A recent, very-large study has shown that many heart procedures such as stent insertion, angioplasty and heart bypass surgery are unnecessary and can actually cause harm. The study was government-funded and cost approximately $100 million dollars – WOW. The most interesting part was that “medication only” results were the same as surgery results after several years, without the risk of hospitalization and operation complications. Better and more-effective prescription drugs have probably played a significant role in dramatically improving these outcomes. A recent lawsuit in the U.S. contends that a “deliberate push for high profits prompted the hospital and doctors to perform inordinate numbers of highly profitable heart procedures, whether they were necessary or not.” At Medipac, we see this regularly – a patient is being prepped for surgery, but the rigorous tests indicate that this is a “bad” medical choice. Our doctors know what is right and what is wrong and we have interesting discussions with U.S. doctors every day. The cold, hard reality of the travel medical insurance business is that we must protect our clients, especially in some overseas destinations. This is why Medipac employs doctors and nurses. We review all tests and data before proceeding to “put you under the knife,” as they say. The club which we use with these medical practitioners is that we are paying the bill and we will not pay unless surgery is medically necessary. This keeps them in line…most of the time. When your doctor at bedside says that, in his or her opinion, you require this surgery (any kind, really), you must be cautious. Understand that they will stand to make $50,000 or $100,000 or even $500,000 by performing invasive surgery. The hospital will also make extra money, since you will be forced to stay there for at least a few extra days. You need an advocate! And Medipac is your best choice. J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance The Language Barrier 14 | www.snowbirds.org
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