Valve Cost?

[Unicusp]

I did a quick search and did not find any information on this topic. I'm curious about the cost that manufacturers charge for the various top valve choices. I'm talking about the (attempted) charged cost prior to the insurance companies getting involved as I'm sure the actual paid price is probably all over the place when factoring where the procedure was done and what insurance the patient carries.
The discussions on here discuss the benefits and pros/cons of each valve with no regard to cost. That's a good thing because it would really suck if an insurance company denied a patients choice due to premium cost. I'm thus assuming that the valves are probably pretty competitively priced to each other.
I'll make a bold guess though. Due to the increased marketing costs, claims and multiple attempts at market differentiation, I guess that On-X attempts to charge a premium over the competition. Just a random thought and guess.
Anyone have any actual facts or figures on this pricing topic? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[pellicle]

I recall it's about AU$2K, but I'm uncertain

 

[pellicle]

https://www.modernhealthcare.com/ar...cal-heart-valve-procedure-spurs-cost-concerns
»TAVR devices typically cost about $32,000, compared with surgical valves that average between $4,000 and $7,000, said Dr. Lars Svensson, director of quality and process improvement in the Cleveland Clinic's department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.«

 

[Warrick]

$7,400 NZ dollars I’ve read somewhere, once valves on the shelf have gone past their expiry date theres a few sites you can buy them for $250 US

 

[Unicusp]

$7,400 NZ dollars I’ve read somewhere, once valves on the shelf have gone past their expiry date theres a few sites you can buy them for $250 US

I believe that would be illegal in the US, implanting expired medical devices. I could see tissue valves expiring but not mechanical. Also depends upon storage conditions.

 

[Superman]

$7,400 NZ dollars I’ve read somewhere, once valves on the shelf have gone past their expiry date theres a few sites you can buy them for $250 US

Wait...

They expire!?!

 

[ATHENS1964]

Wait...

They expire!?!

Yes, they expire, for example we buy a suture made of silk thread and a needle has an expiration date, the reason is that they are sterile and after the end of sterilization, germ seeds, etc. can be formed. So in the valves the ring that is the fabric can be contaminated.
Another example in the dental clinic they put the tools in a bag and then in the oven, the bag has some sterilization indicators and the sterilization lasts about 2-3 months, then the tool needs sterilization again.
Τhe same goes for medical needles. Generally the material does not expire like a medicine but sterilization does.

 

[Superman]

Yes, they expire, for example we buy a suture made of silk thread and a needle has an expiration date, the reason is that they are sterile and after the end of sterilization, germ seeds, etc. can be formed. So in the valves the ring that is the fabric can be contaminated.
Another example in the dental clinic they put the tools in a bag and then in the oven, the bag has some sterilization indicators and the sterilization lasts about 2-3 months, then the tool needs sterilization again.
Τhe same goes for medical needles. Generally the material does not expire like a medicine but sterilization does.

Thanks for the, “why”. Always appreciate that. I was kind of joking though. But, since that might have alarmed others - good to know.

 

[Brokenhip]

My Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease tissue valve was AU$4,800 in Feb 2018.

 

[pellicle]

Thanks for the, “why”. Always appreciate that. ....

mine came with a lifetime warranty against failure ...

 

[dick0236]

My TOTAL cost, including 14 days in the hospital was under $6800. As I recall the valve was a couple hundred dollars........my, my, how things have changed!

 

[Unicusp]

Good example as to how out of control our medical system is in the USA today. So, adjusted for inflation your cost today was around $54k. Meanwhile the current average costs for the procedure today are in the $300k to $500k range depending upon location. Insane. Another reason why I say only plan to do this once. Who knows how much more the cost will be 2o years from now??

 

[pellicle]

Another reason why I say only plan to do this once. Who knows how much more the cost will be 2o years from

And as I often say who knows how the health system will regard this in a future with an aging population and debts...

 

[jcgtok17]

Full bill in Tokyo circa 2017 was US$53k. The St. Jude Medical Trifecta GT valve was $5,700 of that if memory serves. Same operation in the USA 500k+ given 35 day hospital stay. Universal health care in Japan. Co-pay system. Japan spends 10% of GDP on healthcare (1/2 US level) despite having the oldest population. Same equipment, largely sale drugs. Much less law suits (< malpractice insurance). I have been impressed by them at every turn. Blessed.

 

[newarrior]

De

Good example as to how out of control our medical system is in the USA today. So, adjusted for inflation your cost today was around $54k. Meanwhile the current average costs for the procedure today are in the $300k to $500k range depending upon location. Insane. Another reason why I say only plan to do this once. Who knows how much more the cost will be 2o years from now??

Depends where you live..in Thailand about 50K for AVR via open heart surgery--less at govt hospital..A dr in LA said TAVI TAVR said 90K--where is the $300k to $500k coming from ?

 

[stephenismycopilot]

Mine was somewhere in the $200k range at UCLA in 2020. And of course with my luck, it was discovered, tested, diagnosed in December of one year and operated on a couple weeks later in January, so I had to hit my deductible two years in a row! Thank goodness for ACA/Obamacare, which quite literally saved my life.

 

[RAS]

Interesting topic. Wide range of costs.
In total mine in 2006 was approx. $54k. Insurance paid 51k. I paid 3k. This included diagnostic tests 3 weeks prior; hospital 4.5 days; diagnostic tests & rehab, 2 weeks after.
I have no idea how much the SJM valve alone cost.

​

​

 

[Patrick7651]

In 2017 my surgery was roughly $250,000 at Cleveland Clinic. I paid $5,000 because I went out of network. Very much worth it I believe. The valve itself was about $16,000.

 

[Unicusp]

Interesting. To clarify, was the $250k the original amount billed, or the amount paid? I'm guessing they billed alot more and got paid $250k. What valve did you get? Thx.

 

[Protimenow]

I had my AVR in 1991. The St. Jude Valve, at that time, was $8800, if I recall correctly.
I used to joke that I could have had a Hyundai in my chest.