Americans Head Overseas For Health Care
 

Here's an interesting article in today's MSNBC.com (2 pages long):


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15513596/wid/11915773/


I think I would do the same as the patients if it was the best option I could get. I think I would baulk at going to India for treatment (having been there I don't think I could bear the chaos and would be concerned about hygiene after leaving the hospital).

My daughter had an accident go-karting in Phuket, Thailand a few years ago and we had to take her to the Phuket International hospital. It was just as good as a Western hospital. She had to have a couple of x-rays, stitches, dressings, painkillers and anti-biotics. It came to approx 20GBP...there was no point in claiming off our medical insurance! The interesting thing about the hospital was the 'menu' of cosmetic operations that the hospital would carry out....eg. penis removal, sex change ops etc. for the Ladyboys LOL! (Some of those 'boys' were so feminine and beautiful I looked like an ugly old hag in comparison! :D

As for going to Singapore for medical treatment then I would absolutely go there. The medical facilities are first-rate and a high percentage of surgeons trained in the UK, Australia/NZ and the USA.

Thoughts?

Re: Americans Head Overseas For Health Care
 

I had a minor OP in Sri Lanka, 32 stiches amongst other things.

Excellent.

Re: Americans Head Overseas For Health Care
 

I wouldnt' think twice about doing it if I weren't covered by medical here and could travel...plenty of people do safari holidays in south africa and get ops done while over there as part of the package...makes sense :D

Re: Americans Head Overseas For Health Care
 

My local newspaper did a story earlier this year about a local man who went to India for surgery. The same surgery in the US would have cost thousands more $s and he had no health insurance.

The only problems I can see with "health tourism" is that there maybe language/communication difficulties when going to a non-English speaking country plus what happens if there are complications post-visit when one has returned to the States? Does the patient have to return overseas for a follow-up? Can he go to a specialist in the US?


NC Penguin