Health Care Overseas - Is Medical Tourism Right For You?
Health care costs have skyrocketed, something of which anybody contemplating medical treatment is acutely aware. Hospital costs for a simple week’s stay WITHOUT ANY PROCEDURES can cost $15,000 or more![1]. Given that reality, many people find themselves looking elsewhere for treatment options.
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.
What about the doctors? Are they competent? Very. In fact, the doctors you will see were very likely trained in the US at some point in their careers, or they have worked in the US, or they are participating very actively in the international medical community. So, yes, the doctors are quite competent - and they’re up on the latest medical technologies and treatment. In some cases, they are even leading their respective fields.
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.
So, is medical tourism right for you? If you’re not insured and the cost of a medical procedure is looming over your head, or if your insurance won’t cover a procedure you need or want because it’s classified as an ‘elective’ procedure, you’re a prime candidate for investigating treatment overseas.
Under any circumstances, you need to evaluate treatment options as they apply to your situation. Medical treatment overseas is another option in your set of choices - one that can have a terrific side benefit of travel to an exotic destination. One place to do this is by participating in a forum we have set up for just such a purpose: forum.overseasmc.com. The forum is free to all, you just need to join to participate.
[1] Source: personal experience.
Garrick Berger is the CEO of Overseas Medical Connection (http://www.overseasmc.com). The company also maintains a forum (http://forum.overseasmc.com) for those wishing to explore medical care/medical tourism options overseas.
Tags: medical, medical tourism, overseas, overseas medical, treatment
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