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Here is another fact about the high cost cost of medical insurance in the US. My brother will go in Jan next year to CR for dental work. He travels from Virginia and will stay with my wife’s family in San Jose. Why would someone go overseas for dental work? (Because it is cheaper).
There was an article on Nov 10 in the Tampa Tribune newspaper in Florida “More americans head overseas for health care”.
Bangkok, Thailand (bladder)
New Delhi, India (hip replacement, heart surgery)
Mexico (same day procedures)
Canada (medications).“As an independent contractor for Coldwell Banker real estate franchise in Durant, Oklahoma, Dodie Gilmore” went to India for a hip replacement that would cost $40,000 in the US. She paid $7,000 in New Delhi, which was reimbursed to her by her company.
Approximately 400.000 foreigners go overseas for medical treatment of which 50,000 are AMERICANS, why? (because it is cheaper).
The greatest country in the world, the most advanced, with a huge economy and it’s citizens are starting to go overseas for medical treatment.
Do you see where I am going with this?
I saw the same article in the newspaper recently and wasn’t at all surprised by the number of people going elsewhere. Health care in the U.S. has become financially prohibitive for most folks. Insurance policies become more and more expensive to purchase and some people are simply refusing to pay that much for a policy that may not even cover something that may happen unexpectedly.
I have also heard that people are going elsewhere not only because it’s inexpensive, but because they can find equally competent care and service in other countries. Many of the doctors, dentists, etc. are U.S. board certified and have worked in U.S. hospitals. I have heard of many people going to Costa Rica for dentistry work because they are very skilled at what they do, very quick, and reasonably priced. Many people (men and women) are going there to see plastic surgeons because most of the surgeons have certifications from US.
Another interesting piece of that article stated that some insurance companies in the states are starting to see the benefits of covering people going to hospitals in other countries and several have already begun to cover in other countries. Even Blue Cross/Blue Shield sent an emissary over to Bangkok to observe the doctors and see the facilities. The gentleman was very pleasantly surprised by the updated machines, the cleanliness of the facility, and the competency of the doctors. So it seems there is a new trend here. I’m all for it, give the AMA a little competition. I’ve heard lots of slams against doctors in other countries, but frankly, I’ve heard many, many more stories “behind the scenes” about people dieing in hospitals in the states and the reasons are frightening. Sure U.S. docs have malpractice insurance, but when you’ve lost one of your family members due to a doctors incompetence, that doesn’t really help the family much. It’s like my husband says, there are doctors who graduate lowest in their class…and they’re still allowed to be doctors.
Who knows, this new concept of going overseas for medical help may be the beginning of an interesting change in the U.S.
The con’s.
There is NO medical malpractice in these countries, communications are dificult with these doctors because of cultural and idiomatic (even thou they speak English) diferences. Follow ups are non-existent, and others things more. But the rate of success in these countries is %95 in low, medium and high surgeries. My dentist in CR has %40 of his patients CR native and %60 Non-CR. He is certified in Florida but loves his “Gallo Pinto” and went back to CR.
You are right about Blue Cross/Blue Shields, they sent a rep. to Bangkok and he was very impressed. India will be reading your X-ray’s in the future, while it is AM in the US, it is PM in New Delhi. While a X-ray tech charges $200.00 a hour in the US in New Delhi it is $25.00, do the math.That is what I was going to say. Hey, the rates would go down in the US dramatically if Doctors did not have to carry Malpractice insurance. Plus most dentist here do not start out over $200,000 in debt. Dentist in the US on average have large student loans to pay off.
I am reited from the Postal Service, and carry Blue Cross/Blue Shield Government Plan. I called them and they stated that this insurance would cover my medical in CR. I may have to pay upfront, but then they reimburse me. What A Deal. Can’t wait to get to CR!
Pura Vida
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