I need a spinal stimulator for pain control. Would it be cheaper to go to Canada and get it? I've heard the cost of health care there is much less than in the U.S.

Posted June 11th, 2009 by Matt

Pain Management

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), also called neurostimulation are used to help relieve chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain. A stimulator is implanted into the patient's body, which then sends out impulses to interrupt the pain signals and prevent them from reaching the brain.

The electrical impulses from the stimulator override or mask the pain messages so the person doesn't feel the pain so acutely or so intensely. SCS is generally only used if nothing else in treatment has been successful in reducing or eliminating intense, chronic pain.

It must be done on a trial basis first before the stimulator is permanently implanted. There is a cost involved in the trial as well as the permanent implantation if the trial goes well. The trial stimulation involves consultation with a psychiatrist, social worker, neurosurgeon, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, neuromodulation nurse, and the family or primary care physician who coordinates it all.

ST scans, X-rays, and MRIs are taken in preparation of the implantation. In addition to those costs, the cost of surgery includes the anesthesia, neurosurgical team fees, and the device itself. The stimulator has electrodes and batteries that must be maintained, repaired, and/or replaced each year. Follow-up visits, follow-up imaging, and care for any complications (broken wires, infections, failed pain control) must be added to the overall total costs.

So, it is a good idea to consider the total annual costs -- not just for the implantation, but for the life of the unit and the long-term use needed for pain control. Whether or not it's cheaper to have it done in Canada is another factor to consider. It may depend on whether or not you have any medical coverage to help you out.

If you are covered under a third party payer, will they cover expenses incurred in another country? Will they help you with travel costs to get to and from Canada? Who will do the follow-up care? If you go to Canada for that, then you must calculate the additional costs to and from Canada as well as the cost of food and lodging while there.

There's no reason not to investigate this fully. But beware of the hidden costs and need for close follow-up for many years to come. What might look like a cost advantage in another country may end up a liability when you look at the big picture.

Krishna Kumar, MB, MS, FRCSC, and Sharon Bishop, BNurs, MHlthSci. Financial Impact of Spinal Cord Stimulation on the Healthcare Budget: A Comparative Analysis of Costs in Canada and the United States. In Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. June 2009. Vol. 10. No. 6. Pp. 564-573.

Post to Del.icio.us

Email to a Friend

Comments

Best Windows VPS Hosting by

On March 10th, 2010 mark456 says:

Best Windows VPS Hosting by ucvhost If you choosing for the best windows vps | cheap vps | windows hosting | Cheap Hosting | Forex Vps hosting service, you need to hunt for those virtual private servers that can run as isolated processes while being part of a Web Server, and provide you complete privacy and root access as the VPS owner. You should also ask for CPU resources, guaranteed bandwidth, memory, and disk space, to make the most of your chosen Windows VPS hosting service. Thanks ucvhost

kamagra is a generic version

On May 3rd, 2010 kamagra says:

kamagra is a generic version of viagra. generic viagra is a drug that contains the same active ingredient of brand viagra, which is sildenafil citrate , but is marketed under different brand names, like buy kamagra. lovegra. is the medication that is specifically designed for the women to enhance the sexual pleasures. oral jelly
The M-1965 Field Jacket , also known as the m65 jacket is a popular field jacket designed for the U.S. military. The m65 field jacket has been around for many years. It was introduced into US military service in 1965 to replace the M-1951 field jacket, an evolution of a Second World War design, the M-1943 field jacket. The m65 field jacket was widely used by United States troops during the vietnam war clothing in which the ed hardy became useful for troops serving in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, as well as keeping a soldier warm from the cool weather conditions that came after monsoonal rains. new york city hotel
Learn how to make money on google , Easy Step by Step on How to Start Generating an income on google . make money writing, tv tuner card copy software dog carrier acne tandem costume

replica watches

On June 12th, 2010 cheap watches says:

replica watches

On June 12th, 2010 cheap watches says:

