FrankTalk.org

Hi guys,

I've finally come to the realization and acceptance that I need an implant, and have a few questions regarding payment.

My situation: I'm a 28-year-old Canadian. My universal healthcare covers implants, but the waitlist is long, and the surgeons don't do implants often, so I've decided to self-pay for one of the high volume guys.

My questions:

a) I keep reading that self-pay usually runs about 20k, but the guys with insurance post bills of 40, 50, 60k+. Why the difference?

b) Both the Kramer and Coloplast websites claim a 'lifetime warranty' for the device. How does this work? If the device fails for any reason, even a 'natural' death in 10 years, the manufacturer replaces the device free of charge? (plus operation fees). Apparently a Pennsylvania man sued Coloplast for not honoring their lifetime warranty and lost (Google: Coloplast Implant Warranty).

c) Is there any way to buy insurance that covers you in the event you get an infection and need a salvage procedure? I can afford the initial 20k, but not any additional unanticipated procedures. I don't need full medical insurance, just something to protect myself in case of a complication. Or are salvage procedures free of charge?

Thanks in advance!
Conway

I can't answer your other questions, but as to the $40K to $60K costs mentioned, the costs shown on the bills to insurance companies are rarely the actual costs billed. Insurance companies will pay X, and the doctors and hospitals either agree, or they're not included in the insurance companies' networks. Medicare is even worse, as they pay less.

If you're paying your own way, you'll get an even better price.

The bill for my surgery was nearly $70K. I know the hospital and doctor didn't get more than a third of that.

If you need a revision, the implant company will supply a replacement unit free of charge. The cost of the unit itself is over 8k.

A revision for any reason? I'm 28, so I'll need a few replacements over time. Once I pay for the initial device, all future devices are free?

conway_96 wrote:A revision for any reason? I'm 28, so I'll need a few replacements over time. Once I pay for the initial device, all future devices are free?

As long as the revision is due to failure of the device.

My understanding is the device is free if it fails but the surgery is not.

alibaba wrote:My understanding is the device is free if it fails but the surgery is not.

Correct

Hey guys,

I have a question on the 'lifetime warranty' for the device?
Do you guys have any contract with AMS / Coloplast that reads that the company will supply a replacement unit free of charge if the device fails?
I have been implanted for 10 months now with a Coloplast Titan OTR (which works great), but I think I do not have any document that says I'll be getting a new device for free if this one fails.
I do remember my doctor telling that though.

Only thing I got was a 6 page foldout card with AMS picture of the device, model LGX, how to pump and deflate it and written on it who put it in and my cell phone number ( which I never use). lines such as serial number and such left blank. No warranty paperwork.

Not really an answer useful to you because my surgery was paid by Medicare, but the bills that I saw showed the surgery was billed at $75,000 by a major teaching university hospital. But as someone posted earlier, Medicare did not pay nearly that much and neither did my supplemental insurer.