Medical Tourism Destinations for Heart Bypass Surgery
Heart bypass surgery is an intimidating venture, but as you settle into the idea of going through this delicate procedure, consider the benefits of a health vacation. The cost of heart bypass surgery in the U.S. can be higher than in other countries, many of which have the same medical quality and expertise. There is also the advantage of rehabilitating away from home, relaxing far from daily stress, and being pampered by locals in exotic new surroundings. For these reasons, medical tourism is becoming quite popular among Americans who have grown tired of the costs, waits, and red tape normally attached to Stateside care.
Every year, Belgium hospitals treat over 20,000 patients through medical tourism, and they've become one of the most popular destinations for heart surgery. Their medical standards and facilities are top in the field, and the prices are quite affordable (relatively). The cost of a bypass operation hovers around $16,000, compared to $20,000 in the US. And when it comes to performance, Belgium rates quite well. In a recent survey done by the European Heart Journal, Belgium came in top for heart treatment; and the rate of infection in Belgium hospitals is 5%, compared to 10% in the UK.
Medical Tourism Destination: Germany
Another option for heart surgery is Germany. Their prices are slightly higher than Belgium, the cost of a bypass running around $17,000, but cleanliness and medical expertise is unsurpassed. The Heart Institute in Lahr, for example, performs over 2,500 heart bypass surgeries a year.
India also offers some of the finest heart surgery in the world, and medical tourism is booming. In fact, it’s one of the top global destinations for health vacations. The government and private hospital groups are committed to making India a world leader in the industry. Hospitals, medical technology, cleanliness, surgeon expertise, and patient treatment are all equal to the U.S. and Europe, but India adds certain benefits that should not be ignored. The country's atmosphere is exotic and relaxing. A study of Indian healthcare done by RNCOS reveals that the medical tourism market there is worth over $310 million, showing a mass number of foreigners flocking to India for medical purposes.
The rich, cultural coastal city of Chennai has been declared India's healthcare capital, as it accounts for more than 45% of health vacations. One of the biggest advantages of India being a medical tourism destination, besides Indian surgeons specializing in heart surgery, is that the cost of a bypass is around $9,660, which is less than half the price in the U.S. The affordable healthcare is drawing more and more Americans. The only downfall is the 15+ hour flight from New York to India; patients should talk to their doctor before considering any surgeries abroad.
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