scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,306 
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Post by scrappinghappy on Nov 23, 2016 5:33:42 GMT
Obviously this is for elected procedures only We reached our high deductible and even higher OOP expense this year when I first broke my wrist and then the same arm, tore my shoulder labrum in two places and damaged a bicep ligament. One ER visit, one surgery which took 3 hours, one MRI, one shoulder manipulation with cortisone injection under general anesthetic, 23 OT visits and 12 PT visits came to over $100,000 - billed to, but not paid by, insurance. They of course have a much lower "negotiated" rate but if you don't have insurance that's what you pay. They paid about $68,000. Ridiculous. Could I have travelled for treatment? Possibly. The surgery to repair my fracture was 2 weeks after I broke my wrist. Could I have done all the research I would have liked to have done in that time? Unlikely. So I don't think I could have gone this route (excuse the pun  ) But my BFF has an aunt who needed a hip replacement. She was looking at over $200,000 here as they had no insurance. (This was before Obamacare and I doubt they could afford it now any more than they could of then). She had it done in India for $12 000, paid for by her children. That included 3 MONTHS of care in a post surgery facility with full board and daily physical therapy including a CPM (do I have that right) machine and physical therapy. Apparently she is thrilled with the results and had fabulous care. |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Nov 23, 2016 5:37:08 GMT
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Deleted
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May 9, 2024 20:15:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 5:48:14 GMT
Obviously this is for elected procedures only We reached our high deductible and even higher OOP expense this year when I first broke my wrist and then the same arm, tore my shoulder labrum in two places and damaged a bicep ligament. One ER visit, one surgery which took 3 hours, one MRI, one shoulder manipulation with cortisone injection under general anesthetic, 23 OT visits and 12 PT visits came to over $100,000 - billed to, but not paid by, insurance. They of course have a much lower "negotiated" rate but if you don't have insurance that's what you pay. They paid about $68,000. Ridiculous. Could I have travelled for treatment? Possibly. The surgery to repair my fracture was 2 weeks after I broke my wrist. Could I have done all the research I would have liked to have done in that time? Unlikely. So I don't think I could have gone this route (excuse the pun ) But my BFF has an aunt who needed a hip replacement. She was looking at over $200,000 here as they had no insurance. (This was before Obamacare and I doubt they could afford it now any more than they could of then). She had it done in India for $12 000, paid for by her children. That included 3 MONTHS of care in a post surgery facility with full board and daily physical therapy including a CPM (do I have that right) machine and physical therapy. Apparently she is thrilled with the results and had fabulous care. It would depend on the country. India, NO. Doctors start "medical" school right out of high school. After a three year post high school education they have a B.S. in surgery. They register with the state and boom... they are full fledged surgeons at 22 years old.. not geniuses, just your average run of the mill high school graduate. |
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Post by papersilly on Nov 23, 2016 5:50:22 GMT
No I wouldn't. The risks are too great and I can't be that far away from home if something goes wrong. Nope nope nope.
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Post by mom on Nov 23, 2016 5:54:35 GMT
No, as I have a higher than normal risk of something going wrong.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Nov 23, 2016 5:56:53 GMT
I know someone who is a specialist in medical tourism. She vets the doctors and hospitals, and makes all of the arrangements. She's very successful. If I were working with someone like her that I trusted, then yes.
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Post by berty on Nov 23, 2016 6:00:08 GMT
Nope. I'm very nervous about the infection rates in American hospitals, let alone another country where I have no experience with the medical community/providers. I know there are very good doctors and facilities all over the world, but I'd be afraid to go so far from home.
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ingrid
Full Member
Posts: 490
Jun 26, 2014 0:52:41 GMT
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Post by ingrid on Nov 23, 2016 6:26:03 GMT
I would absolutely consider it for any cosmetic procedures or dental work. I'd research the heck out of any of the doctors/facilities offering whatever I need before making a decision. My dentist made a few suggestions of places to consider in Mexico since dental insurance is such a joke and I'll need extensive, costly work done before I'm finally happy with my smile.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Nov 23, 2016 6:46:05 GMT
I did it. Breast reduction in Costa Rica. Very happy with it. There were tons of people from the US there
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,728
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Nov 23, 2016 6:58:45 GMT
I have a lot of family members who go to Mexico for dental work. I believe the "happy with result" rate is pretty high. One cousin got bad looking veneers.
