Background The endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms by coiling needs specific and expensive medical devices. At the same time, management by social security coverage is dependent on the social status of patients and strongly affect’s the pharmacy’s budget.

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost of medical devices in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms by coiling depending on the billing system, which itself depends on social coverage category in patients in a public hospital. Hence, a zone of budgetary equilibrium, integrating different parameters, was then sought.

Material and methods This was a retrospective study of 83 cases of intracranial aneurysms, which were embolised in the neuroradiology department between January 2009 and December 2015. Data were collected from patient cards in neuroradiology and the financial department. The costs of biological analyses, radiological imaging, hospitalisation, medication and indirect costs were not included in this study.

Results For an average of 2.75 coils per patient, the average charge for the medical devices was €2000, which is close to 400% of the amount refunded by uninsured patients (€450) who represent 85% of patients treated. Health insurance of covered patients is €5364 but represents only 15%. In these conditions, the ratio revenues/expenses is 0.65. The hospital is then in deficit.

Conclusion These results show that, for budgetary equilibrium of the pharmacy, this treatment billing must be re-evaluated, especially among uninsured patients. The figure shows the budgetary equilibrium zone where revenues are between once and twice the expense of medical devices.

References and/or acknowledgements Thanks to the coauthors.

No conflict of interest