“India Is Much Better”: NRI Reveals Shocking Cost of Emergency Care in US, $6,000 Bill for 1.5-Hour ER Visit

Washington: Many Indians dream of living and working in the United States, evident from the long waiting lists for US visas and green cards. However, one NRI’s recent experience with the American healthcare system offers a stark reality check—and a reason to appreciate India.

Parth Vijayvargiya shared his ordeal in a video, explaining how a brief visit to a US hospital emergency room ended up costing him nearly ₹5 lakh (around $6,000).

Emergency Visit Turns Expensive
On December 25, Parth was ice-skating in New York with his wife and sister when he suffered a knee injury after being struck accidentally. Fearing a fracture, he decided to visit the hospital emergency room. To avoid exorbitant ambulance charges, he took a taxi instead.

At the ER, he spent about 1.5 hours undergoing examination, an X-ray, and treatment including a crepe bandage for a muscle injury. Despite the short visit, the resulting bill shocked him.

$6,000 for 1.5 Hours
Three weeks later, Parth received the bill. His insurance covered $1,800 (approx. ₹1.5 lakh), but he was still responsible for an additional $4,000–$4,500 (₹3.3–3.7 lakh). The total cost for a 1.5-hour ER visit amounted to $5,800–$6,300, roughly ₹4.8–5.2 lakh.

Praise for India
In his video, Parth also shared hospital footage and medical images, highlighting the high cost of healthcare in the US despite world-class treatment. Many viewers in the comments section compared it with India, noting how simple procedures are far more affordable at home. One user shared that they had to travel to India for a wisdom tooth extraction because the cost was significantly lower. Another remarked, “The US healthcare system offers top-notch treatment, but it comes at a shocking price.”

Parth’s experience has sparked widespread discussion among Indians, reinforcing the perception that while India may have its limitations, it remains far more cost-effective for medical care.