My dad was going to get a few dental procedures that would have cost $2400 with insurance in the US, but only $900 cash in Mexico. Luckily, he's one of the happy ones. I would totally do it.
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Post by cmpeter on Nov 23, 2016 7:05:21 GMT
My mom went to Mexico for surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. She had an excellent experience. She didn't have health insurance. The place she went was full of Americans and Canadians.
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Post by *sprout* on Nov 23, 2016 10:24:44 GMT
This is exactly what I thought about when I read the thread title. Yikes. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Nov 23, 2016 10:35:08 GMT
I would not want to be so far away from home if something were to go wrong. I wouldn't go out of country.
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Post by apmom on Nov 23, 2016 11:20:52 GMT
Here in Ireland our healthcare, apart from dental, is provided through our taxes but you can use private healthcare. I astounded at how expensive it is in the US. My dd needed surgery for ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. It cost around €7500 for MRI, surgery and all her physio afterwards in a private hospital. I had an MRI on my spine for €200 recently.
I do know lots of people who have travelled to Prague and Budapest for major dental work, it's much cheaper than getting it done here.
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 23, 2016 14:04:04 GMT
I would have said no, until I saw this story on CNN about medical tourism in Thailand. The facility was world class. I was very impressed. link |
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Post by anonrefugee on Nov 23, 2016 14:40:22 GMT
I have neighbors who travel for dental work. I haven't questioned what exactly they've had done, but they've gone twice and talk about beach lounging between appointments.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Nov 23, 2016 14:47:53 GMT
It would really depend on the country and what the procedure was. Generally speaking though, no I would not. When we lived in Johannesburg back in 2001, there were quite a few Americans who would come there for elective surgeries. The care was good (one of the best dentists we've ever had was there) and at the time a very favorable exchange rate made it an attractive option. ScrapsontheRocks - do you know if this still happens? I would think so with the current exchange rate. |
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Post by KikiPea on Nov 23, 2016 14:59:15 GMT
I, personally, wouldn't do it, but that can happen anywhere. |
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Deleted
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May 9, 2024 20:15:53 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 15:04:01 GMT
We'll consider it for dental work in a few years when we take off to full time RV in retirement. A lot depends on what happens with healthcare in the next four years, but a huge number of full time RVers walk over the border into Mexico for their dental care and speak glowingly of the experience. I'm reluctant, but willing to keep an open mind about it. Major surgery? Nope.
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
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Post by M in Carolina on Nov 23, 2016 15:17:59 GMT
I, personally, wouldn't do it, but that can happen anywhere. Yeah, why didn't the Dear Abby reader name the country?! And she didn't get sick for TWO WEEKS after she got home. Usually surgical infections start soon afterwards--she travelled with a drain and was walking around with it for *two weeks* before getting the infection. No hospital has a "0%" infection rate, but improper handling of a drain or tube is a major cause for infections. (and I had a tube and had to deal with all that--it's a lot of work) I would be pea germaphobe disinfecting DEFCON level ONE if I had a drainage tube in my lower abdomen---  |
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Post by ScrapsontheRocks on Nov 23, 2016 15:34:06 GMT
It would really depend on the country and what the procedure was. Generally speaking though, no I would not. When we lived in Johannesburg back in 2001, there were quite a few Americans who would come there for elective surgeries. The care was good (one of the best dentists we've ever had was there) and at the time a very favorable exchange rate made it an attractive option. ScrapsontheRocks - do you know if this still happens? I would think so with the current exchange rate. The exchange rate would favour this for sure! I have no personal knowledge of any incoming medical tourism here (other than the smaller procedures which are very popular at the upmarket spas slash game reserves). My own SIL chose Spain for a facelift & lipo thing (long story for another thread, DH and I thought we were putting a flat for MIL on SIL's house  and the next we heard we had to fly over and take care of MIL as SIL was "ill" and when we got there she was in Spain, niece was in charge and all that had been built in was a rather small bathroom). OT a bit, nice to be consulted but no real knowledge, apologies. |
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Post by Sparki on Nov 23, 2016 15:42:39 GMT
Me, my husband and my brother in law have all gone to Mexico for dental work. Very happy with it.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Nov 23, 2016 16:19:29 GMT
They just had a news story on it on our local news.... uh... no!
