"Last summer, they flew to Istanbul for a primary care check-up. They stayed at a hotel, boarded the morning shuttle arranged by their medical tourism agency, and began a full-day itinerary. Each family member received bloodwork, scans, an EKG, and doctor consultations over the next few hours. West's daughter even got her eyes checked. As a midday break, they ordered lunch at the hospital's restaurant, complete with a menu featuring items like veggie omelettes and raspberry cheesecake. It all felt "luxurious.""
"When the bill came, the total was $1,330 before insurance - and West is still in shock. 'There's this fear as an American because you know that medicine is so expensive and it's confusing,' West said. She estimates the same check-ups would have cost her family thousands more in the US and caused months of insurance stress. 'I think that's been the biggest eye opener, this feeling of relief.'"
Cara West, 34, travels internationally with her husband and toddler and often obtains primary care abroad rather than in Austin, Texas. During a trip to Istanbul, the family completed bloodwork, scans, an EKG, and doctor consultations, ate lunch at the hospital's restaurant, and received the bill of $1,330 before insurance. West contrasts that cost with substantially higher expected US prices and months of insurance stress, describing relief. Rising US healthcare prices are driving more Americans toward medical tourism, with some foreign hospitals marketing to American patients and millions seeking care abroad annually, most commonly in Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Read at Business Insider
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