Does anyone know???

Does anyone how much roughly would it cost to have a PM without insurance.I live Nj,USA. Now that I decided to have a PM, Iam not sure of how much financial burden it would be without insurance. This is the first time we didn’t have insurance and this diagnosis has hit us like a slap on our faces. My ER bill is $10,000 in total, with two hospitals I have been to, after all the discounts excluding the doctors bills which are piling. So, now Iam wondering how would the procedure with hospitals, doctors and folllow up would cost??? I can get it done in India but not sure of the technology available there. "cause my doctor hinted that the PM models available there might not the be the latest ones in the market even if the they are of the same company, cause of the cost issue. Well!!  anyone have any ideas or information regarding this???  Would really help me in my next step.

6 Comments

Cost info...

by chip - 2008-11-21 05:11:50

First I know that most of the public hospitals here in Illinois have a program to assist those with no insurance. I’d check into that ASAP.

As far as cost – my pacemaker implant to date has run about $350000.00 due to several lead revisions and complications.

It can cost a bundle but it is worth it!

ouch

by Tracey_E - 2008-11-21 07:11:47

Oh, that really sucks! Bad timing to be without insurance, and I can tell you from experience that it will be hard to get it now that you have a cardiac diagnosis unless you're part of a large group policy. They only want to insure us if they're pretty sure we'll never get sick!

My last one was around $35K total. Keep in mind that's the bill to the insurance co, you know they didn't pay anywhere close to that much. I'd talk to the doctors and hospital upfront and see what you can work out. The pm itself will be $10-15K, it's a high tech titanium computer and they don't come cheap.

Any chance you qualify for medicaid?

I'd be nervous about doing it out of the country simply because of follow up care, but that's just me. I know there are others here who have looked into it. If you do a search, you should get some other posts.

Whew!

by Mrs.H - 2008-11-21 08:11:28

Mine was just put in at the end of October. Recieved breakdown from insurance co. The total for implant was well over $88,000! The pacemaker alone (in the box) was $35,000.I am thanking God I had the insurance!
I never had health insurance until 2 years ago so I understand what you are going through.I broke my ankle 3 years ago and I had the state "basic" health insurance and still nobody beyond the ER would look at it.The ER wouldnt cast it either! so, I wound up buying a brace out of a catalogue and I wore it for about a year and a half! So far so good with it.
I also would say check with the welfare office but try to get a statement from the doctor that your need is "life-sustaining"

Re: going to India

by Bionic Beat - 2008-11-21 11:11:00

Hi,

If you are eligible for health care in India, it might be worth the price of the plane ticket.

I only know of Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre, in New Delhi via someone who travelled there for successful AFib treatment.

Their web site is

www dot ehirc dot com

and there is a whole area about International Patients.

They have wonderful success rates for cardiac issues and very low infection rates.

All of their equipment and pacemakers etc meet International Standards........don't know why your doctor would make any such comment about inferior products. That doesn't make sense to me.....they are a world-class cardiac centre.

If I were you, I'd be contacting them via email to get prices etc. but if you are eligible for medical care in India, I'd be going there.....it might be a better option for you.

Best of luck, let us know how you make out.


Bionic Beat


Doctor Comments

by ElectricFrank - 2008-11-22 01:11:03

The doctors comments about the pacemaker in India are easily explained. Just look at what he or his cardio friend will make if it is done in his office.

frank

Electric Frank.....

by Bionic Beat - 2008-11-22 10:11:04

You've just stated what I was avoiding! LOL

It's a disgrace for docs to do that, in my opinion, when people's health and lives are in peril.

Yep, he wants the money.....plain and simple.


Bionic Beat

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