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Nov 23, 2016 16:19:49 GMT
They just had a news story on it on our local news.... uh... no!
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Post by femalebusiness on Nov 23, 2016 16:52:29 GMT
When we were first married and had no dental insurance we went to a dentist in Tijuana. He did fillings and a couple of crowns for us. Forty- five years later the work is still solid. I have had work done by American dentists that had to be redone after a few years. One incompetent American dentist caused me to lose a tooth. American isn't always the best.
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,178
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
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Post by lesley on Nov 23, 2016 16:56:23 GMT
I think it very much depends on where you go. And given that this survey by the Commonwealth Fund ranked US healthcare in 11th place (out of 11 developed countries), I think it's shortsighted to assume that you will not find better care elsewhere. (I'm really not trying to be snarky here, I just want to reassure people that not all other countries kill their citizens with substandard medics, dirty hospitals, and outmoded equipment.  ) |
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Post by kimpossible on Nov 23, 2016 17:27:19 GMT
I have a lot of family members who go to Mexico for dental work. I believe the "happy with result" rate is pretty high. One cousin got bad looking veneers. My dad was going to get a few dental procedures that would have cost $2400 with insurance in the US, but only $900 cash in Mexico. Luckily, he's one of the happy ones. I would totally do it. Tons of people we know go to Mexico for dental work. My FIL and MIL went there for all of their expensive dental needs. It costs about 1/3 of what it would be here in US. |
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Post by papersilly on Nov 23, 2016 17:51:55 GMT
I remember watching an episode of Botched and a woman getting a tummy tuck in Tijuana said that instead of using anesthesia, the doctor just packed her with ice to numb the area. it resulted in skin burns from the ice and, of course, a botched job.
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Post by Zee on Nov 23, 2016 18:08:29 GMT
I just read the letter. For what it's worth, that particular story could happen anywhere. I kind of doubt the implication that improperly sterilized OR equipment caused her infection, as it took two weeks for her symptoms to develop.
Plus, I'm convinced that every Dear Abby letter is fake.
My main worry would be getting back home if something went wrong.
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Post by Zee on Nov 23, 2016 18:21:35 GMT
I think it very much depends on where you go. And given that this survey by the Commonwealth Fund ranked US healthcare in 11th place (out of 11 developed countries), I think it's shortsighted to assume that you will not find better care elsewhere. (I'm really not trying to be snarky here, I just want to reassure people that not all other countries kill their citizens with substandard medics, dirty hospitals, and outmoded equipment. ) I don't think anyone would worry about care in the countries included in that survey. People are more worried about places like Mexico and Thailand, that kind of thing. When you interpret that article and survey, it reveals the main reason the US scores last is because of the astronomical costs we pay and how many Americans can't afford even basic care, though the US scores very high on access to specialists and advanced treatment for those who can afford it. We're also dinged for not having good communication amongst providers, which is slowly changing with medical records being updated and put online, but since we have no centralized system of healthcare it's difficult to grant access to everyone. There are also privacy issues and HIPAA laws that slow things down...consents to share information sometimes have to be obtained, etc. Which brings us back to the whole reason for medical tourism: the costs of US healthcare are out of control. It's awful. It has been for decades, and it only gets worse. |
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Southern Side eyed Pea 
and the next we heard we had to fly over and take care of MIL as SIL was "ill" and when we got there she was in Spain, niece was in charge and all that had been built in was a rather small bathroom). OT a bit, nice to be consulted but no real knowledge, apologies.
