Having lived in Europe for 25 years, I can attest to the fact of them having great medical care, and dental, as well. We went to Croatia for dental work. I had surgery in Sicily and Italy, while several friends had elective surgical procedures done in Budapest. Even being non-Europeans, the cost was always a fraction of what it would have been in the USA.
We just had dental work in Croatia! Shockingly cheap. And we had work done in Romania last year, and it was the best dental care I've ever received (for 1/10th the price).
When I lived in El Paso, TX, it was amazing how 2-laned the medical travel was. One lane was for all the people traveling from Mexico to the US for medical care. The other, much lesser-known, but equally as well-traveled, was the people traveling from the US to Mexico for health care. When I talked to people who frequently traveled the second lane, I was told the reason for their travels were the quality of care and the cost. They all said the quality of care in the Mexican hospitals, clinics, and doctors' office was equal and sometimes better than the health care in the US. The second reason, of course, was the cost. Whatever the cost of a procedure in the US, it was usually half of that in Mexico. Ciudad Juarez was a popular destination for people seeking dental work. I'm sure glad the medical care system in the US is all about the patients and not about the profits. What would we do if people came first? Have a good day and thanks for the article. I'm facing knee replacement surgery in a couple of years, too.
Thanks! Yes, we had medical (and dental) care in Mexico, which was stellar. There is actually a huge industry there designed for American clients (and isn't available to poor Mexicans, alas).
I have become so disillusioned with the healthcare system in the US. I officially became a resident of Mexico in April and now have access to the healthcare system here. I will still be purchasing a global health plan in January when I begin travelling again, but it is nice to know that I am covered just by being a resident of a country.
I will be the first to agree that our health care system is indeed broken with profit as a priority, and I am glad your experience was good. But as seniors my spouse and I made decisions with insurance that worked with our health system. I have had 2 completely covered by insurance hip replacements…there are solutions other than medical tourism.
Unfortunately, I have had some dear friends with various cancers recently. Does anyone have any experience with cancer treatment in other countries.? Honestly, I think the fear of cancer is this the only reason we are keeping a very expensive policy in the US as we travel though we are two very healthy individuals.
Fascinating and informative read! (Also, somehow I had missed that Turkey officially changed its name internationally. Cok güzel !) How depressing that we Americans have to travel abroad to receive quality healthcare. But if we must, there are worse places to do it.
THANK YOU for this interview! One of the items we get blasted on whenever we have a conversation with friends/family/etc, is their belief that healthcare worldwide isn't going to be great. I have read and researched this in advance of our Nov 2022 departure date and this reaffirms everything I've learned so far. I appreciate your articles so much!
Very interesting story, thanks Tom, Georganna and Michael. Another indictment of this inefficient, expensive USA healthcare system. All the best for recovery Tom.
Having lived in Europe for 25 years, I can attest to the fact of them having great medical care, and dental, as well. We went to Croatia for dental work. I had surgery in Sicily and Italy, while several friends had elective surgical procedures done in Budapest. Even being non-Europeans, the cost was always a fraction of what it would have been in the USA.
We just had dental work in Croatia! Shockingly cheap. And we had work done in Romania last year, and it was the best dental care I've ever received (for 1/10th the price).
Dear Brandon and Michael:
When I lived in El Paso, TX, it was amazing how 2-laned the medical travel was. One lane was for all the people traveling from Mexico to the US for medical care. The other, much lesser-known, but equally as well-traveled, was the people traveling from the US to Mexico for health care. When I talked to people who frequently traveled the second lane, I was told the reason for their travels were the quality of care and the cost. They all said the quality of care in the Mexican hospitals, clinics, and doctors' office was equal and sometimes better than the health care in the US. The second reason, of course, was the cost. Whatever the cost of a procedure in the US, it was usually half of that in Mexico. Ciudad Juarez was a popular destination for people seeking dental work. I'm sure glad the medical care system in the US is all about the patients and not about the profits. What would we do if people came first? Have a good day and thanks for the article. I'm facing knee replacement surgery in a couple of years, too.
Thanks! Yes, we had medical (and dental) care in Mexico, which was stellar. There is actually a huge industry there designed for American clients (and isn't available to poor Mexicans, alas).
American health care is so screwed up!
I have become so disillusioned with the healthcare system in the US. I officially became a resident of Mexico in April and now have access to the healthcare system here. I will still be purchasing a global health plan in January when I begin travelling again, but it is nice to know that I am covered just by being a resident of a country.
Sorry I missed the Q&A with Tom and Georganna.
Congrats and no worries. The livechat is still available if you'd like to read through it!
I will be the first to agree that our health care system is indeed broken with profit as a priority, and I am glad your experience was good. But as seniors my spouse and I made decisions with insurance that worked with our health system. I have had 2 completely covered by insurance hip replacements…there are solutions other than medical tourism.
I'm glad the US system worked so well for you!
Interesting read! Thanks for this thorough breakdown.
Of course! Thanks for reading.
Unfortunately, I have had some dear friends with various cancers recently. Does anyone have any experience with cancer treatment in other countries.? Honestly, I think the fear of cancer is this the only reason we are keeping a very expensive policy in the US as we travel though we are two very healthy individuals.
That's basically our reason as well.I haven't heard of anytime traveling afraid for that. I imagine it's very complicated.
Very informative!
Thank you!
Fascinating and informative read! (Also, somehow I had missed that Turkey officially changed its name internationally. Cok güzel !) How depressing that we Americans have to travel abroad to receive quality healthcare. But if we must, there are worse places to do it.
Yeah, it's an insane system we've allowed ourselves to be led into. Hopefully, more and more of us will figure that out every year.
It's just crazy, isn't it?
THANK YOU for this interview! One of the items we get blasted on whenever we have a conversation with friends/family/etc, is their belief that healthcare worldwide isn't going to be great. I have read and researched this in advance of our Nov 2022 departure date and this reaffirms everything I've learned so far. I appreciate your articles so much!
Well, thank you for your interest and support. It means a HUGE amount to us. And very excited to hear about your upcoming adventures.
Very interesting story, thanks Tom, Georganna and Michael. Another indictment of this inefficient, expensive USA healthcare system. All the best for recovery Tom.
Bruce McGee Ventura
Thanks, Bruce. Yeah, American health care is a very depressing topic...
Please edit "June 5" to "July 5" at least twice in the text for the live call.