Home / Health / Uninsured Man Saves Thousands Shopping for Surgery
Uninsured Man Saves Thousands Shopping for Surgery
3 Aug
Summary
- An uninsured man saved over $20,000 on hernia surgery.
- He traveled from Maine to Maryland for a lower cost procedure.
- Shopping around is crucial for elective procedures without insurance.
In late 2025, Ronmel Rangel, 64, faced a familiar hernia recurrence while uninsured in Portland, Maine. Qualifying for the ACA marketplace was financially out of reach due to high premiums for his age group. Rangel's primary care physician, Dr. Ben Hagopian, assisted him in researching hospitals and surgical centers.
His initial consultation at a MaineHealth facility estimated $23,000 for laparoscopic repair. Rangel's research revealed a Maryland surgery center offering an open repair for a flat rate of $2,900, plus approximately $1,800 for travel expenses for himself and his wife.
Gerard Anderson, a healthcare spending expert, noted that uninsured patients often bear the brunt of price variations, as hospitals have higher overhead and facility fees. Rangel ultimately chose the Maryland center, Affordable Hernia Surgery, paying about $4,700 total for the procedure and travel in April 2026.
Dr. Alan Kravitz, Rangel's surgeon, pointed out the unfair price discrepancies uninsured patients face. Rangel's successful experience underscores the importance of comparison shopping for elective procedures, potentially saving thousands and avoiding medical debt.
