You’re already saving money on prescription drugs because you use your LowestMed card. Have you considered traveling overseas for medical care?
It may sound unsafe, but according to this Men’s Journal article on medical tourism, demand is up, just like the cost of U.S. healthcare. Traveling for elective surgeries — most often dental, cosmetic, cardiac bypass and arterial stents, hip and knee replacements and spinal fusions — has become “safer and more cost-effective and appealing for Americans than ever,” says the article.
Here’s why it’s becoming so popular: The average knee replacement in the U.S. costs $65,000. But it’s just around $12,000 in Costa Rica. Even insurance companies like Aetna and WellPoint offer some international coverage to cut down on costs. And there are medical travel agencies like Med Retreat and Planet Hospital that help plan surgeries.
After you do the math to see if it makes sense financially, here are some tips to follow, according to Outside Magazine:
- Make sure you look for accredited hospitals, through the Joint Commission International.
- Consider a medical travel agency to arrange everything from preoperative consultations to post-surgery physical therapy.
And, while you are there, schedule extra time for the beach!