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My father had to visit the ER while on vacation in Switzerland. It was amazing to see the difference in how they handle medical care there versus the US. They accepted him and immediately offered care without any real discussion of finances. They did ask him if he had insurance, but didnt request any information other then our address.
When he was discharged the doctors told us we were free to leave. We waited for someone to process what must be a mountain of paperwork, but no one ever came. I walked around and find a nurse to ask what to do, and she said "oh, you gave us your address. We will mail you a bill later" :eek: I guess they are very trustworthy 2 months later a bill came for about 1/5th what the same care would cost in the US, and he was able to get reimbursed by his insurance company. |
Originally Posted by doctor15
(Post 17249480)
My father had to visit the ER while on vacation in Switzerland. It was amazing to see the difference in how they handle medical care there versus the US. They accepted him and immediately offered care without any real discussion of finances. They did ask him if he had insurance, but didnt request any information other then our address.
When he was discharged the doctors told us we were free to leave. We waited for someone to process what must be a mountain of paperwork, but no one ever came. I walked around and find a nurse to ask what to do, and she said "oh, you gave us your address. We will mail you a bill later" :eek: I guess they are very trustworthy
Originally Posted by doctor15
(Post 17249480)
2 months later a bill came for about 1/5th what the same care would cost in the US, and he was able to get reimbursed by his insurance company.
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I am American, but left the USA because I could no longer buy health insurance there at any price (pre-existing). I now have health insurance valid everywhere in the world except the USA. My foreign health care experiences:
Czech Republic: outpatient surgery with about 20 doctor visits in all: $450 Yemen: 6 hours in hospital with blood tests, oxygen, x-rays, IVs etc: $35 Tunisia: emergency room/clinic visit for minor abrasion: Free Cambodia: Quite ill, clinic testing for malaria, some medications: $50 Nonce of these came close to involving my insurance and they just accepted cash... they didn't even want to think about insurance. All the hospitals were very good - especially the one in Yemen... one of the nicest hospitals I have ever been in. |
I would agree that your travel insurance wil foot the bill..
and unlikely you'll get turfed when seriously ill.. |
My last hospital experience in the US before moving to Japan was an ER visit after being involved in a car wreck. I saw a doctor for about 90 seconds of poking and prodding. No particular problems were found, and I was given a prescription for muscle relaxants.
The bill: $400. (Fortunately the at-fault driver's insurance reimbursed me later.) Here in Japan a medical procedure never costs more than $100 unless they are cutting you open or keeping you overnight. |
Originally Posted by rankourabu
(Post 17246867)
Wouldnt the worst place in the world for a foreigner to get seriously ill be the USA?
I live in the US now, but have in the past bought travel insurance for trips to the US from the UK. I recall the US being the single most expensive region in the world to buy insurance for, with the possible exception of countries in the midst of civil wars, etc. |
Name one other than the Shah of Iran. And didn't he die anyway? People think "that" because nobody can afford the made-up extortionate prices in the USA. Don't get me started.
Originally Posted by PBQ
(Post 17246957)
Why do you think that? People come (illegally) from all over the world to receive our top-notch medical care.
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I was very ill in Munich with a severe bronchitis which ultimately became pneumonia. I was directed by a fellow FT'r to an urgent care center (this was on a Saturday when private doctors take the day off) I was seen nearly immediately, examined by a physician who spoke English and given prescriptions. He was very thorough. I don't remember the exact cost of the visit, but I do recall that it was very inexpensive. In fact, I was shocked at how inexpensive the visit was.
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OMNI/PR alert.
Originally Posted by peachfront
(Post 17258017)
Name one other than the Shah of Iran. And didn't he die anyway? People think "that" because nobody can afford the made-up extortionate prices in the USA. Don't get me started.
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Originally Posted by rankourabu
(Post 17246867)
Wouldnt the worst place in the world for a foreigner to get seriously ill be the USA?
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Originally Posted by obscure2k
(Post 17258056)
I was very ill in Munich with a severe bronchitis which ultimately became pneumonia. I was directed by a fellow FT'r to an urgent care center (this was on a Saturday when private doctors take the day off) I was seen nearly immediately, examined by a physician who spoke English and given prescriptions. He was very thorough. I don't remember the exact cost of the visit, but I do recall that it was very inexpensive. In fact, I was shocked at how inexpensive the visit was.
Medical costs will likely be a fraction in developing and third world countries.. |
Originally Posted by ksandness
(Post 17247121)
PBQ: It's not that foreigners come here illegally for "free" medical care. Most of them are already here working for cheapskates who don't want to hire legal workers.
It's that our emergency rooms are required to treat all comers, which is a huge waste, since the uninsured come in for ailments that are not true emergencies (strep throat, etc.) However, if the hospital can find you, they will require you to pay at a higher rate than they charge an insured patient. Before the collapse of the housing bubble, most bankruptcies in the U.S. were due to exorbitant medical bills. In addition, if you are uninsured and are diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening ailment under this system, they will not admit you for surgery and/or chemo unless you can show an ability to pay or unless you can qualify for charity care, which is not easy. The illegal immigrants get "free" care in effect because they use fake I.D.s. But they do not get high-quality care. |
Originally Posted by peachfront
(Post 17258017)
Name one other than the Shah of Iran. And didn't he die anyway? People think "that" because nobody can afford the made-up extortionate prices in the USA. Don't get me started.
I also used to work at a medical facility near the Canadian border. We had many, many patients coming down from Canada to get treatment, because by the time they would have gotten treatment in Canada, they would have been dead. They had to pay thousands in cash upfront for the first month's treatment. |
Originally Posted by sunnyjl
(Post 17294597)
A family member spent two weeks at the Cleveland Clinic. While they were there, they were on the same floor as a Saudi princess. She was there with a massive entourage and about 8 Mercedes parked outside.
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Originally Posted by maccoinnich
(Post 17253711)
I recall the US being the single most expensive region in the world to buy insurance for
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