In recent months the media are full of stories illustrating how sky high medical costs often keep Americans from getting the medical care they need. Insurance companies decline to offer coverage on many procedures that are considered elective, making those procedures unattainable to the insured. Industry reports indicate that as many as 50 percent of all bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in recent years were caused from excessive medical bills.
Medical travel has opened up a new realm of affordable health care to many who previously thought they would have to put off expensive procedures and has put so-called elective procedures within reach. PresbyLASIK surgery to correct presbyopia (age-related eyesight decline) - a procedure that is currently under FDA review, but is available just steps across the border and is even performed with FDA-approved technology. For travelers considering procedures such as custom wavefront or multifocal LASIK, they find that countries, outside of the U.S. offer technologically advanced hospitals, talented and highly educated surgeons - all with an affordable price tag.
Comparing The Costs
With the economic recession currently affecting the U.S., procedures like custom wavefront LASIK surgery are priced beyond what many can afford. By turning to medical travel, it's possible to find the most technologically available procedures including PresbyLASIK surgery at a price that is attainable. In some cases, medical travel offers patients access to procedures that are not yet available in the U.S., including PresbyLASIK.
Currently, the average cost of standard LASIK surgery in the U.S. is $7,000. PresbyLASIK surgery abroad costs approximately $2,000. The price differential increases for more custom wavefront LASIK. This disparity in Mexico vs. U.S. prices for medical and surgical care also applies to other common surgeries such as hip and knee replacement surgery, dental care and cosmetic surgeries.
It's wise for surgical candidates to compare the costs of surgery among various international hospitals. Visiting the medical provider's website is the first step to find costs for each procedure. Some hospitals may not list prices, but may instead offer customized quotes through the web. When comparing costs, it's important to ensure the procedures being compared are in fact the same, and that the price features the same inclusions (e.g. lab tests, length of hospital stay, medication, etc). It's also imperative to make sure that the hospital is utilizing the latest technology available for the condition, and that the surgeons' qualifications and medical training are readily accessible, preferably at the hospital's website.
When getting a customized quote for a procedure, patients are sometimes required to provide documentation and medical records to the hospital. Based on the unique information of each individual, the quote will include the cost of medical treatment, transportation (to the medical destination and the return trip home), lodging (based on the estimated length of stay), and any other special arrangements or accommodations that may be needed. Medical travel companies simplify this process by helping patients research different options, arranging communications with the surgeons being considered, and offering guidelines that will help to choose the best option.
Financing Options For Medical Travelers
Before deciding on a hospital, it's important to research what finance options are available. Though opting to have a procedure done abroad will cost less, saving money can still be a roadblock to having the procedure done immediately.
Some medical travel companies offer financial options including medical loans through lenders that can be paid in installments. Some companies even go above and beyond to help those with poor credit by providing credit repair solutions in order to secure a medical loan.
Not only does medical travel provide substantial savings, but it also broadens the accessibility of qualified surgeons who perform state-of-the-art treatments. Many hospitals in Mexico provide the latest technology in vision correction procedures including PresbyLASIK and orthopedic surgeries performed by surgeons with training from high-ranked medical schools in the U.S. and abroad.
Rather than being limited to hospitals that are conveniently located nearby to one's home, travelers can explore other options and find the best treatment available, wherever that may take them. Since there are hospitals in many locations in Mexico, for example, it's up to the medical traveler which destination and surgeon appeals most to them.
The Benefits of Working with a Medical Travel Company
Though it may seem cheaper to go on the web yourself to find the lowest rates on airplane tickets and hotels, many medical travel companies can offer bargains available exclusively to medical travel patients. By working with a medical travel company, the process is streamlined: the company will coordinate travel plans including transportation, lodging, and any special accommodations. A detailed itinerary will be provided to the medical traveler, outlining a schedule and containing important contact information.
a quality company will keep in close contact with the individual to follow up after the procedure and ensure a speedy, healthy recovery. Working with a medical travel company will simplify the entire process of receiving quality treatment for any innovative medical method, while also reducing the costs.
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