After understanding what prostatic artery embolization entails and who it is for, almost all of our patients ask the same question: How much will this procedure cost, and will it be reimbursed? Here are the concrete answers to this question, both in France and for patients coming from abroad.

Is prostate embolization reimbursed by Social Security?

Yes. Prostatic artery embolization is a recognized medical procedure, listed in the nomenclature of interventional radiology procedures. As such, it is covered by the National Health Insurance in the same way as other validated treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as transurethral resection (TURP) or laser treatment.

The level of reimbursement depends on several parameters:

your social security scheme and your personal situation (long-term condition, coordinated care pathway, etc.); ;
the facility where the procedure is performed (contracted or non-contracted healthcare sector, potential extra fees); ;
your health insurance, which supplements the basic reimbursement from Social Security.

Good to know: A detailed estimate is systematically provided to you prior to the procedure. It specifies the amount covered by Social Security, the portion covered by your supplemental health insurance, and your potential out-of-pocket expense, allowing you to proceed with complete transparency.

What elements make up the total cost of the intervention?

The total cost of prostate embolization does not boil down to the technical procedure alone. Several items may be factored into the final budget:

The embolization procedure itself, performed by the interventional radiologist, which forms the basis for reimbursement by the French Health Insurance; ;
The preoperative assessment, including arterial mapping imaging and the biological tests necessary to evaluate your eligibility; ;
Outpatient hospitalization, generally limited to half a day, which significantly reduces costs compared to traditional hospitalization; ;
Any potential additional anesthesia fees, when this is offered as an option to improve patient comfort; ;
Post-operative follow-up, including remote follow-up consultations for the procedure.

Each of these items is listed on a separate line in the quote provided to you, in order to give you a clear overview of the total cost before you make your decision.

What is the out-of-pocket expense for a patient residing in France?

For the vast majority of patients affiliated with the French Social Security system, prostate embolization is reimbursed at a high rate, or even entirely depending on the supplementary health insurance policy held. However, out-of-pocket expenses may still remain, particularly if:

an extra fee is charged by the medical team; ;
additional anesthesia fees are required; ;
Your health insurance applies a limited level of coverage for this type of procedure.

That is why we systematically provide a personalized quote in advance, so that you can accurately anticipate this amount before committing. Please feel free to contact your health insurance provider prior to your consultation to find out your exact level of coverage for interventional radiology procedures.

Embolization or surgery: what budget should you expect?

From a strictly financial standpoint, embolization often presents an advantage over traditional prostate surgery (TURP or open prostatectomy), notably because it:

takes place on an outpatient basis, without an overnight hospital stay in the majority of cases; ;
does not require general anesthesia, which reduces the costs associated with this procedure; ;
reduces the recovery period, and therefore indirect costs (sick leave, home care, transport, etc.).

Open surgery, reserved for the largest prostate volumes, remains the most expensive and burdensome option in terms of postoperative recovery, requiring a prolonged hospitalization of several days. This budgetary factor is therefore in addition to the medical criteria to be discussed with your interventional radiologist and urologist when choosing the treatment best suited to your situation.

How do the reimbursement procedures work?

In most cases, administrative procedures are simplified thanks to the direct billing, which avoids having to pay upfront for costs covered by Social Security and, depending on current agreements, by your supplemental health insurance. Specifically:

Your eligibility for embolization is confirmed during the preoperative consultation; ;
A detailed estimate is provided to you, specifying the breakdown between Social Security, supplemental health insurance, and out-of-pocket expenses; ;
The procedure is scheduled and performed on an outpatient basis; ;
Electronic healthcare claim forms are sent directly to your health insurance fund and, if third-party payment applies, to your supplemental health insurance.

We advise you to check, before the procedure, whether your health insurance covers outpatient interventional radiology procedures, as certain policies apply specific limits.

International patients: how does the care process work?

We regularly welcome patients from abroad, particularly from francophone Africa, who are not covered by the French Social Security system. For these patients, a comprehensive quote is established in advance, including:

the preoperative consultation and the eligibility assessment; ;
the intervention itself; ;
postoperative follow-up.

This estimate allows you to anticipate all the costs related to your medical stay in France, with no unpleasant surprises upon arrival. Our team remains available to assist you with the practical organization of your trip, in connection with the necessary medical and administrative documents.

How much does a prostate embolization cost?