If you lack health insurance, consider medical tourism

[49er]

Dental work isn't covered under australias medicare system, so it costs a fortune to get anything major done. I have heard of people going to countries in Asia from Australia to get dental work done for half (or quater) of the cost in Australia

I am curious, is it this way with most health insurance plans around the world? If I remember correctly, Canada's plan doesn't provide coverage, right?

49er

49er... you had better do some reading. In Canada dental coverage is covered by your medical insurance. For me, a senior living in Alberta, I pay VERY little for dental care, the majority of the cost is paid by the province's health care. Not only does my province's health care cover any doctor or hospital visits, prescriptions and dental, but glasses too, and I don't pay ANY premiums.

Thanks Nan, I have no idea why I thought Canada didn't provide dental coverage so thank you for your reply. Now, I am really green with envy which is a whole other post.

49er

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Here where I live in in AZ ... We have a "fire district" I happen to actually live in the district ... Many do not ... If they recieve services they get billed!

We do not have a police force, Sherriff's office is 30 miles away, they can show up in 30-120 minutes to file a report ...

Yes, I think if somebody does not have the means to pay for anything, then thry should go without, they should not just be entitled to it.

So if you hadn't had the means to deal with your finger and the complications resulted in severe injury or death, that would have been ok?

49er

And if you are a child, don't be stupid and choose poor parents.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Here where I live in in AZ ... We have a "fire district" I happen to actually live in the district ... Many do not ... If they recieve services they get billed!

We do not have a police force, Sherriff's office is 30 miles away, they can show up in 30-120 minutes to file a report ...

Yes, I think if somebody does not have the means to pay for anything, then thry should go without, they should not just be entitled to it.

So if you hadn't had the means to deal with your finger and the complications resulted in severe injury or death, that would have been ok?

49er

Yup!

Life is full of risks.

"Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" does not mean that I have to be forced to make sure you have all three ... just that I (or more importantly the government) can't stop you from attaining them on your own.

I do believe in charity, and I was raised that "It is more blessed to give than receive" and I have given till it hurts, gone without, because somebody eles needed something or my time ... but ... I DID IT WILLINGLY, no arm twisting, no threat of jail ... now with all the burdens of others dumped/forced on the middle class, we have very little left to give to charity, so those go to uncle .gov ... not me.

This thread started off on the idea that US health care was too expensive for some, and those that were not only able, but wanted to pay their own way, could go somewhere it was cheaper, not let somebody else pay for it. (this is what I did)

[CoastalSun]

nansilson, 49er, mgaggie, et al:
Canada's medical insurance is not totally 'universal' ... There is a basic medical insurance across the country under the Canada Health Act but then each province and territory 'tops' it up with 'additional benefits.'It all depends on what the provincial government decides to include. (CPAP is covered up to 70% in Ontario, but most provinces don't cover ANY of the cost to the average person.)
So dental may be covered in Alberta, but it is not covered in BC where I live. If dental surgery is required in a hospital environment, or orthodontics are necessary for severe congenital abnormalities, then the BC medical insurance plan will pick up the 'tab.' Otherwise, you're on your own unless you have an extended private dental plan.
See Health Canada site if you're interested:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/faq-eng.php

[49er]

nansilson, 49er, mgaggie, et al:
Canada's medical insurance is not totally 'universal' ... There is a basic medical insurance across the country under the Canada Health Act but then each province and territory 'tops' it up with 'additional benefits.'It all depends on what the provincial government decides to include. (CPAP is covered up to 70% in Ontario, but most provinces don't cover ANY of the cost to the average person.)
So dental may be covered in Alberta, but it is not covered in BC where I live. If dental surgery is required in a hospital environment, or orthodontics are necessary for severe congenital abnormalities, then the BC medical insurance plan will pick up the 'tab.' Otherwise, you're on your own unless you have an extended private dental plan.
See Health Canada site if you're interested:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/medi-assur/faq-eng.php

Thanks CoastalSun, now I understand why I thought that dental insurance wasn't covered in Canada. I will check out that link when I have a chance.

