Folks, basing on our experience and observation here is a list of FAQs for the common benefit of the ordinary consumer.Please feel free to comment/update.
We as consumers are at the mercy of the hospital chain/doctors/insurance firms/suppliers of the implants. Its indeed ironic and unfortunate that the whole business is run because of the need of the consumer; but in the end its the very consumer who is always at the receiving end.
Its a small step to make the info as much as available to help the fellow consumer make the informed choices.
TKR: Pricing
What are the key elements of the Knee Surgery Pricing?
Surgeon's fee; Operating Theater usage; Medicines used during the operation; Room rent; Implant
Which is the highest component of the pricing?
Almost to the extent of 50% of the price is towards the Implant( depending on the type of implant, brand of the implant, whether Indian or imported etc)
How is the pricing quoted to the consumer?
a) Package Price
b) Individual Elements: a la carte basis so that the patient is aware of the pricing
4) Which of the option is better?
It depends.
Ultimately the total cost of the surgery need to be compared in either of the options
- What is the going rate in the market about the TKR( single knee ie unilateral)?
Rs.225000-265000
- What does it include?
Typically, a 5-7 day stay in a private room( single occupancy); Depue implant; Surgeons fee; OT usage; Medicines and normal Physio consultation during the stay; Nursing charges & food for the patient, during the stay.
- What does it NOT include?
Any pre-op diagnostics; consultations; any post op medicine, additional blood units during the surgery; physio therapy after the discharge.
- Is the price fixed?
Never.
Its all negotiable
It all depends on the doctor, hospital. type of implants, type of room, number of days of stay etc.,
- Would the price change if I have the insurance?
May be by few thousand rupees.
- What is the trend in the pricing of late?
The price for single TKR has shot up from Rs.125000 - Rs.175000- Rs.265000 of late over a period of 1yr-8months-now.for no reason of whatsover that is discernible to the common consumer
- What is the way out?
Its a sort of cartel.the whole of the market players have jacked up the prices for no reason or rhyme but to maximize the profits.apparently from the point of a common consumer
- What is the landing charge of the implant to the hospital?
Normally the implants are purchased in bulk or the hospitals would have a very cost effective arrangement when compared to the MRP of the implant, cement, and associated items like stems.
- Would the hospital pass on this benefit to the consumer?
NO
- What do they do?
They give you an invoice for the MRP of the implant( which is 30% lesser for their landing charges) and make the profits for good.
- What happens if the TKR is unsuccessful ie if an infection has affected it?
Neither hospital nor the doctor owns up to it.
Even if the infection is detected right after the surgery and its persistent signs, neither of them really bother about you ie the consumer.
- Whats the way out?
Ideally, the hospital or the doctor who have interfaced with the hospital and who has operated must take the responsibility and offer the relief both in terms of the financial or otherwise to the patient. But its not the case so.
You got to negotiate your way thru.no matter how ignominous it is.with the hospital and the doctor.
- What happens if TKR is infected?
Then you need to incur an additional cost towards the removal of the original implant( its purely a waste); another surgery for the temporary relief, prepare the knee for the another TKR surgery.
- Would the doctor or hospital provide any relief?
NO.NOT AT ALL.
- What is the best way?
There seems to be a leeway to the extent of 30% margin on the implant; which can be negotiated with the hospital; and rest of the charges need to be discussed and arrived at with the help of the doctor.
- Why are the prices rose up so suddenly?
NO ONE knows: even the same very hospital with the same treatment that was provided a 3months back would not charge heftily only because others are charging.
- What is the ideal price for a TKR( from consumer's perspective)?
Perhaps Rs.125000-Rs150000( depending on the type of implant)
- What are the charges for a Revision Surgery( ie after initial TKR if the life of the implant is over in the normal course an additional surgery is required which is called Revision)
Revision surgery seems to be higher than that of the original TKR; again depending on the type of the implants.
- Which are the leading hospitals for the TKRs?
The usual suspects ie the multispecialty chains
- What is the best rate for the fresh TKR?
Perhaps in the range of Rs.175000
- How to approach for the price reduction?
May be the doctor should be able to help negotiate with the hospital or should you know the management of the hospital then you would perhaps get a realistic deal'; otherwise its going to be a real ripoff.ie inflated expenses only because the whole market has inflated the prices extremely high over the last 6months
