Indian needs to get medical care in the US

[hot]

Hi everyone.

I am an Indian citizen and have saved up a lot of money. I had made a mobile app which was doing very well. I eventually sold the rights to a company and made some money.
I have been wanting to get a surgery for many years now and while there are good doctors in India who do it, I would prefer to get the operation in the US because I am able to afford it and the best doctors for this surgery are in the US.

To my luck, I even have a valid B1/B2 visa from the past. However the whole idea of getting this procedure done in a foreign country sounds a bit scary to me.

1. Overall this procedure will cost me $120k. The doctor has asked me to save $40k for any complications.
2. I will have to stay near the hospital for rehabilitation for 2-3 months after the surgery. For most part, I will be confined to a wheelchair for this duration.

My questions are:
1. Will there be restrictions to my entry into the US? If I tell the immigration officer I am there for this surgery, will I have any problems?
2. The medical visa process states that the surgery I am planning to get should not be available in India and I should get a letter from an Indian doctor. However, I already have a B1/B2 visa. Will I still have to take any special documentation during entry into the US?
3. I plan to pay the doctor upfront and then travel. I will transfer any excess money I might need to a bank account I have in the US.
4. If unthinkable complications happen costing beyond my safety fund and I simply have no money to pay for hospital fees will they simply not treat me? I might be able to get more money wired from India, but transferring money outside India is really complicated and I might need a lot of documentation for it.

Is there anything else I should be thinking about? I am particularly worried about immigration and money transfer related aspects. If anyone has any experience of getting medical care in the US from India, I would love to hear about it.

And I have already decided to get the surgery, so I might as well do it in the best hospitals and with the best doctors since I have have money. What use is money if not preservation of health :)

Thank you

[Imissindia]

Hi everyone.

I am an Indian citizen and have saved up a lot of money. I had made a mobile app which was doing very well. I eventually sold the rights to a company and made some money.
I have been wanting to get a surgery for many years now and while there are good doctors in India who do it, I would prefer to get the operation in the US because I am able to afford it and the best doctors for this surgery are in the US.

To my luck, I even have a valid B1/B2 visa from the past. However the whole idea of getting this procedure done in a foreign country sounds a bit scary to me.

1. Overall this procedure will cost me $120k. The doctor has asked me to save $40k for any complications.
2. I will have to stay near the hospital for rehabilitation for 2-3 months after the surgery. For most part, I will be confined to a wheelchair for this duration.

My questions are:
1. Will there be restrictions to my entry into the US? If I tell the immigration officer I am there for this surgery, will I have any problems?
2. The medical visa process states that the surgery I am planning to get should not be available in India and I should get a letter from an Indian doctor. However, I already have a B1/B2 visa. Will I still have to take any special documentation during entry into the US?
3. I plan to pay the doctor upfront and then travel. I will transfer any excess money I might need to a bank account I have in the US.
4. If unthinkable complications happen costing beyond my safety fund and I simply have no money to pay for hospital fees will they simply not treat me? I might be able to get more money wired from India, but transferring money outside India is really complicated and I might need a lot of documentation for it.

Is there anything else I should be thinking about? I am particularly worried about immigration and money transfer related aspects. If anyone has any experience of getting medical care in the US from India, I would love to hear about it.

And I have already decided to get the surgery, so I might as well do it in the best hospitals and with the best doctors since I have have money. What use is money if not preservation of health :)

Thank you

Is US the best place for this surgery? Countries like Singapore have great health facilities and are much cheaper than the US. Even UK and Germany are substantially cheaper and have similar or better facilities. As far as the US is concerned, do you really need to pay the whole amount upfront to the doctor? Why don't you make a small token payment and then pay afterwards as needed? This will give you time to source money from India if the cost exceeds your estimate. Have you factored in lodging and caregiver expenses as you will be in a wheelchair for a while? Sending money from India is not very hard under the LRS scheme. You probably have some experience already as you are going to or already have sent a large amount to the US.

Coming to immigration issues, you can pretend to be a tourist if you want to avoid the hassle of a medical visa. However, be prepared to answer questions like why you are visiting, what you will see, where you would stay and so on. Most of the time, it is quite easy but there could be an odd chance that you are questioned in a more thorough manner.

[hot]

Is US the best place for this surgery? Countries like Singapore have great health facilities and are much cheaper than the US. Even UK and Germany are substantially cheaper and have similar or better facilities. As far as the US is concerned, do you really need to pay the whole amount upfront to the doctor? Why don't you make a small token payment and then pay afterwards as needed? This will give you time to source money from India if the cost exceeds your estimate. Have you factored in lodging and caregiver expenses as you will be in a wheelchair for a while?

Yes, US is the best place I know for this surgery. I just happen to know that the stalwarts of this are now based in the US. I've also spoken to other people who have undergone this in the US and have heard good feedback.

