Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Because TIA requires immediate evaluation, a patient experiencing it will typically need to be taken to the emergency room at the first sign of symptoms^[1] or be transported there by ambulance.
• For patients without health insurance, an emergency room visit typically costs $150-$3,000 or more, depending on the severity of the condition and what diagnostic tests and treatment are performed. For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket cost for an emergency room visit typically consists of a copay, usually $50 -$150 or more, which often is waived if the patient is admitted to the hospital. Depending on the plan, costs might include coinsurance of 10%-50%.
• Treatment for TIA centers on pinpointing the cause and decreasing the likelihood of an acute stroke. Doctors will typically administer antiplatelet drugs^[2] which include the drug clopidogrel (Plavix)^[3] . According to Consumer Reports^[4] , these drugs range in cost from $1 - $264 or more per month depending on the drug and whether a brand or generic is selected. Plavix typically costs $254 for one 75-mg pill per day.

• To determine possible causes of symptoms and develop a full stroke-prevention plan, a patient will likely undergo tests^[5] , including a physical exam, blood tests ($8-$150), a CT scan ($50-$1,000), or an MRI ($1,000-$5,000 or more), among other things.

• If a TIA is caused by a blockage in the carotid artery--the main artery located in the neck--a doctor may recommend a carotid endarterectomy^[6] , a preventive procedure that clears fatty deposits from carotid arteries. Researchers^[7] have found that the procedure typically ranges in cost from $9,500 -$11,500.
• In addition to lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, and medications to prevent blood from clotting, a doctor may recommend that, as a preventive measure, a patient undergo treatment with angioplasty and stents, which are typically $11,000 -$41,000 or more, depending on the type of stent and length of hospital stay.

• Discount outlets such as Costco^[8] and Walmart^[9] often sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs at significant savings. Walmart, for example, has a prescription drug program^[10] that includes certain generic drugs at commonly prescribed dosages.
• Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% of more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital^[11] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.

• The National Stroke Association offers tools and resources^[12] regarding TIA and preventing stroke.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides a hospital comparison tool^[13] that lists hospitals near a chosen zip code, how far away they are and whether they offer emergency service.

1.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/transient-ischemic-attack/DS00220/DSECTION=symptoms
2.  www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300338.pdf
3.  www.drugs.com/plavix.html
4.  www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/Antiplatelets-2pagers-FINAL...
5.  www.mayoclinic.com/health/transient-ischemic-attack/DS00220/DSECTION=tests%2Dand%2Ddiag...
6.  www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/carotid_endarterectomy_backgrounder.htm
7.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11823682
8.  www2.costco.com/Service/FeaturePage.aspx?ProductNo=11486072
9.  www.walmart.com/cp/5431?povid=cat1070145-env172199-module051812-lLinkGNAV_PHARMACY_DEPT
10.  www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
11.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
12.  www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TIA
13.  www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/(S(efntd2saaeir2l5pgarwuvvg))/search.aspx?AspxAutoDete...

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