Bill Of The Month: $43,208 For Repeat Surgery To Replace Broken Medical Device

Sarah Witter fractured two bones in her lower left leg while skiing in Vermont last February. She had two operations to repair the damage. The second surgery was needed to replace a metal plate that broke after it was implanted.

If implanted medical devices fail, patients and their insurers usually have to pay for repairs. That financial responsibility falls to them even when the problems were solely with the devices.

(Image credit: Matt Baldelli for KHN)

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