wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] RD from Battery Park August 15, 2007 - 11:11AM

  The medical tourism industry seems to prey on those who cannot afford health care in the US and also directs Americans' attention away from the US healthcare system's inherent problems.

  
  
• [2] Cale, M.D. from Paterson, NJ August 15, 2007 - 11:16AM

  When these people return home from their treatment, some get complications. And they end up in my ER. Their doctors are not available, and the physicians who are on call for that particular speciality (e.g. plastics) are reluctant to take care of someone elses work. (Actually the same thing happens when someone has a procedure in Manhattan, comes back to N.J.and has a complication). How do you deal with this?

  
  
• [3] Jon Pope from Hewitt, NJ August 15, 2007 - 11:19AM

  Who inspects these hospitals? Are they backed by the American Medical Association? Who checks the accreditation of the foreign doctors? Do they have the same strict annual accreditation system American doctors go through? Where are these doctors educated?

  
  
• [4] Adel Hussein from NYC August 15, 2007 - 11:26AM

  The hospitals and doctors themselves may be at acceptable standard. However, the question is whether blood supply quality is acceptable. It is difficult to give blood in NYC because of restrictions on foreign travel or medication used. Are these standards or acceptable alternative standard apply to the blood supply used by these hospitals?

  
  
• [5] Cora from NY August 15, 2007 - 11:31AM

  In many developing countries in Eastern Europe the doctors runnuig their own clinics were trained in the US and have the same standards as in US, the same techniques and most of the instruments they use, especially the high end medical technology are from Sweeden. They have returned to their country after the communism failed and are thriving. Lasick surgery in the year 2001 was $400 per eye, while in US was $5000 per eye.

  
  
• [6] rb from brooklyn August 15, 2007 - 11:49AM

  maybe the price advantage overseas would not be so large, if doctor'/hospitals would not overcharge the uninsured...(up to double or triple what they are getting re-imbursed from insurance companies). imho, they should be required by law to charge the same amount for the same services/procedures regardless of the insurer or even uninsured. there should be alot more price transparency available (preferably online).

  Does anyone know of a price comparison site for standard medical procedures?

  A price list for what insurers compensate doctors/hospitals for services/procedures would be very helpful also.

  
  
• [7] Healthbase from Boston, US August 15, 2007 - 11:53PM

  The international hospitals that cater to foreign patients including Americans mostly choose to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (the international accrediting branch of JCAHO).

  More at http://www.jointcommissioninternational.com

  JCI ensures the quality of hospitals in its network through Coverage From Patient Entry to Discharge, Assessment for All Aspects of Management, Two Levels of Compliance, Creating a Culture of Patient Safety, and Assessment and Improvement for Many Key Functions.

  More at https://www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/websiteFaq.jsp#31

  In essence, the quality of care delivered by the complying overseas healthcare providers is at par with those in the US.

  Most of the times, the surgeons employed by these overseas hospitals are US board certified and they have received formal education and/or training in the US or the UK for years before practicing in their home country.

  For more information about international hospitals and surgeons catering to American / Canadian / British patients, log on to http://www.healthbase.com.

  
  
• [8] sonja Muller, R.N., from Ottawa, Ontario, CAnada July 30, 2008 - 05:27PM

  While individuals who can afford surgery and pay travel expenses are granted special care and are involved in hostpital without borders, our poor are the highest risk population, who have no funds available even for procedures in their own clinics for simple procedures. I am a registered nurse, and can authentically say i am not interested in medical propriety as a way of establishing health care. It is unreasonable and costly, and is for the rich.