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Cost of private ablation

Poppy128 profile image
30 Replies

Morning all,

Getting really despondent waiting on the list for an ablation. Has anybody any idea of the cost of going private for the procedure?

Thanks

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Poppy128 profile image
Poppy128
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30 Replies
wilsond profile image
wilsond

Hello

I have read on here it is around 15,000 but may be a little more in some circumstances.

Our waiting list in Warwickshire is 12-18 months ,but in the meantime I have improved and may not need it now (!)

But at one stage I was seriously considering asking to be referred to Glenfield Leicester as their list is 12 weeks.

Might this be a possible solution,for you to look at other NHS lists? Xx

Poppy128 profile image
Poppy128 in reply towilsond

Thanks. I’m on the waiting list at the Glenfield and have been waiting 16 weeks now. I think the cost of private treatment is going to be well beyond my budget unfortunately.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toPoppy128

Hope you get in soon xx

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toPoppy128

And you would need a contingency if you needed emergency treatment.

Are you on the cancellation list? Some people have been able to get in very quickly if prepared to go at short notice.

Poppy128 profile image
Poppy128 in reply toCDreamer

No I didn’t realise you could do that. I’m going to ring the admissions dept and ask them. Thanks for the advice.

in reply toPoppy128

I think I was waiting about 9 months for my ablation at Glenfield. That was 3 years ago so I'm sure things can have only got worse.

I did have to wait longer than most as mine was done under GA and they only have one anesthesia team that they have to share with the all of the EPs.

It was worth the wait though, the team at Glenfield are fantastic and I have been in NSR for 2.5 years

It might be worth phoning your EPs secretary to ask where you are on the list,

Poppy128 profile image
Poppy128 in reply to

Thanks. Will try that.

NannyNooNoo profile image
NannyNooNoo in reply towilsond

My husband has been waiting for 2nd ablation since November; he needs it under GA and was told the waiting list was 6 months - we’re expecting it to be nearer 9!

Dawsonmackay profile image
Dawsonmackay

I shouldn't write anything. I'm not sure what you mean by private. You do have health insurance? If not, are you a zillionaire? I see now, you two are in Europe. Here in the US, I received a bill for my second ablation, but I have health insurance and I'm sure it has inflated prices: $109,000.00

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply toDawsonmackay

Insurance is an option which many people just couldn’t afford. I agree that US has vastly inflated medical costs but that happens in the UK as well with all private medicine.

The NHS is able to negotiate much more cost effective deals & we use generic drugs wherever & whenever possible. Eg: my pacemaker implant cost about £18K on the NHS but would have been £28K privately.

But the cost difference for ablations is just ridiculous as many posters have commented in previously.

The trade off is long waiting lists & restrictions on eligibility of some procedures because of demand & lack of resources.

wilsond profile image
wilsond in reply toDawsonmackay

Wow! We have 2 options here in UK...pay to go to a private run hospital ( often staffed with the same NHS consultants ) or use NHS...which is paid for by National Insurance contributions taken from your wages.

We can go private for initial consultations if we want ,then transfer to NHS if we wish.

NHS is free at the point of need . You get this as a British Citizen regardless of contributions made . There is meant to be a system of charging fir overseas visitors care etc but this seems patchy and ill organised !

Just thought you'd like to have the lowdown...

Have a good weekend x

Cookie24 profile image
Cookie24 in reply toDawsonmackay

Yes, both of my ablations exceeded $100,00 on the insurance form. USA

djmnet profile image
djmnet in reply toCookie24

But that's not what YOU paid, is it? Those inflated figures on the explanation of benefits have no relation to what the insurance company (and you) ultimately pay for the procedure.

Punquito profile image
Punquito in reply todjmnet

My wife had a cryogenic balloon ablation last October. Kaiser Permanente seems to have actually paid the Hospital $109,000 for the procedure. Her co-pay was about $300. She has had no side effects from the procedure and NSR with a couple of ectopics in the first day or so after the ablation. She was in a lot of distress before the ablation but since then she's like a new person.

