Kiplinger’s pick: Galichia Heart Hospital

Galichia Heart Hospital’s discounted fees are getting national attention.

In February, the hospital made news by announcing it would offer heart bypass surgery for a flat fee of $10,000, undercutting other hospitals’ charges by more than $20,000. And in April it treated its first out-of-country patient: a Canadian willing to pay cash for a hip replacement he would have waited months or years for back home.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine noted those trends in its January issue on saving money. ” Forget traveling abroad to save on medical procedures. A trip to America’s heartland can be just as healthy for your wallet,” the article begins.

Nice to see us getting the attention.

4 Comments

  1. Posted December 31, 2008 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    This likely reflects the discount the hospitals give insurance companies anyway. So, all Galichia is doing is allowing private payers the same price – which is a good thing.

    Most health care is discounted about 50% to insurance companies. Allowing that to consumenrs would make a big difference for many people.

  2. ictBest
    Posted December 31, 2008 at 9:41 pm | Permalink

    Just like 4 dollar prescriptions. Free Markets really work for the best interest for the people. :)

  3. Frank_Lingo
    Posted January 1, 2009 at 12:43 pm | Permalink

    “I can get it for you wholesale!”

  4. eagle315
    Posted January 12, 2009 at 3:30 pm | Permalink

    This is wonderful maybe, just maybe a light at the end of the tunnel in the out of control medical industry cost spiral.