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 |  | With Health Insurance: 10%-20% Copay |  | Without Health Insurance: $19,000-$96,000+ |
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A pacemaker is a battery-operated device implanted or externally attached to the body to direct electrical impulses when needed to stimulate the heart to beat regularly and properly circulate blood. An implantable defibrillator[1] , a larger device with a pacemaker built in, is placed inside the body near the collar bone to monitor the heart rate and deliver a strong electrical shock restoring the heartbeat to normal if it has become too fast or too slow.
Typical costs: |
- For patients not covered by insurance, a pacemaker and heart-assist implant can cost $19,000-$96,000 or more, depending on the type of pacemaker, the location and length of the hospital stay. For example, the Healthcare Bluebook[2] estimates a total price of $19,651 for patients in the Columbus, OH, area, including placement of the pacemaker, surgery, anesthesia and a five-day hospital stay. HealthGrades.com[3] estimates an average list price of $28,348 for the implant and procedure for patients in the western United States. Wisconsin PricePoint[4] , a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Hospital Association that collects healthcare price data, estimates the average costs of a defibrillator and heart assist implant in that state are about $96,000.
- Pacemakers may be covered by Medicare or private health insurance. For patients with Medicare, the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire estimates an out-of-pocket cost[5] of $2,604, including deductibles and coinsurance. Patients with private insurance could expect to pay[6] about $4,400.
Related articles: Heart Stent, Heart Rate Monitor, Cholesterol Test, Medicare, Health Insurance
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What should be included: |
- Placing a pacemaker is considered minor surgery, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute[7] . First, a doctor will numb the area where the pacemaker will go, then threat the wires through veins and into the correct location. He or she will then place the device through a small cut in the chest or abdomen and sew up the cut. The institute estimates the entire surgery takes a few hours.
- This Mayo Clinic illustration[8] shows an implantable defibrillator once placed in the body, while this drawing[9] shows a pacemaker's positioning.
Additional costs: |
- Prices for pacemaker surgery can vary significantly based on whether the procedure is performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee[10] .
- Extended hospital stays can add $20,000-$65,000 or more per day to the bill. Wisconsin PricePoint estimates the average daily hospital charge[11] in that state is $23,695, with an average hospital stay of about six days.
Discounts: |
- Some hospitals and orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, Washington Hospital Healthcare System[12] in California offers a 35% discount for uninsured patients as well as a financial assistance program for qualifying uninsured patients.
Shopping for a pacemaker: |
- The Pacemaker Club has a variety of resources for patients receiving a pacemaker, including discussion boards and tips for finding physicians throughout the country.
- A pacemaker cannot make a failing heart continue to beat, and about 20% of people with pacemakers experience painful shocks in the final weeks of their lives. The Heart Rhythm Society has information on end-of-life preparations.
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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 |
| Posted by: Alex Macdonald in Edmonton Alberta, Other. | Posted: May 23rd, 2021 11:05AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Mazankowski heart health institute |
Reading these postings, cannot believe American resistance to single-payer health care. My pacemaker/hospital cost: $0. Prevelious brain tumour removal cost including 4-day ICU and 14 days in surgical ward cost: $0. Canadians NEVER worry about health care cost. |
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| Posted by: JBA in Lake Tahoe, CA. | Posted: November 9th, 2020 08:11PM |
I had the slow heart rate 47bpm awake, 38bpm sleep when I was 62. So it was explained to me that it was a do or die so it was inserted the next morning.
