Why Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad Makes Sense
Nancy Wee asked:
Medical tourism was once something that was only done by the idle rich, looking for cheap cosmetic surgery, but now more and more Americans are taking advantage of the health care that is offered in foreign countries. Find out why, even with the cost of airfare and travel, that medical tourism has become a valuable option for Americans requiring surgery and other medical treatments!
With the costs of medical procedures and health insurance rising every year in America, the new trend of Americans seeking medical care abroad makes perfect sense. Health insurance, which was once an American’s first protection against the debilitating cost of procedures like CAT scans and surgery is now turning into more and more of a liability. Rising premiums coupled with inadequate co-pays have rendered some health insurance nearly useless and the cost that you will pay out of pocket is quickly rising to astronomical levels. Moreover, if you are one of the more than 46 million Americans without health insurance of any kind (or one of the many more whose health insurance is inadequate) medical tourism might be your path to escaping a financial burden that could follow you for years.
There are many Americans who can benefit from foreign health care, but the ones who stand to benefit the most will be those who are underinsured or lack insurance entirely. Essentially, if you fall into either of those categories, you will find a system that that is compatible with small (for Americans) cash payments and where your dollar will stretch farther. The accommodations in these hospitals are usually fairly luxurious, as most of the locals will use the public hospitals and the private hospitals will find themselves caring for tourists, who can more easily afford them.
When Americans travel abroad, one thing they quickly recognize is the completely affordable, more than competent health care that is available in countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippine and India. These five countries are ranked as the best one to visit for health care and it is easy to see why. For instance, in Thailand, the costs stay low because doctors pay significantly less in malpractice insurance than do their Western counterparts. Similarly, hospitals in Thailand don’t spend the enormous amount of money on processing insurance claims because most of the payments more than 75 percent) are handled via cash payments.
In light of today’s American medical health crisis, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to investigate the opportunities that medical tourism provides. Find out what so many medical tourists already know; a little research now can save you a lot of trouble and money later on!
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Medical tourism was once something that was only done by the idle rich, looking for cheap cosmetic surgery, but now more and more Americans are taking advantage of the health care that is offered in foreign countries. Find out why, even with the cost of airfare and travel, that medical tourism has become a valuable option for Americans requiring surgery and other medical treatments!
With the costs of medical procedures and health insurance rising every year in America, the new trend of Americans seeking medical care abroad makes perfect sense. Health insurance, which was once an American’s first protection against the debilitating cost of procedures like CAT scans and surgery is now turning into more and more of a liability. Rising premiums coupled with inadequate co-pays have rendered some health insurance nearly useless and the cost that you will pay out of pocket is quickly rising to astronomical levels. Moreover, if you are one of the more than 46 million Americans without health insurance of any kind (or one of the many more whose health insurance is inadequate) medical tourism might be your path to escaping a financial burden that could follow you for years.
There are many Americans who can benefit from foreign health care, but the ones who stand to benefit the most will be those who are underinsured or lack insurance entirely. Essentially, if you fall into either of those categories, you will find a system that that is compatible with small (for Americans) cash payments and where your dollar will stretch farther. The accommodations in these hospitals are usually fairly luxurious, as most of the locals will use the public hospitals and the private hospitals will find themselves caring for tourists, who can more easily afford them.
When Americans travel abroad, one thing they quickly recognize is the completely affordable, more than competent health care that is available in countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippine and India. These five countries are ranked as the best one to visit for health care and it is easy to see why. For instance, in Thailand, the costs stay low because doctors pay significantly less in malpractice insurance than do their Western counterparts. Similarly, hospitals in Thailand don’t spend the enormous amount of money on processing insurance claims because most of the payments more than 75 percent) are handled via cash payments.
In light of today’s American medical health crisis, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to investigate the opportunities that medical tourism provides. Find out what so many medical tourists already know; a little research now can save you a lot of trouble and money later on!
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Medical Tourism: Get the Medical Treatment you Need Overseas
Garrick Berger asked:
It’s hard not to be keenly aware that health care costs have skyrocketed – a week’s stay in the hospital for a few tests and treatment WITHOUT ANY PROCEDURES can cost $15,000 or more![1] So, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of people who need or want real treatment are looking elsewhere for a solution.
