Sunday, July 6, 2008

Special Reports

USN Current Issue

World Budget Estimator

Posted May 1, 2008

Compare the cost of surgery at U.S. hospitals and at hospitals abroad by completing this worksheet, which can be printed out. (The lefthand column shows sample entries.) Totals will automatically be updated with each new entry. The estimator was taken from Patients Beyond Borders, a bestselling series of consumer guides to international medical travel that have helped thousands of patients plan for successful procedures abroad. Healthy Travel Media, publisher of the series, has become a clearinghouse for valuable information about medical and wellness travel.

Expenses at Hospitals Abroad

Travel Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Passport and visa $200 $ $
Fee for expediting passport $ - $ $
Fee for expediting visa $ - $ $
Airfare (patient) $1,100 $ $
Airfare (companion) $1,100 $ $
Airfare (other travelers) $ - $ $
Aiport entry or exit fee $ - $ $
Hotel (companion) $800 $ $
Hotel (other travelers) $ - $ $
Companion's meals and incidental expenses $700 $ $
Other travelers' meals and incidental expenses $ - $ $
Transportation (taxi, bus, limo) $100 $ $
Rental car $ - $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for Travel: $4,000 $ $
Treatment Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Procedure $11,000 $ $
Hospital room (if extra) $ - $ $
Physician's fees (if extra) $ - $ $
Anesthesia (if extra) $ - $ $
Lab tests $ - $ $
Imaging (CT and MRI scans, X-rays, etc.) $ - $ $
Additional consultations $ - $ $
Tips or gifts for staff $ - $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for Treatment: $11,000 $ $
Post-discharge care Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Recuperation lodging $1,400 $ $
Physical therapy $ - $ $
In-room care $ - $ $
Prescriptions $65 $ $
Concierge services $350 $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for Post-discharge care: $1,815 $ $
Leisure travel Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Hotel $ - $ $
Meals and incidental expenses $ - $ $
Entertainment and sightseeing $ - $ $
Transportation $ - $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for Leisure travel: $ - $ $
"While you're away" costs Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Pet sitter, house sitter $400 $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for "While you're away" costs: $400 $ $
Total: $17,215 $ $

 

Expenses at U.S. Hospital

Treatment Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Procedure $55,000 $ $
Hospital room charges $4,400 $ $
Physician charges $ - $ $
Anesthesiologist charges $ - $ $
Other physician charges $ - $ $
Other physician charges $ - $ $
Additional consultations $ - $ $
Lab tests $375 $ $
Imaging (CT and MRI scans, X-rays, etc.) $ - $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for Treatment: $59,775 $ $
Post-discharge care Example Hospital 1 Hospital 2
Physical therapy $400 $ $
Medications $500 $ $
In-home care $ - $ $
Other $ - $ $
Subtotal for Post-discharge care: $900 $ $
Total: $43,435 $ $
 
Potential savings from going abroad   $ $

 

Add your thoughts

All comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

advertisement

U.S. News Health Columnists

Dr. Bernadine Healy

On Health

Dr. Bernadine Healy is Health Editor for U.S.News & World Report.

Avery Comarow

Avery Comarow

Comarow On Quality

Avery Comarow on the efforts made by hospitals and other healthcare providers to improve patient care.

Nancy Shute

On Parenting

Nancy Shute explores the latest discoveries affecting children's health and parenting.

On Women

Deborah Kotz covers everything women care about when it comes to their health.

Katherine Hobson (Thomas Monaster for USN&WR)

On Fitness

Katherine Hobson writes about keeping your body fit and your diet healthy.

Staff writer Michelle Andrews (Jeffrey MacMillan for USN&WR)

On Health & Money

Michelle Andrews reports on how to be a smart health consumer.

Staff writer Adam Voiland

On Men's Health

Adam Voiland hopes to steer readers towards the best that medicine has to offer men.

advertisement

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.