By

Roy M. Arnold, MD

With the uncertain state of affairs of medical insurance, many may believe that there are bargains on medical treatment to be found abroad. While it is true that certain elective surgical procedures can be obtained in foreign countries for a fraction of the cost of the same procedures in the US, a healthy serving of “Buyer Beware” is in order. While many of the hospitals in other countries are high quality and staffed with physicians trained in the US or Europe, there are some that aren’t.

According to the website Patients Beyond Borders (http://www.patientsbeyondborders.com/) the top destinations for medical tourism are Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey.

The top reasons for medical tourism are:  Cosmetic surgery, Dentistry (general, restorative, cosmetic,)    Cardiovascular (angioplasty, CABG, transplants,) Orthopedics (joint and spine; sports medicine,) Cancer (often high-acuity or last resort,) Reproductive (fertility, women’s health,) Weight loss (LAP-BAND, gastric bypass,) and scans, tests, health screenings and second opinions.

Most sources estimate that 700-900,000 US residents will travel outside the country for medical reasons per year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers advice on a few questions to ask when considering a trip abroad for medical treatment. First is the hospital accredited by Joint Commission International? The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accredits hospital in the US and a branch of that organization offers accreditation to hospitals in other countries. The JCI website lists accredited hospitals by country at http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/JCI-Accredited-Organizations/

Second, bear in mind that certain practices taken for granted in the US like sterilization or reuse of needles or instruments, screening of blood donors, or the purity of prescription drugs may not be as strictly enforced in foreign countries as in the US.

Third, ensure that if you don’t speak the local language, the facility will provide interpreters to assist you.

Fourth, make certain that you have a complete listing of prices for all procedures you expect to have performed in advance with a statement of all charges anticipated.

Next, obtain copies of your US medical records including the lab and other studies done related to the condition for which you are obtaining the care and any allergies you may have. Prepare copies of all your prescriptions and a list of all the medicines you take, including their brand names, their generic names, manufacturers, and dosages. Get copies of all your foreign medical records before you return home.

Make certain that you communicate your intention to travel for medical reasons to your treating provider locally and arrange for follow-up after you return from abroad.

Inquire of your health insurance company as to what if any insurance coverage would be available in the event of complications that might arise after your return to the US. Health insurers may vary widely in their coverage of such procedures.

Many of the medical tourism destinations are also popular destinations for vacations as well. Before planning “vacation” activities, such as sunbathing, drinking alcohol, swimming, or taking long tours, find out if those activities are permitted after surgery.

Finally, don’t rush into any elective medical procedure. Investigate the country and facility you are considering visiting and shop around. Know exactly what you are looking for and how much you’ll have to pay. Verify the credentials and accreditation of the providers and facility you have chosen. Consult with the local providers who have been treating you and make certain your follow up care has been arranged.

Philip Hooper, Executive Director of the Department of Metropolitan Development, will be speaking on the topic of Economic Development in the City of Evansville, at the YWCA’s Personally Speaking Series on Friday, January 17, 2014 at Noon in the YWCA Parlor.   These are exciting times for our community with the new hotel development and the possibility of a medical school complex coming to our city. Mr. Hooper will discuss these developments and much more in addition to fielding questions from the attendees. Admission is $6.00.

Philip R. Hooper is the Executive Director of the Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Evansville, where he coaches a team that works every day to preserve historic assets, revitalize core urban areas, and administer the local connection to HUD’s community development programs. Prior to moving to Evansville, Philip worked in the Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Indianapolis where he managed the City’s response to Quality of Life Planning, TIF projects relating to the downtown canal and the Super Bowl Legacy Project on the city’s Near Eastside, and the lease of the City’s parking meter assets resulting from a unique 30% revenue sharing agreement over 50 years.  A board member of the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana and the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville, Philip has been involved with issues of community, economy, and the built environment since his undergraduate focus in 2000.  Philip graduated from Wheaton College in 2002 with a B.A. in socio‐cultural anthropology and urban studies, and he lives with his wife, son, and daughter in the Riverside historic district.

Now in its 23rd season, the YWCA’s Personally Speaking series continues to raise money for services to victims of domestic violence. Tickets to these noontime presentations are $6.00 and there is general seating. A complete listing of speakers may be found at www.ywcaevansville.org.

The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  The Evansville YWCA is a member of the YWCA of the U.S.A., the oldest and largest women’s membership movement in the country.

Over the years, YWCA programs have changed to meet the evolving needs of women and girls. In 1979, the YWCA opened the first domestic violence shelter in Evansville. Other current programs include a transition housing program for women in recovery, an emergency shelter for homeless women and children, the Live Y’ers after‐school and mentoring program for at‐risk girls in grades 3 through 12, and the Summer Fun day camp for school‐aged children. Special programs and events for the general public are also offered.  Visit www.ywcaevansville.org for more information.

YWCA 24‐Hour Domestic Violence Hotline • 866‐367‐9922

The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet in executive session at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2014, in the John H. Schroeder Conference Centre at the EVSC Administration Building, 951 Walnut, IN 47713, Evansville, IN. The session will be conducted according to Senate Enrolled Act 313, Section 1, I.C. 5-14-1.5-6.1, as amended. The purpose of the meeting is for discussion of collective bargaining, (2)(A); initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing, (2)(B); purchase or lease of property, (2)(D); and job performance evaluation of individual employees, (9).