What makes americans go to American hospitals unless they have insurance?
If I was this guy, I'll bolt to, I don't know, Thailand or Hong Kong or maybe even Switzerland.
You'll get all the examinations and all the treatment for a fraction of the cost (in case of Switz, all of it), tickets and living included.
Mostly I think the barrier (for non-emergent conditions) is just ignorance. But that's changing. Health tourism is growing.
I keep waiting to see when somebody will open a hospital cruise ship, park it just outside US waters, and provide Thailand-cost care within convenient range of vast US markets.
I am from India. Some of my family members settled in United States visit us just for dental treatment. Cost of entire treatment in India is much lesser than Insurance for 2 years + flight tickets.
The prices are lower for you relatives in India only because they pay in dollars. But if you are a Indian, working and making a living in India. Expect a similar rip off!!
My aunt had bladder cancer was detected in early stage and she survived. She had no insurance. Cost of total medical services were below $10k (Surgery was performed by the best surgeons in India, the same people who also treated celebrities and politicians).
Nopes! I can get a root canal and a crown for merely $80-$100 which is approximately 4% of my monthly salary in India. Same treatment will cost me $500 for root canal and another $800 for a crown. total $1300 which is around 20% of my monthly salary.
Not necessarily, in other countries the relation of medical costs to average middle class salary might be very different. While in USA you are billed an annual salary for a short stay in the hospital, in many countries it's more like a month salary or less.
You'll get all the examinations and all the treatment for a fraction of the cost (in case of Switz, all of it), tickets and living included.