Willing to travel abroad for medical care?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
While Washington looks at trying to solve the nation's health care crisis, many Americans aren't waiting. They are willing to take matters into their own hands by seeking medical treatment elsewhere.
A new Gallup poll shows 29 percent of those surveyed would consider traveling outside the U.S. for treatment in a foreign country. 24 percent would travel for cancer treatment or diagnosis. 15 percent for a hip or knee replacement. 14 percent for heart bypass surgery. And 10 percent for plastic surgery.
When people are asked if they would consider treatment abroad, assuming the quality was the same and the costs much cheaper, those numbers jump by an average of 12 points.
Medical travel used to be considered a luxury for the rich, but with health care costs at home skyrocketing and an estimated 48 million uninsured Americans, that may no longer be the case. In fact, this poll shows people without insurance are more likely than those with coverage to think about going abroad for medical treatment.
When it comes to regions of the country, those in the West are the most willing to travel while people in the Midwest and South are less likely to go abroad.
Meanwhile if there are improvements in insurance reimbursements, hospital quality and cheaper costs abroad - more Americans could start traveling elsewhere for health care.
Here’s my question to you: Would you be willing to travel to another country to get medical care?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Lisa from New York writes:
I would travel abroad for medical care even if it weren't as good as what was theoretically available here. Being able to afford some care is better than not being able to afford any at all.
JS from North Carolina writes:
I lived in the UK, and I would go there any day for medical care. It was far better than what we have here. My husband had surgery for an aortic aneurism. He spent 10 days in the hospital, had the finest specialists, care and fabulous follow-up care. The cost: zero. And he had paid nothing into the system, being an American citizen.
Marcos from Sao Paolo, Brazil writes:
I work near a hospital whose staff is required to speak English fluently. So many Americans and Europeans come here for the reasons you cited, Mr. Cafferty. And this is not a season fever; it's been happening for the past three or four years and is growing every year.
Travis writes:
I would and already have traveled outside of the country for medical treatment. It originally started when I was in Japan for a vacation and I found out how much better their health care system was than ours. And you know what it cost me? Absolutely nothing.
L. writes:
My retired parents recently traveled to Mexico for dental work, and they plan to return this summer. Replacing a dental bridge at a dentist in the U.S. would cost them more than $5,000, but my mother received the same treatment in Mexico for about $1,000. The doctor is U.S.-educated, and understandably, his business is growing rapidly through referrals.
Ken writes:
Not only would I be willing to do it, I have done it! I have saved many thousands of dollars in dental costs by traveling to Asia and Africa. And I actually managed to have a fun vacation in the process. Vacationing abroad is my current health care coverage–and it will remain so.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
No, not if it meant having to have a full body scan before getting aboard a plane to get there.
Ralph- Corpus Christi, Texas
Only if the treatment was not available here. I would like to know that the doctor who did something to me was under our quality control and available for follow-up without a 14 hour flight. Now, a US goivernment-mandated national health care system could easily change my opinion on this.
Yes countries like India for example have very good health care for a fraction of the cost in the United States. If you go to major hospital in India for examlpe your chances of problems are low. Our health care system needs to be honest and charge the true cost of health care not have a system to see how much money the hospital and each provider can get away with charging like we have now.
Jack, as always, those with the means will get the best medical attention they can buy. The question should be how many top doctors will leave the U.S. in order to provide their services for more money?
Yes, I would. Thailand is an especially attractive destination for the medical tourist.
Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas
I'll go as far as it takes to get the quality of care that I need, whether that's down the street or the other oside of the world.
Jack: People do it every day. I would too. The cost and red tape has driven health care out of reach. I retired salary from GM and loose health care at 65. I can replace it for less than half what GM said they had to pay!
I should get medical care in the USA. This whole idea is dreamed up by health insurance companies to maximize profits by off-shoring medical care. What customers will receive is sweat shop medicine free of any sort of regulation designed to protect the health and safety of the patient. This proposal is a good reason for instituting a single payer health care system.
Jack
We will need to travel to another country if we are injured in an accident if Senate Bill 848 passes. This bill was introduced by Senator McCaskill of Missouri. It is a replay of HR978 introduced by Congressman Altmire of Pennsylvania. Why have these politicians been pushing this legislation? I work as a paramedic on a helicopter and I can tell you this legislation is bad for my patients. I haven't seen any stories about this topic. I suppose nobody thinks about whether or not there is a helicopter coming to take them to tertiary care unless they are almost dead. The time to think about that is right now, before you need that service. And before it has been taken away by a politician in a backroom deal.
if the care is good quality and less expensive, I would say yes.
Jack,
If socialization of our medical industry occurs many americans will have no choice but to leave the country in order to find good quality health care. The dark secret those who propose socialization don't want you to know is that the quality suffers greatly and the time table of the compromised care is raised. The nightmares that the Canadians suffer everyday will become our reality and we, like ourfriends from the north, will have to find somewhere aside from the U.S for good health care. So, my answer is yes.
Joe (Brainerd, MN)
No – if I need treatment or surgery I want to be as close to home & my support system as possible.
Absolutely, medical care here has become pretty stagnant and will only get worse when it becomes socialized medicine, then we will need to travel elsewhere to get any treatment, bad or good.
What a timely question. I cannot afford insurance and was recently told I need a hip replacement. The average cost in the United States is $50,000 and that's assuming all goes well. In India, however, the same procedure can be done for $6,000. After throwing in travel expenses, it's still a bargain. But here's the kicker. Does a sick person really want to be on the other side of the world away from the loved ones who support them? Should a sick person be made to endure the rigors of long distance travel? No to both questions. I prefer to live in pain for the time being and hope our elected officials have compassion when they cast their healthcare votes.
Would you be willing to travel to another country to get medical care? No... what's wrong with the health care here??? I don't have any problems with doctors, hospitals, nor treatment
The answer is definitely no as my medical plan allows me to consult with any doctor or get treatment in any hospital with full coverage for all required medication. I may have to wait a month for elective surgery but all other types are pretty much immediate.
Having said this though it is important to note that I am a Canadian.
If I could afford the travel, Yes.
Jack I traveled a lot and trust me many countries do not have the standards we have.
Jack: Only if it is for some treatment not allowed in the United States. Some cancer treatments are not authorized by the FDA or doctors do not have confidence in the procedures.
Sure as long as you have residency in Canada, England, or France, while keeping your U.S. citizenship. If you live in the U.S., the first thing they ask you is how you can pay, unless of course you are an illegal alien, then you never pay! They treat them far better then our own citizens in the courts too, they feign that they can not speak English in order to go to the front of the line! America never seems learn to stop being taken advantage of by outsiders, because the citizens end up paying for it all in the end! That is why we are going broke!
If I was terminally ill and could afford to travel across the world whenever I needed to receive experimental or advance treatments that is unavailable here in the United States, I definitely would do it. Especially if I had a private jet to travel in. We're also seeing people who travel to India for hip and knee replacement surgery. The cost is 1/2 what it cost here in the United States which makes it affordable to some with no or little insurance. This doesn't speak well for our Healthcare System. If you are terminally ill, you should have the right to try experimental treatments that showed some promise after trying everything else that was available to you. If you choose a promising treatment that would be available to only to the terminally ill, then you should give up your right to sue.
I have friends without health insurance. They saved enough money on a total knee replacement performed in Thailand to pay for the procedure, the cost of travel, a vacation in SE Asia and had money left over. They said they would do it again for any medical procedure. It's sad to say, but the only statistic in health care that the United States is number one in is cost.
Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX
Why not? The US only ranks 33 in quality of health care outcomes, so what's to lose?
