Re: Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/02 10:48:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

twyko64@... writes:

>

> Hello,

> I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a private

> res=

>

> urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my operation in

> Fe=

>

> bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which includes

> £3145.16=

>

Could someone translate this into American funds?

Diane

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/02 10:48:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

twyko64@... writes:

>

> Hello,

> I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a private

> res=

>

> urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my operation in

> Fe=

>

> bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which includes

> £3145.16=

>

Could someone translate this into American funds?

Diane

[Guest guest]

Is the " pounds sterling " currency you mention, the same as the GBP

below? If so, then there must of been a price drop or my exchange

caluclation is incorrect.

4,365.87 GBP United Kingdom Pounds=6,834.77 USD United States

Dollars

1 GBP = 1.56550 USD 1 USD = 0.638774 GBP

Mike

> Hello,

> I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

private res=

> urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

operation in Fe=

> bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which

includes

£3145.16=

> for operation costs and a separate £753.71 anaesthetist bill.

I've

included=

> Channel Tunnel fares, an allowance for car driving costs and food.

>

> The lowest UK private operation quote was over £7,000 and the

higher ones w=

> ere over £10,000.

>

> The Belgian experience makes a mockery of the UK state health

service (the =

> NHS) and the rapacious charging of the UK's private surgeons and

private hos=

> pitals. It also indicates that UK insurance companies that pay for

people to=

> have private hip resurfs in the UK are wasting a very great deal

of their c=

> ustomers' money. That is simply scandalous. BUt then I think

insurance compa=

> nies have very poor purchasing organisations inside them.

>

> Cheers,

> Chris.

[Guest guest]

Is the " pounds sterling " currency you mention, the same as the GBP

below? If so, then there must of been a price drop or my exchange

caluclation is incorrect.

4,365.87 GBP United Kingdom Pounds=6,834.77 USD United States

Dollars

1 GBP = 1.56550 USD 1 USD = 0.638774 GBP

Mike

> Hello,

> I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

private res=

> urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

operation in Fe=

> bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which

includes

£3145.16=

> for operation costs and a separate £753.71 anaesthetist bill.

I've

included=

> Channel Tunnel fares, an allowance for car driving costs and food.

>

> The lowest UK private operation quote was over £7,000 and the

higher ones w=

> ere over £10,000.

>

> The Belgian experience makes a mockery of the UK state health

service (the =

> NHS) and the rapacious charging of the UK's private surgeons and

private hos=

> pitals. It also indicates that UK insurance companies that pay for

people to=

> have private hip resurfs in the UK are wasting a very great deal

of their c=

> ustomers' money. That is simply scandalous. BUt then I think

insurance compa=

> nies have very poor purchasing organisations inside them.

>

> Cheers,

> Chris.

[Guest guest]

Thank you

Diane

[Guest guest]

Thank you

Diane

[Guest guest]

Even tho Cliff and I haven't actually left yet (2 weeks til departure)

we are paying $15,000.00 each (Canadian) for the operation/hospital.

While it is a lot money it was going to cost us somewhere between

$50,000.00 and $75,000.00 each to go to the States. This seems like

a bargain, the doctor and his associates sound like amazingly kind and

generous people and I have never been to Belgium so that's a plus too.

If we waited the 2 years we have to wait in Canada we would still have

had to pay $3,000.00 each because it is not " approved " by Canada

Health and so our doctor would have to get " compassionate leave " to do

the bhr for us. By the time the 2 years would be up I, who am

already on crutches, would be so weak and I suspect my bones would be

so far gone that any chance of me getting a bhr in Canada would be

gone.

So, the happiest money I have ever spent is the money I sent to Dr de

Smet a couple of weeks ago. I have a feeling at twice the price I'k

still be happy.

I am now busy simply planning how little I can take with me (or leave

behind on my way home) to make room for that incredible Blegian

chocolate - yet another plus for going there.

Pam

(couple bhr on October 23)

> Hello,

> I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

private res=

> urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

operation in Fe=

> bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which includes

£3145.16=

> for operation costs and a separate £753.71 anaesthetist bill. I've

included=

> Channel Tunnel fares, an allowance for car driving costs and food.

