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Old 22-09-2012, 05:25   #16
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

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Originally Posted by sarafina View Post
The times we have had to have medical care out side the US we have been happy with the quality.

I would carry evacuation insurance for a calamitous event that I would want to go "Home" for, to be with family as a support network.
Only works if you also have US health insurance.
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Old 22-09-2012, 06:11   #17
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

I forgot to mention that her doctor, the dentist, and the specialist at the hospital have all given us their cellphone numbers.
I called her doctor at 1:30 AM to ask which hospital to take her to and at the end I apologized for waking him. He said "That's what my cellphone is for".
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Old 22-09-2012, 06:38   #18
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

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I'll tell you a salutary tale, a relative of mine has a serious heart condition, he lived in the UK a d was treated free for many years under the free NHS system. Every year he visited relatives in the US, he had to buy short term Health insurance when he did that. One year he forget and had a stroke and spent three weeks in a US hospital ( he subsequently died) his relatives there received a bill for 30k. , it nearly bankrupted them.

Dave
How long ago was this? I simply can't imagine a 3 week stay being (only) 10k a week.

Two years ago my broken arm was $30k (one night in hospital) and then last year my broken pinky finger was $10k That was a one-day outpatient surgery. (maybe I should stop breaking myself )

And I don't think I'd rate a broken bone as a major medical event.

The US has fantastic trauma care, but we have absolutely **NO** "health care."
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Old 22-09-2012, 06:47   #19
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

914--goood work--i knew you guys would do well down here.
the recipes for medications are same same same world wide..just slightly different names on bottles--many are usa companies with a mexico or wherever branch factory, as is sooo costly to produce anything in usa. mds are trained in usa and then get tired of the bs and leave usa--they prefer to practice where there is a reward in their soul to practice. the bad ones stay in usa and choose greed over humanitarianism.
i have been in the system of healthcare delivery over 30 yrs--and in some awesome prestigious places. health care delivery in other nations other than usa is superior to what i have experienced in usa with FEW exceptions. very few. and at a fraction of cost in usa. how do you say --hooray for the high pricing lobbies and the associated coruption and greed render to the usa public???
i am glad you found a GOOD md and GOOD treatment for your wife--is very important. i am still loooking forward to meeting you folks--but i wont be sailing north any time soon.
what are your plans currently as to further cruising?
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Old 22-09-2012, 06:51   #20
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

South in November, just like everyone else. We got stuck in Ensenada because Hurricane Bud formed up so early.
I already drank your root beer, sorry.
OK, actually Eli drank most of it.
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Old 22-09-2012, 06:54   #21
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

root beer is ok for kids to drink--i can make do ..lol they do have coke and ice cream, so i can adapt...lol.... how far in one jump?? i will be here in la cruz a while, if my paws dont improve--my crew is in zihuat, and dont wanna come here until i am ready, so it may be a while...is abad place in summer in zihuat, is much better here, despite the pricing--is almost negotiable, if ye plan on long term, they accommodate to a degree...



do they carry root beer in costco?? i have yet to find any here in la cruz--i will ask about puerto vallarta, as some folks here know those things....
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Old 22-09-2012, 07:19   #22
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

Great discussion. The Insurance bogy is keeping us from pulling the plug. I have a congenital heart murmer that makes me inelligable for insurance (pre-existing condition) or only at insane costs and only for outside USA. We are evaluating the option of going naked against the cost of insurance between now and Medicare. Unfortunately, I was honest on my USCG medical questionaire and noted the leaky valve. This now costs me a USCG mandated 4000 dollar annual invasive nuclear drug stress test to maintain my Master's credentials. This is over the written objections of my cardiologist. Dealing with the CG on such issues is like talking tothe wall. (My advice to other is, "There is nothing wrong with you" when you fill out their forms!!!!!) Fortunately, my wife has her Master's as well so I will likely have to let mine go. If I need the valve replaced, it will probably cost less outside of the US than the insurance premiums - if I can even find such insurance. Currently, I am covered under my employer's group plan but that requires that I show up for work.
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Old 22-09-2012, 09:18   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xymotic

How long ago was this? I simply can't imagine a 3 week stay being (only) 10k a week.

Two years ago my broken arm was $30k (one night in hospital) and then last year my broken pinky finger was $10k That was a one-day outpatient surgery. (maybe I should stop breaking myself )

And I don't think I'd rate a broken bone as a major medical event.

The US has fantastic trauma care, but we have absolutely **NO** "health care."
It was about 18 years ago , so I suspect it now be 100k or more.

For most people, trauma care , ie accident and emergency is provided free or nearly free in most countries. Elective care may be more costly or need insurance. Hence basic medical insurance is all that's neccessary. Assuming you never darken the US shores. in fact if your basically heathy I'd question the need for any medical insurance.

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Old 23-09-2012, 18:14   #24
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

Heads up folks.

Please make a point of checking that your posts in this thread are about medical care and what is available around the world and avoids content that is primarily political.

Thanks,
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Old 23-09-2012, 18:36   #25
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

Here is an unsettling article from the Wall Street Journal on US medical care.

How to Stop Hospitals from Killing Us - WSJ.com
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Old 23-09-2012, 19:31   #26
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

Many years ago, when I was still working at sea. I was able to use Marine Hospitals at little or no cost ! then I was back in the service in Vietnam. I now have vets medical for the few meds I need. Both Connie and I have used Mexican medical services, and have found them to extra fine ! Also in Belize. Connie being a RN, has at times medical Ins. and at other times none at all! We find that we are really lucky,because of our good health at our ages. And we will continue to use the medical services of countrys other then the USA, Not only because of the prices, but because of the better care we have recieved in other countrys.(of course the much lower cost helps LOL) All we can say is don't be afraid of the med services in many other countrys !!
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Old 23-09-2012, 19:50   #27
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

This was our experience when I had to go to the ER in San Andres (Columbian island off the coast of Nicaragua, go figure...). Not serious, but definitely debilitating... luckily, despite excellent care, no need for health insurance.

Medical Care Outside the U.S.... One Cruisers Experience
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Old 25-09-2012, 13:11   #28
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

Part 2 is up. Sorry for the delay, rough week and this stuff is hard to write.
Landfall Voyages » Mexican Emergency Room Madness, aka Part 2
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Old 25-09-2012, 13:18   #29
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

Great article, Jan.
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Old 25-09-2012, 14:43   #30
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Re: Can You Share Your Medical Experiences Outside the United States or Europe?

I have been following you guys for awhile now. I admire your courage. See you down there.
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