Traveling abroad for medical care would be incredibly complicated and expensive! Airfares, finding a place to stay, tests, getting permission from the host Country, locating a doctor/surgeon, trusting your care to someone in a different society with different values and maybe a different language-Sounds way too risky for a sick person. I'd be more likely to throw myself on the mercy of the State and stay home. "Expensive" becomes less important when your life is at stake!
Damn Jack, is this what it has come to in this country? We live in the greatest country in the world with vast resources and wealth, but we look at our citizens and say, “go to Mexico for healthcare.” The insurance companies and the GOP have used horror stories to talk about socialized medicine while they have squeezed every dime out of our pockets. Maybe it is time we start investigating what is done elsewhere and apply the best practices for our citizens instead of outsourcing to Mexico.
It depends on to which country. I would go to one that is more like the U.S but would not want to be treated say like in Mexico unless it was an emergency. But I am not going abroad anywhere so I am stuck here.
Yes, because it couldn't be any worse than it is here - and cheaper would be a plus. It's been forty years since I saw a doctor I actually trusted. Now everything is about money, and human beings are of no consequence to the medical INDUSTRY - and that's what it is. An industry.
I worked for a International company that provided transportation for members to travel out of country for medical services and operations that were THOUSANDS of dollars cheaper than here in the states. The quality of care & treatment was excellent and a reminder just how arrogant & self-absorbed we are when it comes to money and why the Insurance & health entities are so against the President's healthcare agenda, he knows how lopsided it has been and that its inconceivable a country as rich as America would have 40+ MILLION people without health coverage because of its expense.
We'd rather work on a single-payer system here in America,and work on decreasing costs with preventative care vs emergent measures.
We would travel if treatment is superior, however the Single Payer or Universal Health Care System of other Countries is a disastor.
If Gov't is involved we know it is time to run like a cheteh and hold on to our wallets.
Our present system need to be overhauled and the Admin Costs and paperwork needs to be simplified. We want to keep our good Doctors and don't want the dumb Gov't involved in their decisions.
Jean B
WI
Absolutely not. I was diagnosed in 2000 with Colon Cancer and reside in Saratoga Springs, NY. The medical care I received all around was beyond excellent! Soon I shall be 4 years cancer free!
It was a comfort to know I was surrounded by extraordinary health care professionals so close by! Personally, on all levels, one should do whatever they are comfortable with. I was far more comfortable doing what my Drs. recommended and happy it was all done so close to my home.
They even tried to select my rooms so i could see the roof of my home!
That all being said; respect and support all individuals personal choices and support them the very best you can!
Students studying to be doctors in this country, I believe, are better educated than anywhere else in the world. Why else would someone who is a doctor from another country have to re-educate themselves here? I will take my chances with a home grown physician any day.
Sure, I'd love to go to Mexico or Vietnam and get that "infection" I've always wanted.
Us Canadians would like to ask you uninsured Americans to stop making our lineups for service so obscenely long by coming here just because your country's health system is ripping you off. (Seriously: 29% of your country is still 3X the number of people in our country)
That would depend on the nature of the health care need and the country that offered the care needed. I would certainly not go to a "third world" country for health care just to save a few bucks.
Absolutely. We're losing any advantage we may have once had in medical care over other industrialized countries. That is, if we haven't lost it already. Just take a look at life expectancy and infant mortality rates in the US. It's sad.
I believe I'd be willing to go anywhere if I thought it would help a loved one, friend or myself to beat an illness, wouldn't you?
I live in Canada and I wouldn’t go anywhere else in the world for medical treatment - contrary to what right wing pundits say. I couldn’t imagine getting sick and calling an 800 number to see to if I was covered or not. I could literally walk into any hospital, get treated for any ailment and walk out without owing a penny. We're a capitalist nation but in Canada health care is seen as a right for all rather than a right for the privileged.
Yeah, people would travel if our healthcare goes national. Because it would take too long to GET care even if it is cheaper. Travel abroad now, and see what nationalized health care looks like in other countries first, that will change your mind real fast.
For me it all comes down to 4 words: is it worth it? If the answer is yes then I would be willing to travel outside of the country. If the answer is no, then I wouldn't. It's as simple as that.
Jack, since I am not a wealthy person I couldn't travel seeking medical
treatment. We count with one of the best medical tecnologies in the world but what it , is very expensive and in many cases health insurances do not cover Optical and Dental. NOT even Medicare.
Your question is worth a million Dollars. Only our government can find the answer to your question.
Sure, why not? A nice Bordeaux, some baguettes and brie and kidney stone removal will have me oui, oui, oui-ing all the way home.
NO.
Arlene in Atlanta
How can this can`t be Jack ? The republicans say that health care abroad is horrible. Why on earth would anyone choose to go some where that has a government run system, when we have this wonderful free market system? Could it be that the free market cares more about the allmighty dollar than your health. I guess when it comes to health care it`s not a good idea to buy American.
Jack, I recently was diagnosed with prostrate cancer again; the first time was five years ago. After the initial shock of being rediagnosed, I set out to, once again, "do it right". I'm now three weeks out post surgery recovering from a radical salvage prostatectomy.
Let me tell you and anyone that will listen this, when it comes to a critical personal health care decision every ounce of personal energy should be directed to finding the very best institution and health care team to address your specific problem. This includes domestic and foreign health care providers.
I was 24 hours away from plunking down $25,000 to reserve a treatment slot for an experimental treatment not offered in the US because it is yet to be licensed by the FDA. I was fortunate to have family and friends questioning my choices and they suggested I seek a second opinion by another physician totally unfamiliar with my past and current treatment options. Boy, was I glad I did.
I ended up being referred and having my cancer treated by one of the most experienced teams of cancer specialist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, I simply, and falsely, assumed that this incredible institution and its' staff was not available to me under my current insurance and personal financial capabilities (we were going to borrow from family).
LONG STORY SHORT... NEVER, I MEAN NEVER, RULE OUT ANY OPTION, DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN, BY SIMPLY ASSUMING IT IS NOT AVAILABLE.
Lastly, do not restrict yourself to local "home town" health care providers. You won't believe the advances in health care that have been made that you may not be able to access simply because you do not have local providers with the training or equipment to provide "state of the art" care. It is worth the cost of travel to explore it.
If I had the money to travel abroad, I would definitely go abroad for healthcare. America is all about the profits of corporate America and that isn't about to change soon. Very little will get accomplished now that Michael Steele and his Republican have declared that the honeymoon is over and we are doing what we please. Nothing has changed in American politics and it won't for a long time. The American political scene is like the Crusades, two sides in mortal combat and there is no room for compromise. We have corporations that are unwilling to compromise their profits and the average American will be the loser.
Jack, I wouldn't because I'm fortunate enough to have good health insurance, but I pity those unfortunate people who don't. Unlike many others, I'm very concerned with this. We have the only free market health care system in the world and it's based upon PROFITS rather than making sure that everyone receives affordable quality health care. Perhaps its time this was changed because it's a national disgrace when you look at other countries such as France, England, and Canada who have quality service at affordable prices for everyone. Problem in America is, so many are unwilling to pay their fair share of taxes to facilitate such a plan and obviously don't care about those who don't have coverage. It's the good old american capitalistic way. Shame!
No. By the time you pay for your plane ticket, and hotel room, yo may as well stay home, Jack. Besides, the only people who can afford to do such a thing are those who are well off. What about low income people?
Yes, if the treatment abroad were better and produced results.
Jack, with the health care lobby controlling Congress, and oil speculators controlling inflated travel costs, who can afford either?
Yes. Most of these doctors are trained in the United States or Europe anyway, so the difference is cost. To quote a cardiologist in India when asked why he could do the same surgery for a fraction of the cost the American doctors charged he said, "while we do wish to make a profit here in India we are not profiteers like the doctors are in the United States."
