Rough cost of knee surgery?

mattym

I have been told after having an MRI scan that i have a tear in the medial meniscus cartilage which will require surgery. Anyone have a rough idea how much it would cost to go private without medical cover. I really havent a clue so any ballpark figures would be great. Thanks

Mattym

Zzippy

Do you need to have the op in a hurry? Might be better to go public and wait.

I had the same op a few years back in Letterkenny hospital (very good surgeon, Mr. Lynch). I was covered by BUPA but they sent me a statement saying they had paid the bill, I think it came to about a grand including paying the anaesthetist. I had to pay the surgeon's initial consultation fee myself, about €100 IIRC. Probably more expensive elsewhere - I had to see a knee specialist in the Galway Clinic 2 years ago and his fee was €150.

mattym

I thought about waiting and going public but was told i'd be waiting 12 to 18 months. Going up a stairs has become a bit of a struggle so cant really wait that long, and really want to get back running!!! I got a rough price from Clane hospital of €2000 so thats a start. Any other consultants that anyone could recommend?? Thanks Zzippy, i'll check out Mr. Lynch. I'm in Meath but you never know where's he's working now...

eclectichoney

mattym just to remember you can claim back the tax on it, so if you pay tax at the higher rate, that's 40% you get back at the end of the year

mattym

Cheers Eclechtichoney. i'm just under the 40% bracket so will it be 21% i'd get back? is there any limit to the amount you claim back??

eclectichoney

That's unfortunate, but there is no limit so you would get 20% back on the total (better than nothing i suppose!) Although the revenue site (http://www.revenue.ie/publications/tax-briefing/issue-68/health-expenses.htm) does state:

An individual may claim tax relief in respect of Health Expenses incurred in respect of:

* self and spouse;
* a child of the claimant (or any other child who, for the year of the claim, is in custody of and maintained by the claimant) who is under 18 years of age, or if over 18 years of age, is receiving full-time education;
* a relative;
* an individual who is aged 65 years (or over) or who is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental or physical infirmity.

So maybe if you find a wealthy relative (a parent perhaps) who pays tax at the high rate they could pay for the operation on your behalf and claim 40% back on it. You could look into it more and see if would apply. The revenue site is quite good for info on how to claim back health expenses.

information

mattym wrote: »

I thought about waiting and going public but was told i'd be waiting 12 to 18 months.

don't know anything about it but have a look at
http://www.ntpf.ie/qualify/

dines08

I've had that operation done on two occasions but have been covered by healthcare. I vaguely remember being issued with an invoice in the region of €1400 excluding consultant fee

huskerdu

You only get tax back on medical expenses at 20%, even if you pay at the marginal rate.

eclectichoney wrote: »

That's unfortunate, but there is no limit so you would get 20% back on the total (better than nothing i suppose!) Although the revenue site (http://www.revenue.ie/publications/tax-briefing/issue-68/health-expenses.htm) does state:

An individual may claim tax relief in respect of Health Expenses incurred in respect of:

* self and spouse;
* a child of the claimant (or any other child who, for the year of the claim, is in custody of and maintained by the claimant) who is under 18 years of age, or if over 18 years of age, is receiving full-time education;
* a relative;
* an individual who is aged 65 years (or over) or who is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental or physical infirmity.

So maybe if you find a wealthy relative (a parent perhaps) who pays tax at the high rate they could pay for the operation on your behalf and claim 40% back on it. You could look into it more and see if would apply. The revenue site is quite good for info on how to claim back health expenses.

mattym

mattym wrote: »

I have been told after having an MRI scan that i have a tear in the medial meniscus cartilage which will require surgery. Anyone have a rough idea how much it would cost to go private without medical cover. I really havent a clue so any ballpark figures would be great. Thanks

Mattym

I had this done in april at the sports surgery clinic in santry.
I checked the price when I got my insurance form back and it was 2000.00 bang on.

Gael23

huskerdu wrote: »

You only get tax back on medical expenses at 20%, even if you pay at the marginal rate.

Correct but it was once 40%