Many patients feel minimally-invasive means “Laser Spine Surgery”. However laser spine surgery is never indicated in any case. Stephen P. Banco, MD, formerly of The Reading Neck and Spine Center, spent years educating patients against the use of lasers in spinal surgery and will continue to do so at Keystone Spine and Pain Management, his new comprehensive spinal treatment center. The truth about laser spine surgery: It doesn’t work and it is not covered by insurance.
Basically, laser spine surgeons perform the same operation any other spine surgeon performs with the addition of a “laser” at the end of the procedure. However, for this additional service patients receive and additional bill of up to $30,000! Its like buying a car but getting charged 30k for floor mats. Laser spine surgery is not approved by the FDA and is not covered by any insurance. It certainly will not be covered in the future under Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) or any other private insurance.