How Westerners Can Evade the High Cost of Total Knee Replacement Without Insurance?

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures these days. A little less than a million TKR surgeries are done every year in the US alone, with around 3% of the population undergoing the procedure. The numbers are increasing globally, with a relatively younger population needing the surgery.

As per a study by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the average age of joint replacement patients is decreasing, owing to lifestyle-induced degeneration of joints.

However, the cost of total knee replacement surgery without insurance, which is very high in the US and other Western countries, deprives a significant number of people suffering from chronic osteoarthritis and other debilitating conditions from availing of this procedure.

In this blog, we will explore how such people who are without adequate insurance coverage, undergo an out-of-pocket, affordable, good-quality total knee replacement surgery and improve their quality of life by leaps and bounds.

Total Knee Replacement Cost Without Insurance:

The average cost of Total Knee Replacement without insurance in the US ranges anywhere from $25,000 to $ 50,000 depending upon the type of knee implant being used, operating surgeon's seniority, hospital facility, type of procedure- inpatient/ outpatient, and type/ extent of surgery being done. The cost may also vary based on one's location, overall health, etc.

The various factors that affect the Cost of Total Knee Replacement without insurance are:

Total / Partial Surgery- One of the major deciding factors for the cost is the extent of surgery one needs. Total Knee Replacement cost is on the much higher side, whereas the cost for partial Knee replacement is lesser.

Surgical Approach- Whether the surgeon uses any specialized computer technology or performs robotic surgery influences the cost, as these specialized technologies come at an additional cost.

Implant Type- Implants come in different varieties and depending on the make/ brand, the charges may vary. A more advanced implant may cost more.

Duration of stay at the clinic/ hospital- The duration of stay at the hospital may vary depending on whether one needs a partial or a total knee replacement.

Co-morbidities- Co-morbid conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension or any cardiac conditions warrant a longer stay at the hospital leading to additional costs.

Where and How One Can Undergo Affordable TKR?

Since the cost of Total Knee Replacement without insurance in the US and other Western countries is prohibitively, one may consider a mortgage loan or any other form of debt, if that is reasonably possible.

Another out-of-the-box solution can be Medical Tourism. This is where one can get the total knee replacement surgery without insurance done in another country at a much lower cost. Traveling abroad for Total Knee Replacement without insurance can be significantly cheaper, even after accounting for travel and accommodation costs. Countries like India, Thailand, Turkey, Singapore, etc offer great benefits, including high-quality medical care, experienced surgeons, state-of-the-art facilities, and significantly lower costs.

The cost of Total Knee Replacement without insurance is different in different countries and there are pros and cons of each destination, that one needs to research before finalizing the destination.

Here is a quick comparison of Knee replacement surgery costs abroad in the most preferred medical tourism destination countries:

As it is evident from the above comparison, India is the most affordable medical tourism destination among the preferred countries for medical tourism. In addition to the lowest cost for knee replacement with insurance, India holds another advantage of having some of the best knee replacement surgeons, who are revered the world over for their surgical skills and expertise. A large chunk of doctors in the US are of Indian origin and highly respected by their peers and counterparts. Some of the top private hospitals in India also deploy state-of-the-art medical facilities and highly robust medical infrastructure.

No wonder that with these clear advantages, India is welcoming an increasing number of people from the US to undergo total knee replacement without insurance.

India As a Foremost Choice for TKR Without Insurance

India's increasing popularity as a medical tourism destination for total knee replacement surgery without insurance stems from the robust private healthcare ecosystem. Apart from providing excellent privately owned medical facilities with top-notch Knee replacement surgeons, it is also the most affordable option among all medical tourism destinations. Total Knee Replacement cost without insurance in India starts from as low as US$ 4000 for a single knee, which is a staggering 10 times less than in the US!

The affordability however does in no way imply a lower quality of care. The lower cost of Knee replacement surgery in India can be attributed to lower operational and administrative costs at the hospitals, favorable exchange rates for foreign nationals, a competitive healthcare market in India, and supportive government policies to contain the costs.

Some of the key features of Knee Replacement Surgery in India are:

• Surgery at state-of-the-art orthopedic hospitals that are JCI/ NABH accredited, ensuring that there is no compromise in the quality of services offered
• Availability of best Knee Replacement surgeons, who are Board certified and trained at top-notch medical schools in the world
• Option for Inpatient knee replacement procedures, wherein the patient stays in the hospital for at least 3-4 days post-surgery, getting 24*7 nursing and medical care
• Availability of latest technologies like Robotic Surgeries, NAV3 for maximum precision
• Extensive pre-admission protocols including pre-operative investigations and consultations with surgeon/ anaesthetist to minimize complications
• Use of minimally invasive, muscle-sparing techniques for faster recovery and lesser downtime
• Pain management through the use of nerve blocks, oral pain medications, and other methods

The additional benefits one can expect from undergoing Knee Replacement surgery in India are minimal to zero waiting times, all-inclusive packages covering the entire expenditure, and combining medical treatment with travel, experiencing India's rich culture and heritage while recuperating.

Ensure a Seamless Medical Tour to India

If navigating and selecting the appropriate healthcare provider for a total knee replacement surgery without insurance in India proves challenging, seeking assistance from a professional and reputed medical tourism company could be a wise choice. Companies like IndiCure Health Tours who have more than a decade of experience can make end-to-end arrangements for medical visitors seeking affordable cost of total knee replacement without insurance. It is safe to go by their recommendations of surgeons and hospitals as they choose to associate only with the best surgeons and top hospitals to ensure the safety of their international patient guests.

The medical tourism process with IndiCure Health Tours starts when one is still at home. IndiCure's surgeons will assess the condition basis available X-rays, MRI scans, and other medical history to give the best approximation of costs that will be involved for the total knee replacement surgery without insurance.

Once the patient is satisfied and decides on timelines to have the surgery, IndiCure helps with Medical Visa facilitation and books appointments with the surgeon and the hospital. When the patient travels to India, they will take care of pick-up from the airport, inland transfers, making arrangements for stay before and after discharge from the hospital, arranging follow-ups and other appointments with the surgeons and other nitty-gritty; allowing one to concentrate wholeheartedly only on the surgery and recovery.

All in all, if someone is suffering from debilitating Knee pain that could be resolved with Total Knee Replacement but the cost without insurance is stopping them from undergoing this essential procedure, medical tourism to India for Knee replacement can be the best possible solution.

To make your medical tour to India for total knee replacement surgery without insurance safe and seamless, choose to travel with a medical travel partner like IndiCure Health Tours.