The Henry Ford of Heart Surgery

Apocrypha · #1 11-27-2009, 08:21 AM

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1258...mostcommentart

Blsdbeyondmsure · #2 11-27-2009, 01:46 PM

Intersesting concept. The specialty hospital concept is a good one and does help to drive cost down. However, when reading this article you can't really compare a surgery cost of $2K in India to a US cost of $20K in the US. The cost of labor is significantly different in India and effects the entire procedure and all supplies / equipment that are used in the procedure. Secondly, malpractice insurance rates are astronomical in the US, not sure the same applies in India. This also drives the price up, up, up.

Apocrypha · #3 11-27-2009, 01:54 PM

It is interesting that the mortality rates are about the same even without our American version of defensive medicine. I have seen insurance policies now that are starting to offer surgical tourism in their policies to keep prices down. The insurers sign agreements with companies like this, and it makes sense. I wouldn't be suprised if many of our best doctors eventually opened clinics in places like the Cayman islands to run their practices.