Bottom’s Up in India

Patients Moon Cost of Colonoscopies

As we age, our need for a colonoscopy increases so that physicians can better identify polyps and colorectal cancer before it spreads.  Unfortunately, the high cost of a colonoscopy in the United States as compared to India and other leaders in the medical tourism industry tends to leave patients figuratively bent over, because they simply can’t afford preventive measures.  Online searches reveal colonoscopy pricing from $2,000 to almost $4,000 in the States.  In India, the cost of a colonoscopy can vary from $90 to $270.  For this procedure, India’s 90% discounted pricing beats the industry standard 20% to 70% medical tourism savings. 

Medical Tourism Reviewing Patients’ Insides and Out

What better procedure to make into a medical tourism vacation than one you don’t even realize took place?  With the latest in digital imagery and x-ray technology, there’s little, if any, pain or soreness after the colonoscopy.  The real suffering of the procedure is the preparation the day before in the form of colon cleansing laxatives.  Just be sure that if nothing else, your health travel accommodations include a 5-star bathroom.  The cleansing begins the day prior to the procedure, so be sure not to schedule that day for air travel.  Speaking from experience, you won’t make friends with the aircrew or other passengers.  Once released from the hospital, you can take in the sights, sounds, and heritage Mumbai or New Delhi has to offer. 

Health Travel:  Lower Costs, Lower Quality?

Do cost savings translate into lower quality?  Generally, it’s rare to find a bargain that really is a bargain.  Most of the time, a bargain means you’re accepting a defected or refurbished (repaired) product at a price you’re either more willing to pay, or that you can afford.  Fortunately, health travel and medical tourism standards often require facility accreditations and personnel certifications.  English-speaking patients can also find comfort knowing that the doctors and staff will explain what they’re doing and how they’ll be doing it in English.  Companies capitalize on the low costs of labor and living in India and other health travel destination countries.  They in turn pass along the savings to their customers (patients) in the form of affordable healthcare.  Bargain or not, the price is certainly right.