Cost of ablations

[jet007]

Dear Gabby46, I very much appreciate indicating the costs you paid for the two ablations (RVOT and LVOT) performed at Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Walid Saliba. I´m considering  to travel to USA to explore the possibility of undergoing this type of procedure. Since 2005 I´m having very simptomatic PVCs at the rate of 25,000 to 30,000 a day. According to my doctors they are comming from, at least, two different places which make them more complicated. However I´m decided to go ahead with the ablations if doctors agreed.
JET007

[Momto3]

I'm not sure about the cost of others' ablations, but mine were about $33,000 each.  I had two ablations, in Cleveland, in 2003.  One was for RVOT and the other was LVOT.  I was also multifocal (4 morphologies the second time around).  Do you know if you've had an drop in your ejection fraction becaues of the high frequency of pvcs?

Good luck with your plans.

[Celeste77]

I was quoted $40,000. to $64,000. for a RVOT / LVOT ablation with a probable 3 or more foci's noted.
I haven't had the ablation yet because my PVC's suddenly stopped shortly after I was approved for the procedure,.... but if they return in such high numbers, (16,800 to 28,000 for 13 months) I'm heading straight to Cleveland.

Best wishes!  

[myjeepbeepbeep]

I had mine in august and the cost was just over 56,000.00.  Hope this helps!  Sheila

[FLBrat]

Are these the final billing amounts, or the preadjusted rates?  Jet, make sure to contact the finance offices of the clinic.  Also inquire regarding any "helping fund" that the clinic may have.  Many of the large institutions have programs designed to help defray costs or cover costs.

[Momto3]

Good point FLBrat!  I forgot about adjusting the bottom line.  I'd have to look back on my actual bills, but I doubt the insurance paid the full bill.  I agree, call the hospital and find out what they can work out in the way of making payments (for someone paying cash).

[ireneo]

Darn, that's expensive. I know it's been a few years since my ablations but looking over my paperwork mine ran from $18,000 to $24,000. My last ablation was in 2004, not that long ago. I'm in the NW. I think timewise my ablations ran about 4 hours, 6 hours and the last one was short at 2 hours.

[Celeste77]

I agree that FLBrat brought up a very good point. I am fortunate to have great insurance but I still have to arrange to pay 10% when and if I get the ablation done.

I'm not sure how it works when one is from another country, but like most hospitals in the US, Cleveland Clinic has "charity care programs" as well as providing financial assistance to patients who do not have insurance coverage.

For more info, you can go here: http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/body.cfm?id=528&oTopID=525
Or call: Patient Financial Services Department at 1-866-737-4358, option #2.

Best wishes

[myjeepbeepbeep]

the 56,000 was before the insurance paid.  I was lucky.  I only had to pay a 100.00 deductible co pay and the insurance picked up the rest.  I do recall , however, that the clinic wrote off quite a bit that my insurance did not pick up.  hope this helps sheila