Go
to India for a Hip Replacement? Are You Crazy?
Medical
tourism first began to get popular in the 1990's, when people began traveling
in large numbers to Brazil for cosmetic surgery. But as costs have continued
to rise, thousands of Americans have been traveling overseas for real medical
conditions, such as knee replacements, by-pass operations, heart valve replacements,
and other serious issues. Many countries are seeing medical tourism as
a good way to bring in foreign money.
In
many cases the quality of medicine available overseas is equal to the top hospitals
in the U.S. Patients are showing up at places like the Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad,
India, part of a 36-hospital chain founded by a cardiologist from Massachusetts
General. A heart valve replacement may cost $50,000 to $100,000 in the
U.S., and only $12,000 in India, including travel costs.
Escorts
Heart Institute and Research Center, in Delhi, India, is another popular medical
tourist destination. It was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan, an authority
on robotic cardiac surgery formerly based at New York University.
Blue
Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina has just announced that they will pay for
treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Over 80,000 Americans received treatment there last year. The hospital
boasts that over 200 of its doctors are board-certified in the U.S, and will
perform a knee replacement operation for 20 percent of what it would cost in
the United States.
Who
Does This?
Dodie
Gilmore is a 60 year-old rodeo barrel-racing champ from Oklahoma. She
runs a 180 acre ranch, but could no longer ride a horse because she needed a
hip replacement. Her health insurance plan had an exclusion that wouldn't
cover her operation, and she really didn't feel like paying the $35,000 it would
cost her. Instead she and her partner flew to India where she had the
surgery at the Max Institute of Orthopedics and Joint Replacement.
Her
physician was Dr. S.K.S. Marya, who averages one American hip-replacement patient
every week. Dodie's total coast, including travel, was only $11,000.
She even managed to take in a tour of the Taj Mahal.
Forty
to Sixty percent of those surveyed say they would consider surgery abroad if
it could save them $5,000 or more. Going out of the U.S. (perhaps even
just to Mexico), could be a worthwhile strategy if you have an exclusionary
waiver on your policy, if you'll be having elective surgery not covered by your
health insurance policy, or if you have a high deductible plan.
What
is the Risk?
According
to the Institute of Medicine, over 100,000 accidental deaths occur in hospitals
every year. And that's here in the U.S. Hospitals are a dangerous
place to be, and you want to spend as little of your life in one as possible.
So there are risks everywhere, and probably greater risks outside the U.S.
But
the magic of the free-market does give you some protection. There is a
lot of money flowing to countries and international hospitals that practice
high-quality medicine. If a hospital does not provide quality service,
you can bet its customers will go elsewhere, particularly if they are choosing
among anywhere in the world.
The
influx of foreign patients (and money) is enticing more western-trained doctors
to return home, so the choices are actually increasing, and the quality and
prices continue to improve. I believe that if you use care in choosing
your provider and structuring your treatment, the risks are no greater than
having surgery here in the U.S.
How
To Research Your Options
Keep
in mind that most health insurance plans still will not cover for treatment
outside the U.S., particularly if you are traveling specifically to receive
medical care. So check with your insurer if the cost of the treatment
is going to exceed your deductible.
The
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations certifies hospitals
here in the U.S., and their international division, Joint Commission International,
certifies hospitals throughout the rest of the world. Make sure the facility
that you are considering has been certified by them.
Then
check out your doctor. Confirm that he or she is English speaking, and
was trained in the U.S., U.K., Australia, or Germany.
Finally,
consider hiring a consultant to help you choose the best hospital and surgeon
for your needs. A good service will not only set up the treatment, but
can also arrange all travel plans, meet you at the airport, and act as your
liaison while you are being treated.
Discounts
for HSA for America Members
If
you spend money from your HSA to pay for international medical care, the amount
you withdraw is tax-free. HSA regulations also allow you to cover the
cost of your travel if the reason you are travelling to get medical care is
not “for purely personal reasons."
When
choosing how to manage your health, you should carefully consider all your options.
We believe that international travel is a great option in some cases, and we
want to help our members save money whenever possible.
HSA
for America has partnered with a company called PlanetHospital
to help our members if they choose to get treatment outside the United States.
PlanetHospital will review your medical situation, suggest the best international
options, and arrange for treatment. They have relationships with hospitals
in India, Singapore, Thailand, Belgium, Argentina, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
and Mexico. There are also tremendous savings available on dental services,
which when combined with a nice little vacation can cost a lot less than dental
work here in the U.S.
PlanetHospital
is the nation's leader in medical tourism, enabling its fast-growing customer
base to travel overseas for affordable, high quality healthcare services.
They maintain a worldwide network that includes accredited hospitals and trained,
experienced physicians, and they've helped thousands of Americans find affordable
medical services.
HSA
for America members will have their $100 consultation fee
waived, and will also receive a 10% discount off of PlanetHospital's normal
$395 concierge fee. To receive your discount, you must fill out the form
on our PlanetHospital
page.
