Heart Surgery Cost In India

Medical inflation in India is among the highest globally, and heart surgery and other CVD treatment costs are rising. In the previous year, heart-related insurance claims accounted for nearly 20%, and heart surgery costs have risen by 47% to 53%. This highlights the critical need for adequate health coverage.

High blood pressure and diabetes, combined with urban sedentary lifestyles, contribute to the increasing cost of heart surgeries in India, particularly affecting people under 40 years of age. Read on to explore everything about heart surgery costs in India.

What Is Heart Surgery?

Heart surgery refers to any surgical procedure performed on the valves, blood vessels, arteries, or a complete heart transplant. Doctors may opt for minimally invasive or open-heart surgery depending on your medical condition.

The cost of heart surgery in India depends entirely on the severity of your overall health and the medical condition of your heart. In some cases, emergency heart surgeries are performed, such as for heart attacks.

Different Types Of Heart Surgeries In India

Various types of heart surgeries performed are listed below:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

  Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a critical open-heart surgery for coronary artery disease, performed when arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked.

• Heart Valve Repair or Replacement

  This surgical procedure addresses problems with heart valves, which control blood flow throughout the heart.

• Heart Transplant

  When a heart condition becomes incurable, doctors may suggest a heart transplant, replacing the damaged heart with a healthy one from a donor.

• Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

  A minimally invasive procedure to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm, a bulge in the aorta (the main artery carrying blood from the heart).

• Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

  This type of heart surgery involves smaller chest incisions, allowing surgeons to access the heart with less trauma.

• Cox-Maze Procedure

  The Cox-Maze procedure is a surgical technique used to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat irregularly and rapidly.

• Heart Arrhythmia Surgery

  Heart arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat. Doctors may suggest implanting a pacemaker to regulate the heart's rhythm.

• Robot-assisted Surgery

  Robot-assisted surgery uses computers and robotic arms to perform minimally invasive heart procedures with precision.

  Doctors may suggest other types of heart surgeries. A key question is whether your heart surgery is covered by health insurance in India?

When Do You Require A Heart Surgery?

Doctors may suggest heart surgery for various conditions, most commonly a heart attack due to blocked arteries. Other reasons include:

• Plaque buildup in the arteries
• Increasing blood flow in blocked arteries
• Restoring heart valve function
• Reducing the risk of stroke
• Improving overall physical health limited by angina (chest pain)
• For stent placement

Does Your Health Insurance Cover The Cost Of Heart Surgery?

Yes, IRDAI guidelines mandate that all health insurance plans cover heart surgery costs. However, some specific plans offer broader coverage for open-heart surgery and other advanced procedures.

Benefits of Health Insurance Plans That Cover Heart Surgery in India

Benefits of health insurance plans covering heart surgery in India include:

• Heart surgeries in India are expensive; even a minimal non-invasive procedure like stent insertion can cost up to INR 3 lakhs. A health insurance plan covering heart surgery costs can be highly beneficial.
• Covers expenses such as room rent, ICU costs, pharmacy bills, and diagnostics.
• Covers surgeon costs; highly experienced surgeons often have higher consultation and surgery fees, which your health insurance can cover.
• Heart surgery costs in India vary significantly with the case's severity. Health insurance covering various heart surgeries helps safeguard your finances.
• Invest in health insurance that covers organ transplants, as heart transplants are among the most expensive types of heart surgery.

Rising Heart Surgery Cost In India: Deciding Factors

Factors affecting heart surgery costs in India:

• Cashless Treatments: Heart surgery costs are often lower in network hospitals compared to non-network hospitals.
• Coverage Sublimits: Understand the sub-limits and coverage amounts for different heart surgeries. Your health insurance plan will cover costs as per these limits.
• City of Residence: Heart surgery costs vary by city, with metropolitan areas generally having higher costs than Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities.
• Types Of Heart Surgery: Complex procedures like open-heart surgery or heart transplants are more expensive than simpler procedures like angioplasty due to inherent complications.
• Hospitalization Duration: Longer hospital stays for complex procedures like heart transplants and bypass surgeries increase the overall cost.

Cost of Heart Surgery in India

The average cost of open-heart surgery in India ranges from Rs 1 Lakh to Rs 10 Lakh. Here is a breakdown of cardiac surgery costs:

How Do You Keep Your Heart Healthy?

NCRB data indicates that approximately 32,457 individuals died from heart attacks in 2022, a number that rises annually due to factors like lifestyle, eating habits, and stress. However, you can decrease the risk of heart disease by following these steps:

• Avoid tobacco consumption.
• Exercise for 30-60 minutes daily.
• Monitor and manage your weight according to your BMI.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

Get Coverage For Heart Surgery in India With PolicyX.com!

Despite the rising costs of heart surgery, India’s reputation for providing world-class medical care at affordable rates offers hope for those facing heart ailments. By understanding the factors affecting costs and exploring insurance options, individuals can make informed healthcare decisions. Remember, prevention is key: adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups, and timely medical intervention can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and its associated costs.

At PolicyX.com, we believe in 'Healthy Heart, Healthy You'. Our health plans, such as Care Heart, Star Comprehensive, and Niva Bupa ReAssure 2.0, offer comprehensive coverage for heart-related surgery and treatment costs in India, including features like:

• Pre and post-hospitalization
• Emergency ambulance services
• Global coverage
• ICU care
• Second medical opinion
• Room rent, etc.

For queries regarding heart surgery costs, health insurance coverage, and the best plan options, schedule a call with our IRDAI-certified insurance experts today!