost may also involve pain or antibiotic prescriptions as part of the aftercare treatment. This otoplasty cost is generally not included in the surgical fee for this procedure.

Average Cost of Otoplasty

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average surgeon fee for otoplasty in 2004 was $2,339. When anesthesiology and facility fees are accounted for, the procedure can cost as much as $5,000.

Exactly how much your otoplasty surgery will cost will depend on several factors, including:

The surgeon’s experience
Location of the procedure
Extent of the surgery
Pre- and post-operative care

It should be remembered that otoplasty, like other plastic surgery procedures, is an individualized procedure, and so the cost will vary from patient to patient.

Reconstructive Ear Surgery Costs

Reconstructive ear surgery cost is usually between $2,000 and $5,000, excluding related fees, such as those for pre- and post-operative care and use of the facilities. Factors that affect the price of an individual surgery include the extent of deformity or injury to the ear, the length of the procedure, and the difficulty involved.

Reconstructive ear surgery often involves taking skin and cartilage from other parts of the body to create a natural-looking ear. Ear reconstruction is a complex procedure, and hence costs more than the cost of ear pinning. In general, otoplasty insurance coverage will not cover procedures done to correct traumatic injuries to the ear.

Otoplasty and Insurance Coverage

Because otoplasty is done for cosmetic (elective) purposes, otoplasty cost is rarely covered by health insurance. This means that a patient (and their family, if the patient is a minor) will be required to cover otoplasty cost. National otoplasty cost statistics reveal that more than seventy five million dollars was spent on otoplasty surgery in 2003 alone. The national average otoplasty cost for that same year was $2,762. This average otoplasty cost may not include other compulsory costs required to complete the procedure.

The cost of otoplasty can sometimes be offset by insurance, depending on the reason for the procedure. If ear surgery is performed to correct a congenital deformity or defect in the ears, some providers may offer coverage. When otoplasty insurance coverage is sought, insurance carriers should be contacted as early as possible to find out what they will cover. Patients or their family members should also ask the ear surgeon to write a letter to the company to explain the patient's case.

When otoplasty is performed solely for cosmetic reasons, the cost is usually not covered by insurance companies.

The cost of ear pinning or reconstructive ear surgery may seem unaffordable at first; however, there are solutions available. While not everyone may be eligible for otoplasty insurance coverage, many people can be helped by the various ear surgery financing options available.