Public information
from the American College of Surgeons

When you face an operation, your health and well-being are, naturally, your major concern. Your operation will be less worrisome, however, if you find out in advance what the costs will be.

Discuss with your surgeon his or her fees

Obtain information about hospital rates

Other fees for professional services

Familiarize yourself with your benefit plan

Fellowship in the American College of Surgeons

Surgery by Surgeons

Before your operation, discuss with your surgeon his or her fees and those of his assistants. Many surgeons may volunteer this information; if yours does not, don't hesitate to ask.

Information about hospital rates can be obtained from your hospital's business office, and your doctor will be able to tell you how long you can expect to be hospitalized. Today, many surgical procedures can be performed without hospitalization; your surgeon will be able to decide if this is a possibility in your case.

In addition to surgeons' fees and the costs of hospitalization, you should also expect to be billed separately for the professional services of other individuals involved in your care, such as the assisting surgeon, anesthesiologist, and medical consultants.

Familiarize yourself with the extent of your medical benefit plan before your hospitalization so that you will know what portion of the costs will be your responsibility. Your doctor's office staff may be able to help you find out how much your medical benefit plan will cover. If your medical benefit plan will not pay all of the anticipated costs, and you cannot afford the difference, discuss this situation frankly with your surgeon to see if you can work out a solution that is mutually acceptable.

The American College of Surgeons, the largest organization of surgeons in the world, encourages it members to discuss fees and payment frankly with their patients. Each of the College's more than 54,000 members has taken a Fellowship pledge that says, in part, "I promise to make my fees commensurate with the services rendered and with the patient's rights. Moreover, I promise to deal with each patient as I would wish to be dealt with were I in his position."

If you are still hesitant to discuss costs with your surgeon, remember—he or she knows it's important for you to be as relaxed and worry free as possible when it's time for your operation. He or she will want to provide you with any information beforehand that will contribute to our peace of mind.

Surgery by Surgeons

A fully trained surgeon is a physician who, after medical school, has gone through years of training in an accredited residency program to learn the specialized skills of a surgeon. One good sign of a surgeon's competence is certification by a national surgical board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. All board-certified surgeons have satisfactorily completed an approved residency training program and have passed a rigorous specialty examination.

The letters F.A.C.S. (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name are a further indication of a physician's qualifications. Surgeons who become Fellows of the College have passed a comprehensive evaluation of their surgical training and skills; they also have demonstrated their commitment to high standards of ethical conduct. This evaluation is conducted according to national standards that were established to ensure that patients receive the best possible surgical care.

Prepared as a public service by the American College of Surgeons.

American College of Surgeons
Office of Public Information
633 N. Saint Clair St.
Chicago, IL 60611

If you are considering an operation, you may have further questions in these topic areas:

Who should do your operation?

Should you seek consultation?

Giving your informed consent.

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by the American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL 60611-3211