Compare 37 cardiothoracic surgeons in Salt Lake City, UT. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
37
Cardiothoracic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
86%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Salt Lake City sits at the intersection of two healthcare powerhouses: the University of Utah, a national leader in genetic research and precision medicine, and Intermountain Health, one of the most studied healthcare systems in the world for operational efficiency. Between them, the Wasatch Front has a depth of care that rivals metros three times its population.
Salt Lake City has 37 cardiothoracic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (86%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
University of Utah Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute occupy the foothills east of downtown, accessible via TRAX light rail and bus routes. Intermountain Medical Center, the system's largest facility, sits in Murray about 15 minutes south of downtown. Primary Children's Hospital is adjacent to the U of U campus. The Wasatch Front's north-south layout means most healthcare travel follows I-15 or I-215, and TRAX connects several key medical centers.
Providers practice throughout Salt Lake City. Sugar House is a walkable neighborhood with independent practices and proximity to the University of Utah medical campus. The Avenues is a historic hillside neighborhood near the University of Utah Hospital and Primary Children's Hospital. Downtown Salt Lake City is intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah clinics serve the urban core. Capitol Hill is a central neighborhood near both the U of U medical campus and LDS Hospital.
Nearby hospitals include University of Utah Hospital, Intermountain Medical Center (Murray, nearby), and Primary Children's Hospital. Local training programs run through University of Utah School of Medicine and University of Utah. Intermountain Health, headquartered near Salt Lake City, is one of the most studied healthcare systems in the world for operational efficiency.
The consultation includes a review of your cardiac or thoracic imaging, lab work, and previous testing (echocardiograms, cardiac catheterization, CT scans). The surgeon will explain the recommended procedure, expected outcomes, risks, and recovery timeline. For heart surgery, pre-operative testing may include dental clearance, blood typing, and a meeting with the anesthesia team. Recovery from open-heart surgery typically involves several days in the ICU and a total hospital stay of five to seven days.
New patient appointments with University of Utah or Intermountain primary care typically take one to three weeks. Both systems operate MyChart portals for scheduling and messaging. Bring your insurance card and any recent lab results.
See a cardiothoracic surgeon for coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery, heart valve disease (aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation), aortic aneurysms involving the thoracic aorta, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, and pleural conditions. Your cardiologist, pulmonologist, or oncologist will typically make the referral when surgery is being considered.
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Bypass surgery (CABG): $70,000-200,000 · Valve replacement: $50,000-170,000 · VATS lobectomy: $30,000-80,000
Salt Lake City, UT has 37 licensed cardiothoracic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Salt Lake City, UT are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
SelectHealth (Intermountain's insurance arm) is one of the largest carriers in Utah, alongside Regence BlueCross BlueShield, DMBA, and UnitedHealthcare. Utah expanded Medicaid in 2020, and managed care runs through Molina and Healthy U. Both major health systems accept a broad range of plans.
A consultation copay is $50 to $100. Coronary artery bypass costs $70,000 to $200,000. Heart valve replacement costs $80,000 to $170,000. Lung lobectomy costs $30,000 to $80,000. Actual costs in Salt Lake City, UT depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Cardiothoracic surgery involves the highest costs in surgery. Hospital stays average five to ten days. Bills include the surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesia, perfusionist (heart-lung machine operator), ICU charges, and implants. Confirm all providers are in-network before the procedure.
University of Utah and Intermountain Health are the two dominant systems, and most specialists are affiliated with one or the other. Start by checking which system your insurance covers best. For rare or complex conditions, the University of Utah is the regional referral center. Intermountain covers a broader geographic footprint with clinics across the Wasatch Front.
49% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Salt Lake City, UT accept Medicare. Medicare covers medically necessary cardiothoracic procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, and lung cancer surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery is also covered. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some cardiothoracic surgeons in Salt Lake City, UT accept Utah Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary cardiothoracic surgery. Prior authorization is required. Coverage includes surgeon, facility, anesthesia, ICU, and post-operative rehabilitation. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Utah Medicaid participation before scheduling.
University of Utah Health is the academic medical center, focused on research, complex cases, and subspecialty care. Intermountain Health is a large nonprofit system with hospitals and clinics across Utah and surrounding states, focused on operational efficiency and population health. Both are highly regarded, and many patients use both systems depending on their needs.
During temperature inversions, typically in January and February, the Salt Lake Valley can have some of the worst air quality in the country. Local physicians see increased visits for asthma, bronchitis, and COPD flare-ups during these periods. Patients with respiratory conditions should monitor air quality indexes and limit outdoor activity on red days.
Top accepted carriers in Salt Lake City, UT include unitedhealthcare, medicare, molina, qhp-63474, and qhp-42261.
Cardiothoracic surgery is covered under medical insurance for medically indicated conditions. These are complex, expensive procedures that always require prior authorization. Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans (typically 36 sessions). Verify that all members of the surgical team and the hospital are in-network. Hospital stays for heart surgery commonly exceed $100,000 before insurance.