Yes, the hospital / doctor clearly state I need to pay for just the surgery at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery date which itself is about a hundred grand. And yes I have accounted for accommodation, aftercare, food, etc. in my $120k estimate. It's just the unexpected expenses afterwards for complications I am scared of. I have heard that American hospitals can be extremely expensive. Like half a million dollar expensive. I will prepared for another $40k of expenses, but if sky is the limit, then I don't know. In India, I can confidently say that nothing could cost me more than Rs. 1 crore even in the rare circumstances, but I don't know of such a ballpark number in the US.

If in the worst of the worst cases, will they at least treat me first and then let me remit money from India?

[QUOTE]
Sending money from India is not very hard under the LRS scheme. You probably have some experience already as you are going to or already have sent a large amount to the US.


I've actually not remitted money abroad. I have received money from the US (how I made my money) and that was quite hassle free. Is it a no questions asked remittance under LRS? I saw the LRS form and thankfully they don't ask for any details on the treatment.

I am also worried about being stuck in the US, unable to access my Indian bank due to not being physically present there.

[QUOTE]
Coming to immigration issues, you can pretend to be a tourist if you want to avoid the hassle of a medical visa. However, be prepared to answer questions like why you are visiting, what you will see, where you would stay and so on. Most of the time, it is quite easy but there could be an odd chance that you are questioned in a more thorough manner.


Yes I thought about this as well. My worry is that I am not employed at the moment. Also it would be hard to explain a 3 month tourism trip all alone. Do you see being unemployed and solo-tripping for 3 months as grounds for denying entry on a B2 visa (which I already have)? Another thing I could do is go on a short trip, consult the doctor and then decide to get the surgery as part of that visit itself if I get enough confidence (which is allowed on a B2 visa).

Thank you

[FB2020]

Yes, US is the best place I know for this surgery. I just happen to know that the stalwarts of this are now based in the US. I've also spoken to other people who have undergone this in the US and have heard good feedback.

Yes, the hospital / doctor clearly state I need to pay for just the surgery at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery date which itself is about a hundred grand. And yes I have accounted for accommodation, aftercare, food, etc. in my $120k estimate. It's just the unexpected expenses afterwards for complications I am scared of. I have heard that American hospitals can be extremely expensive. Like half a million dollar expensive. I will prepared for another $40k of expenses, but if sky is the limit, then I don't know. In India, I can confidently say that nothing could cost me more than Rs. 1 crore even in the rare circumstances, but I don't know of such a ballpark number in the US.

If in the worst of the worst cases, will they at least treat me first and then let me remit money from India?



I've actually not remitted money abroad. I have received money from the US (how I made my money) and that was quite hassle free. Is it a no questions asked remittance under LRS? I saw the LRS form and thankfully they don't ask for any details on the treatment.

I am also worried about being stuck in the US, unable to access my Indian bank due to not being physically present there.



Yes I thought about this as well. My worry is that I am not employed at the moment. Also it would be hard to explain a 3 month tourism trip all alone. Do you see being unemployed and solo-tripping for 3 months as grounds for denying entry on a B2 visa (which I already have)? Another thing I could do is go on a short trip, consult the doctor and then decide to get the surgery as part of that visit itself if I get enough confidence (which is allowed on a B2 visa).

Thank you

Yes, in general US hospitals are very expensive and if God forbid there's some issue and extra care/stay is needed, no one knows what will happen.
Yes, they will continue treating you, they will never deny treatment. But I am not sure what situation you have that requires a full upfront payment, generally its post-paid.

for visit, you can use B1 visa and try to name your friends / relatives that you'll be visiting and staying with.

As the other poster also said, I will still recommend to double check UK / Singapore /other places. US is expensive than many other countries combined (as I'm sure you know). Expenses in US are high NOT solely due to high quality, its due to the lots of regulations/admin/legal stuff, which is separate topic of discussion though.

So if its a minor difference in quality, you could still consider another place.

Good luck!

[hot]

Thanks for the reply.

[QUOTE]
Yes, in general US hospitals are very expensive and if God forbid there's some issue and extra care/stay is needed, no one knows what will happen.
Yes, they will continue treating you, they will never deny treatment. But I am not sure what situation you have that requires a full upfront payment, generally its post-paid.

I think they are asking for full payment because it's an elective procedure and a lot of foreigners get it done with them. They can't let me pay later because I am not even a resident of the US. Maybe for local patients undergoing surgery through insurance coverage they bill them afterwards?

A hypothetical question. While recovering, I slip in the bathroom and break a bone. I call an ambulance and go to my hospital. Do I have to explain to them how I plan to pay up? I have every intention of clearing any bills, but given that I will be alone, I just don't know how to handle the hassle of payments when I am in duress of an emergency.

