Half a million Americans travel overseas for medical care

Some experts say as many as half a million Americans traveled out of the country last year for procedures ranging from dental work to heart surgery.

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Medical tourism: Trip tips

BOOMING BUSINESS

Medical tourism isn't new. U.S. citizens for decades have been traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery and crossing into Mexico for dental work. But in the past few years, says Josef Woodman, author of Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Tourism, high-end hospitals in India, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Costa Rica and elsewhere have been aggressively marketing their services, tempting Americans with cheaper medical care and a degree of pampering virtually unknown in this country.

BY JANET FULLWOOD

Next time you grumble over talking to someone in India about your flight from Dallas to Des Moines, consider that the next thing to be outsourced just might be your health care.

As the national debate over America's medical insurance system rages on, a quiet revolution is taking place behind the scenes. In growing numbers, the nation's 61 million uninsured and underinsured citizens are giving up on a system that doesn't meet their needs and are seeking medical treatment abroad.

Estimates vary -- no government agency or organization keeps track -- but some medical experts believe as many as half a million Americans traveled out of the country last year for procedures ranging from dental work and cosmetic repairs to orthopedic and cardiac surgery.

The motivation: savings of 50 percent to 80 percent on procedures performed by doctors often trained in the United States, at hospitals that meet the strictest standards for patient care and safety.

CASE STUDY

Wayne King is a believer in a phenomenon that has been dubbed ``medical tourism.''

When his doctors recommended two-level disk replacement to resolve the pain he suffered from a pair of collapsed lumbar disks, the 35-year-old Sacramento man first tried to arrange the operation at U.C. San Francisco Medical Center.

He had medical coverage through his employer. But his PPO refused to cover the $105,000 procedure, saying it was still experimental and not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The two-level fusion surgery the PPO would have covered was highly discouraged by King's doctors.

King, who works as an insurance claims representative, says he persevered through a series of appeals, but to no avail. Frustrated, he changed jobs and tried again through his new company's carrier.

Initially, he says, the procedure was approved. ''But two weeks prior to surgery they asked the doctor for clarification on the procedure and pulled coverage,'' he says.

At the end of his rope, he decided to outsource his health care.

A segment on Dateline led him to research the medical tourism phenomenon. After a couple of false starts, King hooked up with Chicago-based MedRetreat, one of an estimated 200 agencies that have sprung up to facilitate the complex arrangements international medical travel entails.

In January, accompanied by his partner, Austin Birdsall, he flew to Penang, Malaysia, where Dr. K Parameshwaran, an orthopedic and spinal surgeon trained in Malaysia and Scotland, performed the surgery at Gleneagles Medical Centre, a private acute-care hospital with international accreditation.

In the hospital just four days, King was up and walking by the second day after surgery.

Total cost, including travel expenses, surgery, hospital stay and two weeks in a five-star hotel: $27,000.

Back home, King's doctors were on standby to provide follow-up care, including physical therapy. He was back at work in six weeks.

''The outcome was fantastic, just life-changing,'' King says. ``I used to not be able to stand more than 25 minutes at a time, which obviously limited my social ability. Now I'm able to stand and walk and get out on the bike again.''

Research a Doctor's Credentials

You should be very discriminating when choosing a doctor, whether you are looking for a general practitioner or a specialist. From education and work experience to malpractice history, there are many things to consider when researching your next physician, this is particularly important when you are considering having surgery or any other medical treatment abroad. We make our doctor's credentials readily available for your review. You should always have a one-on-one meeting with a doctor before deciding if he/she meets all your criteria.

Feel free to write us and ask as many questions as you like about the doctors in our Health Program

To request information on surgeons, doctors, dentists and other specialists write us: info@waltonhealthgroup.com or visit http://www.costaricanewlook.com/contacts/index.html and fill out or contact form.

What to take into consideration:

1. Educational Background — You want a physician who received his/her medical degree from a reputable university.
2. Medical License — A physician must hold a current state medical license in order to legally practice. This should, obviously, be the first thing you confirm about a doctor before you become his/her patient.
3. Board Certification — To be board certified in a particular area means that a doctor has received additional training as a specialist in his/her particular area of expertise.
4. Accepted Insurances — You should confirm with the doctor's office that your plan is accepted.
5. Hospital Affiliations — Check which hospital(s) your doctor is affiliated with. Being affiliated with more than one is best, as it will give you more flexibility.
   
6. Years of Experience — Normally, you will want a doctor who has been practicing for at least three years, preferably more. Even a doctor with a top-notch education and reputation needs some time to hone his/her skills in the real world.
7. Malpractice Judgments — You don't have to necessarily count a doctor out because he/she has been investigated for malpractice. Instead, look at the specifics of each case. If a doctor has several malpractice judgments on his record, however, that is a red flag.
8. Public Recognition — Look to see if the doctor in question has received any academic or community awards. Being publicly recognized by peers and/or patients is always a good sign.
9. Community Involvement — Positive community involvement speaks volumes about a doctor's integrity and dedication to medicine and to his/her community. For example, a surgeon who dedicated his/her services to third world countries or a doctor who is involved with improving the local university's medical program.

The following sources will be free of charge and should be your first choices when researching a doctor's reputation and credentials. There are many paid Web sites and services that claim to offer exclusive information about doctor backgrounds. However, you should be able to find the same information through the channels below.

1. State Medical Board — Your state's medical board will provide you with free information about a doctor's education, training, current license and board certifications. Past and present malpractice suits may be included with this report, as well. Many states will have an online database for such information, offering a simple search tool for instant results. However, you may have to request such information by phone or mail.
2. American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) — The ABMS is a non-profit organization that oversees the certification of American physician specialists. It encompasses 24 Member Boards, which offer board certification in over 130 specialty areas. To determine whether a specialist is currently certified in his/her area of expertise, you can use this site's simple search tool. Registration is required for personal use, but it is free of charge.
3. RateMDs.com — This user-driven site allows patients and colleagues to anonymously review doctors. This is a great way to hear from former and current patients. Testimonials will include a number rating for the following four areas: staff, punctuality, helpfulness and knowledge.
4. The Doctor — A free consultation will be the best way to determine whether or not your doctor is suited to your needs. He/she can answer any questions you have about their practice. Though you can access unbiased facts about a doctor from third party sources, this is how you tell if a doctor has a good bedside manner, which can be just as important as training and experience for some patients.