Orthopedic surgeon Thomas Parisi, MD, of The Orthopedic Institute of Wisconsin in Franklin met a patient at a private Mexican hospital to perform a total knee replacement, reports El Paso Inc.
Six details:
1. The patient's coverage was through her husband's employer, which allows employees and dependents to travel for such procedures with no out-of-pocket copayments or deductibles.
2. The company covered the travel costs and wrote a $5,000 check for the patient, according to El Paso Inc.
3. The procedure cost $12,000 at Galenia Hospital in Cancun and would cost around $30,000 on average in the U.S., according to El Paso Inc.
4. Dr. Parisi received $2,700, equating to roughly three times what he would get from Medicare.
5. He is one of roughly 40 U.S. orthopedic surgeons collaborating with Denver-based North American Specialty Hospital to travel to Galenia Hospital to perform orthopedic procedures.
6. NASH is a nonprofit company that charges a fixed amount per case and receives compensation from the employer or an intermediary organizing the treatment.