I'm a big fan of medical tourism these days, and why not? The US healthcare system is one of the best in the world, but health insurance in the States is broken, so that wonderful healthcare is also the most expensive in the world. But when you are researching your options you need to look at factors beyond price.
Why you ask? Well think of any purchase you make… there are things that you can afford to price shop and there are things you shouldn't. Overseas surgery is one of those things you shouldn't! I just read an article that appeared in Marie Claire magazine entitled "The Dangers of Medical Tourism" that detailed one woman's experience with cosmetic surgery in Thailand. Scary is all I have to say!
She was literally given a number at the hospital and waited until it was called. She met her surgeon for a total of 5 minutes prior to the surgical procedure. He didn't speak English very well at all and actually wrote notes on her gown. On top of that he was rushed, which is never something you want in a hospital or its staff.
The resulting surgery was botched, and the poor woman is still paying for surgery to correct the mistakes, mistakes that likely could have been avoided if she had done some research in advance. The destination is paramount! Destinations like India and Thailand have huge risks attached to the attractive price tag.
Superbugs and other medical dangers are real. Safety, language barriers, and other cultural differences should be considered as well. Up and coming health tourism destinations like New Zealand are become attractive alternatives to the popular standby's not because it's cheaper, because it isn't. Rather, because it's safe, clean, the doctors speak English and are highly trained. The culture is similar to that in the US, so it's like have your surgery performed locally, while saving up to 40 percent or more.
Review your surgery options carefully. If you're having or contemplating a more invasive surgery such as hip replacement or knee replacement, review your orthopedic surgery options even more carefully! I'm sure there are horror stories about even more complicated procedures, but there are also some great stories about procedures that went very right and changed peoples' lives.
I'm all for medical tourism. Save some money after all and get the orthopedic surgical procedure you need. Just do your homework and avoid serious consequences of choosing the wrong destination.
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