How Much Does a Broken Bone Cost Without Insurance?

What is the cost of a broken bone without insurance?

Without insurance, a broken bone could cost anywhere between $310 and $150,000. This wide range is due to the variability of cost factors like the type of bone, severity of the break, and the potential for follow-up procedures and complications. Below are examples of average expected costs in some common breaks without insurance:¹

Break type	Non-surgical cost	Surgical cost
Finger	$420 - $1,000	$7,000 - $14,250
Nose	$1,500 - $4,700	$9,600 - $19,100
Arm	$900 - $1,800	$17,150 - $31,000
Leg	$1,275 - $2,500	$19,375 - $41,000

Factors that can affect the cost of a broken bone

Whether or not you need surgery is a major cost factor for the cost of a broken bone, but it’s not the only one. The following factors can all have a significant impact on the total cost of care:

Type and severity of the fracture

There are several types of bone fractures:²

• Closed fracture: A closed fracture occurs when your bone doesn’t break through your skin.
• Open fracture: An open fracture occurs when your bone does break through your skin. These are sometimes referred to as compound fractures.
• Non-displaced fractures: With this type of fracture, the pieces of bone did not move far enough to be out of alignment.
• Displaced fractures: A displaced fracture occurs when the pieces of your bone move so much that there is a gap around the fracture.

Open and displaced fractures are much more likely to require surgery to repair. They will also typically require longer recovery times and may create more challenges in your life.

Location of the injury

As we detailed earlier, different bones cost more or less to repair and treat. The cost of a broken arm without insurance is typically more expensive than a broken finger. However, it’s not always the case that larger bones will cost more to fix. Some smaller bones, like a nose or vertebrae, may be more expensive due to the delicacy of the treatment required.

Emergency room vs. urgent care

The average cost of an emergency room visit is $2,715, and it may be higher depending on the treatment you receive there.³ The cost of visiting an urgent care center can be less expensive. If the fracture is minor, you may consider an urgent care visit, while more serious breaks should be treated in the emergency room.

Ongoing care

One of the most significant variables in the total cost of a broken bone is your recovery timeline and treatment needs. Without health insurance, you should expect to pay a lot more for long-term treatment than you would with insurance. A supplemental accident insurance policy can also help reduce your out-of-pocket costs by helping you with medical expenses.