As a small business owner, I am self-insured. Is there any way I can save money on my upcoming shoulder repair surgery?

You'll want to bring this up with your surgeon. Perhaps your injury can be treated with a more conservative, less expensive approach. If not, then you may want to look at the differences in cost for an open versus closed operation.

ith an open repair, the patient has general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an open incision to make the repairs. The operation is done in the hospital. There is often an overnight stay required.

With the closed (arthroscopic) method, regional anesthesia is used. The patient goes home the same day. There is usually a charge associated with pain relievers used for a few days.

All of these decisions are based on the type of problem you have and what your surgeon can do.