Angiogram Cost

How Much Does an Angiogram Cost?

With Health Insurance: Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurance

Without Health Insurance: $5,000-$100,000+

An angiogram is a test that uses a special type of X-ray, fluoroscopy, to take images of the blood flow in arteries or veins in the head, arms, chest, legs or back. It can detect blood flow problems such as aneurysm or blockage, can reveal the extent of atherosclerosis, can show blood flow to a tumor, and can aid a surgeon in preparing for vascular or transplant surgery. Risks include bleeding, infection, kidney damage, stroke or heart attack.

Typical costs:

For patients covered by health insurance, the cost of an angiogram typically would consist of a copay or coinsurance of 10%-50% or more. An angiogram typically would be covered by health insurance when medically necessary to diagnose or treat an illness or condition.
For patients not covered by health insurance, the cost of an angiogram can range from less than $5,000-$100,000 or more, depending on the facility and the area of the body being examined. In general, angiography of the arms, legs, head and chest costs less than angiography of the abdomen or spine. According to NewChoiceHealth.com, an arm angiogram[1] costs an average of $4,700, a chest angiogram[2] costs an average of $4,800, a head and neck angiogram[3] costs an average of $16,200, a spinal angiogram[4] costs an average of $17,800, and an abdominal angiogram[5] costs an average of $30,800. Pennsylvania cardiologist Stephen Sinatra[6] estimates the cost of a coronary angiogram at $5,000-$10,000. And Baptist Memorial Health Care in Tennessee charges, not including doctor fee, about $12,000 for an angiogram of the lungs, $21,000 for the arm or leg, $22,000 for the head and neck, $28,000 for the abdomen and $108,000 for the spine.

What should be included:

The patient will lie on an X-ray table and will be hooked up to an IV to receive fluids and possibly a sedative, and to electrodes to monitor the heart. A catheter typically is inserted into a vein in the groin or near the elbow, and is pushed up through blood vessels to the area being examined. A special contrast dye is then is injected and X-rays are then taken from many angles.
During an angiogram, treatments such as removing a blockage in a blood vessel or stopping internal bleeding can be performed, if necessary.
The procedure, which can be outpatient or inpatient, usually takes one to three hours. Some patients are able to go home the same day, while others require a hospital stay of a day or more.
WebMD has an angiogram overview[7] .

Additional costs:

Depending on the reason for the test and the results, the doctor might recommend additional tests or treatment. For example, if a coronary angiogram shows artery blockage, a doctor might recommend a nuclear stress test[8] to check blood flow throughout the heart. This can cost up to $4,000 or more. A doctor might also recommend angioplasty, which can cost $30,000 or more, or heart bypass surgery, which can cost $70,000-$200,000 or more.

Discounts:

Many hospitals give discounts of up to 30% or more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[9] in California offers a 35% discount.

Shopping for an angiogram:

A family doctor or specialist can make a referral to a radiologist[10] , a physician who specializes in imaging, and should be board-certified by the American Board of Radiology, or a hospital where an angiogram can be performed.
Depending on the reason for the test, the individual case and the results, a patient might need to consult another specialist such as a cardiologist, hematologist or pulmonologist -- all doctors who should be board-certified in internal medicine[11] with additional training in their area of focus.
For patients with suspected heart disease, a standard coronary angiogram using a catheter might be necessary for diagnosis. However, for some patients, a less invasive CT angiogram might be an alternative. The Cleveland Clinic offers information on the CT angiogram[12] .

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Heart Angiogram

Amount: $0.00

Posted by: Lucky01 in Colchester UK, Other.	Posted: November 26th, 2021 10:11AM
Physician:	Medical Center: Basildon (UK) Cardiac Unit

Excellent and rapid procedure, professionally executed by very competent staff. Luckily for me showed an absence of any constriction or blockages.
No financial charge at all, including ambulance transport to and from the cardiac unit, as we have a comprehensive national health service which is not mired in gouging and corruption. There is a real alternative!

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