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 |  | With Health Insurance: 10%-20% Copay |  | Without Health Insurance: $11,000-$41,000+ |
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Coronary stents are small mesh metal tubes that support weakened arteries in the heart. There are two types of stents[1] -- so-called bare metal stents and stents coated with medication -- and they are surgically placed by specialized cardiologists as part of a procedure called an angioplasty.
Typical costs: | - Look for separate charges from the hospital, doctors and laboratory. For patients without health insurance, total costs are typically $11,000-$41,000 or more, depending on the type of stent and length of hospital stay. Legacy Health, an operator of hospitals and clinics in Portland, OR, charges $11,298-$36,221 for an average heart stent placement surgery; the company reported an average charge of $36,221. At Aurora Sinai Medical Center[2] in Wisconsin, placement of one cardiac stent that is coated with long-release medication to prevent scar tissue from reclogging the artery carries a median hospital charge of $41,228, according estimates from the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
- Costs for patients with insurance[3] may include a deductible, plus 10%-20% of the total bill for the procedure. In addition, hospitals often accept amounts less than their charge as payment in full from patients with health insurance plans that have negotiated lower rates, or from the government's Medicare program for elderly and some disabled Americans and its Medicaid program for the poor.
- Charges are typically higher than the actual rate the hospital collects. Hospital bills include charges for estimated room and board, related medical supplies and medications, nursing care, equipment use, meals/nutrition and other services provided within the hospital. Physicians charge separately for services they provide during a hospital stay, while lab and radiology service providers also bill separately for reading and interpreting exams and lab work, says a representative for Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, CA. Billed charges can be up to 10 times higher than the amount the provider typically accepts, according to consumer resource online publication HealthCare Bluebook[4] .
Related articles: Pacemaker, Heart Rate Monitor, Cholesterol Test, Medicare, Health Insurance
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What should be included: | - Patients are evaluated with a cardiac catheterization procedure, where an interventional/specialized cardiologist uses x-rays and special dye to determine if there's a blockage. The blockage is then cleared with a balloon-tipped catheter during angioplasty[5] . Once cleared, a stent -- a tiny metal scaffold that locks in place to bolster the artery's weakened section -- is inserted, where it stays permanently.
- The Oregon Health & Science University's patient video[6] explains why cardiac stents are needed and demonstrates the surgical procedure used to place them in the body.
- The American Heart Association carries an illustration of a heart stent procedure[7] and explains how medicated stents, used in the majority of heart stent surgeries, can prevent future fatty plaque buildup inside the artery.
Discounts: | - Some hospitals and orthopedic specialists offer discounts for uninsured/cash paying patients. For example, the Washington Hospital Healthcare System [8] in California offers a 35% discount for uninsured patients as well as a financial assistance program for qualifying uninsured patients.
Shopping for a heart stent: | - The federal National Heart Lung and Blood Institute[9] explains the medical conditions that heart stents can treat, what to expect during and after surgery and stent-related health risks.
- A surgeon's experience can be a major factor in any operation's success, so thoroughly review a physician's credentials. Often the website of the hospital where they practice provides information about its doctors' education and expertise, as many insurance firms do for doctors in their network.
- U.S. News & World Report lists top hospitals for heart surgery[10] .
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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: David P in Wigan UK, Other. | Posted: April 11th, 2018 04:04AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Public hospital, Shanghai |
Heart attack. 24hrs emergency ward, 10 days intensive care cardiac unit. Everything world class but 100% in Mandarin which made it a little difficult for a non-chinese speaking Brit |
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| Posted by: Steve Linscome in Stockton, CA. | Posted: July 18th, 2017 12:07PM |
| Cardiologist: N/A | Medical Center: St. Joseph, Stockton, CA, USA |
10 hour wait in ER. 99% blockage. Procedure next morning (through wrist). Released following afternoon. Total time at hospital, less than 48 hrs. Insurance through work with Kaiser Ins. My share total was $1,300 of the $81,000 billed to insurance. (By comparison, a friend's wife "c section" had about a $24,000 bill for about 5 day stay.) |
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| Posted by: Chris L. in LaCrosse, WI. | Posted: July 5th, 2017 11:07PM |
| Cardiologist: Anonym. | Medical Center: Mayo Clinic, LaCross WI |
This is why Insurance is bankrupting America. Cardio surgeon had @ $500,000.00/yr salary and still commanded a $60,000.00 surgical fee for @40 min work. Great, skilled man, grateful patient, but if you had informed me and my family ahead of time of the costs..... I'd be at home with the Lord. This is GREED and ASSININE!There is NO excuse for this... these people and organizations should be ashamed.... |
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| Posted by: Seth Rand in Dallas, TX. | Posted: May 8th, 2017 04:05PM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Parkland Hospital |
Presented to ER as aborted sudden death. My Obamacare insurance disallowed all but ~$38,000 and I had to pay a $1,200 deductible. Great staff and care. Happy to be alive though really glad I'm not on the hook for $158,000. |
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| Posted by: a user in Ocala, FL. | Posted: October 22nd, 2016 07:10AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Monroe Regional |
We did not know our insurance would not pay for this and we were not given the discounted rate for the insurance. They have a lawsuit against us now because we could not meet there demand if pay it in full in one year. |
