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| | | Removal of tonsils -- or tonsillectomy -- is most common in children under age 12, often because of recurring infections. Adults sometimes get tonsillectomies, especially for sleep problems caused by enlarged tonsils. | | |
| Typical costs: | - For those not covered by health insurance, a tonsillectomy -- with or without an adenoidectomy -- typically costs from $4,153 to $6,381, with an average cost of $5,442, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. For example, a survey by the Minnesota Council of Health Plans found the average cost was $4,875 in that state.
- Most tonsillectomies are covered by health insurance if ordered by a doctor. For example, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, any necessary surgery would be covered, unless it is experimental or covered in a specific exclu
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| What should be included: | - The doctor will conduct a pre-surgery office visit.
- On the day of surgery, the patient is admitted to the hospital, placed under anesthesia and tonsil tissue is surgically removed.
- Post-surgical follow-up visits for one month usually are included.
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| Additional costs: | |
| Discounts: | - According to a Dutch study reported on MedPageToday.com, watchful waiting can be a more cost-effective solution to tonsil problems in some children.
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| Shopping for tonsil removal: | - To find a doctor, get a referral from a pediatrician or family physician. Check with the American Board of Otolaryngology to verify that a doctor you are considering is a board-certified head and neck surgeon.
- While tonsillectomies are the most common surgery performed on children in the United States, they are less common than in the past. Tonsils are part of the immune system, which is a consideration when considering a tonsillectomy. The American Academy of Otolaryngology has an overview on tonsils.
- According to the National Institutes of Health, a tonsillectomy should be considered only when: there are seven or more episodes of tonsillitis in a year or five or more per year over two-years; enlarged tonsils that interfere with breathing; an abscess in the tonsils or extremely asymmetric tonsils.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated March 2008 |
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