Lower wait times in Cuba

Canadians sick of long wait times for non-emergency surgery are being offered another option. For a $200 fee, a Quebec-based company, Health Services International (HSI), will set up consultations with specialists and surgeons in Cuba—and its first client flew to Cuba last Saturday. Surgeries can be preformed as early as 15 days, according to HSI website.

HSI is working in collaboration with the state-run Cuba Tourism and Health. Available surgeries range from hip and knee replacements to cataract operations, as well as dental surgery. “It costs only a tenth of what it would cost to have this done in the U.S.” Lucie Vermette wrote in an e-mail, adding that the rate for eye surgery in Cuba is only $2000. Beyond the fee for HSI and the cost of surgery, the patient is also responsible for the cost of travel. Although all six of the clients who have signed up so far are from Quebec, Vermette says “we give this service to all Canadians.”

This may be good news for people in Saskatchewan where, in 2006, 18% of the 180 people waiting for hip replacements waited over 18 months, according to the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network.

But don’t expect provincial health insurance to cover the costs. According to Joan Petrie of Sask Health, the provincial plan will only cover procedures preformed out of province if they are not available in the province. Also, prior approval is required from Sask Health. “We would cover it if it was based on a referral from a specialist,” Petrie said. “The problem,” she adds, “is that there is no relationship that exists between our doctors and those in Cuba.” Specialists will often only refer patients to doctors whom they know. Petrie also added that no one at Sask Health was even aware of the services provided by HSI, and so it is unlikely that these procedures would be approved.

HSI has been operating since Jan. 16, and six people have signed up so far, says Vermette.

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