How Much Does Removal and Replacement of Dual-Lead Defibrillator System Cost?
This procedure involves surgically removing an existing implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) system, including its atrial and ventricular leads, and replacing it with a new one. It is performed when the existing device or its leads are malfunctioning, depleted, or need upgrading to manage heart rhythm disorders.
💡 The doctor's Medicare fee is $344 — that's what the physician receives. Hospital/facility charges are separate.
What does Replace Dual-Lead Defibrillator cost where you live?
Prices vary by location. Pick your city to see local hospital prices.
Why do some cities cost 3–4× more than others?
Most of the difference is hospital pricing, not the medicine. The procedure itself is essentially the same everywhere — what changes is what the facility charges:
- Hospitals set their own prices. There's no national price for a procedure, so two hospitals — even in the same city — can charge wildly different amounts for identical care.
- Local costs differ. Wages, rent, and malpractice insurance are far higher in big metros (e.g. San Francisco, New York) than in smaller cities. Medicare adjusts the doctor's fee for this, but only modestly; hospital charges swing much more.
- Competition matters. In areas with few hospitals or one dominant health system, prices tend to run higher. Competitive markets push them down.
- Insurer contracts vary by region, which moves both the negotiated and cash prices.
💡 Because the difference is mostly pricing power — not quality — it's worth comparing hospitals and asking for the cash/self-pay rate, which is often far below the list price.
Hospitals in
| Hospital | Median price | Range |
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Prices from the Hospital Price Transparency Act. Median = middle price across insurers at that hospital.
Common Questions
How much does Replace Dual-Lead Defibrillator cost?
Does Medicare cover Replace Dual-Lead Defibrillator?
How much does it cost without insurance?
Why is the price so different between hospitals?
Why does Replace Dual-Lead Defibrillator cost so much more in some cities than others?
What should I ask before scheduling?
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