Cookie24 profile image
Cookie24 in reply todjmnet

I understand providers and insurers negotiate fees. The providers, EPs (two were in there love them) anesthesiologist, hospital charges including overnight total paid $131,000 by Blue Cross Blue Shield. I have wonderful insurance as my copay was $50.

Horse57 profile image
Horse57 in reply toDawsonmackay

I am in the US and my bill was like that but insurance only pays a fraction of that costa

Mine paid 15,000.

Madscientist16 profile image
Madscientist16 in reply toDawsonmackay

I am in the US and my ablation was in November 2019. My insurance company was charged $136,000 for the procedure.

rufusmatilda profile image
rufusmatilda

In Feb 2017 I had an ablation done and the cost was £14,000 then. I have sympathy with you being fed up with the waiting list. I made the decision to go privately after being told I would have to wait 18 months "at least". Good luck x

Donkster profile image
Donkster

I waited 9 months for mine

Japaholic profile image
Japaholic

1000 pounds in Japan

MydogBrandy profile image
MydogBrandy

Mine was about £10,000. I think. I have private medical insurance. To be honest if I didn’t have and been sure that it was going to be so successful I would have paid this amount . Good luck, regards Ursula x

Desanthony profile image
Desanthony

Well, seems I am lucky here as have been told that the waiting list is 3 months. Cost of a private ablation is £9,000 as asked about it as I got a private consultation with the EP about private ablation in October last year. The EP I saw works for our NHS hospital - though it is an out of area hospital there are no EPs in our area so he put me on his NHS list - though I did pay to have various scans and tests through him. I am hoping to be able to have my Ablation sometime soon after March - though we will see whether this 3 month waiting time is true. I am having my third cardioversion on Tuesday - was due to have it two weeks ago but cancelled as the Doc was off sick. So if the EP has any bouts of illness then the ablation will be put back too - I am putting my faith in the fact that he is young and active so won't go down with all the bugs going around here at the moment. My wife has hardly been well since Mid-November two chest infections then stomach upset and then another cold. She was free for a couple of weeks over Christmas - in fact think she picked up this last cold from the waiting room in the hospital when I last went to see the EP! Always wise to try and avoid GP and hospital waiting rooms but not always possible. LOL

Maggimunro profile image
Maggimunro

I managed to get my 3 ablations done within 11 months by ringing up and going on the cancellation list. I was offered my last after waiting only 6 weeks because I rang and said I was willing to go in the middle of December. The spot had been refused previously by 3 patients who clearly felt Christmas was more important than heart surgery. Beggars belief really.

AllyAF profile image
AllyAF

Had mine on NHS but paid £250 to see consultant privately who referred me onto his colleagues list and I was done within 6 months. Depends where you live but might be worth a try. Are you taking Flecanide- that stopped the problem for me while I was waiting. Good luck.

Poppy128 profile image
Poppy128 in reply toAllyAF

On Sotalol. I spend two days in NSR and the two days out of rhythm with a heart rate of 100 to 120. I’m finding it all very wearing and always tired. I’m going to ring consultants secretary on Monday to see if I can get a cancellation if possible. Just tired of having my life on hold.

netie54 profile image
netie54

Hello Poppy. Yes my husband went privately to Pathworth Hospital. Fantastic place and a brilliant EP. It was between 11 - 12k but with every penny.

djmnet profile image
djmnet

In the US, with Medicare and a zero premium supplement through United Healthcare, my cost for an ablation would be $225 copay for the surgery center. And I could schedule one within a week or two.

Horse57 profile image
Horse57 in reply todjmnet

Yes. I am in the US thank God! I paid 400.00 and I was scheduled in 1 week.

2007 profile image
2007

Hi around £15,000

Ianc2 profile image
Ianc2

I have not done it myself but I understand that Kent medical authorities use hospitals in Northern France. I know of people who have rented house in Spain, gone into Spanish hospitals with chest problems and been stented there and then. (EHIC cards are wonderful things). Probably not in big tourist areas though.

I am not sure if this still applies but my understanding is that if your local provider cannot help you , you have a right to ask for treatment in a European Hospital - which still applies in the transition period.

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