Angiogram Cost

Angiogram procedures are defined by where in the body they’re performed. Some of the most common angiography procedures include:¹

• Coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterisation): Checking the heart muscle, coronary arteries and nearby blood vessels.
• CT coronary angiogram (CTCA): Performs the same purpose as a standard coronary angiography but uses computed tomography.
• Cerebral angiogram (brain angiogram): Checking the blood vessels in the brain and neck area.
• Pulmonary angiogram: X-ray of the blood vessels in the lungs.
• Renal angiogram: Checking the blood vessels and arteries in your kidneys.
• Retinal angiogram: Checking the blood vessels in your eyes.
• Leg angiogram: Checking the blood vessels in your leg.

Your healthcare professional or cardiologist may want you to have an angiogram to help detect and investigate issues like:^1,2

• Abnormal blood vessels
• Blockages in blood vessels
• Narrowing of blood vessels
• Blood clots
• Coronary artery disease/coronary heart disease (increasing the risk factor for heart attacks)
• Increasing chest pains (angina)
• Irregular heartbeats.

Along with the diagnosis, the following issues can potentially be treated through conventional angiography:¹

• Narrow arteries can be treated to increase blood flow by inserting a tiny balloon (angioplasty) or a stent
• Blood clots can sometimes be removed
• Blood vessels can be blocked to prevent bleeding.

Yes, private hospital insurance can potentially cover angiograms, depending on your level of cover. Coronary angiograms fall under the ‘heart and vascular system’ category, a minimum requirement for Silver and Gold tier levels of hospital cover. Medicare covers 75% of the MBS fee (the fee set as the reasonable cost for the procedure), and your health fund will cover the remaining 25%. Your policy may also help pay for accommodation fees and theatre costs. Keep in mind, though, that there may be a ‘gap’ between the MBS and specialist fees; depending on your policy, your health fund may cover all of this gap payment, or you may have some out-of-pocket expenses.

Having health insurance allows you to be treated as a private patient, which has a range of benefits over being a public patient, including:

• Avoiding public waiting lists
• Choice of specialist and clinic (subject to availability)
• Ability to book procedure time
• A private room (subject to availability).

If you go to a bulk-billing facility, Medicare will cover some angiograms (such as retinal angiograms). You may have some out-of-pocket expenses if you go to a private clinic that doesn’t bulk bill.

Coronary angiography performed through the public health system will be covered by Medicare. However, public hospitals often have lengthy waiting lists due to the demand for health services. How long you’ll have to wait can depend on where you’re located and your procedure.