cost of pacer check

Hi, I am a foreign citizen who is scheduled to move to NJ for my husbnd's work for two years. I think there is no insurance for non-US cirizen which can cover pre-existing condition. So I have to pay total bill for pacer checkup in the US and would like to have an idea about how much it would be. I think it is different is the state and hospitals and would like to know just a general idea.

My doctor at home sugggest I should come back to our country for checkup for every 3 months, but I think it's a bit too tough.

I would appreciate if some of you could share information about the cost of pacer checkup.

Thank you very much for your help.

4 Comments

thank you

by kona - 2017-11-28 09:02:47

Dear Robin1,

Thank you so much for your very generous comment. It is very helpful. Since my husband will be affiliated with university as a visiting professor, not an employee, I heard his insurance coverage is limited. But I need to do more research. My current doctor says remote monitoring works only in my country (I think this is not a technical issue, but again insurance issue).

But I'll definitely do more research about the insurance. 

Thank you again for your very generous advice.

Costs are relative

by Hoosier Daddy - 2017-11-29 00:13:17

A simple 12 lead ECG in the US typically runs about $215-250. I know they won't get a 12 lead on you at a pacer visit, but I just want to establish some scale of costs for you to consider.

Next, at my initial, "60 day post implant" pacemaker clinic visit, I explicitly asked them what the charges were and they said "none" (out of pocket). Likewise, AS A PHYSICIAN, I fully understand that the costs are "bundled" into the overall care package and that AS AN INSURED PATIENT I'm not exposed directly to the billed price. But the point I'm making is that the COST TO THE PROVIDER to sit you in a small room, wheel in a fancy laptop and perform an interrogation is MINIMAL.

They aren't giving you a vaccine or a medication or using any expendable equipment.

If you tell them your situation, even with (ESPECIALLY with) NO insurance, they will very likely cut you a "cash discount", and I would strongly speculate that the discounted cash price for a basic pacer interrogation visit would be under $150 US dollars.

This MUST be less than the cost of a round trip to Japan every three months.

PS: I lived and worked in Queens decades ago, and while NYC is a big, busy city, there are some very nice areas in New Jersey. I hope very much that you enjoy your time here. I love America, we have many things a critic can criticize but we have so much good as well. Welcome.

Thank you so much!

by kona - 2017-11-29 00:26:34

Dear Robin1,

Thank you so much for additional information about insurance. After reading your message, I sent an inquiry message to my university's alumni associatoin in NYC about the contact with someone in insurance industry. I hope to receive an advice from some of them.

I truly appreciate your generous advice.

thank you!

by kona - 2017-11-29 00:29:58

Dear Hoosier Daddy,

Thank you very much for giving a detailed information about the cost of pacer check. If it's less than 300$, definitely cheaper than my round trip to Tokyo! It makes me feel much better.

My husband will be working at Manhattan, but we decided to live in Fort Leem NJ because it's cheaper and there is a Japanese community there. I too hope to enjoy my time in the US!

Thank you again for your very kind message.

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