For quality care, yes I would travel to another country for healthcare. Especially if they have universal healthcare.
I needed an emergency root canal when I was in Mexico a few years ago. It cost me $350 and the dentist did an excellent job, with higher-tech instruments than my doctor in the U.S. has. Her qualifications were excellent and she was fully bilingual. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Boise, ID
This question reminds me of when masses of "left of center and right of center" wanted to take their social security funds and invest them in the stock market because the other side of the street was a better deal. Well, that would have been interesting seeing what happened not too long ago to the stock market. I have known people who went abroad to doctors, got messed up and came home to Duke to straighten it out. Some people can't believe that the United States of America is the best, tries the hardest, and a damned fine place to do business and some of our people think that everything is better overseas and they find out that all of those overseas contracts didn't produce the quality products we produced here to include doctors.
Well I could not afford medical care here so there is little chance I will be able to afford to travel over seas for the same care. Maybe the government would assist with the travel provided I go to Gitmo for treatment but look at what I have to do to qualify for treatment there. Just not worth the money. Cheaper to stay in the USA and get good quality no care here.
If there was a country that had a cure for diabetes i would be on the plane tonight. I don't care if it is a third forth or fifth world country that uses voodoo and juju-beads to treat it as long as it works. As advanced as America is in the medical field they are so far behind in the way that they treat people and it all stems around making money. The government is absolutely no help either. They are more like a road block to finding cures.
Yes. When I went for my yearly check up everything I needed was not covered by medicare. My insurance has no Dental plan not much of for eye coverage, exam only. Out of pocket is so high for senior adults and what we need most is dental and vision care. We spent out of pocket over ten thousand dollars for dental this last year. It's tough getting old without the price shock that comes with it. Many of our friends have gone to Mexico for their prescriptions, dental and vision. They haven't had any problems. Yes we are considering that possibility. It would ease the pain a little to have a vacation and a Margarita while getting our medical needs met.
Oregon
Oh yeah. The fable that this country has the best medical system in the world is a lie. But then, most everything that the main stream press spews out is a lie.
Jack, I've been dealing with medical issues for over a year now, and I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have test after test performed with no answers. Doctors are still clueless as to issues I continue to encounter. It's still costing me a fortune (with insurance). I'm absolutely frustrated and fed up with our bogus health care system that I may start looking into treatement abroad, that is, if I have any money left.
It depends where Jack. I don't care what it costs, no way I'd go to some 3rd world country.
I have done! More than once.
The real question is; am I forced to chase medical care elsewhere, for the same reason I have to buy foreign products, given the price of American care is wildly too expensive.
I lived in the UK, and yes I would go there any day for medical care, it was far better than what we have here, my husband had surgery for an aortic anuerism, the finest specialists, hospital care, and spent 10 days in hospital, fabulous follow up care – the cost – zero, and he had paid nothing into the system, being an American citizen. JS NC
No, I've been overseas as a member of the Navy and I seen how most countries health care look like. Thanks but no thanks even though some countries are very good and cheap I rather stay at home incase something goes wrong my family can be compensate for any wrong doing or malpractice.
Jack
Its worth looking into, one cant afford medical care in the US if there is a serious medical issue that needs immediate attention.
Corporate CEOs have demonstrated for years that it is a global village. Of course I would travel abroad for better, cheaper care. It's as American as Citigroup!
Jack
Who can afford to? Such travel expenses are not covered by any insuraqnce I ever heard of, neither are they deductible under current tax code. Reckon I'm too poor to be sick so i just have to keep on keepin on.
Pablo
Arlington Texas
If they will have me.
No, if it is left up to me, I will die in American, as an American, and only using American medical doctors, and facilities.
Yes, I'd be willing to travel for higher quality care for me and my family. I'm not willing to travel so that private insurance companies can record a higher profit. I have no reason to believe that any insurance company has my best interests in mind. Sending patients to foreign countries for cheaper care sounds all to similar to the scare stories about what will happen to health care if the government becomes more involved. I guess we're not supposed to understand that our vaunted "American quality healthcare" has become something only the wealthy can afford. The rest of us now have to line up for appointments in foreign countries.
Our emergency medical system as well as the health care system have political influence and political slant. When you include a turf battle from bureaucrats you have a situation like a Katrina response that happens.
Senate Bill 848 will be a catalyst that pushes turf issues in the helicopter EMS system. I just heard about the Donald Rumsfeld affect on the Katrina response. Senate Bill 848 is Rumsfeld affect on steroids. Please check this stuff out, I don't expect you to take my word for it.
I already have, several times. The US ranks 39th in quality of health care in the world (Costa Rica is 38th). Even paid medical care abroad is frequently 1/10th of the cost, many surgeries are out-patient instead of 3-5 days in the hospital, facilites are remarkably cleaner and more modern, considerably less risk of infections, and newer technology. Most Americans would not believe all of that, but it is true. Our hospital and healthcare system is a national disgrace.
Our government will not let us purchase drugs from Canada to save money because they say it is unsafe. If this is the case, what would make a person want to travel to another country to have a knee or hip replaced? The only way I would travel to another country for medical treatment would be to receive a treatment not available in the United States after the doctors here say there is no hope. If I'm going down, may as well try everything.
yes jack I would go anywhere to get treatment if my health is at risk. There is nothing wrong with that. Considering that dollor is strong in other countries, you can get cheaper and quality treatment from other countries.
Jack: We shouldn't have to travel abroad to get medical care--it is here in America---it is that we have to make it more afforable to all.
After seeing the greed and multiple layers of insurance profit takers, if I could get to England or Canada or anywhere socialized medicinie is in place, I'd go. Any chance all the newly formed groups that advertise on tv could put a disclaimer and show their affiliation – AMA, insurance companies, pharm's ?
Not a chance Jack
Would you want to risk peritonitis.................I will stay with the best
and that is the USA.
David
I have the luxury of still having great health care but if for one second a member of my family needed a procedure and did not have the ability to get it done here, I wouldn't bat an eye.
YES, YES, YES I would travel abroad in a second if I could get the care I needed. Earlier this year I had a simple procedure done, the doctor charged $2600, my insurance paid $400, and I'm stuck with a $2200 bill that will ultimately be sent to collections and ruin my credit. I can't afford this system, and I HAVE INSURANCE. We need help.
Brandon from Pittsburgh, PA
In a word...NO
I wouldn't hesitate for a moment. It's about time the free market punished the AMA for its medical monopoly.
I certainly would. There's nothing inherently better about care in the US, God knows. I saw a news clip about a woman who went all the way to India for a hip replacement. She got a more advanced technique than she would have received here at about a third the price. So, yes, except for the pain of traveling, it would be a good deal.
NO! I hate flying>>>>>>>>>
No way i would never ever get even my pet treated outside US. These countries have NO ACCOUNTABILITY for any US citizen. Transfusion related diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis-C are rampant. You want to save money (an illusion!) go for off-shore medical centers, but dont expect that any physician out there will have any accoutability to take care of any complication. USA is the BEST place to get any form of treatment from a skin scratch to a bypass we are the BEST in the world!
You probably won't be able to sue if there is a problem either, which I agree with. We need care with a "warrenty" for a high premium and care without a "warrenty" for less.
I trust France and Germany, not Mexico for medicines and treatments so yes I would go to another country for treatment. In America, insurance companies decide what Americans will recieve instead of our doctor so we only get what is the cheapest treatment available or denied all together. America is behind in the approved alternative medicine treatments offered in other countries also.
Yes. Haven't we already started doing that with prescription drugs?The elderly were taveling to Canada in buses.