[QUOTE]
As the other poster also said, I will still recommend to double check UK / Singapore /other places. US is expensive than many other countries combined (as I'm sure you know). Expenses in US are high NOT solely due to high quality, its due to the lots of regulations/admin/legal stuff, which is separate topic of discussion though.

So if its a minor difference in quality, you could still consider another place.

There are some surgeons in Singapore, UK and Europe who might be equally good. But I simply don't know how to find them. I have got referrals from an Indian doctor to doctors inside India but not to doctors abroad.

That aside, there is the added problem of getting a visa to other countries. I already have an American visa, but for a European visa (for example) I would have to prove strong home ties and I don't think I have any. I have even left my day job since my app took off and EU countries insist on an employment letter. I had to drop out of a foreign trip with my "employed" friends due to this reason.

Sigh. The Indian passport has a long way to go.

[plansup]

1. Absolutely no problem, as long as you will be able to show the money. I know of confirmed cases where pregnant women have been let through as long as they have money to pay for the expenses.

2. You can get a port of entry letter from the doctor you will be visiting. He will be more than happy to provide you that.

3. I dont see a question here. what you are planning is perfectly fine.

4. I am not entirely sure of that. I would imagine every hospital treats these situations differently.

Hi everyone.

I am an Indian citizen and have saved up a lot of money. I had made a mobile app which was doing very well. I eventually sold the rights to a company and made some money.
I have been wanting to get a surgery for many years now and while there are good doctors in India who do it, I would prefer to get the operation in the US because I am able to afford it and the best doctors for this surgery are in the US.

To my luck, I even have a valid B1/B2 visa from the past. However the whole idea of getting this procedure done in a foreign country sounds a bit scary to me.

1. Overall this procedure will cost me $120k. The doctor has asked me to save $40k for any complications.
2. I will have to stay near the hospital for rehabilitation for 2-3 months after the surgery. For most part, I will be confined to a wheelchair for this duration.

My questions are:
1. Will there be restrictions to my entry into the US? If I tell the immigration officer I am there for this surgery, will I have any problems?
2. The medical visa process states that the surgery I am planning to get should not be available in India and I should get a letter from an Indian doctor. However, I already have a B1/B2 visa. Will I still have to take any special documentation during entry into the US?
3. I plan to pay the doctor upfront and then travel. I will transfer any excess money I might need to a bank account I have in the US.
4. If unthinkable complications happen costing beyond my safety fund and I simply have no money to pay for hospital fees will they simply not treat me? I might be able to get more money wired from India, but transferring money outside India is really complicated and I might need a lot of documentation for it.

Is there anything else I should be thinking about? I am particularly worried about immigration and money transfer related aspects. If anyone has any experience of getting medical care in the US from India, I would love to hear about it.

And I have already decided to get the surgery, so I might as well do it in the best hospitals and with the best doctors since I have have money. What use is money if not preservation of health :)

Thank you

[FB2020]

A hypothetical question. While recovering, I slip in the bathroom and break a bone. I call an ambulance and go to my hospital. Do I have to explain to them how I plan to pay up? I have every intention of clearing any bills, but given that I will be alone, I just don't know how to handle the hassle of payments when I am in duress of an emergency.

In the ER, I don't believe you have to explain anything. You just go and tell them you have an issue, they should treat you right. Tell them you don't have any insurance. I believe you will still need to show some ID (maybe address proof also? not sure).. Tell them to treat you under medicaid emergency (not sure on this item, I've heard from some folks about this).

[techynt]

In most ERs they are not supposed to ask for proof of payment before giving treatment.

http://newsroom.acep.org/2009-01-04-emtala-fact-sheet

In the ER, I don't believe you have to explain anything. You just go and tell them you have an issue, they should treat you right. Tell them you don't have any insurance. I believe you will still need to show some ID (maybe address proof also? not sure).. Tell them to treat you under medicaid emergency (not sure on this item, I've heard from some folks about this).

[FB2020]

In most ERs they are not supposed to ask for proof of payment before giving treatment.

http://newsroom.acep.org/2009-01-04-emtala-fact-sheet

True.. But they do ask for what insurance do you have.. Then what is one supposed to say? Just say "no insurance"? and then they will not ask any questions further?

For visitors such as OP, if they ask for ID what does he show? He doesn't have any US address ID.

[techynt]

Back in 2000 I just showed them my Indian passport, I did not have Drivers license yet.

Also, they billed me later.

I did not have health insurance yet.

But I did have SSN , not sure if that matters.

True.. But they do ask for what insurance do you have.. Then what is one supposed to say? Just say "no insurance"? and then they will not ask any questions further?

For visitors such as OP, if they ask for ID what does he show? He doesn't have any US address ID.