How do they work out the cost of operations?

Question

Some operations cost in excess of £45,000.00 -how is this costed? Is most of it going to the surgeon, or on the equipment? Why can't they be done cheaper?

I am thinking particularly of the guy who is being forced to sell his house for an operation which his PCT will not fund.

www.freewebs.com/petesfund

Please visit his website and help out if you can.

Answer 1

the surgeon basically asks himself "how much money does that car cost?" and then he bases the cost of the operation on that.... Oh, yeah and the people making the equipment also ask themselves, "how much money does that holiday cost"

Answer 2

The best example of how operations are costed comes from Private Health Care companies who have a vested interest in not being overcharged.

Each operation - or procedure - has a specific code attached to it. So if somebody is having a heart bypass the insurance company will want to see the code for that procedure on the invoice. They will then pay a fixed cost for that 'procedure'. On top of that there are surgeons fees and aneathetists fees, which are charged separatly.

This 'code' idea was implemented to help clear up the confusion as to what was being done. Several codes can be applied to one operation and totted up.

Answer 3

I have worked on the speciality codes for costings via the nhs. most of it is down to the specifics of the consultant and the amount of staff needed for the op. If the operation is a speciality operation that can be only done by a certain or a couple of consultants in the country this will add to the costs. Speak to your local GP about the new choose and book system. they may be able to raise the operation somewhere at a lower cost. Choose and book gives the patient the choice of where the operation should be for referral
Hope this helps

Answer 4

The cost is calclated based on cost of the surgeon per hour, use of medical equipment per hour, drugs used and nursing staff per hour. The PCT won't fund it cos all the PCT's are in major debt crisis and ae looking at ways of reducing costs. This means some expensive operations are out. What the hell is it anyway? Even the most complex surgery only costs about £10,000!

Answer 5

the cost is made up of the wages of everyone involved from the surgeon to the cleaners also the cost of any after care and the food bill, in a way how a hotel bill is worked out, so laundry has to be counted in too

Answer 6

Ask for a break down of the cost. But I bet you would not get one

Answer 7

it ensures that the surgeon can charge even more for the organs he sells on the black market

Answer 8

accountants with blood on their hands