We can only take so much. The very people who are supposed to take care of our health problems are killing us without even touching us.
It's amazing how a nation like us can be so intelligent, so rich, and so free, yet be so stupid, so moraly poor, and so willing to put a strangle hold on the needy to the point were they make us think about going to another country for health care. Shame on all of us.
Sure , considering in Panama it costs a mere 300 dollars for a root canal , all with modern western equipment. Why then here for the same procedure it costs over 2000 dollars. Insurance lobbying and doctors greed. Same mix that almost put the entire Country in serious trouble.
No Jack I would not, I cant hardly afford my medical here where I live right now so how could I afford to take a trip out of the country, then pay my medical care and come back home. Currently I go to a community heath department for my health care and thats 30 minutes from where I live and Im on Medicare.
Scott Stodden (Freeport, Il)
Of course.
The key parameter is "the quality is the same." We know a high level public health official in Mexico, so I'm sure we could get reliable information on quality there. I don't know how to get that kind of information in other countries.
Where do you go to get such ratings?
No. Conditions in India Hospitals are not satisfactory nor in Mexico. I firmly believe our medical system is far superior to other countries
Jack: I'm healthy and who knows what lengths I'd go to if I needed medical attantion. Canada would be my first consideration. Our FDA is often too stringent in its standards, however, I doubt I'd go to a developing country for medical care.
Jack,
I am 55 years old, and for 53 1/2 years, I never needed a hospital. Now, I can't stay away. I'd travel to the moon and back, if someone could solve the riddle of my seizures.
Rick, OH
why wouldn't a person look to save money and get better care elsewhere? if i needed a life saving procedure, and the only place i could receive the care was overseas, or south america i would go. why let an insurance company dictate what i need to have done. the only thing they are looking for, is their bottom line, and that's it.
I have studied in India and I will say absolutely yes. Mexico, Cuba etc are offering cost-effective health care then why not accept them if they are certified to meet minimum standards. For emergency issues I have no choice but to accept this cost-inefficient health care. You know Jack , almost half of American bankruptcies are due to these ridiculous and exorbitant health care costs. Even after my medical residency and MBA I can't figure out why health care is so expensive here.
I already have. I have good health insurance, but they make us go to network doctors. We had a bad experience with a lab in the US, they lost my child's blood! How can anyone do that? The lab wanted me to take my child again and have the blood taken again! I did not trust those people, and the network doctors have to work with network facilities.
So I flew to Mexico City where my father is a doctor, my child received the care he needed, and all with excellent doctors, excellent staff, an excellent lab.
Would I do it again if needed? Absolutely.
Dont be fooled into thinking that medical care elsewhere is 3rd world quality. its very good and very cheap. I can pay first class round trip to luxury and get a procedure done and still would cost half of what they would rob you here in the States. 2 day stay in the hospital uncomfortable bed $5000 bucks no procedures or anything!! One week stay at an overseas hospital with both endoscopy and colonoscopy prescription treatment less then $1700. This was the Domincan Republic and the hospital was cutting edge. The only ones that will tell you that its 3rd world never left their pathetic trailer park town to begin with.
I already do travel to the US for medical treatment, but I will soon have to stop that because of the costs and because of government interventions.
Yes. Actually our family has received medical care in the past. During the 1970's we were stationed in Germany and we were sent to the University of Frankfurt to have artificial limbs made for our son. The service was prompt and the the quality of their work was excellent. The US is one of the richest countries in the world, but medical care is spotty for quality all over th country, and way too expensive. Mary South Dakota
I would If I could But I can not afford the cab fare or long term parking at the Air port . so I will have to say Nope I can not afford the $7.00 for RXs from the VA So If some one could tell me how the heck I could afford to travel much less affoprd a passport . Any even a buck for an asprin witch would be dirt cheep at any hospital .
Ron
San Antonio, TX.
Where? We have the best healthcare in the world now. Why do you think Europeans and Canadians come here for medical treatments? keep the government out of healthcare!
Definitely, especially in light of that fact that I couldn't get a second mortgage to be able to afford medical care here. U.S. health care providers and insurers are pricing themselves right out of the market. Couldn't happen to a nicer group. They must be related to the Wall Street blood suckers.
I most certainly would. I've even been considering emigrating with my family to another country. Unless things improve here at home, home and heart may be moving somewhere else.
I'd be willing, perhaps, if I was "terminal" and could afford it, the latter being the critical factor.
However, if I were terminally ill, I think I'd want to go overseas for a much more enjoyable reason.
YES, Jack. I will. Having been familiar with the medical treatment in India, I will go there any time! Its cheaper, BETTER and you get a five star treatment. It's cheaper even with the added cost of airfare! You will be treated by highly qualified doctors, nurses in the most modern hospital.
Kris, CA
I will travel wherever, if it means quality over being gouged by the current system. We have a great healthcare system. Unfortunately the industry knows it, and charges obscene prices to dispense it. Healthcare consumes our GDP, which I would gladly travel elsewhere to get.
I would be willing, but I can't afford too. I am stuck with what we have here.
If It's Dental... yes
Not only would I be willing to do it, I have done it! I have saved many thousands of dollars in dental costs by traveling to Asia and Africa. And I actually managed to have a fun vacation in the process. Vacationing abroad is my current health care coverage–and it will remain so.
Travel for healthcare? Not only would I travel, I would be happy to move to a country with a functional healthcare system if they'd ease up on the immigration regulations. Expatriates have it right!
i would and already have traveled outside of the country for medical treatment. it originally started when i was in Japan for a vacation and i found out how much better their health care system was than ours. and you know what it cost me? absolutely nothing. if people really want change in the American health care system, i suggest more people do the same. drop your insurance and use the money from your former premium cost to buy a plane ticket, you'll be better off.
If I went abroad, (depending on where I went) I would not be seen as quickly as in the United States! I would have to wait and wait. It would be nice if any other county had better health care OVERALL (price, effectiveness, timely treatment and follow up care). But be realistic.
NO WAY.......No other country can match the quality of healthcare in the U.S.
Absolutely!! As a matter of fact, we are considering taking our SS and self saved retirement and moving to a nearby country and take up residense because of the health care. You can't afford anything in this country to do with health, including dying...DT
We have the best healthcare in the world. Unfortunately the American consumer is gouged in order to receive it. Other countries prohibit the type of run away prices that it practiced here. As a result, foreign citizens get a better bargain. I would travel wherever to get the treatment I needed, and probably avoid bankruptcy as a result of obscene medical costs as a result!!
yes
can't afford the monthly payments for insurance so if am sick i'll run to canada
My retired parents recently traveled to Mexico for dental work, and they plan to return this summer. Replacing a dental bridge at a dentist in the US would cost them more than $5000, but my mother received the same treatment in Mexico for about $1000. The doctor is US-educated, and understandably, his business is growing rapidly through referrals.
Are you kidding? At this rate, I'd pay for foreign' doctor's plane tickets to come here!
Yes I would travel for medical care. It seems the health industry in the United States could care less about their patients. Now 2 friends in 2 weeks have been repeatedly to the doctor to be told nothing is wrong with them. They are now both in hospice expected to be dead within a week. Does that sound like nothing is wrong? This is becoming a bigger and bigger problem in the United States. A friend was here from Canada, passed out several times, told nothing is wrong though they found a hole in her heart & told her to simply go on with life as normal. She could not wait to get back to Canada so she could see a "real" doctor! If all these doctors are going to do is take your money & let you die, what is the point in even making the appointment. You may as well plan on dying and leave the money to your relatives!