Where do they go? To places like India, Thailand, Panama, and Argentina. These countries have strongly emerging economies, and have correspondingly made significant investnment in their medical capabilities. That translates to quality care – second to none – at reasonable cost.
“Medical Tourism”, the name for the new practice of going overseas to receive medical treatment and perhaps get a bit of travel in on the side, is becoming a very popular option, for many.
It can make a lot of sense. Laparascopic, prostate, hernia repair, gastric banding, dental implantation, and other treatments can cost far less in say, India, than in the US – a tenth to a fifth as much. There is no delay in diagnostics and treatment, either. Diagnostics and tests are done in the same facility, the prognosis and treatment follow, immediately. Billing is easy, too – just a matter of presenting a credit card for the final bill, often determined by an up-front quote.
Of course, medical care is only as good as the doctors that perform it. There is excellent news on this front, as well. Doctors in India (again) are very active in the international medical community. Go to any major facility in the US, and you’re likely to see a large number of Indian doctors on the staff. Likewise, many Indian doctors are US trained. Doctors are constantly engaged in improving their skills, and in imparting those skills to others in the international medical community.
And, of course, the fact that you are in an exotic place, only adds to the enticement. The “tourism” aspect is a terrific adjunct – why not recover seeing the Taj Mahal, or Qtub Minar, or on the beaches of Goa? Why not, indeed. Facilities typically have arrangements to help you explore your new-found destination.
Medical treatment overseas may be just the ticket you’re looking for – if you don’t have health insurance or your insurance has determined that a wanted procedure is ‘elective’, or there are other impediments to your getting the treatment you want, it can be very much worth your while to investigate your “Medical Tourism” options.
As always, you should investigate your options and requirements as they apply to your situation. One place to do this is by participating in a forum we have set up for just such a purpose (see link in resource box.) The forum is free to all, you just need to join to participate. Treatment overseas adds one more choice to your set of options – an option that can greatly reduce costs, and give you the opportunity to explore another part of the world, while you’re at it!
[1] Source: personal experience.
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It’s hard not to be keenly aware that health care costs have skyrocketed – a week’s stay in the hospital for a few tests and treatment WITHOUT ANY PROCEDURES can cost $15,000 or more![1] So, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of people who need or want real treatment are looking elsewhere for a solution.
Where do they go? To places like India, Thailand, Panama, and Argentina. These countries have strongly emerging economies, and have correspondingly made significant investnment in their medical capabilities. That translates to quality care – second to none – at reasonable cost.
“Medical Tourism”, the name for the new practice of going overseas to receive medical treatment and perhaps get a bit of travel in on the side, is becoming a very popular option, for many.
It can make a lot of sense. Laparascopic, prostate, hernia repair, gastric banding, dental implantation, and other treatments can cost far less in say, India, than in the US – a tenth to a fifth as much. There is no delay in diagnostics and treatment, either. Diagnostics and tests are done in the same facility, the prognosis and treatment follow, immediately. Billing is easy, too – just a matter of presenting a credit card for the final bill, often determined by an up-front quote.
Of course, medical care is only as good as the doctors that perform it. There is excellent news on this front, as well. Doctors in India (again) are very active in the international medical community. Go to any major facility in the US, and you’re likely to see a large number of Indian doctors on the staff. Likewise, many Indian doctors are US trained. Doctors are constantly engaged in improving their skills, and in imparting those skills to others in the international medical community.
And, of course, the fact that you are in an exotic place, only adds to the enticement. The “tourism” aspect is a terrific adjunct – why not recover seeing the Taj Mahal, or Qtub Minar, or on the beaches of Goa? Why not, indeed. Facilities typically have arrangements to help you explore your new-found destination.
Medical treatment overseas may be just the ticket you’re looking for – if you don’t have health insurance or your insurance has determined that a wanted procedure is ‘elective’, or there are other impediments to your getting the treatment you want, it can be very much worth your while to investigate your “Medical Tourism” options.
As always, you should investigate your options and requirements as they apply to your situation. One place to do this is by participating in a forum we have set up for just such a purpose (see link in resource box.) The forum is free to all, you just need to join to participate. Treatment overseas adds one more choice to your set of options – an option that can greatly reduce costs, and give you the opportunity to explore another part of the world, while you’re at it!
[1] Source: personal experience.
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