Open Heart Surgery Cost in Alaska (2026)
Somewhat above the national average · RPP 108.7 · AK
What Drives Pricing Here
Three factors explain most of why open heart surgery costs what it does in Alaska.
Regional Price Parity
Alaska's cost-of-living index sits at 108.7 — above the national benchmark (100). This directly scales facility and staffing overhead, which flow through to every procedure price.
Specialist Availability
Limited local facility options in Alaska can reduce price competition. Consider quotes from neighboring states if the travel is feasible.
Vs. National Benchmark
At +8.7% above the national average ($150,000), Alaska sits in premium territory. Likely drivers: high demand, metro concentration, or tier-one facility networks.
Open Heart Surgery in Alaska: What to Know
For open-heart surgery in Alaska, Anchorage offers top-tier care. Providence Alaska Medical Center holds a three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for coronary artery bypass grafting, valve repair/replacement, and combined procedures, placing it among the nation's top 3%. Alaska Regional Hospital also performs "beating-heart surgery" for over 40% of its cases, potentially reducing complications.
While Alaska's costs are above the national average, consider options. Alaska Regional Hospital provides minimally invasive techniques. For certain less invasive cardiac procedures, the Alaska Cardiovascular Surgery Center in Anchorage, an ambulatory surgery center, may offer a different cost structure. Alternatively, many Alaskans travel to major centers in Seattle for specialized cardiac surgery, which could present another option. Verify current pricing directly with providers.
Estimated Cost Breakdown in Alaska
At 8.7% above average, open heart surgery in Alaska costs a bit more. Here's the breakdown by component.
Hospital Stay
Per-night inpatient cost
Most significant cost
Surgeon Fee
Expertise and experience level
Implants & Supplies
Operating Room
OR and equipment time
Anesthesia
Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee
Post-Op Care
Recovery and aftercare
Total Estimated Cost
Alaska all-in range
Financing Options
Many Alaska clinics partner with CareCredit or Alphaeon. A typical 24-month, 0% APR term on $163,050 looks like:
- Soft credit check — no hard pull
- Instant approval decisions
- HSA/FSA eligible for qualifying cases
Based on CMS Medicare data and regional price parities. Learn about our methodology →
Ranges adjusted for Alaska's regional price parity (108.7). See the national percentage breakdown →
Facility Costs in Alaska
CMS Medicare data shows limited facility options for open heart surgery in Alaska. Fewer providers can mean less price competition.
| Facility | City | Negotiated Rate | Medicare | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Alaska Medical Center | Anchorage | $75,355 | $73,619 | 27 |
| Providence Alaska Medical Center | Anchorage | $155,310 | $118,284 | 12 |
Expert Answers for Alaska Patients
Local regulations, insurance nuance, and surgical standards specific to Alaska.
Compare Alaska with any other state
See national pricing, all 50 state comparisons, and detailed cost factors in the main open heart surgery cost guide.
View full open heart surgery guideWhat should I expect to pay for open heart surgery in Alaska?
Why is open heart surgery so expensive in Alaska?
Will my health insurance pay for open heart surgery?
When can I return to work after open heart surgery?
Are payment plans available for open heart surgery in Alaska?
Does Alaska Medicaid cover open heart surgery?
Can I use my HSA or FSA for open heart surgery?
How we calculate open heart surgery costs in Alaska
Cost estimates combine procedure-specific pricing data with regional cost-of-living and provider-supply adjustments. Primary sources:
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Hospital pricing transparency files — CMS-required machine-readable data published by hospitals under the CMS Hospital Price Transparency rule (effective January 2021). Provides actual negotiated rates between hospitals and insurers.
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HCUP (Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project) — AHRQ's HCUP databases provide nationally-representative procedure cost data by state, payer, and patient demographics.
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Bureau of Labor Statistics — Healthcare Practitioner Occupational Wages — BLS OEWS data on surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgical staff wages by state, used to model regional labor-cost differences in procedure pricing.
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BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis state-level price-level indices, used to adjust national procedure averages for Alaska's cost-of-living relative to the national mean.
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FAIR Health Consumer Cost Lookup — the FAIR Health database aggregates billed and allowed amounts from over 36 billion claim records, providing a check on procedure-cost ranges by ZIP code.
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Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment Data — CMS public-use files on Medicare-allowed amounts and submitted charges by HCPCS/CPT code and state, used as a baseline for procedure-cost ranges.
Estimates are illustrative and reflect typical pricing ranges; actual costs depend on insurance coverage, surgical complexity, anesthesia type, hospital vs. ambulatory setting, and individual patient factors. Always confirm pricing directly with providers and your insurance carrier. See our methodology page for full calculation details.