Why I started Lotus Health

I studied at Boston University for two years. During that time, I saw how expensive medical insurance, doctor consultations, and treatment can be in the United States. I also saw many friends go without health insurance simply because the monthly cost was too high.

That experience made me think about cost and value more carefully. Boston University charged nearly $70,000 per year in tuition, while my undergraduate alma mater, Shenzhen University, charged about $700 per year. Was the education at Boston University one hundred times better than the education at Shenzhen University? In my experience, the answer was no.

I believe the same question is worth asking in healthcare. Higher prices do not always mean proportionally better care.

I experienced this firsthand while working in Uzbekistan, when a fish bone became lodged in my throat during a hot pot meal. I first went to an American hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the bone was there, but the doctors did not have the equipment needed to remove it. A kind local nurse then accompanied me to a public hospital in Tashkent and translated for me. There, the doctor used an endoscopic instrument fitted with a camera and forceps to locate and remove the bone. The American hospital charged me $100, while the public hospital charged me nothing. That experience reinforced my belief that a higher price does not necessarily mean better treatment.

If you cannot afford care in the U.S., are exploring more affordable options, or are unsure where to seek treatment in China, Lotus Health can help you navigate the next steps. We provide language support and practical guidance to help you identify hospitals and specialists relevant to the care you are seeking, with a particular focus on China's more affordable public hospital system.