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 |  | Medication: $1-$264 a Month |  | Emergency Room Visit: $150-$3,000+ |  | MRI: $1,000-$5,000+ |
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A transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes referred to as a mini-stroke, occurs when the blood flow to part of the brain is blocked for a short period of time. It lasts only a few minutes and does not cause permanent damage. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, because it is hard to tell whether symptoms are from TIA or an acute stroke, patients should assume that all stroke-like symptoms signal an emergency and seek immediate medical attention.
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.
Related articles: Ambulance, Emergency Room Visit, CT Scan, Heart Stent, MRI, Blood Tests
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What should be included: | - 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.
Additional costs: | - 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.
Discounts: | - 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.
Shopping for transient ischemic attack (tia) treatment: | - 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.
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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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External Resources: | - www.mayoclinic.com/health/transient-ischemic-attack/DS00220/DSECTION=symptoms
- www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300338.pdf
- www.drugs.com/plavix.html
- www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/Antiplatelets-2pagers-FINAL...
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/transient-ischemic-attack/DS00220/DSECTION=tests%2Dand%2Ddiag...
- www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/carotid_endarterectomy_backgrounder.htm
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11823682
- www2.costco.com/Service/FeaturePage.aspx?ProductNo=11486072
- www.walmart.com/cp/5431?povid=cat1070145-env172199-module051812-lLinkGNAV_PHARMACY_DEPT
- www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
- www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
- www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TIA
- www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/(S(efntd2saaeir2l5pgarwuvvg))/search.aspx?AspxAutoDete...
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