₹47,000 in India vs ₹22 lakh in US: Indian man shares healthcare experience, says ‘I want to move back’
For Indians working in the US, moving back home can be a decision shaped by many everyday experiences. A recent Instagram video has sparked that conversation online after an Indian man shared two very different hospital experiences from his time in India and America.Yuvaan Ibañez Garware spoke about the medical treatment he received in both countries and the costs involved. He also explained why healthcare has become one of the reasons he is considering returning to India.
His hospital stay in India
Yuvaan recalled fainting multiple times a few years ago in India. He said he was taken to a hospital and given a private room “right away with zero paperwork.”Doctors carried out several tests, including ECGs, MRIs, CT scans and blood work. He said he was able to speak to the doctor whenever he wanted.After a few days, Yuvaan said he received a diagnosis and treatment plan. He put the total cost of the hospital stay at around $500, or approximately ₹47,000.
Chest pain while playing basketball
Yuvaan later described a separate medical emergency in the US. He said he developed severe chest pain while playing basketball.He decided to drive to the hospital instead of calling an ambulance.“I couldn’t call the ambulance because here it costs thousands of dollars,” he said.Yuvaan said he was in severe pain during the journey. At the hospital, he claimed he spent more than an hour and a half waiting while his forms and documentation were processed.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.He said doctors later told him that he had suffered a “mini heart attack” and started conducting tests.
He says he had trouble seeing the doctor
Yuvaan also spoke about his experience during the hospital stay.He claimed that when he asked to meet the doctor, he was told the doctor was busy.“Whenever I asked to see the doctor, they just told me he’s too busy and will come at a later time,” he said.He also described an incident while having blood drawn. According to Yuvaan, a nurse missed his vein multiple times and told him to “shut up” after he screamed in pain.He said he was eventually sent home without a clear diagnosis or follow-up plan.
A $23,000 medical bill
The final bill became another part of Yuvaan’s story.“And then the bill came. It was $23,000 (around ₹22 lakh),” he said.Yuvaan said he had top insurance and was paying thousands of dollars for it. Despite this, he claimed that he had to pay $7,000 out of pocket, around ₹6.67 lakh.He reacted to the cost by saying, “America literally punishes you for being sick. They literally prey on your downfall, bro.”
Why he is considering India again
Yuvaan said he recognizes some of the advantages of living in the US, including its weather and infrastructure.However, he said healthcare is a major reason he does not want to settle there. His experiences with medical treatment have influenced his decision to consider moving back to India.
Yuvaan says he is Indian
Yuvaan also addressed comments about his background.He clarified that he is Indian and spent 16 years growing up in Pune.“I’m just working in the US rn!!” he wrote in the comments.
Users share their experiences
The video encouraged other users to share their own experiences with healthcare in the US.One person wrote, “I’ve been to the ER twice in the US and both those times they took a bunch of money only to tell me ‘they don’t know what happened’ tf you mean.”Another user said, “I went to the ER once and had to pay 800 out of pocket because I didn’t know I was caffeine intolerant. I sat in a chair and only had water. $800 for sitting down and drinking water.”A third commenter wrote, “Literally my answer to everyone who keep asking me y I choose to work in India rather than US.”Another user commented, “That’s true . The Indian medical sector is one of the best in terms of the diagnosis..many people come here for medical treatment.. compared to western countries it’s quite cheap.”One more person shared their experience after moving back to India, writing, “Right decision bro we moved 3 months back living in tier 1 city in a very posh locality literally living kingly lives. Got 11 maids in total air quality is good. Services are mind blowing we were just too scared to move but moved for our ageing parents and now celebrating every festival together. I would say the beat decision ever. Why were so skeptical I don’t know India has changed a lot its not like a decade back.”Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared in this article are based on information available in the referenced social media content. Individual experiences may vary.Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)