49er

[chunkyfrog]

Question: is it possible/practical for Americans to self-pay for non-covered procedures in Canada?
(I have heard of bus charters to Canadian pharmacies for seniors afflicted with donut-hole disorder)

[Janknitz]

I'm going to stay out of the politics of this debate except to say that the price tag on private pay medical care is not necessarily the real price. Some people have found that if they negotiate with the provider and agree to pay cash in advance, they can pay less than their co-pays and deductibles for the procedure, treatment, or care. I remember an article in the paper about a woman who found that an MRI would cost her $1,800 out of pocket with her co-pays and deductible--insurance paying the rest, but she negotiated to pay without insurance only $800 total.

You can't always do this. For example, it's illegal if you're on Medicare for the provider to not bill Medicare and charge you any differently than Medicare's co-pay and deductibles, but it's not illegal for most private insurances. There's always the prick provider that wants to charge you 5X what any insurer will pay because he knows he's not going to get repeat business from you (I've had to deal with that!). And certainly in an emergency you may not have the time or ability to negotiate the out of pocket costs. But if you're in a bind paying out of pocket or you have high co-pays and deductibles, it's worth asking.

[mgaggie]

49er dental was covered until the early 90's here in australia. No idea about Canada. A medicare levy is taken out of our tax each year i think 2%, but only if you earn over 20k a year.

No idea about canada

Thanks magaggie. Guess I need to do some googling for more information.

I also seem to like repeating myself

I also seem......

Sorry, I am totally perplexed at your response. I just thought that instead of asking a million questions, I should try to find out the answers for myself. I apologize if I didn't say the right thing.

49er

NO, NO you didn't say the wrong thing I just realised I mentioned Canada twice in my original post. I've been a bit scatterbrained lately.

Feel free to ask me questions, I'll answer if I know it.

[49er]

49er dental was covered until the early 90's here in australia. No idea about Canada. A medicare levy is taken out of our tax each year i think 2%, but only if you earn over 20k a year.

No idea about canada

Thanks magaggie. Guess I need to do some googling for more information.

I also seem to like repeating myself

I also seem......

Sorry, I am totally perplexed at your response. I just thought that instead of asking a million questions, I should try to find out the answers for myself. I apologize if I didn't say the right thing.

49er

NO, NO you didn't say the wrong thing I just realised I mentioned Canada twice in my original post. I've been a bit scatterbrained lately.

Feel free to ask me questions, I'll answer if I know it.

Thanks for your offer.

Oh I definitely understand about being scatterbrained. I stupidly spilled out some expensive mouthwash today without thinking.

Anyway, what would work best for me is to do some reading and then ask any questions that come up.

49er

[mgaggie]

49er this link is about the history of medicare in Australia

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/ ... e/medicare

[49er]

49er this link is about the history of medicare in Australia

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/ ... e/medicare

Thanks magaggie, that looks like a great link.

49er

[FattyMagoo]

spilled out some expensive mouthwash today without thinking...

Oh 49er you and your fancy designer mouthwash. I usually just pick up the stuff at WalMart...

[49er]

spilled out some expensive mouthwash today without thinking...

Oh 49er you and your fancy designer mouthwash. I usually just pick up the stuff at WalMart...

I need to clarify Due to desperation about the possibility of needing expensive dental work (seeing dentist number 2 today for a 2nd opinion), I purchased a remedy that might be helpful in lessening the problems. Not sure it really should be called mouthwash but that is the way I have been using it.

Unfortunately, listerine caused a loss of sense of taste so I have stayed away from it and similar products. Another one I tried (can't remember exact name:) I had trouble getting it out of the bottle when I was a third of the way down.

I have also stayed away from alot of so called natural mouthwashes that seemed to make my problem worse.

See what the dentist says and obviously, if he recommends a product, I will make sure I am very careful if I buy it.

49er

[chunkyfrog]

My dentist gave me a discount on my exam and cleaning, because I paid on the spot.
Considering the advantages of medical tourism, this article is interesting:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/patients- ... 30334.html

[jamiswolf]

Politics aside...
The German Hospital in Buenos Aires Argentina offers European standard of care at Argentina prices. Plus a full medical tourism infrastructure: transportation coordination, translators, recovery hotel arrangements. Go in January and it'll be summer there. I'm considering it for my hip replacement...though Belgium sounds great too.
J