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| Posted by: S.W.T. in Covington, LA. | Posted: January 7th, 2016 11:01PM |
| Cardiologist: Aduli | Medical Center: Louisiana Heart Hospital |
I went in at 5AM, had the procedure done, as an outpatient and was back home by 6PM the same day. No overnight stay in hospital. I now have platinum "jewelry" in my heart. |
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| Posted by: DARSHAN TEJANI in ahemdabad, Other. | Posted: May 18th, 2015 10:05PM |
| Cardiologist: n/a | Medical Center: jivaraj mehta hospital , ahemdabad , ind |
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| Posted by: Darren in Australia, WA. | Posted: April 15th, 2015 08:04AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Royal Perth Hospital |
Blocked LDA, stent, stem cell trial with 2 year follow up including:
8 check ups
4 holter monitors
5 cardiac MRI,
4 gamma scans,
4 ultrasounds
Total out of pocket $0. Got to love universal healthcare |
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| Posted by: OP SHARMA in SIKAR, RI. | Posted: February 8th, 2015 01:02AM |
| Cardiologist: DR RAKESH MAHALA | Medical Center: JANKINATH PURA |
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| Posted by: Mark 56yr old male in Harbin, CA. | Posted: December 30th, 2014 09:12PM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Harbin China |
I was rushed to Hospital while visiting China. Had one stent put in , cost 10K in total spent 2 weeks in hospital. |
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| Posted by: Dubai in Dubai, Other. | Posted: December 26th, 2014 03:12AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: City Hospital, Dubai |
I had a 90% LAD blockage. My employer paid insurance covered 100% of hospital and surgery cost. I only paid copayment for two consults of 50 dirham each, about $13.00 U.S. I was awake the whole time and spent the night in ICU for observation. The quality of care was as good or better than U.S. American medical care is a ripoff. |
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| Posted by: Doct in Staten island, NY. | Posted: January 15th, 2014 07:01PM |
| Cardiologist: Yes | Medical Center: |
I am a cardiologist who puts in the heart stents.
I put in over 200 per year. I work for a group of 4 cardiologist.
The cost of a stent is anywhere from 1500.00 to 3000.00.
The overall cost do the procedure what the hospital charges is anywhere from 16000.00 to 22000.00. As time goes on insurances allow less money and will not pay if people come back within 30 days. There are guidelines that are very strict to assure you only get one if you need one. Just to let you know we do it cause we love it. Your doctor will only get paid between 600.00 to 700.00 for the procedure and hospital follow up. |
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| Posted by: Manjunath in Bangalore, Other. | Posted: December 18th, 2013 08:12PM |
| Cardiologist: Muralidhar | Medical Center: Trinity, Bangalore, India |
The stent cost out of total cost of INR 257000 was INR 100000...I'm sure outside the hospital the same is available for INR 40k or so with distributor...I was not allowed to either buy from outside (from the same suppler who supply to this center)or to replace for the one used. The hospital insisted that it is not their policy... |
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| Posted by: Tlyn in The woodlands, TX. | Posted: April 20th, 2013 06:04PM |
| Cardiologist: Patel | Medical Center: St lukes |
This doctor has pioneered going In through the wrist. I had four stents so I had two separate operations. Dr cost was 126000.00. Hospital and other charges were separate . I had 98 % blockage in one 80 in another and 85 in last one. I am a 4o yr old diabetic female. It is genetic in my case |
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| Posted by: Judy DiFranco in Ocala, FL. | Posted: December 31st, 2012 11:12AM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Ocala |
My husband was charged $26,000 per stent. That was the charge from the hospital for the "stent". His entire hospital bill, not including the Dr. was close to $100,000. He was home that afternoon. 8Hrs in the hospital. |
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| Posted by: jwilson in Glendale, CA. | Posted: December 12th, 2012 10:12AM |
| Cardiologist: Foothills Cardiology | Medical Center: Glendale Adventist |
The hospital charges totaled $87,970.00. After insurance discount: $5,386.00. Insurance paid $2891.00.rnServices (cardiologist, radiologist & anesthesiologist): ~$1000. |
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| Posted by: a user in pascagoula, MS. | Posted: November 28th, 2012 03:11PM |
| Cardiologist: | Medical Center: Singing River Hospital |
I walked into hospital because of lite chest pain then ran on tread mill a little over 5 mins. and pain increased got off tread mill and pain went away quickly ( no meds. at all) was put in wheel chair and rushed to operatorimg room,I told the nurse i could walk there but she said no. I got undrssed and got on bed and they put me to sleep and put stent in.I'm sure I could have made it back to my home state to my doctor to have it done.(I know my body pretty well),Doctor bill was ok, but hospital bill was very high, I thought stents were pretty routine now days |
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| Posted by: steven huff in indpls, IN. | Posted: October 27th, 2012 11:10AM |
| Cardiologist: n/a | Medical Center: community south hospital |
had five stents put in rca in oct 09 |
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External Resources: | - www.heart.org
- www.wipricepoint.org/Basic_OPS.aspx
- www.consumerhealthratings.com/index.php?action=showSubCats&cat_id=179
- www.healthcarebluebook.com/page_AdditionalPriceRsrcs.aspx
- www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/treatment-angioplasty-stents
- media.staywellcustomweb.com/GSAnimations/player/sw_gui2_player.html?id=stnt
- www.medmovie.com/mmdatabase/MediaPlayer.aspx?ClientID=68&TopicID=747
- www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
- www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stents/
- health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/search?city=City&zip=ZIP+Code&state=&sort_by=name&spec...
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