2026 Forecast Verified

Open Heart Surgery Cost in Vermont (2026)

Moderately higher pricing · Regional price parity: 104.5 · VT

Vermont Average
$156,750
▲ +4.5% above national
Typical Range
$83,600 – $261,250
National avg: $150,000
Editorial view of Vermont
Regional Pricing Confidence
92% Confidence Index
The Vermont Market

What Drives Pricing Here

Three factors explain most of why open heart surgery costs what it does in Vermont.

Regional Price Parity

Vermont's cost-of-living index sits at 104.5 — 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 Vermont can reduce price competition. Consider quotes from neighboring states if the travel is feasible.

Vs. National Benchmark

At +4.5% above the national average ($150,000), Vermont sits in premium territory. Likely drivers: high demand, metro concentration, or tier-one facility networks.

State Context

Open Heart Surgery in Vermont: What to Know

For open-heart surgery in Vermont, the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVM Medical Center) in Burlington is the primary facility, serving patients from northern New York as well. This center is the only hospital in Vermont offering Tricuspid Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) and performs over 350 transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR) annually. Their Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery has a long history, providing care for over 70 years.

If cost is a primary concern, consider exploring options in neighboring states like New Hampshire or Massachusetts, which may offer more competitive pricing. Vermont Medicaid also provides non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members to appointments, even those over 100 miles away. Verify current pricing directly with providers.

Itemized Breakdown

Estimated Cost Breakdown in Vermont

Vermont runs somewhat above the national average for open heart surgery. Here's where the extra cost comes from.

Hospital Stay

Per-night inpatient cost

$38,404 - $71,321

Most significant cost

Surgeon Fee

Expertise and experience level

$21,945 - $40,755

Implants & Supplies

$16,458 - $30,566

Operating Room

OR and equipment time

$16,458 - $30,566

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist or CRNA fee

$8,778 - $16,302

Post-Op Care

Recovery and aftercare

$7,681 - $14,264

Total Estimated Cost

Vermont all-in range

$83,600 – $261,250

Financing Options

Many Vermont clinics partner with CareCredit or Alphaeon. A typical 24-month, 0% APR term on $156,750 looks like:

$6,531/mo
Est. 24 months · 0% APR promo
  • Soft credit check — no hard pull
  • Instant approval decisions
  • HSA/FSA eligible for qualifying cases

Cost estimates are adjusted for regional pricing. See how we calculate state-level costs →

Ranges adjusted for Vermont's regional price parity (104.5). See the national percentage breakdown →

Hospital-Level Data

Facility Costs in Vermont

Vermont has fewer high-volume open heart surgery facilities than most states. The rates below are from CMS Medicare claims.

Facility City Negotiated Rate Medicare Volume
University Of Vermont Medical Center Burlington $85,845 $61,457 28
University Of Vermont Medical Center Burlington $81,960 $78,019 12
Regional Comparison

Open Heart Surgery Cost in Nearby States

Compared to surrounding states, Vermont is the most affordable option for open heart surgery.

Common Questions

Expert Answers for Vermont Patients

Local regulations, insurance nuance, and surgical standards specific to Vermont.

Compare Vermont 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 guide
How much does open heart surgery cost in Vermont?
Expect to budget around $156,750 for open heart surgery in Vermont. The typical range spans $83,600 to $261,250 — where you land depends on your provider, whether you choose a hospital or outpatient center, and the specifics of your case.
Can I use insurance for open heart surgery in Vermont?
Yes — open heart surgery is generally covered by insurance in Vermont when your doctor documents medical necessity. Expect to pay your deductible and copay, but the bulk of the $156,750 cost should be covered by your plan.
When can I return to work after open heart surgery?
Most Vermont patients need 42 to 120 days to fully recover from open heart surgery. Your surgeon will schedule follow-ups during this window to monitor healing. At Vermont's cost of living (RPP 104.5), lost wages during recovery can be a significant hidden cost — budget for that alongside the procedure itself.
What payment options exist for open heart surgery in Vermont?
You have several options to cover the $156,750 average in Vermont. Third-party financing (CareCredit, Alphaeon) offers 0% intro APR periods up to 24 months. Many surgeons also accept direct payment plans or offer discounts of 10-20% for paying in full upfront.
Does Vermont Medicaid cover open heart surgery?
Medicaid coverage for open heart surgery in Vermont depends on medical necessity. If your doctor documents that open heart surgery is required for your health, Vermont Medicaid may cover part or all of the cost. Pre-authorization is typically required. Contact Vermont's Medicaid office or your managed care plan for specific coverage details.
Is open heart surgery eligible for HSA/FSA funds?
Yes — and it's worth doing. Paying for open heart surgery through your HSA or FSA in Vermont means the $156,750 comes out of pre-tax earnings. Depending on your bracket, that's $31,350 to $54,862 you keep that would otherwise go to taxes. Just save your itemized receipts.
What fees are bundled into open heart surgery costs in Vermont?
Most Vermont surgeons quote an all-in price covering their fee, anesthesia, and operating room time. But watch for extras that may not be included — imaging, lab work, prescriptions, and extended follow-up care can add 10-15% to the final bill.
Data Sources & References

How we calculate open heart surgery costs in Vermont

Cost estimates combine procedure-specific pricing data with regional cost-of-living and provider-supply adjustments. Primary sources:

  • 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.
  • HCUP (Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project)AHRQ's HCUP databases provide nationally-representative procedure cost data by state, payer, and patient demographics.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics — Healthcare Practitioner Occupational WagesBLS OEWS data on surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgical staff wages by state, used to model regional labor-cost differences in procedure pricing.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP)U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis state-level price-level indices, used to adjust national procedure averages for Vermont's cost-of-living relative to the national mean.
  • 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.
  • Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment DataCMS 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.

Compare Open Heart Surgery Cost in Every State