. shock and scratchproof sapphire crystals. hermetic crowns.%AThe Bulgari watch collection by camel cigarettes coupons Bulgari is the main Bvlgari watch line. This collection is the first set of replica Christian Louboutin watches to be Replica Christian Dior Handbags designed Nike shoes by Bulgari. Bulgari is one of the most Discount 555 famous luxury goods companies. contesting for the first place with the Gucci Empire. Bulgari lesbian strap started Replica IPHONE top Louis vuitton/LV corium shoes leather its industry with projecting and producing luxurious jewelry T8 LED Tube before starting to make watches. %ABulgari enthusiasts love the Bulgari Cheap NIKE AIR max series watch collection for its perfect looks and Cheap G-STAR workmanship. The most distinctive characteristic of this soccer jersey supplier cheap replica handbags collection is the Bvlgari davidoff menthol cigarettes emblem carved twice on the bezel. on both the top and bottom halves. This remarkable set of logos in the clean Discount Hermes Bags round bezel makes the watch look distinctive. The cheap kent cigarettes Bulgari collection consists of both men’s and Replica Nike shox R2 Shoes women’s models. D G shoes--Dolce & Gabanna The men’s balkan sobranie cigarettes Chanel Men Wallets model has a 38mm case and the women’s model features Fake Chloe Handbags a 33mm case. Bulgari makes an fake Triumph Motorcycles Watches automatic version Replica Watches. which is watertight to 30 meters and presented with a Replica Gucci Strap yellow gold or steel case. with either Replica watches a metal bracelet or a leather band. A black face emphasizes the smartreplica Christian Louboutin cl boots and cute Top GUCCI corium shoes leather design Cheap Nike Terminator of Fake Hermes Handbags this timepiece to Replica Marni Handbags make passers-by take a long glance Cheap Nike Air Max 93 at your excellent wrist accessory.%A%AIf kent cigarettes you want a sportier version of the Bulgari collection. take into consideration Chanel Men Wallets the Bulgari Iphone replica chronograph. There are some versions Louis Vuitton Handbags consisting of all steel. and steel and leather version. but. of course Fake Replica Watches Watch. the Replica BURBERRY t shirts model made of yellow gold and a leather band is more attractive. Cheap Nike Air Max Tailwind Cheap adidas Running The watch’s Swiss Replica Watches white face and gold sub dials will take your breath away. replica Ceinture Bulgari’s designers were very Replica Omega Watches Replica Omega Watches meticulous to top Burberry corium shoes leather design the chrono pushers not to be too salient to make this version feature a Replica PRADA t shirts sporty but Replica D G t shirts graceful appearance.%AReplica Bulgari watches will Men RALPH lauren t shirts present you the exciting world of reliable watches featuring the best performance you may imagine. Our fine replicas are all but impossible to tell Men PRADA t shirts apart from the genuine timing tools soccer jersey wholesale since High Power LED Bulbs the greatest Japanese master watchmakers make them.%A%9%9%9%9%9%9 Replica Watches%A

ugg boots on sale

On July 9th, 2010 shely77 says:

uggs on sale

On July 12th, 2010 uggs on sale says:

ugg boots sale

On July 14th, 2010 uggs on sale says:

1.Ugg footwear is a great regard for your base like many reasons.cheap uggs for sale. Probably the most rocky landscape. Another equally important disputeugg uk is the ever-mounting medley of styles ugg boots saleand ensign that you are removable to buy ugg boots, actually form to the shape of the arch.。 UGG Bailey Button*UGG Argyle Knit*UGG Cardy*UGG Crochet*UGG Flower*UGG Leopard*UGG Mini*UGG Paisley*UGG Short*UGG Tall *UGG Elsey Wedge*UGG Infants Erin*UGG Langley*UGG Lo Pro*UGG Lo Pro Button*UGG Locarno*UGG Mayfaire*UGG Nightfall*UGG Rainier Eskimo*UGG Sundance II*UGG Ultimate Bind*UGG Ultra Short*UGG Ultra Tall*UGG Suede*UGG Upside*UGG Roxy*UGG Seline*UGG Corinth Wedge*UGG Liberty*UGG Highkoo*UGG Knightsbridge*UGG Bomber Jacket*UGG Adirondack*UGG Suburb Crochet*UGG Bailey Button Boots*UGG Classic Argyle Knit*UGG Classic Cardy Boots*UGG Classic Crochet Boots*UGG Classic Flower boots*UGG Classic Tall Boots 5684 Leopard*UGG Classic Mini Boots*UGG Classic Paisley Boots*UGG Classic Short Boots*UGG Classic Tall Boots*UGG Elsey wedge Boots*UGG Infant's Erin Baby*UGG Women's Langley Boots Black*UGG Lo Pro Button Boots*UGG Women's Locarno Boots*UGG Mayfaire boots*UGG Nightfall Boots*UGG Rainier Eskimo Boots*UGG Sundance II Boots*UGG Ultimate Bind Boots*UGG Ultra Short Boots*UGG Ultra Tall Boots*UGG Suede Boots*UGG upside Boots*UGG Roxy Tall Boots*UGG seline Boots*UGG Women's Corinth Boots in Cocoa*UGG Liberty Boots*UGG Highkoo Boots*UGG Knightsbridge Boots*UGG Bomber Jacket Boots*UGG Adirondack Tall Boot*UGG Suburb Crochet Boots*
2.MBT Safiri*MBT Shuguli*MBT Tembea*MBT Tunisha*MBT Voi*MBT Barabara*MBT Boost*MBT Changa*MBT Chapa*MBT Fora*
timberland boots

UGG Boots on sale

On July 20th, 2010 fang says:

UGG Australia Boots

On August 18th, 2010 shely77 says:

UGG Australia Boots

On August 23rd, 2010 shely77 says:

*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.
	All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Medical Multimedia Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Medical Multimedia Group, LLC and used herein by permission.

Search