How Medical Tourism Could Save Us All Money

Pioneer Press ^ | 2-22-15 | John Graham

[TurboZamboni]

One of the most under-reported medical success stories in recent years has been the increase in medical tourism: traveling abroad to get high-quality care at a fraction of what it would cost in the United States.

The same Lasik eye surgery that might cost $4,400 here (for both eyes) is available in India, for example, for $500, according to the Medical Tourism Association. A heart-valve replacement that might cost $170,000 in the United States could cost less than $30,000 in Israel.

While going overseas for care isn’t for most people, it certainly should make us wonder why we don’t encourage Americans, especially Medicare recipients whose bills are largely paid by taxpayers, to at least shop around in their own states or communities.

Recent growth in Medicare spending per beneficiary has been slower than the Congressional Budget Office and others expected. That’s in part because of the recession: Even Medicare beneficiaries cut their consumption of health services when times are tough. It’s also because

[lulu16]

This is what we are keeping as reference for costly medical and dental care
.
http://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com/

Expats tell their medical stories living in Panama, Nicaragua, and Belize.

We were amazed and although we have insurance for now, we are thinking of any elective or preventive surgery to take to these countries.

Just put your keywords in and there are lots of opinions.

re: Panama hospitals and clinics:
http://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com/questions-and-answers/1121-how-good-are-the-medical-centers-hospitals-and-health-clinics-in-panama-and-how-close-are-they

re: medical tourism in Nicaragua

http://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com/questions-and-answers/2015:how-s-the-medical-and-dental-tourism-in-nicaragua-

re: are doctors in Belize good

http://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com/questions-and-answers/2497-are-the-doctors-in-belize-good

I’m a prepper, so I also am keeping out for an escape hatch.

[bgill]

No thanks. I’ll take Western medicine along with their high prices over turd world witch doctors.

[ThankYouFreeRepublic]

In the past, access to high quality, affordable medical care was a reason to stay in the US. Now, it is a reason to move somewhere else. lulu16 has it exactly right.

In addition, as others have pointed out, the following things have nothing to do with Medicare and the people who run it couldn’t care less: cost containment, access, quality. Why? Because its not their money, and its not their medical care.

If the US government cared at all about thee things, it would pay for people to have medical care abroad. (It might even make Medicare solvent!)

(Of course, that would expose exactly how inept Medicare is, which is the main reason it will never happen.)

[TurboZamboni]

http://www.medretreat.com/

[To Hell With Poverty]

Bump for later reference...need a couple teef put in!

[Jimmy Valentine]

Instead of a ship you could open up in a tax haven like the Netherlands Antilles.

[Yaelle]

And if we are to be encouraged to shop abroad for surgery, why shouldn’t we do the same for pharmaceuticals?

---

Honey, do it! I’m getting my migraine meds through a Canadian pharmacy. They are called a different name because they are made for the european market but they work exactly the same. I’m saving big bucks and I’m not limited to the few pills insurance would cover a month.