How Much Does an Orchiectomy Cost?
An orchiectomy, also known as an orchidectomy, is the removal of one or both testicles.
Men may resort to an orchiectomy due to testicular cancer, a traumatic injury to the testicle or as a personal option for those who are going through gender reassignment therapy.
How much does an orchiectomy cost?
According to many sources online, an orchiectomy is going to cost anywhere from as little as $2,200 to as much as $8,000+ without any insurance. The costs will depend on the surgeon, the treatment method, where you live and the complexity of the surgery.
The National Institutes of Health conducted a study, exploring the out-of-pocket costs of an elective orchiectomy. When comparing the costs and the results, the average elective outpatient procedure is about $4,000, but it could be as high as $15,000 if the patient were admitted to a psychiatric for a few days at a local hospital.
If the patient has health insurance, most providers will cover the bill as long as it is deemed medically necessary; however, those who are having the surgery done due to a gender reassignment procedure, it will not be covered by insurance. For those who need a new policy or are looking for one for the first time, consider browsing through hundreds for free at eHealthInsurance.com.
Orchiectomy overview
An orchiectomy is an outpatient procedure that can be performed for any of the reasons mentioned above.
There are three types of orchiectomy procedures: unilateral (either right or left testicle will be removed), bilateral (both are removed), inguinal (performed via an incision via the groin) and scrotal (performed via an incision via the scrotum).
Prior to the procedure, the doctor will discuss with the patient the potential complications of infection, bleeding, injury, and blood clots, and as we mention below, he or she will run a series of tests to make sure you’re a candidate for the surgery. The risks of anesthesia will also be discussed, along with the options or necessities of other procedures in the future. Also, since an orchiectomy is an irreversible procedure, the patient must receive two letters of therapy clearance, which can be obtained from a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or sexologist. One of the two therapists must have known the patient well for a considerable period of time. Again, this is only required for those considering the procedure for gender reassignment purposes and won’t be necessary if the testicle/s have to be removed due to a health condition.
During the surgery, you will be placed under a general anesthesia, and the scrotum will be shaved and cleaned for preparation. Creating an incision either via the groin or scrotum, the testicles will be removed and the incision will be sutured; however, if implants are being used, this will be done prior to the sutures.
An orchiectomy can be performed in less than an hour, and in most cases, you can return home on the same day since it’s deemed an outpatient procedure.
As for the recovery, the doctor, depending on your circumstances, will observe your vital signs for any complications. If everything goes well, you can resume daily activities in about a month.
What are the extra costs?
To prepare for the surgery, your physician will likely take a special blood test, urine analysis, abdomen CT scan and chest x-ray to ensure you’re a candidate for the surgery. These tests won’t be included in the estimates mentioned above.
Follow-up care after the surgery will be required to make sure everything is healing properly. These follow-up appointments are usually not included in the estimates mentioned above.
A testicular implant, as a substitute for the missing testicle, is an optional option, but those who want an implant will need to budget about $3,000.
Medication, antibiotics and a jock strap will be required for a few days following the procedure to ensure a healthy recovery.
Tips to know:
An orchiectomy has been proven to cause abrupt hormone changes in the body, leading to some side effects, such as hot flashes, sterility, erection problems, loss of sexual interest, loss of muscle mass, larger breasts, brittle bones, and weight gain.
As long as no complications occur, you can expect a full recovery within two to four weeks.
A surgeon may not advise an orchiectomy if he sees in the patient that there are more risks than benefits.
This type of procedure will help reduce testosterone, which is a hormone released by the testicles. Lowering amounts of testosterone may result in abnormal hair growth and muscle development as well as a lower sex drive and function and energy level.
If the testicles are removed due to prostate cancer, the five-year disease-free survival rate is 95 to 97 percent.
How can I save money?
If medically necessary, talk with your health insurance company before scheduling your surgery.
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Average Reported Cost: $12500
How much did you spend?
- Selene (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) paid $12500 and said:
Got an EOB for $11k in the mail. Combined with the costs of the tests beforehand the total price came out to around $12,500.
Was it worth it? Yes
