Is laser spine surgery covered by insurance?

Laser spine surgery is not approved by the FDA and is not covered by any insurance. It certainly will not be covered in the future under Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) or any other private insurance.

Does laser spine surgery really work?

Doctors who support laser spinal surgery maintain it is more efficient, effective and gentle than traditional methods. The truth is, minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) can be performed as effectively, and probably more effectively, without a laser.

How long is recovery from laser spine surgery?

You should make a full recovery within 6 weeks of the surgery. Patients can take some steps to ensure that they recover as quickly as possible after laser spine surgery.

Does laser surgery work for herniated disc?

If you’re suffering from a herniated disc or damaged nerves on the spinal cord, laser surgery may be able to get the job done to an equally effective degree as traditional methods, with minimal pain, time, and costs involved.

What happened to Laser Spine Institute?

On March 1, 2019, the Laser Spine Institute announced its closure, shutting down their Cincinnati, St. Louis, Scottsdale, and Tampa Bay locations.

Is laser spine surgery painful?

Sciatica, herniated discs, spinal arthritis, and other conditions can often be treated with laser surgery and other minimally invasive techniques. While there may be some mild discomfort during the recovery period, laser back surgery patients do not feel pain during the surgery.

Can bone spurs be removed by laser?

The laser that is used in spine surgery cannot cut bone. The bone spurs that cause spinal stenosis must be removed with small drills and/or cutting instruments. When a laser is used in spine surgery it is used to perform facet joint nerve ablation in an attempt to reduce back pain from arthritic facet joints.

Is laser treatment good for lower back pain?

In three studies, low-level laser therapy did show benefits in providing pain relief and improving disability in low-back pain patients compared with a sham laser treatment. However, the effects were small. Also, the types of laser, dose, frequency and number of treatments varied.

How much does Laser Spine Surgery cost?

Average Laser Spine Surgery Cost. The average laser spine surgery cost runs from $30,000 to $90,000 or more, much costlier than a traditional spine surgery which averages only up to $70,000.

Does the Laser Spine Institute really work?

The Laser Spine Institute makes several claims in regards to how minimally invasive and easy their Laser surgery procedures are. They claim to be able to treat several conditions with their procedure such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves and several other conditions.

Is Laser Spine Surgery covered by Medicare?

Medicare may help cover services and supplies related to laser spine surgery if you meet certain criteria. If your physician deems it medically necessary for you to undergo laser spinal surgery, Medicare may help cover the costs.

Is Spinal laser surgery effective and safe?

The Mayo Clinic and the National Institute for Health, both recommend against the use of laser spine surgery. They point out that no definitive clinical study can show that laser spine surgery is either effective or safe . In fact, laser spine surgery can be very dangerous. One of the major risks associated with laser spine surgery is infection.