I absolutely would with no reservations. We are very arrogant and nationalistic here to think that only American doctors know what they are doing. What we are the best at here is allowing people to capitalize on our fellow Americans suffering. I am an American medical student who probably will not stay in the US because I am so limited in treatment of my patients who cannot afford my best care. People against reform are scared that they and their doctor will lose control over treatment options if the government ran healthcare, but we do not have control now. The insurance and pharmaceutical companies have that control.
Heck yes I'd go abroad for medical treatment.
I know two people that were treated in Thailand. One was unintended when my friend was in a motorcycle accident on Koh Samui. He was hospitalized in a private room for five days, had a fridge in his room fully stocked with cold beer and snacks, had a minor operation and the total hospital bill was less than $1,000. It costs more just to walk into an emergency room here. The other person went for an extreme dental transformation. He spent a month there and all his expenses, including the dental work, costs less than half what he would have had to pay here. He was delighted with the quality of the work.
Why would we leave the best medical system in the world to go to another country to save a buck?
That's like buying a product from China because it is cheaper.
You get what you pay for: and that means for everything,
I am a British/American dual citizen and have experienced the health care systems in both countries. I don't have insurance and have been pounded with the bills for a short stay in the emergency room. I would have been more than willing to wait half an hour to be seen in a British emergency room in order to avoid the crippling costs I have been stuck with here.
Not only would I be willing to travel for health care, but I am considering a permanent move to Europe. Free health care in some countries (like France, England), the entire month of August is for vacation [for nearly most employees], 35 hour work weeks is the norm, etc. Why would I want to stay in America? Health is not a commodity its a human right.
Go abroad for healthcare – absolutely. I've personally experienced the "quality " of health care in this country, at one fo those US News and World Reports Top Ten. hospitals I'd put them at the bottom. of the list so going abroad doesn't seem so risky t o me
Yes, I would. Used to say, no way possible I would go to another country for health care. But now? I have none, can afford none for myself and my little 5 y/o boy's Blue Cross policy just went up 30% this month. NO reason, he has no known health problems, etc.. If I were to get sick enough or injured, I hope I could get to another country for help I could afford, because if I were to go to the hospital here for an emergency, I would lose everything and we would be homeless. So I have a life insurance policy to pay off if I were to get too sick, so at least my child will have something, and a home to live in. And no, I do not qualify for anything, as I am lucky enough to have a job, just can not afford the insurance or anything else anymore.
Dana in OR
Do you remember what happened to the widow of Martin Luther King two years ago? Coretta Scott King died in a faith healing clinic outside Tijuana! She left medical science and was killed by ignorance and superstition. The clinic has been closed since then.
You don't have to go overseas to get overseas foreign medical care. Go to Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas and you can pick any number of physicians with medical degrees from Mexico, India, Dominican Republic, etc.
Jack
Of course our medical costs are rising in this country. Hospitals have to pay bills and salaries, but are required to give free medical care to any illegal immigrant in this country. Someone has to pay the freight for all this free medical care. Yes, I would travel to another country, if I could be assured the quality would be assured and the cost less.
Would I travel abroad for medical care? Absolutely. I'd rather travel to Mexico where I could afford the care than die here because I can't.
With hospital for profit, I will have my medical care done abroad (Morocco) since the trip+Treatement will cost half of the Co pay that they will charge here. Please note I do have dental&Health insurance.
It's shameful for the so called "greatest nation on earth" to have its people buy medications online from Canada & Mexico, or travel overseas to have cheaper care like the Seychelles/India duo care. I find it outrageous that we babble about health care reform but do nothing to get theret. These talks have spanned couple of decades and we still do not control quality, pricing, or access. I suppose ethics do not matter any more, it's truely "expediency before justice"!
Kevin, Canadians go to the US to have ELECTIVE treatments, not for general care.
Contrary to American belief, Canadian health care isn't bad. In fact, its very good. I've seen much worse from American health care (did you see that video of the woman who died in the health care unit last summer because everyone ignored her after she fell on the floor, including the nurses? That never would have happened in Canada) than I ever have in Canada.
I am 70 years old and just returned from Ukraine where I had four tooth extractions, one root canal and eight teeth filled for just under $500. Being on Social Security, I could not have afforded these procedures in this country.
Jack
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hi Jack,
I got laid off in January of last year. In April, I had a seizure two days before Sen. Kennedy had his. He found out the next day what caused his seizure. Since I have no insurance, I had to rely on the county hospital for care. It took ONE YEAR to finally get my results. Thank god I didn't have a tumor.
Yes I would leave this country for health care, and I wouldn't come back.
Would definitely consider it. I was on business in Ireland a couple years ago, and I got very sick. The hotel called for a doctor who came to my room diagnosed my problem, and ordered antibotics. When I got my bill it was $46 for the doctor's visit and $12 for the antibotics.
Excellent service which would not have even occured in the US. I would have had to go to the hospital, wait for hours and then at the end of the day have a $600 bill!
What is wrong with this country!
I live in Miami... I am in a foreign country!
Jack,
Funny you should mention this topic? Myself, my brother and two friends are traveling to San Juan Costa Rica to get our teeth fixed. The last crown I had done locally was a $1600.00 for one. I need some work done, and, they have state of the art Dentist's in San Juan. You can get five crowns done for under $600.00. Book a month in advance, get great airfare, and book 2 days with the dentist, 4 days on the beach. It is a no brainer if you do not have dental insurance.
I cannot afford to go to a dentist in the States.
Terri
Because of Republican stupidity, healthcare now consumes more of our GDP that ever. The free market has only allowed greedy insurers and industry officials to gouge the American public. That type of criminality is not allowed in other nations, who value their citizens a lot more than we do ours!!!
I'd gladly travel abroad for healthcare, as so many other industrialized nations subordinate the need for maximal medical financial profit to the exigencies of human need. Our healthcare system is obsence, in that the drive of our healthcare industrial complex for maximal profits completely subordinates–indeed, ignores– human need.
I plan to travel to India next year for a double spinal disc replacement in addition to a shoulder replacement (in the same trip – surgeries performed five days apart). The priced quoted to me for both operations, airfare, two weeks in a luxury hospital and followed by two weeks in a hotel for recovery with 24 hour access to a driver is about 1/3 the cost of the shoulder surgery alone in the US.
In addition disc replacement with the types of discs available overseas is not being done in the US, and these discs are higher quality and more reliable over time than the units domestically available. At 40 years old, I hope to have this surgery only once in my life. This is a pre-existing condition, which my insurance policy will not cover. However, even if it was covered, I believe I would still opt for the more advanced surgical procedures and an infection rate which is less than half of what it is here in the USA.
Vaughn Blaylock
I live in Costa Rica, my husband is with the State Department. I have had a great deal of dental work done here and the work is superior to that I have had done in Washington DC. The cost is about 60% less than what I pay for at home. I will plan to return to Costa Rica for any major dental work once we return to the states! There is a great deal of work on stem cell being done successfully here, many American are coming here for various procedures.
It's interesting that people believe the U.S. has the best healthcare system in the world. If that were true, would life expectancy be higher than other countries? Yet, it is not true......we rank below so-called "socialist" countries in that arena......hmmmmm, odd isn't it?
Jack, I get some prescriptions filled in Canada, had some dental work done in Costa Rica and 2 years ago had prescription eyeglasses made in Sao Paulo Brazil. The costs were anywhere from 40 to 80 percent less than in the USA. .As to your question YES...
Well, Jack if I can get quality cancer treatment, a hip, heart bypass surgery, and/or plastic surgery cheaper than a roundtrip plane ticket then, count me in!
Yes. I would consider traveling anywhere but Mexico to seek medical treatment.
