Traditional Surgery Options vs. Direct Pay Surgery: Smith Medical Explains

Have you heard about direct pay surgery? It’s a cash-based option for patients to receive direct care from surgical experts rather than navigate the normal confines of insurance-based healthcare practices. 

Patients who are looking for excellent surgical care may not have heard of direct specialty care as a surgery option. Typically we are only introduced to traditional surgery options provided by insurance and referrals, but a new surgical option has risen in popularity.  Direct specialty care. This model within the surgical space allows patients to directly access the surgery they need by paying directly, with cash and without the need of referrals or prior authorizations through insurance.

This patient focused model offers a streamline and stress free advantage over traditional surgery by reducing slow downs in service and creating a direct relationship between the patient and physician. 

Traditional surgery has it’s benefits, but in this article we explore the key differences for why direct pay surgery might be the right choice for you. 

Traditional Surgery Using Insurance

Surgery for patients utilizing insurance often begins with a structured referral process, which serves as a critical gateway to specialized medical care. Typically, a primary care physician or a specialist will evaluate the patient’s condition and determine whether surgical intervention is necessary.

 If so, they will submit a referral to a surgeon who is in-network with the patient’s insurance provider. This referral system not only streamlines the process of obtaining the requisite medical attention but also ensures that the patient receives care that is covered under their insurance plan, ultimately minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

Once the referral is made, the patient is usually scheduled for a consultation with the surgeon, who will further assess the condition and discuss the surgical options. If surgery is deemed necessary, arrangements are made for the procedure to take place at an accredited inpatient facility, such as a hospital, where the patient will need to stay overnight. 

This overnight stay is often essential for monitoring recovery in a safe environment, particularly for surgeries that may involve anesthesia or significant recovery protocols. 

Throughout this process, insurance plays a vital role by outlining which facilities and procedures are covering and what the patient will owe. Bills will show up after the procedure for . By navigating the complexities of insurance and referrals, patients can effectively access the surgical interventions necessary for their health and well-being.

For Patients Who Are Tired of Going Back and Forth With Health Insurance 

Instead of struggling with pre-authorization issues, playing phone tag with the billing department, or fighting against provider network issues- when it comes to surgery, the clear-cut path for zero price confusion happens to be cash-pay care. (At Smith Medical it doesn’t matter if you are looking for an Ossiculoplasty, Microdiscectomy, or a wrist arthrotomy procedure, we have all-inclusive cash-pay pricing.)

Navigating the complexities of health insurance can often feel like a daunting task. Many patients find themselves entangled in a web of confusing claims and unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, which can add significant stress to an already challenging time. If you’ve grown weary of the battle with your health insurance provider, you might want to consider the benefits of cash-pay care. This alternative approach allows you to bypass the often convoluted insurance process, offering a transparent pricing model that gives you complete clarity and control over your medical expenses.

With cash-pay care, especially when choosing reputable providers like Smith Medical, you can experience a straightforward path to receiving the care you need. By opting for a direct payment model, you eliminate the risk of surprise bills and complicated negotiations with insurance companies. 

This means no more waiting for approvals or dealing with denied claims; instead, you can focus on your health and recovery without the burden of financial ambiguity. The simplicity of cash-pay care can not only streamline your medical experience but also provide peace of mind, knowing exactly what your expenses will be from the start.

Surgery For the Uninsured

Smith Medical is revolutionizing access to healthcare for uninsured patients by offering direct specialty care with transparent cash-pay rates. This approach eliminates the complexities and uncertainties associated with traditional surgery options, providing patients with easy-to-understand pricing for a wide range of medical procedures. 

With Smith Medical, patients can confidently seek the care they need without the anxiety of hidden costs or unexpected bills. Each service is priced clearly, ensuring that individuals can budget for their healthcare needs without the stress of navigating through insurance plans.

