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Posted

I still get a monthly sailing news ezine that let me know what's going on in my other lifetime. They just posted this story. I thought it was noteworthy considering the present situation here in the US. Please don't let this thread spin off into anything political. It's just to show there's another side out there and worth a little conversation.

 

Health and Dental Care While Cruising

 

September 20, 2010 – Central America

How to pay for health care is a huge concern for everyone, cruisers included. There is some good news, however. Once you leave the United States, health care costs plummet. Secondly, in places like Mexico, there are very low cost health insurance options.

When Terry and Jonesy Morris of the Chula Vista-based Gulfstar Sailmaster 50 Niki Wiki decided to quit their jobs, sell their house, furniture and car, and get rid of everything else in order to start living, they couldn't afford health care because of a series of pre-existing conditions. Faced with the choice of either going to work for a big company so they could get on a group policy and not being able to cruise, or self-insuring so they could "go out and live," they decided on the latter.

They've been having a great time cruising Mexico and Central America in the four years since they did the '06 Ha-Ha, but then Terry needed to have emergency laparoscopic surgery to remove her gall bladder while they were spending the summer up the Rio Dulce. Here's her concise report:

"The total cost was $5,000 U.S. That included three nights and four days in the upscale and modern university hospital in Guatemala City. This cost included the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and primary care doctor fees, as well as all tests, medications, and follow-up care. It was one of my best hospital experiences, and I’ve had six other surgeries, all of them in the United States."

 

Cruisers in Mexico find the quality of medical care south of the border to be just as good, if not better, than in the U.S., and the costs substantially lower.

© 2010 Henry Kaiser

 

 

In case anybody thinks all health care outside of the United States is substandard, let's repeat her last sentence: "It was one of my best hospital experiences, and I’ve had six other surgeries, all of them in the United States."

"So far, we have been quite happy with the medical and dental services we've received," continues Terry. "Jonesy, my husband, had an urgent and extensive root canal and crown procedure in El Salvador. It was done by an endodontist who was trained in the States. The total cost for the two dentists, plus the crown, was $350. In addition, we have had routine dental cleanings and check-ups for between $25 to $40, and filling repairs for $25 — all by English-speaking dentists. A walk-in, same-day mammogram at a private hospital was $35, with the typed radiologist report and films available for pick-up the next day. Routine blood-work is done inexpensively on demand at laboratories."

To add a little perspective on the situation, a Sausalito sailor we know had the same surgery a couple years ago at Marin General. The total amount billed to the insurance company? $80,000! And that didn't include any overnight stays — he was forced to check out six hours after the surgery — or follow-up care.

Let's see, there are no signs that the U.S. job market is going to improve anytime soon, used sailboats are selling for all-time low prices, the cost of pleasure cruising south of the border is well under what's considered poverty level in the United States, and health insurance and health care south of the U.S. is both good and reasonable. For some people, deciding to opt out of what for too many has become the 'new normal' in the United States in search of a better quality of life might not be such a bad idea.

 

2010-09-20_5115_Medical-tourism-1-400x266.jpg

Posted

I think health care everywhere needs a little healthy compettition in pricing to get costs back in line. While I dont pay for any of my health services when i have them, they still cost me a bunch in taxes.I think the health care system i live in works very well for the most part, BUT, if theres an option to go somewhere cheaper and reasonible maybe my health care system will look at an evaluate off shore services too...

 

Brian

 

PS please dont let this thread go political.....its good to get some info out from time to time.

Posted

You folks can have it. I think I'll just stick to the good old USA. Here is a quote from one article that I found.

 

"The IMSS plan is primarily designed to support Mexican taxpayers who have been paying into the system for decades, and officials say they don't want to be overrun by bargain-hunting foreigners."

 

I would think that some down there would feel the same as some up here who don't like them coming here and taking advantage of our welfare, social security and etc. seeing as they have never paid into it. Sounds kind of hypocritical to me that anybody here should expect to benefit from THEIR system.

 

Here is the complete article:

 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-08-31-mexico-health-care_N.htm

Posted
You folks can have it. I think I'll just stick to the good old USA. Here is a quote from one article that I found.

 

"The IMSS plan is primarily designed to support Mexican taxpayers who have been paying into the system for decades, and officials say they don't want to be overrun by bargain-hunting foreigners."

 

I would think that some down there would feel the same as some up here who don't like them coming here and taking advantage of our welfare, social security and etc. seeing as they have never paid into it. Sounds kind of hypocritical to me that anybody here should expect to benefit from THEIR system.

