Aortic Stenosis

[Jimmyk]

Well,
My wife and I were called into the dr.'s office today.
After a few different tests, I was told that I have Aortic Stenosis.
I'm scheduled to meet with the surgeon who actually performs this surgery.
i was told, since I'm 52 and in relatively good health, their method would be to go in from my left side and replace the valve.
My dad was given this same news 20 years ago. He opted not to have the surgery, and died a few years later at 66.
I have worked construction all my life, actually worked up till about 3 weeks ago,and started having chest pain and shortness of breath. I'm probably covered with insurance for another 2 months. So would like to try and get everything covered.that I can while insured.
Everything that is done in the doctor's office, I only have to pay my co pay, Everything that is done in th hospital ,I'm responsible for 20% of the bill. So my plan is to get all my tests done, then look to have the surgery done in another country.
Has anyone else had surgery done outside the US? If so can anyone recommend a good hospital?
sorry, my mind I going a thousand miles a minute.

 

[dick0236]

Welcome Jimmy. My diagnosis was also aortic stenosis when I was 30. I had it fixed and have enjoyed a nearly normal life for the past 50 years. Read thru the stories on this forum and it will give you a lot of info relating to the many questions most people have about living with an artificial valve. First off, the new valve usually has little affect on our lives.......which is a good thing.

Talk with your insurance rep about the cost before you opt to go overseas for the surgery.....and/or to be sure your insurance will cover you "out of country". You should have a 20% "stop loss" cap that would limit your total "out-of-pocket" cost.

 

[jcgtok17]

Jimmy, Sorry to hear both about your diagnosis and the insurance coverage count down, likely the last thing you need. A typical AVR operation in the US is US$160,000. In Japan, where I just had the procedure (open heart surgery required in my case) the average cost is US$50,000. The bill I was presented with after 35 days in hospital (some related to treating the bacteria and resulting endocarditis that gave rise to the value damage) was US$45,000. My co-pay (normally 30% if covered under the National Healthcare System which I am) was modest as I had not started working in Japan yet at the time of the procedure. The hospital was in Tokyo, called Tokyo Medical Center, part of the National Hospital Organization. 750 bed facility with 40 bed cardiac ward. The surgical team was awesome and 3 1/2 weeks out I'm feeling good. Closer distance wise, I think my native Canada would be somewhere between the two numbers noted for USA and Japan. Toronto would be your city of choice most likely. Hopefully the timing works such that you can stay put and have the procedure done on familiar ground (with insurance cover for the cost). JCG

 

[Jimmyk]

Dick0236,

We had no idea about the out of pocket max.
according to the Cigna website, the annual max out of pocket limit is 6350.00.
That changes everything . My wife and I were already talking about getting a huge loan to pay our cost.
Thanks so much for that info.

 

[dick0236]

You're welcome......and good luck.