Open Heart Surgery: Types, Costs, and Coverage

A healthy lifestyle includes everything from a well-balanced diet to frequent exercise and stress management. Having a healthy heart is critical in the pursuit of total well-being. With cardiovascular disease being one of the major causes of death worldwide, taking proactive measures to protect heart health is critical.

Despite our best efforts, unforeseeable medical conditions occur. Here is where health insurance comes into play. Health insurance covers medical expenses, especially those associated with cardiac diseases. From diagnostic tests to surgeries and continuous treatments, a comprehensive best health insurance plans provides peace of mind, allowing individuals to focus on their recovery without worrying about high medical expenditures. Heart surgery cost is one of the main claims that are made in a health insurance policy.

What is Open Heart Surgery?

Open heart surgery is a surgical procedure performed on the heart with the chest cavity open. It's typically done to repair or replace damaged heart valves, treat coronary artery disease, correct congenital heart defects, or perform heart transplants.

During open heart surgery, the patient is placed under general anaesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the heart. The heart may be temporarily stopped, and the patient's blood may be rerouted through a heart-lung machine to maintain circulation during the procedure. After the surgery is completed, the chest is closed, and the patient is monitored closely during the recovery process. It's a complex and delicate procedure that requires highly skilled medical professionals and advanced equipment.

Types of Heart Surgeries in India and Their Cost

Heart surgery can be of various types. Take a look at them below:

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

The Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedure entails substituting a compromised artery or vein with a robust one from an adjacent anatomical region, facilitating blood circulation around the obstructive route.

Bypass surgery cost: ₹1.8 lakh to ₹3.6 lakh

Stent placement surgery and angioplasty

To use a stent to open clogged cardiac arteries, procedures called angioplasty and stent placement surgery are performed. Inserting a tiny stent or wire mesh tube into the artery during heart stent surgery keeps it open and lowers the likelihood that it will narrow again.

Heart blockage operation cost (Angioplasty): ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.2 lakh

Heart Valve Replacement/Repair

To restore normal cardiac function and blood flow, heart valve dysfunction is treated surgically. It entails performing open heart surgery or a catheter implantation procedure to replace or repair a malfunctioning heart valve with an artificial valve.

Cost: ₹2.4 lakh to ₹5.7 lakh

Surgery for Aortic Grafts

Aortic aneurysms, or bulging of the aorta wall, are treated via aorta graft surgery. To allow the blood to flow through a new channel, the damaged portion of the aorta is replaced during this cardiac operation with a graft, or artificial artery made of special fabric.

Cost: ₹5.6 lakh to ₹11.5 lakh

Implantation of Pacemaker or Cardioverter Defibrillator Surgery

An implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or permanent pacemaker is surgically placed beneath the chest during pacemaker or ICD implantation. Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, is treated with this ICD or pacemaker surgery. ICDs safely shock the heart to return it to its regular beat, whereas pacemakers use electric sensors.

Cost: ₹2.4 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh

Pericardiectomy

A pericardiectomy is a vital open cardiac procedure used to lessen the heart's chamber stiffness and facilitate normal blood flow. The membrane that surrounds the heart, known as the pericardium, is removed during this cardiac procedure.

Cost: ₹1 lakh

Septal Myectomy

An open heart operation called a sternotomy is used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or heart muscle thickening. To improve blood flow between your left ventricle and aorta, a small portion of your septum must be removed.

Cost: ₹2 lakh to ₹4 lakh

Heart Transplant Surgery
 

When coronary artery disease leads to end-stage heart failure, heart transplant surgery is performed. It entails swapping out the diseased heart for a deceased person's healthy donated heart. Those with serious cardiac problems can have a new lease on life with this uncommon heart surgery.

Cost: ₹18 lakh to ₹25 lakh

Implantation of Ventricular Assist Devices or Total Artificial Hearts Surgery

If a heart transplant is not feasible, defective ventricles can be repaired by ventricular assist device implantation or complete artificial heart surgery. These gadgets ensure proper blood circulation by taking over the role of the ventricles.

