Ask what the estimate includes.
- Initial consultation, examination, tests, and imaging.
- The procedure, preparation or product, clinician fees, facility fees, and any anesthesia.
- The number of visits or procedures being proposed.
- Follow-up appointments, rehabilitation, and medicines.
- Charges if additional care or a repeat procedure is needed.
Ask which items are optional, which are required, and what could change the final bill. Compare written estimates for the same proposed services.
Confirm coverage yourself.
Ask your insurer whether the exact service for your condition is covered, whether the clinician and facility are in network, and whether authorization is required. Ask about deductibles and your expected share. A clinic’s willingness to submit a bill is different from your insurer agreeing to cover it.
Further reading: AAOS · Orthobiologics FAQ, insurance and costs.
Understand the payment terms.
Before paying a deposit or accepting financing, ask for the payment schedule, cancellation and refund terms, any interest or fees, and what happens if the proposed care changes. Ask whether there are lower-cost alternatives and what choosing to wait would mean for your care.
Further reading: NIH · Discussing health decisions with your doctor.
Keep directory fees separate.
Browsing this directory and its guides is free. The $99 annual clinic profile claim is paid by a managing account for directory tools. It is not a consultation or treatment charge, and does not tell you what the clinic will charge for care.