I have to say that I was really pumped up with great energy for a few years, however after five years now I'm fatigued, it's unfortunate I was enjoying the extra boost of energy, however we have impermanents. The only thing that bothered me for a very long time was the incision by burning, itching, stinging and aching it was pretty miserable for awhile. But after all said and done it saved my life which I'm very grateful. So 2025 if life is kind I will receive my 2nd pacemaker. Hope I shed some light on the benefits of a pacemaker, without it I would not be here writing about my pacemaker experience, make sense? |
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| Posted by: sarah graham in Tupelo, MS. | Posted: July 31st, 2019 11:07AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: NMMC |
Medtronic pacemaker has been 10 years.
patient is very tired needs extra sleep
clinic can not give a right time to replace?? |
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| Posted by: Mr. C in Aliso Viejo, CA. | Posted: July 23rd, 2019 11:07AM |
| Cardiologist: Cedars Transplant Team | Medical Center: Cedars Sinai |
Great experience at Cedars Sinai, as usual best in the nation. The procedure was a piece of cake! My heart rate had fallen to around 40BPM. My transplant was 8 years ago with no problems till now. Now my rate is set to 80BPM and pacing about 21% of the time. Back to normal again!!! Seems very pricey though, just over a 100K insurance payment (billing cost just under 300K) for adding a pacemaker to a 62 year old heart transplant recipient 8 year ago. |
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| Posted by: Ian Ross in Limassol, Cyprus, Other. | Posted: February 21st, 2019 07:02AM |
| Cardiologist: Mr Majid | Medical Center: Polyclinic Limassol. Cyprus |
I am British 84 living in Paphos and have been here 13 years.
Have recently had a PM fitted. Entered clinic knees knocking!!!
Left next day Smiling!!! Piece of cake!!! No pain, awake during the 'op'......worst thing was taking plaster off 5 days later!!!!!
Fully recommend!! |
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| Posted by: Pedro A. Figueroa in Tulsa, OK. | Posted: September 20th, 2018 11:09AM |
Some body tell me how to get a new generator and if it is possible to get a donated generator. |
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| Posted by: JHUTTER in MISSOULA, MT. | Posted: March 22nd, 2017 05:03AM |
VERY ILL OVER THE LIFE OF THE IMPLANT- CHEST PAIN, EXHAUSTION, LOCALIZED PAIN AT THE SITE OF THE IMPLANT FROM BRA STRAPS, SAFETY BELTS, ETC. HAD TO HAVE THE UNIT REMOVED |
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| Posted by: a user in Columbus, MS. | Posted: February 22nd, 2017 01:02PM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: BMH-GT |
I know how much a pacemaker cost hospital. Why is Ins. charging
different amts to pts? Do hospitals charge more for people that
have better ins or can afford it? |
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| Posted by: a user in Columbus, MS. | Posted: February 22nd, 2017 01:02PM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: BMH-GT |
I know how much a pacemaker cost hospital. Why is Ins. charging
different amts to pts? |
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| Posted by: Hermann Oglethorpe in lake charles, LA. | Posted: April 27th, 2016 12:04PM |
| Cardiologist: Gilmore | Medical Center: Lake Area Medical Center |
i was in hospital for 2.5 days had energent pacemaker with defib placed.
i received a bill for a total of $275,000
i think this is a ridiculous & shamefull amount. my cardiologist bill alone was reasonable at $5000, the $275k is hospital bill. |
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| Posted by: SoBrown in SAN DIEGO, CA. | Posted: September 11th, 2012 01:09PM |
| Cardiologist: Williams | Medical Center: Mercy/Scripps |
I am a 51 yr old man, with a heart beating at only 10%. Heart disease runs in my family, my father,a sister, and my infant daughter all have passed on. My problem is because of my drug use, which I am slowly conquering, they will not consider me for a pacemaker...and I want to live...suggestions time is short.... |
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External Resources: |
- www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/internalmedicine/pacemakersanddefib...
- www.healthcarebluebook.com/page_Results.aspx?id=47&dataset=MD
- www.healthgrades.com/
- www.wipricepoint.org/Basic_INP.aspx
- patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/out_of_pocket_estimator_dhmc.ht...
- patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/out_of_pocket_estimator_dhmc.ht...
- www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM03596
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM03530
- www.bcbst.com/learn/treatment-options/pacemaker.shtm
- www.wipricepoint.org/Basic_INP.aspx
- www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured
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