>

> The lowest UK private operation quote was over £7,000 and the higher

ones w=

> ere over £10,000.

>

> The Belgian experience makes a mockery of the UK state health

service (the =

> NHS) and the rapacious charging of the UK's private surgeons and

private hos=

> pitals. It also indicates that UK insurance companies that pay for

people to=

> have private hip resurfs in the UK are wasting a very great deal of

their c=

> ustomers' money. That is simply scandalous. BUt then I think

insurance compa=

> nies have very poor purchasing organisations inside them.

>

> Cheers,

> Chris.

[Guest guest]

Even tho Cliff and I haven't actually left yet (2 weeks til departure)

we are paying $15,000.00 each (Canadian) for the operation/hospital.

While it is a lot money it was going to cost us somewhere between

$50,000.00 and $75,000.00 each to go to the States. This seems like

a bargain, the doctor and his associates sound like amazingly kind and

generous people and I have never been to Belgium so that's a plus too.

If we waited the 2 years we have to wait in Canada we would still have

had to pay $3,000.00 each because it is not " approved " by Canada

Health and so our doctor would have to get " compassionate leave " to do

the bhr for us. By the time the 2 years would be up I, who am

already on crutches, would be so weak and I suspect my bones would be

so far gone that any chance of me getting a bhr in Canada would be

gone.

So, the happiest money I have ever spent is the money I sent to Dr de

Smet a couple of weeks ago. I have a feeling at twice the price I'k

still be happy.

I am now busy simply planning how little I can take with me (or leave

behind on my way home) to make room for that incredible Blegian

chocolate - yet another plus for going there.

Pam

(couple bhr on October 23)

> Hello,

> I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

private res=

> urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

operation in Fe=

> bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which includes

£3145.16=

> for operation costs and a separate £753.71 anaesthetist bill. I've

included=

> Channel Tunnel fares, an allowance for car driving costs and food.

>

> The lowest UK private operation quote was over £7,000 and the higher

ones w=

> ere over £10,000.

>

> The Belgian experience makes a mockery of the UK state health

service (the =

> NHS) and the rapacious charging of the UK's private surgeons and

private hos=

> pitals. It also indicates that UK insurance companies that pay for

people to=

> have private hip resurfs in the UK are wasting a very great deal of

their c=

> ustomers' money. That is simply scandalous. BUt then I think

insurance compa=

> nies have very poor purchasing organisations inside them.

>

> Cheers,

> Chris.

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 10/6/02 10:48:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> twyko64@y... writes:

>

> Sixty-eight hundred USD is approximately correct. What is

remarkable about the U of Ghent prices is that presumeably DeSmet

pays the same omount to Midmedtec for the prosthetic as everyone else

(about 2,200 quid) which makes the difference in surgical and

hospitalization costs all the more remarkable. By NorthAmerican

standards, both Britain and Belgium are a bargain. By the way,

how's your squeaking? Mine appeared only once, for a brief period,

when I was engaged some fairly unusual movements occassioned by a

stretch of muskeg. Gord

> >

> > Hello,

> > I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

private

> > res=

> >

> > urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

operation in

> > Fe=

> >

> > bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which

includes

> > £3145.16=

> >

>

> Could someone translate this into American funds?

> Diane

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 10/6/02 10:48:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> twyko64@y... writes:

>

> Sixty-eight hundred USD is approximately correct. What is

remarkable about the U of Ghent prices is that presumeably DeSmet

pays the same omount to Midmedtec for the prosthetic as everyone else

(about 2,200 quid) which makes the difference in surgical and

hospitalization costs all the more remarkable. By NorthAmerican

standards, both Britain and Belgium are a bargain. By the way,

how's your squeaking? Mine appeared only once, for a brief period,

when I was engaged some fairly unusual movements occassioned by a

stretch of muskeg. Gord

> >

> > Hello,

> > I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

private

> > res=

> >

> > urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

operation in

> > Fe=

> >

> > bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which

includes

> > £3145.16=

> >

>

> Could someone translate this into American funds?

> Diane

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey, Saeed,

Didn't you pay closer to $10,000 US per side or $20,000 on both hips?

Or did you include airfare & hotel in your overall cost?

