Stapedectomy Cost and Stapedectomy Financing

A stapedectomy is a surgical procedure to remove innermost bone, called the stapes, from the middle ear to help improve the patient’s hearing. The problem is usually caused by otosclerosis, a condition that causes the stapes bone and bony capsule of your inner ear to thicken.¹ The thickening of the stapes bone can prevent it from vibrating and functioning properly resulting in a type of hearing loss called conductive hearing loss. During the procedure the surgeon replaces the stapes with a prosthesis. While some patients experience improved hearing immediately after having a stepedetomy it often takes several weeks for many to notice a difference. Stapedectomy or stapedotomy will improve hearing in approximately 90–92% of cases.¹ Below we dive into the cost of stapedectomy, if insurance covers the procedure and how financing can help.

How much does a stapedectomy cost?

Various factors can impact the cost of a stapedectomy surgery including geographic location, where the procedure is performed — in an out-patient setting or a hospital — and the experience level and reputation of the surgeon and the complexity of the specific procedure. On average the cost of a stapedectomy without insurance ranges from $7,000 to $15,000.² While one source reported a national average cost of $18,200.³

Is stapedectomy covered by insurance?

The cost of a stapedectomy for a patient with insurance depends on a variety of factors including your private medical insurance plan and provider, your annual deductible, co-pay requirements, as well as whether you are seeking services in or out of network. Check with your plan provider to determine your specific benefits.

How can I pay for a stapedectomy?

If you are interested in a stapedectomy and don’t have private medical insurance or Medicare or if you need a way to pay for co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs there are several payment options you can consider. If you have the funds readily available, of course you can tap into your savings. You may also be able to use a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for the procedure. If you are interested in paying over time, it’s important to know very few providers extend credit to patients through their practice where patients would receive bills from, and pay the provider. Almost all accept general purpose credit cards and many accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a convenient way to pay for the procedure.*

Can I use my CareCredit credit card to pay for a stapedectomy?

Yes. If approved, you can use your CareCredit credit card at Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a nearby audiologist that accepts the CareCredit credit card.