The reality is Americans are traveling overseas because we have a healthcare crisis in America. Health insurance is now unaffordable for almost 50 million Americans, and almost 120 million Americans have no dental insurance. For these 50 million Americans there is no option for them in America. The cost of medical expenses and prescription drugs are too high. There is no solution in sight, and our state and federal government are doing absolutely nothing to solve the healthcare crisis. Unfortunately, the 50 million uninsured do not understand that if they came together under one voice the political power and influence they would have. Because the uninsured do not band together to fight being uninsured, then the uninsured will simply remain uninsured, with no solution possible, because there is no organization in America that is going to cut it’s profit margins to help the uninsured.
We are in a sad state. There are Americans who need life saving surgical procedures each day who simply cannot afford it, do not qualify for state or federal aid, do not know of any other options and die each day because of lack of access to healthcare. No one talks about this “tragedy” that happens on a daily basis in America, as doctors, hospitals, and the government turn their back on millions of Americans. Even more Americans don’t take necessary prescription drugs simply because they are unaffordable. " Our American health care system is broken leaving many Americans with no access to health care.”
That is why it is so shocking to Americans that they can jump onto an airplane fly several hours outside of American Airspace, and wherever they land the price of surgery and prescription drugs are as much as 50% to 90% less than in America. Does that make sense? That a prescription drug costing $150 costs $15 outside of the US, or a injectible prescription drug that costs $1,800 costs $900 outside the United States. The exact same drug by the same drug manufacturer? Is the drug subsidized by the foreign government? No!
So, the next question the uninsured asks is what does the hospital look like and what experience do the doctors have. We have to ask that question because how would it be possibly to provide equal to or better care in a hospital for 90% less than in America. If a heart procedure that costs $100,000 could only cost $9,000 overseas than the hospital must be sub-standard compared to American hospitals, and the doctors less experienced than American doctors. Over 500,000 Americans who went overseas for surgical procedures in 2006 discovered that the hospitals were equal to or in some cases nicer than American hospitals. Some American hospitals describe the hospitals as “7 Star” hospitals , nicer than a Ritz Carlton, and they come back and “rave” about the tremendous experience of the doctors and how some were trained in the US or UK.
Did you know that 25% of doctors practicing in the U.S. were trained overseas?
Do you know that the U.S. was rated 37th on the World Health Organization's Health Report and that the U.S. was beat out by Costa Rica and Columbia?
Personalized Service – Many Americans are utilizing medical tourism and traveling overseas because of personal service you just can’t get anymore in the US. With higher nurse to patient ratio’s than American hospitals and doctors who spend much more time with the patient, those who have gone overseas for medical tourism truly believe they are getting better care. Also, Studies have shown that hospitals with higher nurse to patient ratios have better mortality statistics, and hospitals with lower nurse to patient ratios have significantly higher mortality rates for patients.
Medical Tourism Sample Surgery Cost Chart
| USA | India | Thailand | Singapore | Costa Rica | Korea | Heart Bypass | $130,000 | $6,651-$9,300 | $11,000 | $16,500 | $24,000 | $34,150 | Heart Valve Replacement | $160,000 | $9,000 | $10,000 | $12,500 | $15,000 | $29,500 | Angioplasty | $57,000 | $4,988-$7,500 | $13,000 | $11,200 | $9,000 | $19,600 | Hip Replacement | $43,000 | $5,800-$7,100 | $12,000 | $9,200 | $12,000 | $11,400 | Hysterectomy | $20,000 | $2,300-$6,000 | $4,500 | $6,000 | $4,000 | $12,700 | Knee Replacement | $40,000 | $6,200-$8,500 | $10,000 | $11,100 | $11,000 | $24,100 | Spinal Fusion | $62,000 | $4,500-$8,500 | $7,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $3,311 |
Pricing is estimated and varies within the U.S. based on location, demographics, and experience of the provider. Overseas costs provided by the Medical Tourism Association, August 2007 Survey.
Free Health, LLC's model is simple – to find the best solutions for the uninsured and to pass on savings to our members. Free Health will be giving away Free Surgeries or a Free Surgery each month. |