Appendectomies Around The World
In fairness, the $55,000 appendectomy was not reflective of the average cost for such surgery in the United States. Depending on geographic location, specific services needed, type of hospital, and other factors, the price can fluctuate. However, compared to other countries, the United States still ranks the highest overall [2], according to the International Federation of Health Plans (IFHP). The IFHP releases data annually that compares the cost of specific services from country to country.
Since the United States’ private medical industry does not set their rates centrally, like most countries do, the IFHP lists average ranges for each of our services. In the case of an appendectomy, the range of cost was between $8,156 and $29,426 in 2012.
Certainly not as high as the Reddit user’s $55,000 bill, but even the low end of the range is higher than other countries measured. On IFHP’s 2012 scale, Australia came in second to the U.S. at $5,467, while Argentina came in with the lowest figure, at just $953. Other notable figures included Spain ($2,245), the United Kingdom ($3,408), and Switzerland ($4,782).
Here’s what citizens from other countries had to say about their own experiences.
An Australian with appendicitis never even saw a bill.
A Canadian’s mother had foot surgery and her only charge was $60…for cable.
A Malaysian paid the equivalent of $25 for an appendectomy.
Of course, appendectomies aren’t the only medical service where the United States ranks the highest in terms of cost. Here are a few more notable comparisons from 2012: