The Costly Overuse of Coronary Stents: A Taxpayer Burden
A report by the Lown Institute reveals that over 20% of coronary stents placed between 2019 and 2021 in the US were unnecessary, costing Medicare over $800 million annually. The study examined more than 1,700 hospitals nationwide and found that Northwest Texas Hospital and Riverview Regional Medical Center had the highest rates of unnecessary stent procedures. The overuse of stents puts patients at risk of complications and financial hardships, with Medicare paying an average of $10,615 per procedure. Private insurance companies may pay even more. Stents were found to have no better effect at treating heart disease than medication, raising concerns about patient safety and healthcare costs.
- Taxpayers Spent Over $800 Million For Unnecessary Coronary Stents A Year, Report Finds Forbes
- For some cardiac patients with stents, long-term aspirin treatments might be on the way out CNN
- Coronary stent overuse on Medicare patients is running rampant USA TODAY
- Unnecessary coronary stents cost taxpayers $800 million yearly: study Axios
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