Private Hospitals Vs. Public Hospitals

Like domestic patients, many medical tourists have uncertainties about whether to be admitted to a private hospital or a public hospital. Although the services provided by public and private hospitals have some similarities, some key differences set them apart.

Public hospitals are much larger than private hospitals, because of this, private hospitals can offer more personalized care and treatment to patients. Public hospitals are funded by the government and so are unable to turn away patients. Conversely, private hospitals can refuse treatment; however, both by law should treat an emergency case and only then, the patient can be sent to a public hospital.

Why choose treatment at a private hospital?

Despite the benefits of private health care, not all patients are able to afford private insurance or fees for a particular treatment at a private hospital. While many public hospital sectors face enormous pressure, due to an influx of patients, for example, this may only prolong the time of treatment, which is of particular concern, particularly if a patient requires immediate treatment and/ or have a suspected serious illness. Private hospitals offer an excellent doctor-to-patient ratio. In addition, there is usually a larger number of attentive staff (nurses) per patient in private hospitals.

A private hospital enables the patient to select their preferred surgeon. This is a big advantage since no one wants to risk his or her life and take a risk in the slightest negligence in treatment. In public hospitals, you are in the hands of a surgeon or an intern who is chosen according to the hospital shift schedule.

Choosing the right hospital and physician are important factors to consider that significantly influence a patient’s treatment. The preferred choice for many patients is choosing private care; this is reflected in the following:

HMC – The Leading Private Hospital

A recent study published by the Ministry of Health indicates that the majority of Israelis are moving from the public to private health. The main reason for this switch is in the freedom of choosing their preferred surgeon/s, fast-track consultation with a doctor and personalized treatment. In addition, this study focused broadly on elective surgery, with a sharp increase from 2007 to 2013.

Why Choose HMC for Private Care Treatment?

There are numerous reasons for choosing private care and treatment at Herzliya Medical Center, the main reasons include:

1. No Waiting List or Delay for Treatment

Private hospitals have no long waiting lists. International patients requiring surgery, for example; be it a simple procedure or a complex medical treatment are admitted within a couple of days. It is known that in public hospitals, one can wait a year for a knee replacement or for a minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Non-urgent patient cases may take longer to resolve and could affect work performance, for example, if the patient requires numerous medical appointments. The majority of non-urgent cases, following medical advice, a patient decides when to have their treatment, as well as the choice of treating physician.

Large public hospitals often have emergencies or spontaneous occurrences (pay strikes) that may result a delay of your surgery until further notice – this could take days to weeks. Conversely, at private hospitals like HMC, the operating theater is ready for the sole purpose use of your surgery. Moreover, there are no strikes of doctors and nurses due to low pay.

2. Innovative diagnostic imaging institute

HMC applies the latest medical technologies, consistently investing in top of the range medical equipment in diagnostics and treatment across all hospital departments and within a single location, without the need for a patient to travel to another site for diagnosis or treatment. The immediate availability of all the above-mentioned medical innovations in a public hospital is usually not the case, many patients also require separate check-ups, which can take days. Furthermore, public hospitals may have tighter budgets in terms of medical equipment purchases, and thus may not necessarily have the newest medical equipment.

3. VIP Service at HMC

HMC’s unique service includes assigning a personal Case Manager – responsible for the coordination of the diagnostics, consultations with the physicians and all other aspects in relation to the patient’s comfort and hospitalization. This incredibly convenient service is unavailable within a public hospital; the patient is responsible for arranging their own diagnostic procedures and consultations with specialists.

Furthermore, the Medical Director of the International Department is personally involved in every surgery and procedure that a patient is undergoing. He or she is updated over the course of surgery and hospitalization and is fully aware of the patient’s condition at all times.

Following treatment, the patient admitted to a private hospital has more privacy in their hospital room. Herzliya Medical Center has VIP rooms that feel more like a hotel, including the menu choices. We also have suites where the family can stay to keep you company. The use of private rooms also ensures easier and better-improved management in cleanliness, thereby reducing the risk of acquiring hospital-associated infection.

Herzliya Medical Center, Israel’s leading private hospital conducts a personal follow-up on every international medical tourism patient arriving to the hospital.

4. Guaranteed Senior Experts

Senior doctors at private hospitals are heads of departments and unit managers at public hospitals. Private hospitals choose the doctors they want to work with, hence the patient should have no concerns about any interns managing their case.

Doctors at HMC are carefully selected to conduct complex surgeries in all branches of medicine; all are renowned for their experience, as well as their many successful surgeries conducted over the years.

5. Reduced Risk of Infections

The risk of infections after surgery is less than 1% in private hospitals, due to outstanding intensive care units and excellent medical staff, who are fully committed to the patient’s welfare. Staff can fully focus on each patient’s individual needs, without the concern of acquiring a mass of patients on a daily basis.

6. Affordable Cost of Treatment

While private hospitals are associated with higher fees for treatment, medical tourists are guaranteed an unsurpassed quality of treatment and a highly regarded specialist in their respective fields. Furthermore, in most cases, the cost of treatment is considerably cheaper than in their home country. A patient from the US, for example, can expect to pay a third of what they would pay for treatment in the US if they decide to be treated in Israel.