If you happen to be shopping for the best price for getting your arteries opened up, you can hardly beat Des Moines.

The median cost of angioplasty procedures — among the most common treatments for heart disease — is just $18,355 in Des Moines, compared with a national median of $27,144.

The procedure ranged from just over $15,000 to $22,716 in Des Moines hospitals, according to a new report by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The median cost in Des Moines was lower than the median cost in 86 of the 100 markets where claims data were available.

The report, “A Study of Cost Variation for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (Angioplasties) in the U.S.,” shows that angioplasty procedures can cost more than five times as much depending on which hospital a patient chooses within a market.

While many angioplasty procedures are performed while a patient is experiencing a heart attack, the procedures studied in this report are not performed on such an urgent basis, making it possible for some individuals to consider quality and cost as they choose the best facility for their care.

“This study shows the value of providing consumers with data that will better inform their health care decisions,” said Mike Fay, vice president of health networks for Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Des Moines. “It also demonstrates that through collaboration with our local hospitals, we have implemented payment methodologies with an annual update tied to the Consumer Price Index to help reduce the rate of increase in health care costs for our members.”

To help consumers identify high-quality, affordable hospitals, Wellmark recognizes local hospitals with its Blue Distinction Centers+ designation, which recognizes medical centers that demonstrate expertise in delivering patient care safely and effectively and are also 20 percent or more cost-efficient than non-designated facilities. In Iowa, there are nine Blue Distinction Centers+ for Cardiac Care, including two in Des Moines.