I only just saw your blog and I’m apparently the guy you folks wanted to hear from. Firstly, I came to India as a business man exploiting the great technological talent of nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers, etc., for the west. Little did I realize at the time that I would end up living here in Bombay operating other businesses as well. But I truly love it, and my presuppositions about India were very wrong. Yes, there’s lots of poverty, but that’s changing and there is also more wealth than you’re probably prepared to believe.

Not only have I tried medical tourism’s hospitals, but I’ve sampled three of them and will be going again. I have tasted renal, dental and eye care in India for which I cannot say enough good. The reason I got to find out about this is from three American guys who also live in Bombay, India who started a medical tourism company some time ago. So far to date, they have never advertised. Only word of mouth. Their services are completely FREE. They are keenly interested in helping Americans feel at home and they speak American English. They have also been here cumulatively over 20 years.

They are primarily interested in those accredited hospitals who have seals of approval from the likes of JCI, Harvard Medical International, International Standards Organization and Cleveland Clinic. And they know exactly what kind of care, etc., that we Americans want.

Not only did I save a BUNDLE, but my experience was profound enough that I’m glad to sing the praises of India’s medical tourism. I will be returning for a hip resurfacing when it gives out … which unfortunately is going to happen. But there’s no better place in the world to be treated. They have done thousands of them over here for four years which is only just now starting in the States.

Anyway, everything you have heard about five star suites as a hospital room is true. Even the house keeping staffs in each of the hospitals I’ve been in are keenly interested in you as a person and in your health. It’s not phony interest either. They are truly happy to talk to a foreigner and genuinely interested in your suffering and what they can do to alleviate it. They will let you talk their ears off and when you leave, you feel like you’re leaving some of your family. If you think about it, they’ve seen you in your all together, etc., at the very worst time of your life, and they have seen you as a person they loved and cared intimately for. It’s impossible not to return the sentiment.

I believe it’s essential to use a medical tourism company to help you with the ropes. All the blogs I’ve read seem to be saying the same thing, because without them you really don’t know where to go and who to see. They too have a reputation to keep. And if you want to do any touring as I have done, they have been there and done that and you get first hand advice. I’ve been privileged to see quite a bit of the country from Goa to Musoori, which means the white sandy beaches to the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas. Fantastic! And India is the one country in the world which has more character and charm than all the others combined.

In hunting for a good medical tourism company, don’t just chose one that has a pretty web site. Anyone can do that. But chose one who gives you their services for free, and who lets you know exactly where they live. They get paid from the hospitals and it doesn’t cost you one dime extra from the hospitals either to use their services. Hospitals are glad to give up some of their profits to get the business. Another thing I recommend is the JCI or other accreditations. I have had my experiences with hospitals in the States and never got such treatment or professionalism as I have in India’s medical tourism hospitals.

In short, you asked whether anyone would do the medical tourism thing, and I cannot say enough positive about it. Forget incredibly lows costs for the moment. I’m talking about the best medical services in the world. They might be matched elsewhere but they cannot be beat!

I would guess since I now live in India that my voice would have even more impact than coming from one who has only taken the tour. I’ve done both and cannot recommend them enough.

Dan

The only problem that I would have with Medical Tourism is the lack of continuity. However, there can be a problem with that very thing right here at home, with the regular use of specialists, and the trend toward hospitalist care for inpatients.

Medicine is slowly becoming very impersonal …

PS - I feel that I should warn my readers that the comment by “Mary” is an advertisement.

Our target market was specifically elective procedures. We would have taken care of all the travel plans to ensure a good visit. I think it could have really worked out well.

I decided to work on another project so I never pursued it, but the concept is interesting. I think calling it medical tourism is just cloaking the concept in common terms.

About the prescriptions . . . This winter, my ex lost his job and my kids lost their insurance coverage. The price in the US for one of my son’s prescriptions was $440 for one month. In Mexico, it was $160 for the same amount. Same manufacturer, same packaging, lower price. Hmmmm, where do you think I purchased my son’s prescriptions during this time period.

Recently one of my uncles went to India for hip surgery at Wockhardt Hospitals and his whole experience was really positive. The only option otherwise for him was to mortgage his house and raise money for surgery at local hospital. So many US patients are now taking this option, just check out testimonials on following weblink

http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/general/pat_exp.asp

They went to Mexico for dental work which included a root canal.

They came back and spent two weeks in the hospital and almost died because of the post-procedure infection.

The $1000+ that they saved was lost on the $60,000+ hospital bill.

Of course, I’m sure that there are others that have had great outcomes.

It just happens that I only know of one medical tourist and that “one” turned out very badly.

later…

Moof I also left for you a question at BMH. Hope both MIL and daughter are okay.

My partner had a patient go to Columbia (in S. America) for a gastric bypass. Apparently this was a very well-run operation and cost half of what it would have cost in the US. It was all US physicians. I think for procedures like this (that are out-of-pocket in the US anyhow) this is an option for people. Buyer beware - yes. Still, if you do your homework, you may be able to get a bargain.

I would think you would have to watch out for drug lords in Columbia, but apparently they were all on siesta.

Rob