Main Street Finance

These are 4 of the Costliest Medical Procedures in the US

By Andrew

It’s common knowledge that a trip to the hospital is a costly experience. On top of the stress of having a medical procedure, you also have to worry about the impact your hospital visit will have on your bank account. Even if you have a fantastic insurance plan, chances are you will still be paying off medical bills for quite a while. This is why it’s important to set aside some money for unforeseen emergencies.

While all hospital visits can be costly, there are some that stand out among the crowd. Check out the four procedures below to get an idea of what types of bills you could be facing in the future.

Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy (also referred to as a tracheotomy) is a surgery in which an opening is created in the neck into the trachea that allows direct access to the windpipe. Typically, a tube is placed into the opening to remove anything blocking the lungs and provide an open airway. This type of surgery is needed when you have a tumor, vocal cord paralysis, or one of many other medical issues. The average cost of this procedure in 2013 was approximately $371,000.

Liver Transplant

The liver is a very important organ in your body, as it processes what you put into your body and removes negative substances. The average price of a liver transplant in the US in 2011 was $577,100. Many people experience liver failure in their lifetime and need to replace it in order to be able to continue with their daily activities.

Heart Transplant

Any type of heart surgery can place a serious dent in your bank account. Anyone who has had open heart surgery can attest to the high price associated with this procedure. However, the cost of a heart transplant is enough to make you actually feel some pressure in your own heart. It has been reported that a heart transplant can cost $800,000 or even more.

Bone Marrow Transplant

The cost of a bone marrow transplant can really depend upon what type of marrow you need, but it can reach costs of $800,000 or upwards if you are in need of an allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Many individuals run into the need of a bone marrow transplant, as several different diseases (i.e. leukemia or tuberculosis) can affect bone marrow and the work it does for your body.

There are many other costs associated with these procedures that need to be factored when thinking about saving for potential medical issues in the future. In addition to the upfront costs of these medical procedures, most surgeries will require you to purchase expensive medicines to continue to take care of your health after you leave the hospital. Unfortunately, you may also face problems with your doctor and if this is the case you might need to find some help from experts such as this medical malpractice lawyer new jersey.
Hopefully you and your loved ones will never have to experience any of these costly surgeries in the future. However, there is always the chance of it happening and that is why it’s always important to put some money aside in your budget for the potential of a medical emergency.

Did you like this article ?

Tweet

About Andrew

Andrew is a corporate finance consultant living in Los Angeles, specializing in distressed and bankrupt consulting. He helps clients review business plans and the general market and decide what steps to take next. He has a masters in finance. Andrew enjoys running and biking in the San Gabriel mountains, cheering for the San Francisco Giants and eating (but trying not to gain weight).