Americans are not only seeing call centers and manufacturing outsourced, but increasingly are outsourcing their own health care as well — some 500,000 did so last year alone. They are turning to hospitals in less expensive countries for cosmetic surgery and other types of care. Hospitals in New Delhi, Bangkok and other places are creating a network for “medical tourists,” often offering high-quality care at a fraction of what U.S. hospitals and doctors charge.
The risks are obvious to those considering the venture: differences in culture and communication, lack of family support, travel issues and the possible surgical complications. Do the costs and availability of comparable care in the United States really make such risks acceptable?
Posted by Angie Holladay
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3 Comments
Or what about services, such as Nighthawk Radiology Services?
Fromhttp://www.nighthawkrad.net/
“NightHawk Radiology Services has developed an innovative approach to the delivery of radiology services by operating centralized, state-of-the-art reading centers in Sydney, Australia and Zurich, Switzerland. Staffing U.S.-trained, board-certified radiologists specializing in emergency radiology, these locations are ideally situated for U.S. care because when it’s the middle of the night in Boston, it’s daytime “Down Under.” When it’s early morning in Los Angeles, it’s daytime in the Alps. From the centralized reading centers, NightHawk radiologists interpret exams and report the results to attending physicians in real-time, usually less than 20 minutes.”
Is this service used in Kansas, at smaller hospitals, especially at night?
“Is this service used in Kansas, at smaller hospitals, especially at night?”
At what cost for the service? While it may be innovative, is it necessary? Physicians on duty are usually schooled in reading xrays, mris and ct scans. I seriously doubt its (NightHawk Radiology Services) need.
Medicine will try to scare off anyone wishing to partake in another countries medical services claiming antiquated services and unknown quality of care. Seems to me that is what this government, under the orders of pharmacuticals, did with the Canada/prescription thing.
Let this government take control of itself and remember who is supposed to run this country, and I would bet medical costs would drop accordingly. We are subsidizing other countries medical costs because the medical profession knows this government will not do anything about it.
When I see the hospitle charge versus the contracted cost the insurance pays, I wonder who is subsidizing whom. For instance,a provider charge of $63.00 is discounted $11.25 because of the buying power of the insurance company.
That makes one wonder what the government, with its buying power, could discount drugs for senior citizens. Lets hope the dems can correct that situation, but as most of congress is in businesses hip pocket, don’t hold your breath.
Are the risks acceptable?
Yes. I received care in Singapore on more than one occasion.
It is world class in my opinion.