Why do Patients Consider Spine Surgery Overseas?
If conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and exercise have failed, and quality of life is declining, three main reasons have been identified for why patients consider travelling overseas for treatment and surgery.
1. Wait Times
Patients can become “stuck” waiting to see a local surgeon for a consultation, with a further wait for an opening to have surgery. This can easily be 6-9+ months, or even years, as some patients have reported. In the meantime, one’s health and quality of life continue on the same trajectory, often with symptoms increasing. The outcome of a successful surgery depends on the degree and duration of the spine damage leading up to the eventual surgery.
Routinely, ONZi can offer treatment or surgery, to approved candidates, within 4 weeks.
2. Surgery Cost
It’s no secret that health insurance companies are tightening up benefits for orthopedic surgery in Western countries around the world. This can include knee, hip and spine surgery, leaving some patients to make serious financial sacrifices or wait endlessly in public hospital lists. There is also the high cost of elective surgery in a private hospital environment, which patients prefer as they can choose their specialist, surgery technique and the technology used.
ONZi offers fixed-price packages for state-of-the-art techniques.
3. Specialty Procedures
In earlier years orthopedic surgeons were expected to specialize in surgery of all joints, from the neck to your ankle and everything in between. Since early 2000, surgeons have preferred to specialize and hone their skills in one area, such as a Spine Specialist. The field of spine surgery is becoming increasingly advanced and in turn, quite complex. Due to surgeon experience, available technologies, and even philosophy, some patients may not be offered the treatment or solution they’ve been seeking, compelling them to look elsewhere – even overseas.
More Affordable and Superior Spine Surgery, Without Waiting!
Why are patients looking overseas for affordable spine surgery?
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They have no private health insurance
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Elective spine surgery is not included in their policy
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They do not qualify for government medical assistance
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Too lengthy a wait in a public system
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They can’t afford private hospital surgery
Cost of Spine Surgery in Germany
The ONZi German Spine Specialists are regarded among the world leaders in motion-preserving solutions. Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) was pioneered in Germany around 40 years ago. After leaving the hospital, ONZi patients start rehabilitation at Europe’s largest rehab centre, with connecting hotel accommodations. This is the perfect situation for patients travelling from overseas.
The cost of private hospital spine surgery in Germany starts at ~ 29,500 Euros for a 16-day Artificial Disc Replacement package. This is usually much less than the cost of private hospital spine surgery in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and certainly the USA, where spine surgery can easily cost over $100,000+ US dollars.
Financing your Spine Surgery Package
Many patients do not have the funds on hand to cover their necessary spine surgery. While there are no financing or payment plans with ONZi, many have found the following solutions:
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Approach their bank for a personal loan
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Enquire with a Medical Financing Company
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Applied for an early release of their superannuation or similar protected savings funds
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Approach family and friends for assistance
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Approach a financial advisor for expert advice
Yet, the first step is to proceed with a no-cost ONZi assessment of your case for the most suitable solutions, for your consideration.