How Much Does A Finger Prosthetic Cost?

TL;DR Summary: While a survey of online articles suggest that finger prosthetics cost between $2,000 and $50,000 , Fingy3d devices start at $299 and are custom fitted, body powered function, digitally fitted and shipped to your door. F3D devices are supported by exceptional warranty and replacement policies!

    Choosing a prosthetic finger can be a big decision to make. Finding a clinician, learning about device types, choosing a brand, and determining coverage are all aspects that go into getting a finger device that will ultimately help you restore your limb difference. In this article, we compiled information from the web to help you understand the costs involved in getting a prosthetic finger or prosthetic thumb.

    Here we focus on partial finger and partial thumb amputations: this includes the index or pointer finger, middle finger, ring finger, small or pinky finger and the thumb. Below are several categories to consider that impact the overall price and total costs of a prosthetic finger.

Types of Devices:

    A quick overview of different prosthetics can give you a ballpark price on the type of device you are interested in. Unsurprisingly, devices range from simple to complex with features and quality of materials. You will also find that many prosthetic suppliers and manufacturers typically do not communicate costs as pricing might vary depending on several different factors. 

In a future article, we will do a deep dive into types of devices and what you can expect.

    Generally, we summarize prosthetic fingers into three categories: passive prosthetics, body powered prosthetics, and bionic prosthetics.

    Passive prosthetics are not moving devices that restore the length of a missing finger for aesthetic purposes or for simple functions. While these can be some of the least expensive devices starting at under $1000, premium life-like devices and multi-positioning devices can cost $2,000 to over $10,000 per finger.

    Body powered prosthetics often have joints and use body motions to make the device bend and move. Compared to a passive device that only restores length, a body powered device can also restore jointed motion in a finger. Most professional devices can start at $5,000 and can cost over $15,000 per device.

    Bionic Prosthetics are the most complex option where this device is electronic and the user can move the device through a controller or electric signals from flexing muscles. At the time of writing, we did not find a bionic device commercially available for partial finger amputation. Most commonly these devices are for multiple full finger loss or partial/full hand loss and pricing is estimate to start at $20,000 to upwards of $50,000.

    Fingy3d offers body powered and passive prosthetics for single or multiple finger/thumb amputations. Our devices are rigid for a range of tasks, and can be customized to fit a range of needs. Best off all, devices start at $299!

Amputation Type:

    In additional to the type of prosthetic, the location of your amputation can affect the complexity of your prosthetic device. As the length of missing finger increases, the complexity and cost of the device increases:

    Missing the tip of a finger down to the dip joint can be an easier amputation to adapt both passive and body powered devices to.

    Missing two sections of finger or thumb tip typically presents a greater challenge for body powered devices. Typically devices become much larger needing to attach to the wrist to create motion in the device.

    When you are missing the entirety of a finger or thumb, it is necessary to anchor a prosthetic to your hand through the use of a glove or other full hand attachment method.

    Fingy3d Prosthetic fingers support a range of amputation cases. Fingy devices can support finger tip and DIP joint loss. Buddy devices can support PIP joint loss and Thumby devices can support IP thumb loss. If you have another type of amputation, please reach out to see if you can become a tester for a new device!

Additional Fees:

    When considering the cost of a prosthetic finger, it is important to remember possible fees associated with the services that come along with getting a prosthetic. You should check if general consultations, fittings, resizing, and refitting appointments with a prosthetist or clinic come at an additional cost.

Insurance Coverage:

    It is also important to check with your insurance if your plan covers a prosthetic device and how much. Some insurances might cover a device only do so through reimbursement meaning that you should be prepared to cover the cost of the device out of pocket and then wait to be paid back at a later date.

    Some insurances might require that you achieve a certain performance level before they will pay for the device: in this case you could run the risk of purchasing a device that your insurance will choose not to cover. In any case, it is good to check with your insurance prior to getting a device to ensure that you understand your coverage.

    Fingy3d currently accepts HSA/FSA. Additionally, we can offer financing through our payment partner. Pricing is viewable on our online store, and ordering a device is quick and easy!

Maintenance, Warranties, and Replacements:

    Once you have received your prosthetic device, you might experience additional costs over the life of your device.

    Some manufacturers suggest users to purchase yearly replacement parts to ensure devices continue to work properly. We noted prices ranges from $75 to $200 per year to maintain a device.

    Devices makers sometimes offer warranties on their products and may offer extended warranties for an additional cost. Noted warranty lengths range from 1 to 3 years.

    Some device makers will provide a discount if your device fails outside of the warranty period or if you order a secondary device. We noted replacement discounts range from 0% to 20%. Without purchasing two devices, you may be left without a device for an extended period of time while your replacement is manufactured.

FINGY3D Warranties and Replacements

    Fingy3D devices are supported by a 1 year warranty; in addition, purchasing multiple or replacement devices may qualify for up a 50% discount!

Individual Price Reports

    We sifted through blogs, forums, and news sites to collect real numbers on reported device costs. Here is what we found:

    We found 9 sources where individuals reported the type and cost of their device. If you have a partial prosthetic finger or know someone who does, feel free to share an estimated cost for your device and we will update this price report in the future!

    Several articles provided prices ranges for devices though there were no details to back up these estimates. On the low end devices started between $1,000 to $5,000 and on the high end were between $20,000 to $50,000.

    While preparing to purchase a finger prosthetic can be a tedious process, the ability to do the things you love is invaluable. Feel free to contact us at Fingy3D to see if we can help you recover lost function!