Dr. Verma Extends Package Pricing to Patients in Canada Discouraged by Healthcare Wait Times
US orthopedic surgeon Nikhil Verma, MD and the physicians at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush University Medical Center now offer a fixed knee surgery price and shoulder surgery price for international patients including patients discouraged by the Canadian healthcare wait time. Canadian patients can wait, on average, 35.7 weeks for elective orthopedic treatment according to a 2015 report from the Fraser Institute. Voted by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” every year since 2007, Dr. Verma strives to make world-class, quality orthopedic care available to all patients through package pricing. Dr. Verma is head of the Division of Sports Medicine at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and head team physician for the Chicago White Sox.
According to the 2015 Fraser Institute survey, Canadian orthopedic specialists report clinically reasonable wait time for orthopedic surgery is 12.3 weeks. In reality, Canadian patients are waiting 23.4 weeks longer than the recommended wait time. A 2013 New York Times’ survey of fifteen metropolitan areas reported the average wait time in the United States for orthopedic surgery is 9.8 days (including Saturdays and Sundays).
“Wait times for elective orthopedic procedures are a major source of frustration for patients,” says Dr. Verma. “Delays in surgery for some cases, such as acute rotator cuff tears, can complicate recovery including compromised healing and incomplete restoration of function. In addition, for many patients, a long wait for surgery prolongs recovery time delaying return to work and recreational activities.”
Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush is the first orthopedic practice partnered with an academic center, Rush University Medical Center, to offer domestic and international patients a fixed knee surgery price and shoulder surgery price. The bundled payments offered by Dr. Verma include several surgical procedures such as: knee arthroscopy, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair, shoulder arthroscopy, shoulder replacement and rotator cuff repair. Rush also offers package pricing for hip arthroscopy, spine surgery, hand surgery and lower extremity joint replacement. The program is expected to add more procedures in the near future.
Ranked as the #4 Hospital in the US for Orthopaedics and #1 in Illinois by U.S. News & World Report, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush has established package pricing:
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair: $10,800
Knee arthroscopy: $5,000
Rotator cuff repair: $11,300
Shoulder arthroscopy: $10,000
Total Shoulder Replacement: $24,500
Reverse Shoulder Replacement: $26,500
“These bundles are for patients who want a choice in healthcare and want to see one of our physicians based on quality and experience,” Dr. Verma said. “We get a lot of patients coming to us from other parts of the country and from other countries. This type of transparency helps them understand the pricing upfront, such that they can make an informed decision regarding their health care. The goal of our program is to provide patients with the highest quality, cutting edge care, at an understandable and affordable price.”
For each package, the prices are non-negotiable and payment is expected in full when Dr. Verma or the RUSH provider render the services. The fixed bundled pricing plans include:
Surgeon fees – including initial consultation visit
Facility fees
Anesthesia fees
Supplies and implants (if applicable)
Uncomplicated follow-up care
Services patients may need to seek outside of the healthcare bundled payments include:
MRI or X-rays
Postoperative rehabilitation
Home health services
Physical therapy
Durable medical equipment
Postoperative medication
About Nikhil Verma, MD
Dr. Nikhil Verma is a US orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating conditions of the shoulder, elbow and knee. Performing over 500 procedures per year, Dr. Verma maintains an active clinic while also serving as the Fellowship Director, Professor and Chief of Sports Medicine at Rush University Medical Center. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts in major orthopaedic and sports medicine journals, numerous book chapters, and routinely serves as teaching faculty for orthopedic courses on advanced surgical technique.
Press Release: Dr. Verma Extends Package Pricing for Canadian Patients Discouraged by Patient Wait Times
