Warranty on devices and revisions

[czarr12345]

I'm curious, if you get an implant whether it be a titan or AMS, apparently these devices have a life time warranty. My question is, if the device fails, and you need a revision and since the device is under warranty, then the revision cost should be a lot lower from the initial surgery, is the a true statement Yes or No?

The reason for the question, is because I see some members post in this forum, that their revisions cost 20 + grand . That sounds like you had to pay the same cost for the revision , just like you did the first time, which does not make sense ,if the device is under warranty , the device cost should not be included in the cost of the 2nd surgery.

Can someone clear up this confusion for me?

Also, regarding the warranty, I was told, if you alter the device in anyway (i.e cutting down to size) it will void your warranty, is this true? maybe this is the reason why some revisions cost so much ...warranty was voided and now you have to buy a new device all over again. This is important to know.

[wolfpacker]

My surgery was $31k, of which $9.5k was the implant device's cost. So yes the remaining costs can still exceed $20k.

[Gt1956]

Just my opinion. I think that warranties might vary across the world. Sales in some countries might have a time limit before the warranty expires.
I'm in the USA, I'm not aware of any meaningful warranties on medical care or devices.
If my eyesight gets worse? I pay for the exam & the glasses. I've had dental fillings fall out, I paid.
At least here, most of those things are paid by my medical insurance. Any arguing over warranties would be between the medical people & the insurance company.
A fellow FT member had the exact same implant put in by the same dr as me. He paid cash & it seems that he paid similar to what my insurance paid for mine. He even drove 4-5 hours one way to get here. Plus the costs of a hotel. His surgery experience matches mine & he seems to be just as satisfied.
I suggest that you contact the implant companies in your country & ask your question. At least by doing that you'll know the truth rather than perhaps getting the wrong information from the internet.

[Gt1956]

My surgery was $31k, of which $9.5k was the implant device's cost. So yes the remaining costs can still exceed $20k.

You show a very good point. Costs can vary by a large sum of money depending on what area you get your treatment in. I'm sure the cost of doing business in NYC is higher than in most cities. Dr Eid has what is called "pricing power". His product aka skill is very sought after. Thus he has a higher business cost & he can get a premium reward for his skills.
Wolfpacker, sorry I haven't followed your posts much. How is your revision going? Good I hope.

[wolfpacker]

My surgery was $31k, of which $9.5k was the implant device's cost. So yes the remaining costs can still exceed $20k.

You show a very good point. Costs can vary by a large sum of money depending on what area you get your treatment in. I'm sure the cost of doing business in NYC is higher than in most cities. Dr Eid has what is called "pricing power". His product aka skill is very sought after. Thus he has a higher business cost & he can get a premium reward for his skills.
Wolfpacker, sorry I haven't followed your posts much. How is your revision going? Good I hope.

No revision for me! Still on the original implant and it's all good, hoping it stays that way!

[Gt1956]

My surgery was $31k, of which $9.5k was the implant device's cost. So yes the remaining costs can still exceed $20k.

You show a very good point. Costs can vary by a large sum of money depending on what area you get your treatment in. I'm sure the cost of doing business in NYC is higher than in most cities. Dr Eid has what is called "pricing power". His product aka skill is very sought after. Thus he has a higher business cost & he can get a premium reward for his skills.
Wolfpacker, sorry I haven't followed your posts much. How is your revision going? Good I hope.

No revision for me! Still on the original implant and it's all good, hoping it stays that way!

Sorry about that. I saw my error after making the post. But the forum software wouldn't allow me to edit it.

[Hrc714]

When my AMS failed at 3 years, I believe the device was under warranty. The revision doctor wanted to switch me to Titan to eliminate the need for RTE’s. My concern was that insurance would disallow the device cost as an AMS replacement would have been covered under warranty, leaving me responsible for the $10K cost. Either they don’t care or didn’t notice as it was all covered.

[easymoney]

I have a Rigicon mallabble implant supposed to have a lifetime warranty .. but they never stated if that means the device or the if the surgery is included .. I'll make it a point ot ask next week ..I'm on medicare and I'm pretty sure it would be covered for the original co-pay that I pain for the implant surgery ..

[newbie443]

Replacement surgery is more difficult in that the old device has to be removed. I know billing with healthcare is not to be trusted and the amounts listed on medical bills from a provider are greatly inflated. For my repair the hospital billed 20K for the cylinder removal tool. I would think for specialized equipment like that there would be a service to rent the tool to the facility and return it to be cleaned and packaged for the next. This would be for doctors that are low volume and do even fewer revisions than the low first implant. The point being is that replacement surgery cost more for the surgery as the doctor will also bill for the removal of the old implant and it will take longer so time billed for not only the doctors but others will be higher as will the time for the OR.

[easymoney]

never heard of that type of tool costing that much ... I have watched a ton of revision surgeries on youtube and never seen anything amazing being used to remove an implant .. some companies include disposable tools for one time use when installing an implant ..