Medical tourism, having surgery in a foreign country such as Singapore or Thailand, has been making headlines as a lower-cost option for people without insurance -- surgeries can cost as much as 90% less, according to the Medical Tourism Assn., a trade organization. However, the National Business Group on Health, which advises large corporations about healthcare expenses, recently issued a brief that pointed out concerns about medical tourism, in addition to benefits, such as a risk to patients who speak English only but must interact with medical staff who do not. The American Medical Assn. says people who opt for surgery in a foreign country should arrange for a doctor to monitor them on their return. That, of course, would involve additional fees, especially if the doctor thinks follow-up care or even a repeat surgery is necessary.
How to trim your health bills
CUT COSTS, NOT CARE
So far, most insurance companies don't cover surgeries overseas, though WellPoint, which insures millions of Californians, is doing a trial run with a small company in Seattle. If successful, WellPoint and others could cover the option for a larger number of people beginning in 2010. Because of the huge cost savings, largely due to lower salaries and lower-cost malpractice insurance in many foreign countries, insurers could decide to waive all co-pays for foreign surgeries, in addition to covering travel and lodging costs for the patient, and, often for a travel companion as well. For more information, have a look at the Medical Tourism Assn.'s website at www.medicaltourism association.com, or contact PlanetHospital, a firm in Calabasas that arranges surgical care overseas.
At least one company, North American Surgery Inc., based in Vancouver, Canada ( www.northamericansurgery.com), negotiates on behalf of individuals and small companies and is able to offer prices for many surgeries at U.S. hospitals that can rival foreign rates. The company checks on accreditation and even patient outcomes before signing on with surgeons and hospitals, but you'll want to check on your own as well, and ask your primary-care doctor to speak with the surgeon you choose.
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PREVENTIVE CARE
Early detection can pay off
Even if you have no known health problems, certain tests such as mammograms and prostate exams should be done regularly so that any indication of a problem can be detected as early as possible, Clancy says. AHRQ recently created test checklists for men, www.ahrq.gov/ppip/men50.htm, and for women, www.ahrq.gov/ppip/women50.htm. And . . .
Look for free or low-cost screenings
Many associations offer free screenings for many conditions at certain times of the year. Type the name of the condition and the word "screening" into a search engine to see what's available. In the Los Angeles area, screening dates are often posted at www.healthy city.com, or you can find some free tests by calling 211. Type in "health observation days" at healthfinder.gov and you'll find a calendar with an observance day for just about every disease. Organizations often hold screening programs on those days, and websites for hundreds of organizations that offer information, and, often, free or low-cost tests are listed.
Look after yourself
The AMA recently introduced a program called Healthier Life Steps -- a guide for consumers with or without their physicians. Go to www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/18471 .html. The point here is that by stopping smoking, losing weight, exercising and controlling chronic diseases, Americans can save money on healthcare and be healthier. For example, when Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and a presidential candidate, was diagnosed with diabetes, he opted for losing weight and exercising and never took -- and so never spent money on -- any medication.
