How Much Does an Angioplasty Cost?

An angioplasty is a procedure done to restore the blood flow through the heart’s artery. This procedure is often used to reduce chest pain commonly caused by a reduced blood flow or to minimize the damage done to a heart muscle due to a heart attack.

How much is it?

The cost of an angioplasty depends on the surgeon, the hospital, the extent of the condition, if insurance is involved and the geographical location.
On average, the procedure without any sort of health insurance can cost anywhere from $15,000 to as much as $115,000. As mentioned above, every surgery will vary according to many factors. Some surgeries are going to be a lot more extensive than others. There are different kinds of angioplasty and each can cost a different amount depending on the type. One procedure, for example, is the balloon angioplasty which is the process of reopening or enlarging the pathway within a blood vessel.
People are often afraid of the unknown especially if it is in regards to different medical conditions. Since angioplasty is a surgery, many people might find it scary. There are sites, however, that can provide information regarding different medical procedures. For example, Angioplasty.org is one of these sites; this site can help you understand the condition and procedure better. They have several people posting their experiences regarding this surgery; some of these are personal accounts while others are written by family members. According to some of them, the price of angioplasty can range anywhere from $5,800 to $7,000 with insurance. Keep in mind that many people have high co-pays and deductibles.
According to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, if the procedure is done without any assistance from the insurance companies, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30,000 to $48,000 at a minimum.
To get a good idea of what other people are paying in other parts of the country, the PTCA.org has a great page on other people’s experiences.

What is going to be included?

During the procedure, a balloon catheter will be passed into the narrowed artery and will be inflated using water pressure that is up to 500 times your normal blood pressure. When the balloon is inflated, the fatty deposits will be crushed and the blood vessel will open up, improving the blood flow. Once done, the balloon will be deflated and a stent may be inserted if necessary. This stent helps to keep the blood vessel from collapsing again.
When you pay for an angioplasty, you can expect to have the professional fee of the surgeon to be included. Keep in mind that some hospitals do not include the cost of a surgeon and they may bill you with an extra invoice.
Also, expect to be operated in a surgical room full with equipment that is needed for the surgery.

What are the extra costs?

Additional costs involved when you have angioplasty are the tests needed to be done in preparation for the actual surgery. You can expect to have chest X Ray, Electrocardiogram and blood tests. Since all situations will widely vary, additional procedures can apply.
If a stent is required, this will more than likely be considered an additional expense. A stent alone can cost $800 to $3,000. This will depend on the size and type.
Once the surgery has been done, the patient will need to be hospitalized so the doctor can monitor him and he can spend time recovering. This hospital stay as well as follow-up appointments will be an extra fee.

How can I save money?

The best way to save money for medical procedures is to make sure that you involve your insurance provider. They will require you to just pay for a small amount and the majority of the cost will be shouldered by them. You can inquire how much your insurance can cover. If you do not have any sort of insurance provider, consider using services such as ehealthinsurance.com to help you find a policy in your area.

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How Much Does an Angioplasty Cost?

How much is it?

What is going to be included?

What are the extra costs?

How can I save money?

Etc