Medical Tourism
More and more people are turning to what has been called “Medical Tourism”
Medical tourism is surgery performed outside the United States – often in what used to be called backward ” Third World” Countries. Patients pay a fraction of what it might cost back home. Post operative care may be provided at what you might think are 4 star resorts or luxury hotels. Sure beats the cafeteria food and scenery at most American hospitals.
It may be the case that a hip replacement is essential for a person in order to function at work and live independently. Hip replacement surgery is more than a common occurence in today’s world. However by the time the patient is offered the surgery their medical insurance may not cover it , the cost of the surgery may have increased with ordinary inflation , other emergency non medical costs may have come up , or even that the patient is no longer employed and covered by health insurance.
What may cost a small fortune – say the standard $ 100,000 may be available for a more affordable $ 10,000.
It all can work out even with airfare overseas and accomodation overseas to only 10 – 15 % of the standard US health care costs.
Such is the world of globalization.
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