News Australian tourist left with AUD130,000 hospital bill after suffering stroke in Japan

thomas · 23 Jun 2025

Poor chap, but it serves as a reminder not to embark on an overseas journey without travel insurance.

Tom Zdanius recently spent his 57th birthday alone in the Iseikai International General Hospital in Osaka. He suffered a stroke in Japan last month, and has been lying in bed racking up medical bills of about AUD5,000 a day ever since. His brother Lukas Zdanius said it was a terrible situation for the family. "He is partially paralysed, he has lost his voice and ability to eat, and a couple of other things," he said. Mr Zdanius said learning that his brother, who is from Yamba in NSW, had gone overseas without travel insurance caused the family "a lot of angst". "It is a cautionary tale, for sure," he said.

Australian man stranded in Japan as stroke leaves him with $130K bill

Tom Zdanius suffered a stroke in Japan last month and has been lying in bed, racking up medical bills of about $5,000 a day ever since.

www.abc.net.au

Majestic · 23 Jun 2025

A cautionary tale, for sure. I'm a little surprised at the cost of $5000 per day. I wonder what kind of treatment he was receiving to incur those charges. My impression (having never been hospitalized in Japan) was that Japan's healthcare system, even for the uninsured, wasn't nearly as punishingly expensive as the US. But that sort of expense, while still cheaper than the US, is still quite expensive.

Ukigumo · 23 Jun 2025

As soon as I plan travel abroad, purchasing travel insurance is my second action - it's a reflex as a cautious person. Perhaps airline companies should make travel insurance compulsory when one buys an aeroplane ticket or have insurance be part of the purchase price. Or Japan et al. could demand proof of travel insurance before entry before entry. These measures would prevent 'health tourism' to the UK, too.

This situation is going to lead to a Japanese health provider being out of pocket and the injured party, bankrupt.

johnnyG · 23 Jun 2025

Tho there's been a change in the last day or so due to US/Iran, AUD130,000 appears to be a little over ¥12m, or US$83k and change.

And back to AUD, I wonder if "the failed attempt (to return home) had cost about $30,000"... if that 30k is included or not (mixed in or not) with the supposed hospital bill? Journalism does sometimes get things mixed up.

Ukigumo · 23 Jun 2025

johnnyG said:
Journalism does sometimes get things mixed up.

Especially with health-related stories. Having professional journalists, with a background in the arts, trying to report on cutting edge science often has me shouting "NO!" at the report!

thomas · 23 Jun 2025

johnnyG said:
Tho there's been a change in the last day or so due to US/Iran, AUD130,000 appears to be a little over ¥12m, or US$83k and change.

And back to AUD, I wonder if "the failed attempt (to return home) had cost about $30,000"... if that 30k is included or not (mixed in or not) with the supposed hospital bill? Journalism does sometimes get things mixed up.

From their GoFundMe page:

We were so hopeful for our eldest brother Tom, who was all set to fly back home to Melbourne Sunday evening. But, unfortunately, things took a sudden and serious turn. Tom was rushed back to the Japan hospital by ambulance. This news has been heartbreaking for the family. The hospital bills have already surpassed $100,000, and the medical flight to Melbourne cost was $34,000 - which was a private service and non-refundable. Now, we face the urgent need to cover an additional $10,000 for the return to hospital on top of that to keep this moving along.

Donate to Urgent Update - We Need Your Support Now More Than Ever, organized by Lukas and Tanya Zdanius

Tom's Family’s Heartache in Japan While life for most of … Lukas and Tanya Zdanius needs your support for Urgent Update - We Need Your Support Now More Than Ever

www.gofundme.com

Ukigumo · 23 Jun 2025

As an Australian citizen, doesn't his government have some responsibility to repatriate him?

mdchachi · 23 Jun 2025

The medical flight service charged them full price even though they canceled? Wow what a$$holes.

thomas · 24 Jun 2025

mdchachi said:
The medical flight service charged them full price even though they canceled? Wow what a$$holes.

Based on the limited information on their GoFundMe page, it appears the medical aircraft to Melbourne was already on standby in Japan when Mr Zdanius was rushed back to the hospital.

mdchachi · 24 Jun 2025

thomas said:
Based on the limited information on their GoFundMe page, it appears the medical aircraft to Melbourne was already on standby in Japan when Mr Zdanius was rushed back to the hospital.

Sure. I can understand a cancellation fee but full cost?

News Australian tourist left with AUD130,000 hospital bill after suffering stroke in Japan

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Australian man stranded in Japan as stroke leaves him with $130K bill

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Donate to Urgent Update - We Need Your Support Now More Than Ever, organized by Lukas and Tanya Zdanius

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