The most expensive medical procedures in the US

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

There are a number of factors that influence the price of a medical procedure. One of them is how complex it is.

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Procedures that require specialized medical equipment, including machines and surgical instruments, tend to be more expensive overall.

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Some surgical procedures require specialized surgeons and other medical staff. Such procedures are more expensive due to the expertise of the people performing them.

Heart transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

A transplant is the last resort for many heart conditions that cannot be managed through other means. A heart transplant team consists of a number of medical professionals, from cardiovascular surgeons to electrophysiologists, among others.

Liver transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Replacing a liver is a complex and expensive surgical intervention. A patient with a diseased or damaged liver can have a healthy organ transplanted from either a living or deceased donor.

Bone marrow transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

A bone marrow transplant is one of the most expensive medical procedures in the US. Also known as a stem cell transplant, this procedure is performed in the treatment of a number of blood and lymphatic system conditions, including cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Double lung transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Replacing both lungs is a delicate procedure that involves a great deal of expertise and resources, including a number of pulmonologists with different specializations.

Intestinal or small bowel transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Replacing the small intestine is a complex procedure, but this is often the only option for patients with intestinal failure.

Pancreas transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

A pancreas transplant is a game-changer for patients with type 1 diabetes. The procedure is anything but simple, and a matching pancreas must be found, so waiting lists are long.

Kidney transplant

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Kidneys fail, and when they do, they no longer do their job. The only option in such cases is a kidney transplant. Despite the complexity, it’s one of the most popular types of transplants.

Exploratory chest surgery

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Unlike other procedures on this list, this is a pre-diagnostic surgery that can be used to detect certain conditions. It’s also used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The price tag? Over $137,500.

Esophagectomy

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

A partial removal of the esophagus is often performed to remove tumors and treat esophageal cancer. This is also a very expensive procedure that costs over $113,700.

Tracheostomy

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

A tracheostomy involves opening the trachea (at the front of the neck) to insert a tube for the patient to breathe through. It costs around $102,400.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, involves placing a replacement valve in the heart using a catheter. This is an expensive procedure and costs around $85,279.

Carotid artery stent

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

In this procedure, a mesh metal tube, called a stent, is placed into the blocked artery, allowing blood to flow to the brain. At over $77,500, it’s also a very expensive surgery.

Lumbar spine surgery

Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: complexity, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: equipment, Factors that make a medical procedure expensive: medical staff, Heart transplant, Liver transplant, Bone marrow transplant, Double lung transplant, Intestinal or small bowel transplant, Pancreas transplant, Kidney transplant, Exploratory chest surgery, Esophagectomy, Tracheostomy, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Carotid artery stent, Lumbar spine surgery

This surgery is performed to treat a number of conditions, including deformities and injuries such as herniated disks. This lower back surgery can cost over $75,300.

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