 

Here is the complete article:

 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-08-31-mexico-health-care_N.htm

 

I believe the difference is that those folks moved to Mexico legally.

 

Also, the IMSS is the bottom rung health care and not the health care being described by Condor or myself.

 

Pre-existing conditions aren't covered for the first two years, and some newer medicines and implants are not free. IMSS hospitals don't have frills such as televisions or in-room phones, and they often require patients to bring family members to help with bathing and other non-medical tasks. Most doctors and nurses speak only Spanish, and Mexico's overloaded court system doesn't provide much recourse if something goes wrong.

 

Just for the record, I don't believe it's right for Americans to move to Mexico and suck off a system they have never paid into because they failed to plan for their retirement while in the States and Mexico should amend their laws to deny those people access to the system.

 

BUT, if someone can fly to Costa Rica or India and have a knee replacement for only $10,000 and stay in a luxury resort while they recover and cost the taxpayers of the host nation nothing, then more power to them for bringing American dollars to their economy.

Posted

No, IMSS is NOT the bottom rung according to that article. It is somewhere in the middle and from other information that I've found, is the one that many Americans opt for. Even the link that I posted pointed out that it is NOT the bottom rung.

 

"IMSS is one of several public health systems in Mexico, each with its own network of hospitals and clinics. The program, which was founded in 1943, is funded by a combination of payroll deductions, employer contributions and government funds. It covers 50.8 million workers.

IMSS facilities are a step up from the state hospitals, but not as advanced as Mexico's private hospitals, which are often world-class, said Curtis Page, a Tempe, Ariz., doctor and co-author of a book about health care in Mexico."

 

 

I do think that they will likely change the law if there starts to be a mad rush of people taking advantage of it. The article does point out that they are losing money.

Posted

This thread is very interesting to me as I'am sitting in India right know having brought my son over for a procedure not available in canada or the US. The hospital is one of the top tourist hospitals in India and I can tell you it does not remind you of a resort,but the care is good and the Dr's are very good

I had to have root canal when I got home so I had two done here the total cost is under 400 for both. A xray and consultation cost with a dentist is a little under 4 dollars.

The denist room would never be acceptable in Canada but so far the work seems good.

There are patients from all over the world here for different procedures. All I can say is it's a real eye opener over here. There are more motorcycle and scooters here than any city in the world and I would dare anyone to drive a RSTD or Venture in this traffic

Posted

OK, as Don brought up there is a medicare type system in Mexico that some ex-pats do take advantage of.... however, the article I posted is just one of many reports I get from cruisers going south on their boats and spending the winter months where it's warm. It has nothing to do with any health program. These are just plain folks on an extended vacation, and they get sick or injured, walk into a hosipital or clinic... or dentist... and get treated. They're not putting any burden on the local government or health care system. MOF the tourist industry loves them. They get taken care of, and pay the bill. And it's generally a small portion of what it would cost back home in the US. I get this type of feedback all the time over the last 15-20 years. It's plain cheaper to get fixed elsewhere, and the care is excellent. Heck they all graduated for USC Dental School, and UCLA pre-med. IF USA Today wants to take issue with the health care system, let 'm, but that's not the point being made in my first post.

Posted (edited)

OK...I read it again and maybe you are right but what got me off track was at the very top of your post where it says:

 

"in places like Mexico, there are very low cost health insurance options."

 

In reading the remainder, it appears that maybe they didn't have one of those options because they did say that they decided to be "self-insured".

 

Hey...to each his or her own. I guess if I HAD to do it I would but I hope I will never do so if I have any options here.

Edited by Freebird
Posted
OK...I read it again and maybe you are right but what got me off track was at the very top of your post where it says:

 

"in places like Mexico, there are very low cost health insurance options."

 

In reading the remainder, it appears that maybe they didn't have one of those options because they did say that they decided to be "self-insured".

 

Hey...to each his or her own. I guess if I HAD to do it I would but I hope I will never do so if I have any options here.

 

They just threw 'insurance' in there to confuse you Don.... :) Actually they probably should have left it out, but health care and insurance do go pretty much hand in hand when discussing it here in the US... kinda like ham and eggs....

Posted

Thanks for the well wishes

As far as the super bug goes I was well aware of that situation before I left.

As in all situations you have to way the source of the information and what vested interest one may have and make the decision that best suits yourself

dale

Posted

Super bugs have been around for some time now. Fortunately they are not prevalent though they do seem to be found in various countries besides India.

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