I had an eye exam and asked the eye doctor how much a eye lid lift would cost and he said about $5000 and insurance wouldn't cover it. I was in Thailand and had to go to the hospital. I saw the "beauty clinic" at the hospital so I saw a doctor at the clinic and he said it would cost about $600 and he could do it the next Saturday! So I said what the hell might as well do it! I was in a full operating room for over 2 hours with the doctor, nurse and a couple assistants. When I was done I paid with my master card and the total was $550. $400 for the doctor and $150 for the hospital including the pharmacy cost! Unbelieveable!! This hospital (Bangkok Pattaya) is as good as any hospital I found in the US.
Jack, am from India, living here in US for the last 2 years. I can't imagine people in US pay so much for health care. It is just ridiculous!
I give you an example, for a delivery of a baby, in India it costs $1000, if you go to a super specialty hospital, which has top class facilities. Compare this to US, I believe it costs some where around $23,000. It is just stupid.
Another comparison, for a 'by pass' heart surgery it cost 2,500$ at a good hospital in India. If you compare this in US, you cannot even compare. Until and unless health care costs doesn't comes down here, it is difficult not to go to other countries.
Nine years ago, I had emergency stomach surgery and was, at the time, uninsured. I racked up nearly $50,000 in medical bills which I could not pay. 11 years later, my credit is destroyed, I get calls every day from collection companies who have bought the debts from the hospitals and doctors for pennies on the dollar.
Even though I am now insured, if I had to have major surgery the percentage I would still have to pay would guarantee me a retirement relying on the state for my welfare. I would not just consider the option of outside the US healthcare options, I would reccommend anyone do the same!
Jack if they can afford too go abroad and pay for treatment,then doesn't that say they can afford health care insurance.
As a Canadian, there would be many countries I would consider living in if I had to move, but the US would not be one of them, and the top reason is because of the health-care system. As long as it remains HMO and profit based, I do not consider losing my life savings and my home as healthy options to living in America. I want my doctor to focus on my health– not on how much he can bill me or how much a drug company can make off me if I get any type of illness or disease.
@ Bev Kerr
do you even know what your talking about? how often have you been to a doctor over here? every visit i've ever had over here has been an all day event. it takes forever to even be seen and then it takes even longer to get any real treatment. stop your propaganda. when i was in Japan and Canada (later on) it took no time to get seen and treated. it's much faster, cheaper, and far better than anything we have over here.
Not really because the opposite is actually being done in other countries. I have had a few friends from Canada who got put on a waiting list and didn't get their treatment in time (some of the effects of their illness are actually permanent now!) so they came over here to get it.
Hi Jack ... I have healthcare, but I do not have dental or vision care. Since I live in the Los Angeles area, I go to Mexico. The dental clinic I frequent caters to Americans. My eye doctor is next door and I take advantage of all the European styles made available. In short, both the dentist and eye doctor cost about a third of U.S. prices and they also guarantee their work. Need I say more? .. Greg
Certainly I would go if my health insurance doesn't cover. I am on Medicare with supplemental insurance. However I had to go abroad to have my teeth repaired. The services were as sophisticated as any in the U. S., the physician/dentist was highly compentent and qualified and the result wonderful! I was quoted $1800 per crown and the work was necessary. The cost is hungary was 1/2-1/3 of what it would have been in the US. I was so pleased that I went back with my grandson who needed extensive work.
Dear JACK
For me there is no problem to go to Colombia. Have been there
for treatment several times. Their health care is better than ours. Everyt hing has always gone well. Look up the ranking of health by country
according to WHO and Colombia ranks #22. We are 35th. Colombia is the best in the Americas. France then Italy rank #2 and 3 in the world. After
that it is mostly European countries
Jack –
I have worked in an international division of a U.S. based medical supply company and have travelled extensively overseas for that job. Many of these countries may have theoretical cheaper healthcare costs, but the patient has to pay off the doctors with their own money just to get treated, and in many cases the patient also has to pay from private funds for devices (like heart stents) prior to the procedure being performed. If a surgeon is only making the equivalent of $25,000 – $35,000 per year, how good do we really think they are? These low salaries make the corruption rampant in these countries. Most of those people would come to the U.S. for treatment if they could. The wait lists are very long for the simple procedures unless you know someone or can pay the appropriate people to get moved up on the list. Let's not be fooled.
Absolutely! I 'm a freelance writer, and I pay for my own insurance out of my pocket. I have basic HMO coverage. I've watched my premiums rise at an average rate of 18% a year to the point where the cost respresents a crushing financial burden. I also have dual US/German citizenship. I was born and raised in the USA, I love America, but the lure of cheaper health care has me seriously considering a move to the EU.
David
New York
yes jack i would and i did i am swedish married to american and when i fall and went to the dentist i was told $ 3467.00 even with dental insurance, i said thx u and see u on my next vist and book ticket with my husband to stockholm (sweden) for $ 2700.00 and went to the doc there got new tooth for $97.00 and went on to italy for nice week for the rest of the money. samanta
Rock Hill, SC
I am traveling to Mexico with my wife (who’s from Mexico) in just 6 days for both Medical and Dental work cause we have no insurance due to a pre existing condition..
I will be getting compound fillings in 8 of my teeth for $20 USD each, and updated dental X-rays after the work is done for $18 USD to bring home in case of emergencies.
I will also be getting a cat-scan of my head for $150 (just to make sure I don’t have ay issues), and my Triglycerides (blood work) checked for just $15.
We travel there at least twice a year for similar issues and as you can see, the cost speaks for it’s self I’m still alive and kicking.
@Michael McDowell
actually, not counting cost, were ranked 37... counting cost were even lower
Dear Jack, It's because of the cost of medical care that I live in Bangkok Thailand and Phoenixville Pa. I had heart surgery in Bangkok for less than 10% of what it would have cost in America. The doctors were educated in America and the care was excelent. If anyone's paying attention, most of the doctors in Pa are from so called third world countries, and a lot of American doctors do thier medical schools outside of the Us. We live in a global society . Jim Sloan /Phoenixville, Pa. and Bangkok Thailand
Jack:
Hell, NO !!! After two complicated, very successful open heart surgeries there is no way I would allow someone overseas, perhaps not as well trained, cut me up. Thank GOD I live here. Sandy S., NYC
A few years ago I underwent surgery on my nose in Thailand. I walked into the doctor's office, was operated on within a few minutes, and fully recovered within about five days. The operation was wildly successful, and, best of all, the entire treatment cost me $150. With high quality care and enough money left for a luxurious vacation, there's little reason why I wouldn't go back there again for more treatments.
Baltimore, MD
Both my wife and I travel to Germany whenever we need medical or dental care. We lived in Europe for many years and have gotten used to caring physicians, dentists who actually do the work themselves, and a health care delivery system that delivers good outcomes to the large majority of its patients.
My brother-in-law prefers being pampered by extremely well trained staff, and treated by some of the most well trained physicians in the world, and chooses to fly to Thailand for any treatment he needs.
I can only shake my head when I hear the arguments for "the best medicine in the world" here in the USA. We may have the best breast enhancements, and celebrity rehab clinics, but if the normal Joe needs real medical care at an affordable price, delivered by well trained and humane care givers, he should look beyond our borders.
yes why not?? America has the worst health care system in the world for a so called industrialise country, I"ve been living in three continents, and it's here in this beautiful country that I love, that I found myself without insurance because I can't pay for it!!! what kind of country is that , where is the right for a human being to have health care at his disposition. the problem is the drug company, and the politics. my advice is travel to other country and seek care , because here only money counts.
