Bypass Surgery Cost in Bangalore

What is Bypass Surgery?

Bypass surgery, or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is performed to improve blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. During CABG, a healthy artery is harvested from another body part and attached to below blocked arteries to create a new pathway for blood flow. This procedure is crucial for patients with severe blockages, particularly in major arteries like the left main coronary artery.

Traditional bypass surgery involves making a large chest incision, temporarily stopping the heart, and using a heart-lung machine to maintain blood circulation. However, minimally invasive bypass surgeries can also performed that do not require a chest incision and stopping the heart. The type of surgical procedure opted for varies based on the number of bypasses needed and the patient's health.

What is the Cost of Bypass Surgery in Bangalore?

Bypass surgery costs in Bangalore vary significantly based on several influencing factors. Take a look at the overall bypass surgery costs in Bangalore:

• Minimum Bypass Surgery Cost in Bangalore: ₹1,70,000 to ₹3,50,000
• Maximum Bypass Surgery Cost in Bangalore: ₹2,20,000 to ₹8,00,000

Disclaimer: The price mentioned above is not precise. It may vary for different types of bypass surgery and from one hospital in Bangalore to another.

What is the Cost of Different Components of Bypass Surgery in Bangalore?

Various components influence the total expense of bypass surgery in Bangalore. Here is a breakdown of the cost of these components of bypass surgery in Bangalore:

Disclaimer: The prices mentioned above are not precise. It may vary for different types of bypass surgery and from one hospital in Bangalore to another.

What are the Types of Bypass Surgery in Bangalore?

Bypass surgery encompasses several techniques, ranging from traditional open-heart procedures to minimally invasive approaches tailored to individual patient needs. Below is a table showing different types of bypass surgery procedures and their costs in Bangalore:

Disclaimer: The prices mentioned above are not precise. It may vary for different types of bypass surgery and from one hospital in Bangalore to another.

Why Does Bypass Surgery Cost Vary for Different Patients in Bangalore?

From the choice of hospital to graft and technology used, many things must be considered for a comprehensive estimate of bypass surgery costs in Bangalore. The following factors affect the total bypass surgery cost in Bangalore:

1. Hospital Selection

   The hospital is a crucial factor contributing to a cost difference in bypass surgery among patients. Reputed private hospitals and cardiac centres are more expensive than government hospitals because they have modern equipment for cutting-edge technology and a dedicated cardiac care team. Thus, a person undergoing bypass surgery at a well-known cardiac institute in Bangalore will pay more than those in a government hospital.

2. Speciality of the Surgeon

   The expertise and reputation of the surgeon also affect bypass surgery costs. The fees charged by an established skilled cardiac surgeon are usually higher than that of less-experienced ones. This is because patients feel safer with expert surgeons as they can deal with any complications during the procedure.

3. Type and Complexity of Surgery Procedure

   The type of bypass surgery required contributes to the cost. The most significant cause of this factor is that complex surgeries take longer hours to operate and demand more resources. As a result, they are more expensive. For instance, a surgeon may have to perform a traditional bypass graft to treat multiple blockages. This would raise the surgery cost for that patient compared to another patient undergoing an off-pump surgery.

4. Grafts Used

   The cost of grafts is another factor that determines the total bypass surgery cost. For instance, a saphenous vein graft from the leg will be cheaper than an internal mammary artery from the chest because it requires specific expertise and techniques. The type of graft to be used is decided by the surgeon based on the requirement and the patient’s condition.

5. Technological Use

   Hospitals that use advanced technologies will always charge more for bypass surgery due to the initial investment and additional maintenance charges of high-tech machinery. For instance, robot-assisted bypass surgery could provide more accuracy and even shorten recovery time but may be costlier than an off-pump bypass surgery that involves a longer recovery time.

6. Length of Stay in Hospital

   The length of stay in the hospital significantly affects the entire bill for bypass surgery. The more days the patient stays in the hospital, the higher will be the cost of the bypass surgery. For example, a patient recovering from uneventful bypass surgery would probably spend a few days at a hospital. However, bypass surgery patients with complications, like infections or blood clots, may have to spend more days in the hospital as they require closer monitoring. This is why hospital bills are vastly different for different patients.

7. Type of Room

   The hospital room the patient stays in impacts the bypass surgery cost. Patients staying in a private room may incur a higher bypass surgery cost than those staying in a twin-sharing room or general ward. Besides, private rooms may even allow a caretaker to stay with the patient during the entire hospital stay.

8. Extra Services/Tests

   Additional requirements like pre-operative tests, post-operative care, and medications also add up to the final bill of bypass surgery. For example, a patient may require extensive cardiac imaging prior to surgery, which can be pretty expensive. Similarly, patients who have been advised to take rehabilitation sessions end up paying more than patients who do not require rehabilitation sessions.

Does Health Insurance Cover Bypass Surgery in Bangalore?

Yes, bypass surgery costs in Bangalore are covered by health insurance plans in India. They provide coverage for hospitalisation expenses, room rent, ambulance charges, surgery costs, pre-hospitalisation diagnostic tests and post-surgery care. However, the extent of coverage may vary significantly depending on the opted plan.

Heart-specific insurance policies offer customised coverage for cardiovascular conditions. They include the cost of bypass surgery, pre-surgery diagnostic tests and post-operative rehabilitation. On the other hand, critical illness insurance policies usually pay a lump sum amount to the insured in case of a heart attack or if a CABG is suggested for the treatment of critical conditions, such as coronary artery disease. The amount can be used to pay for surgical expenses, diagnostics and rehabilitation costs.

Most health insurance policies have waiting periods before the benefits can be availed. Standard mediclaim policies typically have 30 days of waiting period. However, the waiting period for critical illness plans can extend for up to 90 days.

In case patients have pre-existing diseases (PEDs), such as previously diagnosed heart disease, the waiting period can be up to 3 years. This means the treatment costs for these conditions will not be covered until the policyholder serves the waiting period.