This model not only empowers patients but also promotes a more direct relationship between healthcare providers and those seeking care. By removing the middleman of insurance companies, Smith Medical fosters an environment of trust and accountability, where patients know exactly what they are paying for upfront using direct pay surgery

Whether it’s a common procedure or a specialized operation, the cash-pay structure at Smith Medical allows uninsured patients to receive high-quality care tailored to their needs without financial burden. This approach champions health equity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their insurance status, can access the specialty care they deserve.

Fair, Transparent Billing- No Surprise Costs Ever

Smith Medical DSC is revolutionizing the healthcare landscape in a manner akin to the artistry of a master craftsman. By eliminating the middlemen who often complicate processes, create inefficiencies, and drive up expenses, we are striving to simplify the healthcare experience for everyone involved.

Our innovative approach centers around a direct pay, cash-based care model, which prioritizes fairness, transparency, and clarity in financial matters and patient care. This model enables us to offer clear and upfront costs for services, allowing patients to make informed decisions without the burden of hidden fees or unexpected charges.

Furthermore, we believe in rewarding our medical professionals for their expertise and dedication. By compensating our doctors with a premium, we ensure that they can focus on delivering the highest standard of care without the distractions often caused by traditional reimbursement structures.

Our key principles at Smith are the following: 

  1. Fair pricing – averaging around 40% less than traditional fee for service models.
  2. Transparent pricing – full all-in pricing for surgery, including surgeon, anesthesia, facility and if necessary, implant cost.  The price is known beforehand and there is never a surprise bill at the end. 
  3. Quality care – we source top physicians and pay them a premium above market rates.

In essence, Smith Medical DSC is determined to create a healthcare environment where patients can readily access quality care, understand their financial obligations, and feel confident in the services they receive. Our commitment to transforming healthcare into a more straightforward and equitable system is at the core of everything we do and it starts with direct pay surgery.

Our Surgery Options At Smith Medical DSC

Smith Medical offers a broad range of medical diagnostics, and direct pay surgery procedures to help patients at any point in their health journey. The surgeons at our center also treat common abdominal conditions, such as appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder surgery, stomach, and intestinal problems. 

We are proud to offer cost-effective treatment without the obstacles traditionally associated with insurance.

Our hernia procedures: 

Hemorrhoidectomy and Umbilical Hernia Repair: $5,873

Femoral Hernia Repair: $3,532

Hiatal Hernia Repair (Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication): $13,707

Inguinal Hernia Repair: $5,644

Inguinal and Umbilical Hernia Repair : $5,787

Inguinal Hernia Repair and Hydrocelectomy: $5,045

Inguinal Hernia Repair and Ventral Hernia Repair (mesh not included): $6,448

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Bilateral: $8,673

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Unilateral: $6,705

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Pediatric: $5,120

LINX Procedure (device not included): $13,707

Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement: $5,575

Recurrent Hernia Additional Fee: $915

Spigelian Hernia Repair: $3,720

Umbilical: $4,644

Ventral: $3,720

Our full range of procedures can be found here: 

ENT

Lower Extremities

Upper Extremities

General Surgery

Men and Women’s Health

Reconstructive Surgery 

Spine

Urology

Get the Care You Deserve Today: Direct Pay Surgery

In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, traditional surgery simply doesn’t compare to the innovative approach offered by direct pay surgery. The benefits of cash-pay surgery are clear, especially when it comes to a direct pay option with Smith Medical. 

Patients increasingly recognize the limitations of conventional models, which often involve convoluted insurance processes, hidden costs, and long wait times for procedures.

With direct pay options, the advantages are strikingly clear: transparent pricing eliminates confusion and ensures that patients know exactly what they will pay upfront. Furthermore, the hassle of waiting for prior authorization is simply a thing of the past, allowing patients to receive the care they need without unnecessary delays.

At Smith Medical of Denver, we prioritize your health and peace of mind through personalized surgical solutions that best fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional care, tailored to each patient’s individual situation, without the burdens that accompany traditional healthcare systems.

If you’re ready to experience a more efficient and straightforward path to surgery, we are here to guide you through every step of the process. Don’t hesitate to reach out—get in contact with us today and take the first step toward a better surgical experience.