trends Medical Tourism Takes Flight (NAPSA)—One word explains why more than half a million “med- ical tourists” will travel abroad for heart surgery, dental care and other treatments this year:cost. Fees for treatments overseas range from one-half to as little as one-fifth the price in the U.S., according to the National Center for Policy Analysis. And these days, care abroad can be just as safe and effective as it is in the states. Global Savings The averagecost of medical procedures, vs. the U.S.: Procedure Heart Bypass Angioplasty U.S. India Signapore $140,000 $10,000 $16,000 $55,000 $9,000 $10,000 Hip Replacement $45,000 $9,000 $13,200 In-Vitro Fertilization $10,000 $5,000 $6,000 Knee Replacement $45,000 $7,500 $10,200 “Fertility-related treatments like in-vitro fertilization have had particularly high success rates,” says Kumar Jagadeesan, vice president of the medical tourism company StarHospitals.net. The firm provides the opportunity for Americans to choose egg donors from specific parts of the world. Other procedures include cardiac, orthopedic, dental and eye care, and even brain scans. Addi- tionally, its one-of-a-kind “compan- ion program”offers patients’ com- panions special packages aimed at restoring the vitality of the mind and body. The company, which arranges everything—from choosing the best doctors to booking tickets— has networked accredited hospi- tals in India, Thailand and Singapore, including Singapore’s General Hospital, which special- izes in less-invasive, high-tech medical treatment. Call 1(888) STAR-012 to learn moreor visit www.starhospitals.net.
