Compare 44 cardiothoracic surgeons in Milwaukee, WI. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
44
Cardiothoracic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
86%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Milwaukee's healthcare is anchored by two systems serving different populations. Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin handle academic and trauma care from their Wauwatosa campus, while Advocate Aurora runs the largest community hospital and clinic network across the metro. Children's Wisconsin is one of the top pediatric hospitals in the Midwest, and the city's significant health disparities between neighborhoods mean where you live is a real factor in what care looks like.
Milwaukee has 44 cardiothoracic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (86%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Third Ward, East Side, Bay View, and Walker's Point.
Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin campus sit in Wauwatosa just off I-94. Aurora St. Luke's is on the south side near Bay View. Downtown and Third Ward residents are roughly equidistant from both. MCTS bus routes connect to major hospitals, but most patients drive. Parking at Froedtert is free, though the campus is large, so allow time to navigate between buildings.
Nearby hospitals include Froedtert Hospital, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, and Children's Wisconsin. Local training programs run through Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University. The Medical College of Wisconsin is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro and a leading center for cancer and cardiac research.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the dominant commercial carrier in the Milwaukee area. UnitedHealthcare and Humana also have significant employer-plan market share. BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Medicaid) covers a substantial portion of the city's population. Advocate Aurora participates in most networks, while Froedtert/MCW accepts most commercial plans but may require prior authorization for some services. 57% accept Medicare.
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.
If you are establishing care in Milwaukee, you will likely choose between the Froedtert/MCW network and the Advocate Aurora network. Each uses its own patient portal (MyChart for both, but separate instances). Bring printed records if transferring between systems.
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
Milwaukee, WI has 44 licensed cardiothoracic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Milwaukee, WI are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Wisconsin does not run its own ACA marketplace. Residents enroll through HealthCare.gov with plans from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina, and Common Ground available in Milwaukee County. BadgerCare Plus is the state Medicaid program. Employer plans often run through Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, or Network Health.
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 Milwaukee, WI 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.
Milwaukee healthcare runs through two main systems: Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin (academic, trauma, and specialty care in Wauwatosa) and Advocate Aurora Health (the largest community hospital and clinic network). Ascension also operates several facilities. Your insurance plan's network often determines which system is most affordable.
57% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee, WI accept BadgerCare Plus, 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 BadgerCare Plus participation before scheduling.
Froedtert Hospital, affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin, is the region's academic medical center and only adult Level I trauma center. It handles complex cases, transplants, and cancer treatment. Advocate Aurora Health operates a larger network of community hospitals and clinics, including Aurora St. Luke's, one of the busiest cardiac care centers in the state.
Marquette University School of Dentistry offers dental care at reduced rates. Federally qualified health centers like Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and Progressive Community Health Centers also provide dental services on a sliding-scale basis.
Top accepted carriers in Milwaukee, WI include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-44228, qhp-86584, and qhp-81413.
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.