Jack, I am one of the way too many who does not have any health care coverage. It seems logical to me that if we can not afford the health care coverage offered to us through work. Or if we do not make enough to provide our own coverage. How then would we be able to afford to travel to another country to under go a medical treatment? I could understand the desire to travel for that treatment. Especially if that treatment is cheaper. But I feel that we should be able to travel down the road, or across town to recieve treatment!
this all started with Richard Nixon, and since then (most notably during the Regan era, no matter how good you think it was he messed us up a good bit) we have slipped from one of the highest rated nations in health care to one of the lowest ranked industrial nations in the world.
You better believe I would go, quick and in a hurry. If I had the money, I would have already went. I messed up my hands on my first and last job 13 years ago. I have yet to have a decent diagnosis because my mother always runs out of money before I can get it which leaves me in limbo each time. And I'm not even going to talk about getting a dentist or needing eyeglasses. That's a joke. Who the heck has $150 upfront for an extraction or $100 just for an eye examination?
Cancer treatment: $$$$
Heart bypass surgery: $$$
Hip replacement: $$
Plastic surgery: $
Being charged for a checked bag at the airport: Priceless
Good Day Jack,
Yes! I would travel outside the country for Health Care. I also know several families who have traveled a great deal, to receive Dental care. The prices are much better and the service is excellent. At least my experiences have been that way.
If everyone in our country went to another to receive health care, the reforms that we need would be almost instantaneous. Our current system is mostly riddled with greed and little atruism; the only way we can change it is dramatically.
I absolutely would consider it. My husband is a physiciqan and we are having trouble paying our medical bills, even though my husband keeps working (he's almost 68 yrs. old) to keep our relatively good insurance, I am in very poor health and the co-pay's are breaking us. The only answer is if I would pass on.
Well I can't afford medical care here so there is little chance I will be able to afford to travel over seas for the same care. Maybe the government would assist with the travel provided I go to Gitmo for treatment but look at what I have to do to qualify for treatment there. Just not worth the money. Cheaper to stay in the USA and get good quality no care here.
Absolutely! I have had enough with the money-mongers of the HMO's and their dictating who, what and where Medical Professionals can do to who and what it is and where its going to be. I would much, much rather have government dictating my health than the lobbying fat cats who "say" they are part of "team." (yeah right!). In England they have socialized medicene and it is not perfect, but they encourage "preventative" rather than waiting until people get so sick they have to "treated!" .If you want the real truth about HMO's talk to the doctors who have to treat patients each days! I have given them enough of my money!!! The cost of treatment is "RIDICULOUS!"
Yes and my family has!! For an incurable illness such as ALS and with stem cell research and therapies being on hold for the last eight years, it is naive and ego centric to think that the United States of America has the best healthcare in the world. In addition, federal regulations for "investigational new drugs" such as IPLEX that could significantly help a terminal population are being used to actually deny American citizens from accessing this drug in the United States. So my short answer to your question is an ASTOUNDING YES- – "WILL TRAVEL FOR HEALTHCARE!"
re:Health Care abroad: Does this mean that if Americans are willing to travel abroad,insurance companies will start paying for these cost and perhaps even start giving consumers a list of providers.Lets face it free trade is free trade(lets see how effective NAFTA is) and I'm sure those living near the border might actually give it serious consideration.Perhaps even ambulance attendants would give patients this option (an express lane may be required at the border crossing).
Mr. Cafferty, I am one of those thousand maybe tens of thousands of U.S. citizens who have gone outside the country for medical care. I needed an operation fourteen years ago but my insurance concidered it experimental and wouldn't pay for it. I found out that it was not so experimental in ..... CANADA. I contacted the Dr and over the internet and telephone I set up the procedure. I tell you that if my treatment was typical of the medical care Canadians receive they are getting some of the best care anywhere. I had round the clock nursing care and fine nursing it was, the equipment and surgery were first class. My room was fine even though I had to watch TV in French which didn't bother me at all. The food was better than many restaurants I have eaten at in this country. Would I do it again in Canada? You bet I would. Would I do it in Mexico yes. I have seen Doctors in Mexico and they are fine, did you know many of them make house calls? They do, and the hospitals are first rate and they have, in the large cities, the latest equipment and world class medical care. Would I go to France and be taken care of? Yes I would, I know people who have had care there and are amazed at the level of care they received. Our xenophobic ideas that only the U.S. has good or excellent medical care is bogus, just not true.
So, that's my 2cents, 2pesos, 2francs worth or what ever.
Of course I would. We served an 18 month mission in Taiwan for the church in 2005 & 06. Our medical treatment there was good, and it was affordable on a retiree pension. America should be able to do at least as well for it's people.
I had no insurance and I went to an emergency, here in Miami, for some pain that my doc. Couldn’t pint point, I was there for 24 hours and they did 2 sonograms, and told me all I had was a mioma that was not going to give any problem, and they bill me over US$6,000. I went to my born country for pleasure, visit a doc. and did a sonogram, and they found something that look like a tumor, they did an emergency operation and found a cotton gauze left on the c-section I had here in Miami.
The cost of my operation, 2 days at the hospital and all the pre exams and post operation care was below the US$6,000
Roxanna, Miami, Florida
I don't need to travel, as a veteran I get great care at my local VA Hospital. Still thoough, traveling abroad for medical care would not be a problem. The doctors I have seen in the past few years come from places like Egypt, Hungary, India and Germany. I don't need to travel the world or medical care, the world comes to me.
Kathy
Ballston Spa, NY
I already do!
Of course, I am one of the few million Americans that live driving distance from Canada.
All b/s aside, Americans need to stop attempting to have drive-thru doctors and hospitals. Canada's system is not bad and does not take nearly as long as the conservative pundits pretend it does.
no, I would not travel abroad we have in these united states some of the best doctors in the world. I am proud to trust american doctors
It is true that is cheap and also they somethings even do better than the us.
Jack I forgot to mention that airfare is only $400.00 round trip to Costa Rica.
Hey Jack, I am a Canadian that lives in the U.S. I love the U.S. for many reasons but I also can't figure out how the country is still afloat! America, cheap smokes and beer we love you. Canada, socialist expensive, get back in line! I now pay the same amount for cigarettes and almost the amount for booze as I did I Canada but I still can't get decent health care that doesn't break the bank! Raise my taxes, but in the same breath, up the minimum wage like all the other countries that have "socialized" medicine, I'll live! I will go back to Canada when I am done paying for "SOCIAL" security that I payed into, but will never see and also when I get cancer and can't afford to pay for the treatment! Short answer, yes. This might be a good time for Micheal Moore to re-release "sicko"!
This is a resounding 'yes.' As a sufferer of a chronic pain condition, I not only have to endure ridiculous medical expenses to receive regular check-ups and treatment, but I often find that expensive, drastic and life-altering pharmaceuticals ($400 a month injections) are being forced on me even when they've never been proven to be effective; instead, they tend to do the opposite. It was mindbendingly aggravating and outright demoralizing to find out later that doctors were often paid extra for urging patients to cough up the money for these treatments. In a profit-driven 'industry' like American healthcare, the commonality of these practices most assuredly forces people like me to look elsewhere for humane, affordable treatment that won't do more harm than good in the long run.
Why do you ask? Are they going to outsource our medical care to India also? They got most of our tech jobs.
If you have any dental work that would cost you more than $2500, I would recomend travelling to any country that is affodable and do it. I had to do three crowns, my out pocket payment after what insurance pays is $1800. In an off season I went to India for 2 weeks and got it done. Flight ticket $1050, Cost of treatment $300. Stayed with family for 2 weeks. $500 savings and happy time with family for 2 weeks, instead of the jakced up dental charge here.
I am a Catholic priest and have worked in Brazil for 34 years. Over the years I have had several operations: hernia, appendicitis, gall bladder removed, catherization (heart), colonoscopy. Most Brazilian doctors are highly trained. Many have specialized medicine which they studied here in the USA or in other countries. And my experience has been super positive and in fact at times, much more caring than some doctors here in the states who are always afraid of some lawsuit against them. And of course much much cheaper.
