When medical expenses are too much to bear Stateside, some folks, like Tracy resident Ian Roberts, take an overseas vacation.

Feb 25, 2009

Ian Roberts’ options were limited.

Like many Americans, the Tracy resident, who once worked in the high-tech industry, found himself unemployed and without health insurance last year. When he developed cervical spondylotic myelopathy, a condition that compresses the spinal cord, he had to be treated or risk paralysis.

Roberts struggled to find a doctor who would perform the surgery he needed. One physician quoted him a figure upwards of $60,000, a number way out of his price range.

So he went online to find more options, stumbling upon "medical tourism ," in which a person travels and has procedures done as part of a vacation.

Whereas his experiences with the American medical system involved red tape, waiting and a stiff bill, he discovered that going overseas for treatment was a world unto itself.

In January, Roberts traveled to Chennai, India, to have back surgery through the medical tourism company Healthbase .

"The surgery was a success, and a couple days later, they discharged me," Roberts said. "I think the thing that surprised me more than anything else was the speed."

Not only was Roberts walking a day after his surgery, the operation was done for about a fifth of the cost that American doctors quoted him. The quality of the surgery was top-notch as well. It was performed by Dr. Sajan Hegde , one of the top back specialists in Asia.

Roberts found the medical system more pleasant in India. The facilities were cleaner, the people were nicer and his room even had an ocean view, he said.

Roberts and his wife, Nicki, vacationed at a beach resort for five days after the surgery. Since then, he has felt no ill effects, and his recovery is going right on schedule.

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Source: Tracy Press- Our Town