Category: Surgery
How lifesaving organs for transplant go missing
In a nation where nearly 113,000 people are waiting for transplants, scores of organs — mostly kidneys — are discarded after they don’t reach their destination in time.
A $41,212 appendectomy
Healthcare Bluebook estimates the price of the procedure ranges from $9,678 to more than $30,000– and the“fair price” it suggests for the surgery is $12,090.
“Prehabilitation” — rehab before surgery — improves outcomes, study
An inexpensive program to help surgery patients get physically and mentally ready for their upcoming operation may help reduce overall costs and get them home faster
To Save Money, American Patients And Surgeons Meet In Cancun
US hospital costs are so high it makes sense for an orthopedic surgeon from Milwaukee and a patient from Mississippi to go to Mexican hospital for the surgery.
Human-animal hybrids are coming
Human-animal hybrids are coming and could be used to grow organs for transplant. What does it mean? A philosopher weighs in
The Talk Seniors Need To Have With Doctors Before Surgery
Older patients have different priorities than younger ones. More than longevity, they value remaining independent and having quality time with loved ones
Calls Grow For Medicare To Cover Anti-Rejection Drugs After Kidney Transplant
Medicare has covered transplant patients who had end-stage renal disease. But coverage ends after 36 months for those younger than 65.
Minorities face obstacles to transplants
African American, Latinx and Native American patients often wait longer for life-saving transplants – or never receive one at all because of barriers to care.
Alcohol-Linked Disease Overtakes Hep C As Top Reason For Liver Transplant
One reason for the shift, researchers said, is that hepatitis C, which used to be the leading cause of liver transplants, has become easier to treat with drugs.
Got surgery coming up? Get out and walk.
Eating well and exercising before surgery can improve surgical outcomes even among patients who have extremely serious procedures.
Medical device breaks – a big bill follows
Charges: $99,159 for emergency services, therapy and hospital care, including $52,587 for the first surgery and $43,208 for the second to replace broken device.
One Breast Implant, Two Prices. It Depends on Who’s Paying.
Breast implants pricing gives a glimpse into how hospitals mark up prices of medical devices to boost their bottom lines.
No Cash, No Heart. Transplant Centers Require Proof Of Payment.
Virtually all transplant centers require patients to verify how they will pay bills that can total $400,000 for a kidney transplant or $1.3 million for a heart.
Sales Reps May Be Wearing Out Their Welcome In The OR
Patients might not realize that salespeople working on commission are frequently present in the OR and sometimes even advise the clinical team during surgery.
Hospital ads play on fear and fun
Hospitals are using dramatic TV spots to attract lucrative patients into their hospitals as health care costs and industry competition escalate.