Thanks,

Mike

> > In a message dated 10/6/02 10:48:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> > twyko64@y... writes:

> >

> > Sixty-eight hundred USD is approximately correct. What is

> remarkable about the U of Ghent prices is that presumeably DeSmet

> pays the same omount to Midmedtec for the prosthetic as everyone

else

> (about 2,200 quid) which makes the difference in surgical and

> hospitalization costs all the more remarkable. By NorthAmerican

> standards, both Britain and Belgium are a bargain. By the way,

> how's your squeaking? Mine appeared only once, for a brief period,

> when I was engaged some fairly unusual movements occassioned by a

> stretch of muskeg. Gord

> > >

> > > Hello,

> > > I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

> private

> > > res=

> > >

> > > urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

> operation in

> > > Fe=

> > >

> > > bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which

> includes

> > > £3145.16=

> > >

> >

> > Could someone translate this into American funds?

> > Diane

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey, Saeed,

Didn't you pay closer to $10,000 US per side or $20,000 on both hips?

Or did you include airfare & hotel in your overall cost?

Thanks,

Mike

> > In a message dated 10/6/02 10:48:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> > twyko64@y... writes:

> >

> > Sixty-eight hundred USD is approximately correct. What is

> remarkable about the U of Ghent prices is that presumeably DeSmet

> pays the same omount to Midmedtec for the prosthetic as everyone

else

> (about 2,200 quid) which makes the difference in surgical and

> hospitalization costs all the more remarkable. By NorthAmerican

> standards, both Britain and Belgium are a bargain. By the way,

> how's your squeaking? Mine appeared only once, for a brief period,

> when I was engaged some fairly unusual movements occassioned by a

> stretch of muskeg. Gord

> > >

> > > Hello,

> > > I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a

> private

> > > res=

> > >

> > > urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my

> operation in

> > > Fe=

> > >

> > > bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which

> includes

> > > £3145.16=

> > >

> >

> > Could someone translate this into American funds?

> > Diane

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I can confirm all the figures quoted by you are correct. During my research

earlier this year for the best place to have my op, I came to the same

conclusion though for other reasons, I ended up having my op at the Nuffield

Hospital in Derby for £7,000 though I live in Surrey.

What was also interesting and confusing is that each Nuffield Hospital

throughout the country quoted difference rates and some even quoted different

prices for the same surgeon who might be carrying out the same operation but at

another hospital. Work that one out. I can only conclude that the " board and

lodging " prices for all these hospitals were different but the surgeon's fee

stayed the same.

The cheapest quote I received (£2,800, $4,368 US) was from a surgeon in India

who has taken corresponded on this web site fairly recently.

Joe R

Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

Hello,

I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a private res=

urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my operation in Fe=

bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which includes £3145.16=

for operation costs and a separate £753.71 anaesthetist bill. I've included=

Channel Tunnel fares, an allowance for car driving costs and food.

The lowest UK private operation quote was over £7,000 and the higher ones w=

ere over £10,000.

The Belgian experience makes a mockery of the UK state health service (the =

NHS) and the rapacious charging of the UK's private surgeons and private hos=

pitals. It also indicates that UK insurance companies that pay for people to=

have private hip resurfs in the UK are wasting a very great deal of their c=

ustomers' money. That is simply scandalous. BUt then I think insurance compa=

nies have very poor purchasing organisations inside them.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Guest guest]

I can confirm all the figures quoted by you are correct. During my research

earlier this year for the best place to have my op, I came to the same

conclusion though for other reasons, I ended up having my op at the Nuffield

Hospital in Derby for £7,000 though I live in Surrey.

What was also interesting and confusing is that each Nuffield Hospital

throughout the country quoted difference rates and some even quoted different

prices for the same surgeon who might be carrying out the same operation but at

another hospital. Work that one out. I can only conclude that the " board and

lodging " prices for all these hospitals were different but the surgeon's fee

stayed the same.

The cheapest quote I received (£2,800, $4,368 US) was from a surgeon in India

who has taken corresponded on this web site fairly recently.

Joe R

Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

Hello,

I thought people would be interested to learn the low cost of a private res=

urfacing operation at Dr. De Smet's hospital in Gent. For my operation in Fe=

bruary I paid a total of £4,365.87 (pounds sterling) which includes £3145.16=

for operation costs and a separate £753.71 anaesthetist bill. I've included=

Channel Tunnel fares, an allowance for car driving costs and food.

