Americans look to Asia for affordable heart, hip and other surgeries

WASHINGTON, Nov 16, 2006 (AFP) - When Wayne Steinard visited his doctor earlier this year he faced two options: either undergo open heart surgery in the US for 100,000 dollars or have it done in India for 6,700 dollars.
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"I chose India," the 59-year-old uninsured building contractor from Florida told AFP, reflecting a growing trend among middle-class Americans who are heading overseas for complex medical treatment in answer to soaring medical costs at home.
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Though Steinard was not particularly keen on going abroad for his urgently needed triple bypass, he said it was a choice between that or going bankrupt.

"I just couldn't afford to have it done here (in the US)," he said.

"And now that it's over and done with, I would do it again without reservation.

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Helping accelerate this outsourcing trend are US corporations and insurance companies that are offering employees incentives to undergo invasive surgeries in first-class medical facilities in India, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia at third-world prices.

"This is the only magic bullet for an employer who wants to save 80 percent on health care costs," said Jonathan Edelheit, vice president of United Group Programs, a company that administers health