Annual or whatever term average pacemaker cost?

Cost

by AgentX86 - 2019-02-28 22:04:04

The cost will likely be dominated by the implant costs, though a lot depends on other complications you have along the way.  Other variable costs make such numbers impossible to nail down. 

That said, I looked through my insurance charges and it looks like my insurance company paid out something like $15000 for the pacemaker AND AV ablation (can't separate them).  Others, here, have reported as much as $50000 and more.  Figure that cost (plus inflation) every seven or eight years.  You'll probably have to go to a device clinic every three months, that's a few hundred (including the EP sign-off that goes with it). 

If you end up in the ER because you have other complications during that time (or refuse the PM and collapse), all bets are off.  The PM could save you money in the long run. 

cost

by Joe4540 - 2019-02-28 22:18:04

Thank you AgentX86. 

Just to be clear - I'm not asking so that I can make a decision to get a pm or not based on cost. That will be an easy yes when the time comes.

I found that medicare in michigan pays like $45k for initial implant. So if it's safe to base my numbers on that.....  x4 that's $180k.  Plus costs for the 3-month checks. This adds up fast!

Thank you! peace

Medicare

by AgentX86 - 2019-02-28 22:38:25

If the issue is Medicare, some Medigap plans pay almost everything for a couple of thousand a year. When I stop working, I'll most likely go that way rather than an Advantage plan.  The system is impossibly complicated (read; nonsensical) so I won't pretend to explain the possibilities but there is help around.

cost

by Joe4540 - 2019-02-28 22:48:29

No issue with medicare. I will not be dealing with medicare. I was simply using medicare numbers in the calculations thinking that they would be accurate. 

Strictly looking for total cost for a 25-35 year period under ideal conditions with no unforseen complications or issues. I realize life isn't that way and hardships are always there waiting and there will invariably be other unexpected costs. Those costs are the ones that are anyones guess. I'm looking at hard costs that everyone with a pm knows will be there.

Your advice, AgentX86, has already helped me formulate a rough guess.Thank you!

Cost calculations

by Joe4540 - 2019-02-28 23:16:11

Implant: Avg $45k x4= $180k

3-mon visits $300 x120= $36k

I realize that's about as basic cost breakdown as it can get, I think. 

Total cost over 30 years $216k. 

I found a few websites with medical cost annual inflation trends and over the last 20 years it looks to have been 3-5% annually. If I am thinking straight right now and doing this right then that $216k will actually be $286k total after 30 years (using 4% annual inflation).

Do these estimates look somewhat reasonable or am I way out there?

And again, not concerning ourselves with unexpected medical costs that will certainly be there.

Thanks again!

costs

by Tracey_E - 2019-03-01 10:05:19

I will have had mine 25 years in May and am on my 5th device. Each surgery was $75-$100K. Our cost is going to vary with insurance. When I got the first one, we had an HMO and our total cost was around $500. Co-pay for annual check ups and quarterly interrogations were $25 for years and years. I don't remember what our copay was for 2 and 3. 4 and 5 have been since insurance companies have gone to the stupid high deductibles so #4 was $5k and #5 was $7k out of pocket. I don't get bills for interrogations so I guess that means they are covered, all I've paid in the last two years is my annual check up. 

Thank you, Tracey_E

by Joe4540 - 2019-03-01 10:39:10

The implant surgery cost appears to vary drastically. I wonder if that is more based on the procedure itself or on who's doing the procedure?

Thank you for your reply, Tracey_E!

varying costs

by Tracey_E - 2019-03-01 13:02:37

If you ever figure out how hospitals charge, you could make a good living selling your services! Mine were all done at the same hospital. First 3 were the same cardio-thoracic surgeon. He retired and one EP did the next 2. All were St Judes. I got a new lead and had a pocket revision with #4. I had BCBC for all but the first. 

varying costs

by Gotrhythm - 2019-03-01 14:59:33

I"m a little shocked at the implant figures people are reporting here. I think the total cost for my dual lead St Jude (no complications, no extras) two nights in hospital, was around $13,000.

As for device checks, that would be hard to predict. When things are going well, I only have two pacemaker checks a year. When things are not going well, checks can be much more frequent--even monthly.

The cost of the surgery can vary widely from place to place. If you're interested, you can Google "cost of pacemaker.". medicalcare.org/cost will give you lots of information about what getting a pacemaker costs in different areas.

Medicare cost info

by Joe4540 - 2019-03-01 19:56:25

I hope it is ok to post a link, This is where I found the 2019 avg cost for each state. https://www.medicarehelp.org/cost-of-medicare/procedure/permanent-cardiac-pacemaker-implant-no-complications

How do these numbers compare to what you all have experienced?

Thank you everyone for all the great input!

Medicare cost info

by AgentX86 - 2019-03-02 00:57:56

I have Medicare Part-A (only) but it wasn't used for my PM surgery.  The numbers in your table is about twice what the hospital charged and about three times what they actually got from my insurance company.  ...and mine included the AV ablation. Amazingly, the three ablations I had before (one the previous month) were each more expensive than the PM (with ablation).

I'm not saying the costs in the table are whacked, just that the variation makes such a table meaningless, particularly if you don't have Medicare.  If you do, and have any heart issues, you'd be crazy to not have a good Medicare Advantage, or better, a MediGap plan. That table is whacked all the way around.

Pacemaker & follow up medical appointment cost

by CYBORG - 2019-03-03 23:50:29

Horribly upsetting that you have to be concerned of the expenses for a MEDICAL procedure, in Canada if you have medical through work everything is covered ( som money is subtracted off your pay cheque)or you can pay for medical coverage ( it’s not that expensive approx $200 per month for family of 4)

Cyborg

by Joe4540 - 2019-03-04 01:52:16

I wouldn't get too upset cyborg, I'm not concerned about the medical expenses. I'm curious about the medical expenses. I'm covered 100% no worries.