Prodisc-L Device Cost?

[Dulishun]

Does anyone know what the actual cost is for a Prodisc-L to a hospital. My hospital has given me a crazy cost and I wanted to verify. Anyone have a clue?

[Gil Denis]

Hi

Dulishun

What was your cost ?

I may need three

Gil

[Dulishun]

The hospital told me that the cost for the Prodisc-L itself was $32,000 which seems like a stretch to me. If Charite is roughly $11,500, there is no way that Synthes is charging anything near $32,000, no?

[Gil Denis]

Hi Dulishun

I Germany I was quoted around $ 40.000 for two including everything except travel and expenses

[Dulishun]

I have actually itemized the costs because I need to pay for it myself. F U United Healthcare. Surgeon $7,000, Vascular $1,800, Anesthesia $2800 (extra $2,000 if post surgery pain block IV necessary). Now gets the tricky part. The hospital tells me that their cost is $45,500 (3 days in patient), but that the device is $32,000. I think it is a deflection to overcharge by blaming the device. The problem is that nobody seems to know what Synthes sells it to the hospitals for. By the way, these are all "discounted" because it is self-pay. Thoughts?

[jessmith07]

I would send all of your info to Dr. Bertagnoli in Germany. My quote from him was about 35,000 euros (about $45,000) for a 2 level lumbar ADR with Prodiscs. 12,000 euros for the surgeon, 10,500 euros for 6 days in the hospital, 9,000 euros for 2 implants and about 3,000 euros for misc stuff.

20+ years of ADR experience...priceless.

Hope this helps.

[mmglobal]

Worst I've seen in US was 70,000 Euros to a company that brought racks of discs to OR for size selection... I don't think it was a serious bill and I don't know what was eventually paid, but I've seen the 4500 Euro/disc for a long time. US prices are all over the place. High volume hospitals get way forable pricing and can pass on the savings.

Mark

[dshobbies]

Hi Dulishun and welcome to the forum,

Doesn't sound right to me. I too was a cash patient and shocked at my discounted prices Germany for me was about 1/2 price for a 3 day hospital stay. I ended up staying 9 days and hate to even think about what an American hospital would have charged me.

Who's your surgeon? Said it many times in the past, the primary concern is your choice of doctor. You have only one shot at success so choose carefully.

What's your circumstances?

Good luck, Dale

[chasswen]

in germany 3 yrs ago i was charged 5,500 euro about 6,500 usd
chuck

[Dulishun]

Hi Dale,

I have a herniation and annular tear in the L5S1. Over the last 4/5 years I have had over 10 epidurals, PT, Acupuncture, Chiropractic and lost about 30 lbs. No change. I basically have pain everyday that ranges from medium to severe. Quality of life sucks. My surgeon is Artur Pacult in Charleston, SC. While not well known on these boards, I have done a ton of research on Dr. Pacult and spoken to nurses, other physicians, physical therapists and former patients and the guy is meticulous. I seriously considered the German angle, but when all is said and done there just isn't anyone else I want doing the surgery. I have gotten discounts from Vascular, Anesthesiologist, Neurosurgeon and hospital and will end up paying a little more than $50,000. Maybe when all is said and done I can use the points on my credit card from paying this stuff to take my wife and two little ones (4 and 6) on a nice trip and introduce them to what their Dad was like before the pain. Time will tell. I am going under the knife Tuesday at 8:00AM. WISH ME LUCK!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09

[Kathy]

Congrats on a surgery date. Sounds like you did your research and made the BEST decision for you, this is the most important factor. Will be praying for a speedy recovery for you, Kathy

Originally Posted by Dulishun

Hi Dale,

I have a herniation and annular tear in the L5S1. Over the last 4/5 years I have had over 10 epidurals, PT, Acupuncture, Chiropractic and lost about 30 lbs. No change. I basically have pain everyday that ranges from medium to severe. Quality of life sucks. My surgeon is Artur Pacult in Charleston, SC. While not well known on these boards, I have done a ton of research on Dr. Pacult and spoken to nurses, other physicians, physical therapists and former patients and the guy is meticulous. I seriously considered the German angle, but when all is said and done there just isn't anyone else I want doing the surgery. I have gotten discounts from Vascular, Anesthesiologist, Neurosurgeon and hospital and will end up paying a little more than $50,000. Maybe when all is said and done I can use the points on my credit card from paying this stuff to take my wife and two little ones (4 and 6) on a nice trip and introduce them to what their Dad was like before the pain. Time will tell. I am going under the knife Tuesday at 8:00AM. WISH ME LUCK!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09

[dshobbies]

Only you have to happy with your decision for only you reap the benefit or suffer the consequences. Tuesday is awfully close and I do with you every luck possible.

We look forward to hearing how well it all went so please keep up posted. The other side awaits -

Dale

[Dulishun]

Thanks for the sentiments. I'll let you know how it goes. Have a good holiday weekend.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09

[Maria]

Just read your post and am glad to see you have that much faith in your surgeon and hope all will go smoothly and the new you will be like the old you so to speak Best with surgery and please keep us posted

[rhatzy]

Dulishun,

For what it's worth, I had a two level lumbar with Maverick and the total cost for everything was $39,000 and that was last year when the Euro cost $1.45. I had mine in Germany with Stenum and today I am back to work as a captain for American Airlines and pain free.

Mark

[rhatzy]

Re the above, I see your surgery is in two days. I wiah you great success and a speedy recovery.

Mark

[Dulishun]

Good to hear you're back in the air Mark. Thanks for the well wishes.

Jason

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09
Edit/Delete Message

[jane1111]

Dulishun, You will be in my prayers for a successful surgery and an end to your pain.

[runner]

You are brave to pay for it yourself in the United States. It is difficult to put a price on a life but the insurance companies seem to have no problem doing that. F U United, too.

Runner

[Dulishun]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. I have to be at the hospital at 6:00 AM tomorrow, but can't imagine how I am going to sleep. I feel like an airplane circling an airport just waiting to land. Not nervous (not too nervous anyway), just don't know what to do with myself. I fought over the money with United and then the hospital until 3:00 on Friday, so now it is just waiting. And waiting. and waiting. Well you get the idea. I'll write how I do after and update everyone. Thanks again. It does mean a lot.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
L5S1 Herniation and Annular tear
Over 10 epidurals,
DDD, 2 discograms (positive),
Countless attempts at conservative therapy.
Surgery date 5-26-09