Personal cost estimate for Cardiac EP Study & RF Ablation

[neha10837]

My very elderly father (in India) has, as stated by a senior US cardiologist, a high burden of PVCs of a left-ventricular origin that should be controlled and, catheter ablation is an option. He is currently undergoing treatment using anti-arrhythmia drugs but with limited success and, catheter ablation is looking to be a distinct possibility.

If the situation does arise, the wish is for the ablation process to be conducted here in US, possibly California. Since this would be self-funded (not through medical insurance), would like to get a ball-part estimate for a cardiac EP study and the RF ablation process.

Now, do realize that the cost of treatment can vary a lot depending on the location, complexity & duration of the process, etc. Neverthless, it would be most helpful to financially plan this if I could get some guidance on the range  (eg. $25 to $50k) to expect for the complete process/treatment including doctor fees, hospital costs with 2-day recovery and whatever other expenses that could be anticipated.

Would truly appreciate a quick response, ...thank-you!

[tom_h]

Yes, I agree with Jerry regarding a cash payment.  At UMass Hospital where I had my ablation performed, the electrophysiologist was employed directly by the hospital.  When I met with him prior to the procedure, I asked him what his fee was, and he said with a laugh that he no idea what his services cost.  The hospital billed my insurance company $77,000 for the entire procedure with no overnight stay.  That was late 2010.  I have no doubt that costs are now approaching $100,000.  Ultimately, what the hospital receives was unknown to me.  My guess is that it's greatly different than the original bill.  My ablation procedure was for SVT.  There is a high success rate for eliminating SVT, and it was successful in my case.  I don't believe that is the case for PVC's.  I would investigate this fact more closely as the bill will be the same, success or failure.

[Don473]

Wondering what your cost was?

[Jerry_NJ]

Doesn't India provide medical care to its citizens - like our government is working to implement here?

I have read where US citizens have traveled to India to get major surgery done because of the high quality and low cost.  These people of course don't have insurance to cover the work at home, in the USA.

You seem to be working the reverse...seems to suggest you think the high cost of medicine in the USA is worth the cost, you are willing to pay more to get "better".  If this is the case, you are not alone, but I believe while ablation is surgery it is far less invasive and risky than, say, open heart surgery and I woujld "guess" that India mush have many very qualiified doctors to carry out the work.

The above noted, it may be possible that a doctor who would be paid "in cash" may be willing to provide a cost closer to what he would get from an insurance contract.  That is, I believe, most medical costs, especially hospital (which may be minimal for an ablation) are very inflated and most of the work is done for half the "list price" due to insurance contracts and due to government mandates (Medicare).   So what?  I am suggesting that if someone with insurance told you how much it cost them, evden how much it cost the insurance company, the number will be much lower than "list price".