Services / Spine Surgery

Spine Surgery FAQ — Questions to Ask Before Your Consultation

The top questions Miami medical-tourism spine patients ask before submitting an intake form — from how the free consultation works, to surgeon credentials, recovery travel logistics, cost ranges, family accommodation, and language support.

Consultation Process

How does the free consultation work?

CuraVita's free consultation starts with a HIPAA-safe intake form on our spine surgery hub. You submit your name, email, country, and procedure of interest — no medical records or imaging needed at this stage. Within 1–2 business days, our care coordinator reviews your case, identifies the best-matching Miami spine surgeon in our pre-vetted network, and schedules a remote video consultation at no charge to you.

How quickly will I hear back after I submit my records?

Most patients hear back within 24–48 hours of submitting their request through our spine surgery hub. If your case is urgent (progressive neurological symptoms, rapidly worsening pain), let us know in the message field and we will fast-track the review. After we receive any imaging or records you choose to share, second-opinion consults are usually scheduled within 3–5 business days.

What records or imaging should I send before the consultation?

For the initial free consultation, no imaging is required. If you already have an MRI, CT, or X-ray relevant to your condition, you can attach it after your coordinator reaches out — it helps us route you to the right surgeon from our list of conditions we treat. Common conditions are covered on the conditions hub (herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica), and each maps to one of the procedures CuraVita coordinates.

Surgeon Credentials

Are CuraVita's Miami spine surgeons board-certified and fellowship-trained?

Yes. Every surgeon in CuraVita's network holds board certification (American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or American Board of Neurological Surgery) and has completed a spine-surgery fellowship — additional sub-specialty training beyond residency. You can read about our lead surgeon's full credentials, training, and case focus on the surgeon biography page.

How many spine procedures do your surgeons perform each year?

Our pre-vetted Miami surgeons each perform well above 200 spine procedures per year — a volume threshold associated with lower complication rates in published spine outcomes research. For details on our lead surgeon's specific case mix and recent outcomes, see the lead surgeon profile.

Which conditions do your surgeons most commonly treat?

The full list lives on our conditions hub — herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and sciatica are the most common. Each maps to one of three Miami procedures we coordinate: minimally invasive microdiscectomy, motion-preserving artificial disc replacement, and spinal fusion. Your care coordinator will recommend the procedure that fits your imaging and your age, activity level, and goals.

Cost & Timeline

What is the typical cost range for spine surgery in Miami?

Costs vary by procedure, but typical all-in ranges (surgeon + hospital + anesthesia) are USD $18,000–$30,000 for microdiscectomy, $35,000–$55,000 for artificial disc replacement, and $55,000–$90,000 for spinal fusion. To receive a personalized estimate based on your case, submit a request via the spine surgery hub. See our Miami vs. international cost comparison on the blog.

How long from first contact to surgery date?

For patients who already have imaging, end-to-end timeline is typically 4–8 weeks: 1 week for consultation and surgeon matching, 1–2 weeks for pre-op testing and travel planning, then the surgery week itself. Patients who need imaging first add 1–3 weeks. Start by submitting a request on the spine surgery hub — your coordinator will give you a precise timeline for your specific case.

Do you offer payment plans, and do you accept insurance?

CuraVita is a private-pay concierge service — we do not bill insurance directly, but we can provide itemized documentation so you can submit claims to your private or travel insurer. For the coordination fee, payment plans can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Submit your case through /consultation to discuss options, or visit the Miami vs. international cost comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.

Recovery & Travel

When can I safely fly home after surgery?

Most patients are cleared to fly 7–14 days after minimally invasive procedures (microdiscectomy, disc replacement) for flights under 4 hours. For spinal fusion or international flights longer than 6 hours, we typically recommend waiting 3–4 weeks. Flight-clearance is determined by your surgeon, not on a fixed schedule — see the spine surgery hub for the full recovery framework, or read the lead surgeon's profile for how clearance decisions are made.

Will CuraVita arrange my airport transfers and hotel?

Yes. Airport pickup, ground transfers, and luxury recovery accommodation are bundled into our coordination. You will see the full logistics setup — including hotel and hospital admission — on the spine surgery hub, which explains how CuraVita sequences the trip from arrival to discharge.

What follow-up support is there after I return home?

CuraVita provides a 90-day post-op support window that includes remote check-ins with your Miami surgeon, coordination with local physical-therapy providers in your home country, and on-call access to your care coordinator for warning signs. Read the full recovery timeline — by week and by milestone — at the recovery timeline guide.

Family Accommodation

Can a family member travel with me?

We strongly recommend it — CuraVita coordinates companion logistics the same way it coordinates yours. Learn how the companion fits into the trip on the spine surgery hub, including pre-travel checklist items specifically for the person accompanying you.

Where does my family stay during my hospital stay?

Companions usually stay in the same hotel as you (a short Uber ride from the hospital), and CuraVita also books a private or semi-private hospital room with space for an overnight family visitor when available. The spine surgery hub outlines the hospital stay end-to-end, including companion-friendly room options.

Language & Translation

Will I have a Spanish-speaking coordinator?

Yes. The majority of CuraVita patients come from Latin America, and every patient is paired with a Spanish-speaking care coordinator from first contact through the 90-day post-op period. Start the bilingual intake process on the spine surgery hub.

Are medical interpreters available at every appointment?

Yes — bilingual medical interpreters are scheduled for every consultation, pre-op appointment, hospital admission, and post-op visit. Your coordinator also handles translation of imaging reports, lab results, and discharge documentation. For an overview of how our lead surgeon works with interpreters, see the surgeon biography, or begin the intake process on the spine surgery hub.

Ready to take the next step?

Submit your case for a free consultation, or read more about the surgeon we'd match you with.