I would have to be crazy to travel to another country for medical treatment. But just a minute, I am already for the poor medical treatment offered here in the good ole USA. I cannot afford health insurance to boot. The incompetence of the doctors and hospitals here is truly amazing! Just keep hoping I don't get sick.
the question is an interesting one. Yes I would travel to another country for medical treatment, particularely dental work. Insurance companies in America are completely out of control, with little oversite and pure profit motive. Hospitals are overstaffed with numerous personnel who dont contribute to direct care. Its a mess. Treatment abroad is of the same or higher quality than in the States, at a fraction of the cost. Let the professional naysayers and panic mongers rail about subsidized health care, I notice that all of them have subsidized, gold plated insurance plans, .e.g, congress
Jack, Americans pay more for health care than anyone else on the planet, yet the WHO rank us at 28th in the indusrialized world! "For Profit" health care is a disaster! That's why were the only ones in the world with it! It bankrupts millions,, American business can't compete with foreign companies because of the added cost of health insurance.The actions of the Insurance companies, pharmacudical companies, and Hospital corps over the last three decades has been nothing short of criminal! Single payer is the only way to go, but you won't see it happen, so any reform will be worthless!
As an American who lived and worked in France for ten years, who assimilated into her culture and speaks the language fluently, I am well placed to make a comparison between the two medical systems. France has a healthcare system that is both world class and affordable. The healthcare system in this country is great for the privileged and wealthy; however, for everyone one else, well, you know what you are dealing with. France has had their healthcare system since the end of WWII, yet it has not bankrupted their nation, their corporations, or her citizens, we cannot say that about the United States. Statistics don’t lie, the U.S. is number 29th in the world for infant mortality, and France is 9th (New York Times Article). Let the facts speak for themselves.
Kirk Williams,
Peoria, AZ
I did recieve excellent care while in Germany after a major accident . I was well cared for and extended stay due to extensive injury. Best part my total bill was 50 marks after 3 weeks and several surgies. At the time that was about 25 00 . Here had that happened we would of even with insurance ended up filing for bankrupsty.
oh i am still being denied an MRI here. Have to meet a very high decductable with United healther care. I guess there ceo earned his bonus by all the no's.........................
So yes i would seek health care else where in a heart beat. Already get some of my scripts through an online candian pharmacy
Definitely. Contrary to what Rick Scott may tell you in those ads, our health care is ythe worst and most expensive in the world and would be a lot better and cheaper is we don't listen to him. Until it's fixed, my travel agent is my medical advisor.
I would absolutely travel abroad. When I was stationed in S. Korea, I had my son in a Korean hospital. The equipment and staff were the same quality as in the states. Don't get me wrong, there were some hospitals that were just disgusting, but most were fine. I even thought about getting a tummy tuck with lipo in some areas while I was there...for $1500. What a deal! Most doctors there were educated or practiced for many years in the states. You could visit a doctor's office, get x-rays or other needed tests, and leave with medication for around $30. If S. Korea and other countries, to include third world countries can make fulfilling medical needs so cheap. why can' the US?
Health care could be supported with a major contribution on a daily basis. Consider if you will the billions of shares traded each day on the three exchanges. Consider if you will a 5 cent fee per share on stocks of $5.00 or more. The weekly volume could be based on approximately 3 billion shares per day
Jack,
It is sad but my answer is definitely yes, yes and why not? Unfortunately, not only that our medical care cost is rocket high, the quality of care is awful and there are so many doctors simply don't care for patients' best interest but personal financial gain by prolonging the process and doing one thing at a time policy so patients would keep going back to the clinic and pay for each visit...It's about time to promote Patient's Right and allow us to nail those medical crooks.
Susan
Plano, TX
Absolutely, I would consider medical tourism. I had fibroid removal surgery 2 years ago, which included a 3 day hospital stay non-private room. Between insurance and out of pocket, total cost $115,000. Without insurance and my savings I would be bankrupt. My best friend just returned from overseas , had the same surgery, a private room, round the clock registered nurses, and a few days in a spa resort to heal, her cost including airfare $10,000. The doctors who did the surgery was trained in London and spent 6 yrs in the states before returning home. If it isn't emergency surgery I will definitely travel next time around, and see my US doctor for follow-up. something can be done
Willing, YES. But, only if the travel would SAVE a family member's life and/or include GREAT savings. If the 12 million illegal aliens & their 12 – 20 million family members were not provided coverage by our country's overburdened medical system; then the cost of health care would drop dramatically & finally be affordable for all...
@Mark Stone
what's funny about the #28 stat in the industrialized world is that we fall 9 more places when you take all countries into account. that says something really bad about our health care. i had a friend who was shot when visiting his friend, being mugged in an apartment in a college town, had his parents health insurance and he was picked up by an ambulance and taken to the ER. when he got out he was given a 48k bill and told his insurance wasn't going to cover it. he called the insurance company and their response was, "you didnt inform us before going to the hospital so it was unreported and therefor were not going to pay for it." he dropped to part time status in school and has to work full time to pay for that bill. not only is our health care system messed up but we have have such greedy HMO's that people are turned down when they need the insurance.
Absolutely. Much of the really effective medicine is only to be found in foreign countries since Big Pharma-USA only allows those things which make Big Pharma a profit. For instance, DMSO is extremely effective topically for dozens of ailments and used in Russia for preventing back paralysis in serious accidents, but if you advertise that here they lock you up for threatening the profits of the controlling fascist corporations
Jack:
A year ago, I would have said Hell no! However, in 2008, my wife had a 2-hour surgical procedure, I had extensive dental work performed, and I also had an accident at home and was hospitalized for 5-days. Add in the prescriptions, and our bills totaled in excess of $60,000. Ironically, the dental was by far the most outrageous, though they all were ridiculous. And sadly, I would only rate the quality of "care" no higher than a 5, on a scale to 10. If you are angry about Wall Street, you better be prepared to revolt against the greedy health care providers, drug compaies, insurance companies and their lobbyists! So yes, I would indeed go outside this Country for health care.
Gary,
Lexington,KY
Have you seen the price of COBRA?? If you lose your job and have no money coming in, how in hell can you pay for a much inflated COBRA plan?!
The worst thing the republicans ever did was allowing supply side economics to be applied to the healthcare system. No regulation means that the insurance companies can basically do and charge what they want. Ask a northern european what they think of their system, then ask what they think of ours....
Absolutely. People worry about the care in some countries, but even when I lived in the Middle East I was able to research and choose my doctors and received excellent care from a Scottish and French doctor – at no cost with the health insurance available to us – provided free of charge from my husband's employer that was an Arab company, not United States affiliated. I have several friends living in England, Canada and Australia and they couldn't be happier with their medical care and the low cost of it.
I'am from Europe but i live in the US for 20 Years i'am sooo tired of people that think Universal health care SUCK !!! not true most of European countries have great health care France as one of the best health care in the world i never waited for any medication ,or to see a doctor ,or also never waited for a surgery .this is all a bunch of lies so the Americans gets scared & don't want Universal health care when they don't even know what it is . i love the US but i do not understand how the people can loose everything or don't go to the doctor because they have no health inssurance ,this will never happen in France ,health care is the right to any citizens ,not a luxury ,Americans are vvery hard working people & they deserve Heath care .hope that will change soon .
@ Erica
When you find out how to legally enter one of the countries you've mentioned on a permanent basis, I would love to know! UK, Germany, France, etc........here I come!
Of course. Can you say highest infant mortality rate of any developed nation in the world? Nuff said...