Hip Replacement Quote Checklist for Colombia

A useful hip quote describes a care episode

A hip replacement quote is more than “prosthesis + surgery.” For an international patient it should make the episode of care legible: who operates, where, what implant system is planned, what hospital care is included, what rehabilitation is included, and what happens after discharge.

If the quote cannot tell you those things, you do not yet have enough information to compare it with another provider.

Ask what the implant line actually means

For total hip replacement, the important device questions include the expected manufacturer/product family, stem and cup fixation, and the planned bearing surfaces. Component sizes may change during surgery; the general plan should still be explainable beforehand.

Ask whether the quoted implant allowance changes if the surgeon needs a different system. If the package says only “imported prosthesis,” ask for the actual device information. INVIMA provides public sanitary-registration tools for medical devices in Colombia.

Hospital and rehabilitation terms matter

Confirm the number of inpatient nights, routine post-operative medications, mobility aids if supplied, initial physiotherapy and any outpatient sessions included before flight clearance. Ask what happens financially if you need another hospital night.

A quote that includes a longer supervised recovery period may carry a higher sticker price than a shorter package. That does not make either one better. It means the comparison needs to account for what you would purchase separately.

Revision language should not be vague

AAOS registry material shows that hip revision can occur for reasons such as instability, infection, fracture, loosening and other mechanical problems. A provider’s revision policy will not necessarily cover every one of those events.

Ask what the policy covers, the time period, what medical expenses are included, and whether travel is excluded. Get the answer in writing before paying a non-refundable deposit.