$$$$$$$ Update and Question

I contacted the hospital that did the original surgeries and implants (London Health Sciences Center in Ontario, Canada) to get an idea of costs.

The lady in Billing didn't know if the procedure is done on an in-patient or out-patient basis.

As an outside the system patient, if I had to stay in the hospital, it would cost $3750.00/day ($4350.00 for ICU). The pacer would cost ¡Ö $5000.00. Then there are the charges for the doctor(s)...yikes!!!

Now for my question...Is the procedure done on an out-patient basis? If not, how long is the average in-patient stay (without complications)?

Thanks to the people who answered my previous post..y'all, eh!

Cheers,
Mike

10 Comments

probably outpatient

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-12 05:09:54

Replacements can usually be done outpatient as long as they aren't replacing leads and you don't have other complications.

Most doctors will work with you if your insurance will not cover them.

My last replacement was $12K for the pacemaker, $24K for the surgery plus assorted bills that came in later that weren't part of the hospital bill - anesthesiology, labs, and xray as well as for the device itself.

Good luck!

for some reason

by jessie - 2008-09-12 07:09:23

the usa is very pricey when it comes to p.m.'s mine was done at university hospital in london and at first i had a temporary installed on an e.r. basis. i am sure tho i only stayed one night after going to london by ambulance with an nurse. it was around 5,000 for the p.m. i believe all covered by ohip. it is quality medical care. i have had no complicatons. period. here it is always quality cabg patch. hope this helps mike jessie

Shop around...

by chip - 2008-09-12 07:09:50

I received my PM a few months ago and the cost for the hospital (which included the Medtronics PM), doctors, and misc costs came to a little more than $49000. So a replacement would be close to that minus the cost of the leads. (Which are around $8000 per pair)

My stay was simply overnight. With all due respect, I don't believe a competent doctor would perform the surgery outpatient but then I'm not a doctor either. Simply my opinion.

I have private insurance and they covered the whole procedure. (I'd already met my Out of Pocket for the year)

I do know why there is such a wide cost range out there but middle America (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas) seems to be lowest. If you’re shopping around check with your insurance company as they can steer you to a covered hospital/doctor with lower costs. I had a friend that shopped his knee surgery and that's what he did. He claims to have saved over $15000.

Hope this helps!

chip and jessie

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-12 09:09:00

Chip, There's a big difference between a first installation with leads and a battery replacement. It would be unusual to stay overnight for just a battery. The last two times I had mine replaced, I got an early surgery time and was home fixing my own lunch. The last time, I left for vacation two days later. They use the same pocket and go through scar tissue, it's a very minor procedure.

Jessie, US prices are crazy!!! I blame it all on the insurance and drug companies who keep the prices artificially inflated, they'll sell the exact same thing in another country for a fraction of the cost. When I did fertility treatment, the same drugs in the US that were $75/dose cost me $2 in Mexico. The stuff was crystalline so the doctor said there was no chance it was passed the expiration date or dangerous to use. Many in the US get their meds through mail order companies in Canada.

okay so you should be fine.

by jessie - 2008-09-12 10:09:22

i believe if you returned to london healthsciences for your replacement it just might be easier all the way around.you are known there like i am at university. just a thought to consider. also if you lived in canada for several years and worked here you would be elligible for a portion of cpp and old age security. also if you return and apply for ohip and live with someone you know who will have you your costs are covered as your ohip kicks back in as you are a citizeen of canada. it takes 90 days take care jess

London Ont medical care.....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-09-13 01:09:59

London Ontario medical care is superb.

I had mine done in Toronto but there was a lady who came in for a new battery and left the same afternoon, she said she prefers her own cooking. lol

She was wide awake when they brought her to the room, after a few hours of monitoring and having the pm checked, she was discharged and walked out with a friend.

I have no idea of the cost of all this "stuff" in Canada, but it's got to be fairly expensive by the time you deal with a few docs & procedures. Add the pacemaker......I appreciate everyone paying their taxes so that I can overuse my OHIP card! Tx.


Bionic Beat




well.....

by jessie - 2008-09-13 07:09:23

i know the cost here is lower in canada i mean. if you are a nonresident sometimes you can go directly to the surgeon and ask the costs involved. sometimes they will lower the price. our son lived in bahrain and he came home and had an inguinal hernia repaired. the cost was 1300.00 not a lot and 395 for the anesthetic. he went for day surgery and we brought him home at 6.pm with as shot of demerol in his rump and a script for tylenol 3's it was uneventful the surgery. jess

Frank

by Tracey_E - 2008-09-13 08:09:38

If you talk them into a zipper, let me know! I asked last time and they told me no, boo hoo.

On a serious note, I read that they are working on one that would be rechargeable. I doubt it'll be ready for market by my next battery change, but it sure would be nice to know it's my last!

DIY

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-13 12:09:43

Hey maybe I should look into ordering a replacement on the internet and changing my own. Shouldn't take much to make a small slit, take it out, move the leads to the new one and stick it back in the pocket. I think I would install a zipper though so the next one would be even easier.

May not be practical, but it gives some idea of what they are charging $25,000 for.

frank

Rechargeable

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-14 07:09:28

As I understand it the problem with rechargeable batteries inside the body is that they need a way to vent if overcharged. If they are sealed completely they could burst if the charging circuit failed.
Hmm, could this be a new way to make an ICD? What a restart (:

frank

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

The pacer systems are really very reliable. The main problem is the incompetent programming of them. If yours is working well for you, get on with life and enjoy it. You probably are more at risk of problems with a valve job than the pacer.