Information for International Patients

The International Center for Limb Lengthening (ICLL) attracts patients from all around the world who are seeking the most expert treatment available for limb lengthening and deformity correction. Sinai Hospital is a 35-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and less than a 1.5-hour drive from two airports near Washington, D.C.: Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport.

Our center is only 15 minutes from Baltimore’s beautiful waterfront area, the Inner Harbor. The Baltimore region offers visitors world-class museums and historical sites, cultural and sporting events, shopping at luxury brand name stores and delicious local and international cuisine. Visit baltimore.org for a full listing of entertainment, museums, historic and cultural sites and dining and shopping opportunities. See our Plan Your Trip to Baltimore page for more trip planning assistance.

Steps to Becoming an International Patient at the ICLL

While the process to becoming a patient at the ICLL can vary, many of our patients from other countries take the following steps:

1. You can first explore the possibility of coming to the ICLL by participating in one of our regularly scheduled online chats with our doctors. Please email icll@lifebridgehealth.org to receive details of upcoming chat sessions and instructions to email X-rays and other critical patient information (translated to English if necessary). If appropriate, the doctor will extend an invitation for a consultation appointment.
2. Email icll@lifebridgehealth.org or call 1-410-601-BONE (2663) to set up an initial consultation appointment. If you email, your message will be forwarded to the appropriate doctor’s secretary. If you have already chosen a physician and call, please ask to speak to that doctor’s secretary.
3. Research payment options. While some of our international patients are self-paying, many are able to negotiate to receive insurance coverage or funding by their countries’ government agencies or embassies—especially when they prove the necessity of coming to the ICLL if comparable treatment is unavailable in their countries. Please see our “Pathway to the International Center for Limb Lengthening: A Guide for Patients with Out-of-Area Insurance Plans” brochure for more information. For further assistance, please contact Joan Karim, International Development and Financial Manager, at jkarim@lifebridgehealth.org.
4. Gather documentation and apply for travel Visas for the United States. Visa requirements vary by country. Click here for details. If necessary, apply for USA Visitor Visa (B2 Visa) for the purpose of medical treatment.

   In addition to the basic requirements for the Visitor Visa, the following documents may need to be produced with the cooperation of the ICLL:

   • A letter or statement from a doctor or the ICLL concerning proposed medical treatment and the date of the initial appointment;
   • Written confirmation from the ICLL that arrangements have been completed for treatment and where and from whom treatment will be received;
   • A physician’s statement estimating the length of time required for the treatment.
   • An estimate in writing of how much the proposed treatment is likely to cost. You will also need to provide proof that you have made financial arrangements for the payment of those estimated expenses.
5. If needed, make an appointment for a visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Click here to check the estimated wait time online.
6. Please speak to your doctor’s secretary about what medical records will be required prior to your visit. Patient records should be translated into English if you are coming from a non-English speaking country.
7. To help plan your travel and accommodations, please visit our Plan Your Trip to Baltimore page.

International Services Available

• International Development and Financial Manager
  While some of our international patients are self-paying, many are able to negotiate to receive insurance coverage or funding by their countries’ government agencies or embassies—especially when they prove the necessity of coming to the ICLL if comparable treatment is unavailable in their countries. For assistance, please contact Joan Karim, International Development and Financial Manager, at jkarim@lifebridgehealth.org.
• Language Translation Services
  With advance notice, we can provide telephone interpreter service for assistance with language translation for hundreds of languages. With advance notice, video translation services are available for the following languages:
  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Armenian
  • Bengali
  • Brazilian Portuguese
  • Burmese
  • Cambodian
  • Cantonese
  • Farsi
  • French
  • French Creole
  • Haitian Creole
  • Hindi
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Karen
  • Korean
  • Mandarin
  • Nepali
  • Polish
  • Punjabi
  • Russian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Swahili
  • Tagalog/Filipino
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese
• Dietary Needs
  We also can assist with housing and meeting any special dietary needs while you or your child are an inpatient at Sinai Hospital.

Other Planning Tips for International Patients

Based on families of other international patients who have shared their experience, we have developed a list of other things to consider when planning your stay:

• Photocopy back-up copies of your identification card, passport, insurance card, visa and any other important documents.
• Consider purchasing travel insurance for the family in case another family member has health problems while traveling.
• Research mobile phone plans and how to avoid expensive international roaming cell expenses. For extended stays, some find it least expensive to purchase a second Pay As You Go Phone from an American carrier. Click here for some helpful tips.
• Research transportation options. Renting a car is expensive for foreigners who must purchase extra insurance. Some patients find it more affordable to use car services like Uber and Lyft.
• Consider purchasing an electric voltage converter and adapter plugs. U.S. devices run on 110/125V electricity and use outlet type A/B.