The lowest UK private operation quote was over £7,000 and the higher ones w=

ere over £10,000.

The Belgian experience makes a mockery of the UK state health service (the =

NHS) and the rapacious charging of the UK's private surgeons and private hos=

pitals. It also indicates that UK insurance companies that pay for people to=

have private hip resurfs in the UK are wasting a very great deal of their c=

ustomers' money. That is simply scandalous. BUt then I think insurance compa=

nies have very poor purchasing organisations inside them.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Guest guest]

Mike,

It was 16,000 Euros, as I recall, which was the same as $16,000 with the

exchange rate at the time. 12,000 hospital fee and 4,000 surgeon's fee.

Saeed

[Guest guest]

Saeed

You don't mention it but the cost was, in your case, for both hips (not per

hip) - am I right?

Re: Re: Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

Mike,

It was 16,000 Euros, as I recall, which was the same as $16,000 with the

exchange rate at the time. 12,000 hospital fee and 4,000 surgeon's fee.

Saeed

[Guest guest]

Saeed

You don't mention it but the cost was, in your case, for both hips (not per

hip) - am I right?

Re: Re: Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

Mike,

It was 16,000 Euros, as I recall, which was the same as $16,000 with the

exchange rate at the time. 12,000 hospital fee and 4,000 surgeon's fee.

Saeed

[Guest guest]

Yes, , the cost I quoted was for both hips. Thanks for clarifying. I

hope you are doing well.

Regards,

Saeed

[Guest guest]

Yes, , the cost I quoted was for both hips. Thanks for clarifying. I

hope you are doing well.

Regards,

Saeed

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Just to clarify. The cost of $16,000 was for BOTH hips and didn't include

hotel or air. Air, of course can vary according to season or airline. I

recently saw that with Kuwaiti Airlines you can go from Chicago to Amsterdam

(short train trip to Ghent) round trip under $400 until Dec '02.

The rate at the Holiday Inn in Ghent was around $70/day with clinic discount.

This was in July holiday period so I don't know if the fall season is cheaper

or not.

Saeed

[Guest guest]

Mike,

Just to clarify. The cost of $16,000 was for BOTH hips and didn't include

hotel or air. Air, of course can vary according to season or airline. I

recently saw that with Kuwaiti Airlines you can go from Chicago to Amsterdam

(short train trip to Ghent) round trip under $400 until Dec '02.

The rate at the Holiday Inn in Ghent was around $70/day with clinic discount.

This was in July holiday period so I don't know if the fall season is cheaper

or not.

Saeed

[Guest guest]

My costs to go to Belguim were four thousand for the doctor and thirteen

thousand for the hospital, so i think the price went up for me, sept 11,

2002.

My hotel bill was higher, eighty three a night......just the time of the year

i guess.

Blessings to you...Peg

[Guest guest]

Yes thankyou Saeed. I knew you wouldn't me mind me clarifying. You are well

known on this site but some newcomers may have taken the cost as for one hip.

It's nice to see your updates and trust that you'll be playing Wimbledon next

year.

Rog

Re: Re: Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

Yes, , the cost I quoted was for both hips. Thanks for clarifying. I

hope you are doing well.

Regards,

Saeed

[Guest guest]

you wrote:

" ...so i think the price went up for me... "

not necessarily,

you have to take the number of hospital days into account (beside

others...).

Re: Re: Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

My costs to go to Belguim were four thousand for the doctor and thirteen

thousand for the hospital, so i think the price went up for me, sept 11,

2002.

My hotel bill was higher, eighty three a night......just the time of the

year

i guess.

Blessings to you...Peg

[Guest guest]

you wrote:

" ...so i think the price went up for me... "

not necessarily,

you have to take the number of hospital days into account (beside

others...).

Re: Re: Belgium (Ghent) Resurfacing Cost is low

My costs to go to Belguim were four thousand for the doctor and thirteen

thousand for the hospital, so i think the price went up for me, sept 11,

2002.

My hotel bill was higher, eighty three a night......just the time of the

year

i guess.

Blessings to you...Peg