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.
That elsewhere is turning up in places like India,
Thailand, Panama, and Argentina - countries in which the
medical establishment has made significant investments in
training and equipment to provide the best in care and
treatment - second to none. And, they're places where the
economies are still emerging, which has a significant
impact on costs.
These services have fallen under the rubric, "Medical
Tourism" - the notion of combining the service of medical
treatments with an opportunity to expand one's travel
horizons.
And why not? In India (currently the best bang for buck in
medical treatment), laparascopic, prostate, hernia repair,
gastric banding, dental implantation, and other treatments
can go for a tenth to a fifth what they'd cost in the US.
And treatment is quick - once you've made arrangements, you
don't have to wait in interminable lines. Finances are
just as easy. In most cases, a comprehensive quote is
given before you even purchase your airline tickets.
Billing is also comprehensive and usually taken care of
with a credit card at the end of treatment.
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.
Finally, when all is said and done and your treatment is
completed, you can visit the faraway places that most only
dream of or read about - hospital facilities typically have
connections with tour companies at discount rates to fill
or at least pique your wanderlust. It's a great
side-benefit!
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.
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 the link in the 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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Garrick Berger is the managing director of Overseas Medical
Connection (http://www.overseasmc.com), a company dedicated
to assisting prospective patients evaluate their overseas
treatment/medical tourism options. The company also
maintains a forum (http://forum.overseasmc.com ) for those
wishing to exchange research and experiences on medical
treatment overseas.
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