Angioplasty & Heart Stent Cost Estimate Checklist: Questions Before You Pay

Quick answer

An angioplasty with a heart stent is a common procedure. In India, the cost varies by hospital type, city, and stent. Government schemes like CGHS and PMJAY offer lower package rates for eligible beneficiaries. For example, a CGHS PTCA package (excluding stent) can range from ₹52,000 to ₹60,000. The PMJAY package for PTCA, excluding the stent, is ₹40,600. In private hospitals, the total cost typically ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh. Most health insurance policies cover angioplasty, but check your specific policy for details. Always request a detailed written estimate from the hospital.

Key Questions for Your Written Estimate

When getting a written cost estimate, ensure it is detailed and answers these questions:

1. Total Package Cost:

• What is the all-inclusive cost for the angioplasty with stent? Does this include the stent cost, or is it separate?
• What is the breakdown of costs for the procedure, stent(s), and hospital charges?

1. Stent Details:

• What type of stent (BMS or DES) is being used? What is its brand and model?
• What is the exact cost of each stent? Does it follow the government-regulated price cap?
• How many stents are expected? The cost increases with more stents.

1. Included Services (Pre-, During, and Post-Procedure):

• Pre-procedure: Are diagnostic tests like angiography, blood tests, and ECG included?
• Hospital Stay: What is the estimated hospital stay duration, including ICU charges? What room type is included?
• Procedure Costs: Are surgeon's fees, anaesthesiologist's fees, and catheterisation lab charges included?
• Medications: Are all medications during hospital stay and for discharge included?
• Post-operative Care: Does the estimate cover initial follow-up consultations and necessary post-procedure tests?

1. Exclusions and Potential Additional Costs:

• What services or items are not included in the estimate?
• Are there potential hidden charges or circumstances that could increase the bill (e.g., complications, extended ICU stay)?
• What are the costs for consumables and disposables?

Cost Routes: Government, Private, and Insurance

• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) / Government Hospitals:
• For eligible beneficiaries, CGHS offers package rates. A balloon coronary angioplasty (PTCA) alone costs ₹78,200–₹92,000, with the stent billed separately at the price-capped rate.
• The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) package for PTCA, including the diagnostic angiogram but excluding the stent, is ₹40,600.

• Private Self-Pay:
• In private hospitals, the total cost typically ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh. This depends on the city, hospital, number and type of stents, and complications.
• The cost of a single heart stent can range from ₹7,000 to ₹35,000.

• Health Insurance:
• Most health insurance policies cover angioplasty under hospitalisation or critical illness coverage.
• Check your policy for: coverage inclusion, waiting periods, co-payments, deductibles, pre-authorisation requirements, and network hospitals.
• Some policies may cap stent costs. It is recommended to have health insurance coverage of at least ₹10 lakh.

Understanding the Procedure and Stent Types

Angioplasty, or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), is a procedure to open blocked heart arteries. A balloon is inflated, and often a stent is placed to keep the artery open.

There are two main types of stents:

• Bare-Metal Stents (BMS): These are metal mesh tubes. They have a government price cap of approximately ₹10,762.15 (excluding GST) as of April 1, 2026.
• Drug-Eluting Stents (DES): These stents release medication to prevent re-narrowing. They are commonly recommended and have a government price cap of approximately ₹39,186.03 (excluding GST) as of April 1, 2026.

Your cardiologist will recommend the best stent type for you. Hospitals are legally required to show the stent brand, batch number, and cost as a separate line on your bill.

Final Steps

• Always insist on a detailed, written estimate from the hospital.
• If possible, get estimates from multiple hospitals to compare costs.
• Ask for clarification on anything you do not understand in the estimate.
• Contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage and claims process.

Related guides

• Angioplasty & Heart Stent Cost in India: CGHS, Govt, Private & Insurance
• Angioplasty & Heart Stent Hidden Charges: Tests, Medicines and Follow-Up
• Angioplasty & Heart Stent Cost in India for NRIs: US, UK and Gulf Guide

Sources

• Angioplasty Coverage in Health Insurance: What You Need to Know. (January 22, 2025).
• Heart Attack Cost in India vs. Preventive Screening Cost - Helius Wellness. (August 14, 2026).