How Much Does a Coronary Angiography Cost?
A coronary angiogram is a procedure that will use a special dye to see how the blood flows through the arteries inside the heart.
How much does a coronary angiography cost?
The cost of a coronary angiography will depend on where it’s being performed, the urgency of the situation, the type of angiography and where you live. Depending on the exact procedure you choose to have, the prices for a coronary angiography can range anywhere from $4,500 to $11,000 for a traditional angiography to as little as $1,250 for the CT coronary angiogram.
Of course, if you have health insurance, your policy should be able to cover a procedure such as this as long as it’s medically necessary. Since there are thousands upon thousands of policies out there, it is best to check your insurance company to know what you’re responsible for. It also doesn’t hurt to discuss this procedure with your insurance company as they will be able to tell you which facilities are within your network. For those who do not have a health insurance policy or are looking to switch, consider browsing hundreds of policies for free at eHealthInsurance.com. If covered, you may be responsible for zero to as much as 60 percent of the costs.
The estimates mentioned above, depending on the facility, should include the catheter placement in the artery(s), the dyes and special x-rays.
Coronary angiography overview
Often referred to as a cardiac catheterization, a coronary angiography can access the coronary circulation of the heart using a catheter. This test is designed to help recognize the heart chamber size, the heart muscle performance, the blood flow, and more.
During the procedure, the patient will usually be awake; however, there are times that a local anesthesia may be used to lessen the discomfort of the catheter being inserted. The reason that a patient should be awake during the procedure is to alert the doctor if any uncomfortable sensations are felt as they can indicate that something has gone wrong.
During the test, the patient’s blood pressure will be recorded and monitored, along with x-ray motion pictures that can capture the blood flow within the arteries. Guiding a small device known as a catheter through the arteries, the doctor will be able to create x-ray pictures one-by-one.
The entire procedure will take at least 30 minutes but no longer than three hours. However, by the time the patient arrives, gets checked in, has the test, and recovers, the whole process will take about six hours.
What are the extra costs?
Before the test begins, a doctor, depending on your circumstances, may order a chest x-ray, blood test and possibly an electrocardiogram test. All of these tests, if necessary, will be an additional cost to consider.
If the test results show a blockage or narrowing of the arteries, additional tests or stent placement may be needed. Treatment with an angioplasty, for instance, can cost $30,000 or more, and a heart bypass surgery can cost as much as $70,000 to $200,000 or more. Again, many issues could be diagnosed during this test.
Tips to know:
Health insurance covers an angiography procedure as long as it is done to diagnose or treat an illness.
How can I save money?
Those who pay in cash or are uninsured can often save money if you talk with the finance department. For example, the Washington Hospital Healthcare System in California offers a 35% discount to those who lack health insurance.
Again, if you have health insurance, be sure to check with your provider to see what they are going to be able to cover. All insurance policies are going to vary.
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