More and more Americans are traveling to destinations in Central America and other areas in order to receive medical treatment. Doubts about the medical treatment offered in Latin American countries that existed some years ago have disappeared. Currently Americans perceptions regarding the quality and prices of medical services offered in countries such as Costa Rica and Panama has changed significantly.
I can personally vouch for the medical system here in Panama where last year I had a gastric bypass. I had the best team of physicians that I have ever met with an attending cardiologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonary specialist and a US board certified surgeon who specialized in advanced laproscopic techniques. I had a suite in the hospital where I underwent surgery and the entire procedure, including surgery and stay in the hospital was under $17,000 as opposed to $45,000 in the US. Now a year later, I am fitter than I was 20 years ago and have lost over 95 pounds without any side affects or complications. A lot of hospitals offer an insurance plan for around $60 per month and cover a lot of doctor visits and one procedure a month like MRI, X Ray, Colonscopy, etc. Oh, and by the way, most physicians spend 3 times the amount of time with you and charge as little as most co pays in the US and say if you do have a colonscopy and pay out of pocket, it is $350.
This country and Costa Rica have become a major destination in the region for Americans who can not afford medical treatment in their own country, and who decide to travel and pay a third of what they would pay at home.
The conditions of the U.S. economy, which has left significant numbers of unemployed citizens, couple with the high cost of treatment and health insurance are some of the reasons why US nationals decide to come to Costa Rica and Panama to receive medical attention.
The change in the perception of the medical service offered is real. Not only are doctors better prepared today and in possession of the latest technology, but many hospitals and private clinics have been recognized by organizations such as the Joint Commission International, the same body that accredits U.S. hospitals.
An article in NY Daily News states: “The savings made if treatment is received abroad ranges from 40% to 90% of the cost of treatment in the U.S., according to Josef Woodman, author of Guide to medical care overseas. “
The author makes a good point in regards to savings BUT this is assuming that the American, or foreign, patient uses the US hospital system for comparison. Then the cost savings are of course considerable as we are all aware of the huge mark ups that hospitals charge in general. They are essentially trying to make up for the huge shortfall caused by uninsured patients, poor insurance contracts etc.
However, if comparison is made to efficient, focused outpatient specialty centers, then even the foreign delivery systems may not be so economical.
We have an orthopedic ambulatory center where patients from entire western hemisphere come to Miami (Doral to be exact) and we can consistently compete with foreign hospitals because the type of surgeries we are able to do are virtually NEVER done in outpatient setting abroad. Therefore our price is very competitive and the quality is undeniable, with the surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses having trained at the reputable American centers that have traditionally served international patients for decades due to quality.
It is a paradigm shift in care…. and cost.