What is the Cost of a Heart Transplant?

Heart Transplant Cost in India: Pricing Breakdown

A heart transplant is done when a patient cannot survive with their own heart. In this surgery, the patient’s heart is replaced with an organ donor’s heart. However, there are very strict criteria for this surgery. Moreover, the heart is a rare organ, which makes this surgery costly.

A heart transplant is a life-saving procedure with a high success rate. Knowing its cost can help you stay informed and prepare for the surgery.  

Average Cost of a Heart Transplant in India

Many different factors affect the cost of a heart transplant in India. Therefore, the price is a dynamic figure. On average, this surgery costs around Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh in India, including pre-surgery checkups and post-operation care.

However, this cost does not cover any additional medications or treatments required.

City-Wise Heart Transplant Cost

Here are the costs of a heart transplant in major cities of India:

Always remember that these prices can vary according to various factors. Always check with your hospital and insurer to determine the final price.

Factors Affecting the Cost of a Heart Transplant

As mentioned earlier, several factors influence heart transplant costs in India. They are as follows:

Government vs Private Hospitals

Whether you get this surgery in a private or government hospital greatly affects the overall cost. Generally, government hospitals have lower rates than private hospitals.

Location of the Hospital

Along with the type of hospital, its location also adds to the price. Hospitals located in tier 1 cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi or Hyderabad may charge more than others.

Complications of the Surgery

Many times, a patient’s body may develop infections due to the surgery. Additionally, a patient’s body may reject the new heart. In such scenarios, re-hospitalisation and further treatments are necessary, adding to the price.

Donor Organ Availability

Since the heart is a rare organ, patients may have to wait for a suitable donor. This can significantly increase its price due to longer care and assistance.

Surgical Team Expertise

A heart transplant requires extreme precision and expertise. Therefore, doctors and surgeons with high success rates and experience may charge higher fees. Moreover, a surgical team consists of doctors such as cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, and others.

Hospital Stay Duration

Lastly, the longer a patient stays in the hospital, the greater the bill. This includes hotel bills, medicine bills and other associated costs.

Who Should Get a Heart Transplant?

A heart transplant is primarily for people whose hearts are failing even after medical treatments. Therefore, people with the following conditions may get this procedure:

• Myocardial Infarction or MI (Heart attack)
• Congenital heart disease
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• High blood pressure
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Emphysema
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD
• Anemia
• Substance abuse or alcoholism

Does Insurance Cover a Heart Transplant?

Yes, heart transplant surgery is covered by insurance in India. There are different plans which cover this surgery. They are:

• State and central insurance schemes
• Critical illness plans
• Group insurance schemes
• Comprehensive health insurance schemes

A heart transplant is a life-saving surgery that has significantly reduced the mortality rate. However, this surgery can be expensive, and not everyone can afford it. You can get partial or full coverage for this procedure with health insurance.