Actual Cost of Prodisc-L Device

[Jdouglas]

I thought that this might deserve a new thread. I was told by my hospital that the Prodisc-L device cost is $32,000. This is for the device only. Has anyone seen a device cost on their billing personal or insurance? It's not as if Synthes would just tell me if they called.

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

[trkdoc714]

If I remember correctly, I read an article by Synthes stating the cost of a ProDisc L was $8,000 - $8,500. The article was printed over a year ago. If I can dig it up, I'll try to post it.

The cost of my second Maverick was $4,000 Euro which at the time was $5,400.00. I can't imagine there's a $28,000 difference in disc cost.

Bob

[Jdouglas]

Man, that really pisses me me off. If you find that article please let me know. I will stick it up their ...

[tigerpaw75]

My wife and I just paid for ADR surgery at one level with a fusion at the level below. We had to pay for the ADR. Estimated that the hospital charged us $12,500 for the Prodisc.

[Harrison]

Y’all…

There are 1.2 zillion variables which can account for confusing price differences among institutions. Here are some of them:

1. Domestic device prices vs. International prices (they are substantially different)
2. Domestic surgical prices vs. International prices (they are substantially different)
3. International currency exchange rates
4. How inclusive the pricing is; e.g. cost of the surgeon’s services, cost of the OR team (nurses, vascular surgeon, anesthesiologist), disposables, the cost of the hospital’s services
5. The billing codes that were used.

These account for most of the differences in pricing. As patients become vocal (both pre and post-op) and competition increases, it appears that providers are actually improving their price transparency. But are costs coming down?! Time will tell.

Here’s another perspective. I’ll have my seventh pain-free anniversary in June with my Charite’ at L5-S1. If that device lasts a lifetime, it’s worth every penny. And then some.