Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Cost in India: Surgery, Medicines, & Insurance

Line of Treatment The type of pulmonary embolism treatment recommended by the doctor has the greatest impact on the overall cost. If you are recommended anticoagulant medicines, you may spend ₹1,000 to ₹20,000 per month, while procedures such as thrombolysis can cost ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh. More complex surgeries, such as pharmacomechanical thrombectomy, can increase treatment costs to ₹6 lakh.

Urgency of Treatment Pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency, and symptoms can appear suddenly. Serious blockages often need emergency procedures, intensive care and long hospitalisation, making treatment much more expensive as compared to mild cases treated with medicines alone.

Complications Serious complications of pulmonary embolism may include cardiac arrest, obstructive shock, or pulmonary infarction (death of part of the lung tissue due to inadequate blood supply). These complications may require emergency surgery, admission to the ICU, advanced monitoring, and a longer hospital stay, all of which add to the total cost of treatment.

Type of Hospital Pulmonary embolism treatment at private hospitals in Tier 1 cities is generally more expensive because of advanced facilities, specialised equipment, and experienced specialists. Government hospitals may offer the same treatment at subsidised rates.

Duration of Hospitalisation and Recovery Hospital expenses, including ICU charges, room rent, nursing care, and other in-patient facilities, are billed daily during pulmonary embolism treatment. As a result, a longer hospital stay or an extended recovery period generally incurs higher treatment costs.

Expertise and Experience of Doctors Patients with severe pulmonary embolism or those requiring complex procedures may need treatment from experienced pulmonologists, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, or interventional radiologists. Their higher consultation and procedure fees can increase the total cost of treatment.

Opt for a Cashless Treatment  Select a cashless treatment option when getting treated for pulmonary embolism. This not only reduces your out-of-pocket expenses, but also lets insurers directly settle the bill with the hospital. Inform the hospital and your insurer about your intention to use the cashless facility as soon as possible after admission.

Check Government Health Schemes You can benefit from government health insurance schemes such as Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (also called PM-JAY), which provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for each eligible family for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, including for pulmonary embolism. Some state governments also offer their own healthcare schemes, so check your eligibility before starting pulmonary embolism treatment.

Compare Hospital Charges The cost of treating pulmonary embolism can vary widely from one hospital to another. As a matter of fact, government hospitals are more affordable than private ones. The fees charged by hospitals differ according to their location, facilities and special care available. Compare treatment costs beforehand and choose a hospital that offers quality care at a budget-friendly price to help lower your total medical bills.

Choose a Covered Hospital Room Type If you have health insurance, choose a room category that your policy covers. Many insurers impose restrictions on room rent and may not cover deluxe rooms and suites. You can avoid additional out-of-pocket expenses during your pulmonary embolism treatment by staying in your eligible room category.