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.