Cost: ₹45 lakh to ₹80 lakh

ASD Closure Surgery

ASD Closure surgery is an open cardiac procedure used to seal an opening in the heart, also known as an atrial septal defect (ASD). A patch made of synthetic material or tissue taken from another area of the heart is used to cover the hole. Occasionally, an ASD closure device may be used in addition to stitching or filling the hole.

Cost: ₹2 lakh to ₹3 lakh

How to Finance an Open Heart Bypass Surgery in India?

An open heart CABG is a costly operation, but it can lower the risk of a heart attack. If you have health insurance, you can easily pay for the CABG procedure. Your health insurance policy may cover a range of CABG treatment-related charges. In India, all health insurance plans cover the cost of heart surgery. Pre-hospitalisation, post-hospitalisation, room and board, surgeon's and OT fees, outpatient department expenses, and contemporary therapies are all covered up to the maximum insured amount. Nowadays, the market provides cardiac patients with specific health insurance.

A critical illness health insurance policy can also be purchased to provide additional coverage for the costs of a heart operation. This kind of health insurance covers all of the policyholder's post-heart surgery medical costs in one single sum payment.

Usually, the insurance policy protects you from the following.

Hospitalisation
 

The insurance plan pays up to a predetermined proportion of the total insured, which covers the cost of hospitalisation or accommodation rent.

Diagnostics
 

It protects you from having to pay for extra tests and reports that your doctor orders both before and after you are admitted to the hospital.

Medication
 

You are also protected against the cost of the medications used during the procedure by your health insurance coverage.

Doctor Fees
 

Health insurance also covers anaesthetic costs, surgeon fees, and other related expenses.

Make the Right Choice!
 

Health insurance coverage protects you against a range of illnesses, including heart bypass surgery. However, there is typically a ninety-day waiting period associated with critical illness insurance plans. In addition, there will be a two- to four-year waiting period for current cardiac patients. This is so because everybody with a heart issue is subject to a waiting time due to a pre-existing sickness. Open heart surgery cost in India can only be claimed by the insured after the waiting time has passed.

Niva Bupa’s health plans like the Health Premia Policy can cover costs associated with open heart surgery via their critical illness cover option. These plans cover practically all of the costs involved with the surgery, up to the amount insured by the best health insurance company. Since a medical emergency can occur at any time, investing in Niva Bupa’s medical insurance can be a wise decision.

FAQs
 

Is heart bypass surgery cost covered in my insurance policy?

Yes, most health insurance policies in India cover heart surgery costs. They also cover open heart surgery cost (heart bypass surgery cost/CABG surgery cost), heart blockage operation cost, hole in heart surgery cost etc. Hospitalisation expenses, such as room rent, surgeon's and OT fees, OPD charges, pre-hospitalisation costs, post-hospitalisation expenses, and modern therapies, are also covered up to the sum insured. People can also get a critical illness health insurance policy to gain more coverage for heart surgery expenses. This type of health insurance policy pays the policyholder a single sum to cover all medical expenses associated with heart surgery.

What is the current open heart surgery cost in India?

The open heart surgery cost in India may vary by region. The typical heart surgery cost in India is between ₹1.5 lakhs and ₹5 lakhs. Procedures like CABG surgery cost roughly ₹2.75 lakhs while implanting devices can cost up to ₹3 lakhs.

The open heart surgery price in india varies widely and is influenced by several factors, including type of surgery, hospital choice, location, patient’s health condition and insurance coverage.

Which hospital is best for open heart surgery in India?

The top hospitals for open heart surgery in India are:

1. Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi

2. Asian Hearts Institute, Mumbai

3. Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

4. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi

5. Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai

6. Max Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi

7. MaxCure Hospital, Hyderabad

8. Manipal Hospital, Bangalore

9. Fortis Hospital, Bangalore

10. Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad

These hospitals offer an affordable open heart surgery price in India.