would you be willing to go to another country for surgery & also receive money ?

[AR182]

i just finished reading an article in time magazine about the growth of medical tourism......

how americans,in cooperation with their medical insurance carrier are going over-seas for medical care....

in return the carrier kicks back a percentage of what they are saving on the cost of care to the patient...

after the problems 65 had with his neck surgery, i thought some might find this article interesting....

i haven't made up my mind yet if i would be willing to do this.....

i would like to hear what others have to say about this....

but with the way medical costs are escalating i think this is a viable alternative.....

here is the link....

http:// www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1196429,00.html

 

[SixFive]

i just finished reading an article in time magazine about the growth of medical tourism......

how americans,in cooperation with their medical insurance carrier are going over-seas for medical care....

in return the carrier kicks back a percentage of what they are saving on the cost of care to the patient...

after the problems 65 had with his neck surgery, i thought some might find this article interesting....

i haven't made up my mind yet if i would be willing to do this.....

i would like to hear what others have to say about this....

but with the way medical costs are escalating i think this is a viable alternative.....

here is the link....

http:// www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1196429,00.html

182, I didn't read the link, but a few thoughts I have on this. I have worked on several medical surgical mission trips in Haiti. Now, Haiti is a dirty, disease infested, poor, awful place with much, much sorrow, polution, and hopelessness. What we do have, however, there is a fine facility that is Christian based and supported that has a fine operating room. We get good doctors and staff down there, and we do lots of good for those poor people who would otherwise just flat out die. Coming from the bottom of my heart and as true as I can be, I would NOT HESITATE to have surgery there. I know of not a single OR acquired infection there, and I know people believe differently, but there is a mighty power at work down there that I think helps see over that mission/facility. Actually, I probably would have had a better outcome than I had.

I went back and briefly skimmed your article, and I believe the fellow was having his surgery in India. Man, we get lots of great doctors from India, Pakistan, Asia. and etc.! What would we do in the US now if we didn't have foreign born, ESL doctors??? We'd but up chit creek, that's what!! I'm sure their care is top notch. The only concern I would have is the travel and inconvenience.

 

[kneifl]

I didn't read the link but yes. I would be willing to go to another country for surgery. I have wanted to do it because of my wife and her experience in Czech, and I hope to do it in December. She got laser correction surgery 8-9 years ago in Prague and still has perfect 20/10 vision, had her eyes examined recently and the optomologist did not believe she ever had laser surgery because he could not see the scars (or what they see on most laser surgery correction patients). The cost was close to $1500 US for both eyes, you cant get it done here for less than $4000 in DC and by that good of a doctor (I would use the same doctor she went to). Hell yes, I wou;ld do it in a split second.

kneifl

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

The travel might offset the savings but as far as having confidence in doctor he would have to be referred to me by someone I had complete trust in their judgement--on similiar note if I need operation-- I could get remaining cost my insurance did not pay satisfied by going to VA hospital. I would not consider most VA hospitals however in area I live the VA in Nashville is staffed with resdent Dr's from Vanderbuilt and St Thomas and not only would I not have prob going there but would prefer to have it done there--not only for savings but quality of care.

 

[The Mover]

My wife was reading the same article & asked me the same question & my response was " No Way". Well after listening to her & reading some of the article it does sound like a possible alternative if our provider offered it. I'm not saying I would blindly just shop price without considering all the other factors invoved.Interesting article.