Sometimes you need to travel for more than a change of scenery...
If you haven’t heard of medical tourism yet, the concept is simple. It means to travel abroad to receive medical care. There are many reasons why people do it, like finding a specialist or seeking cheaper care. And, with the sometimes impossible cost of healthcare in the US, it’s not a surprise that people look for more affordable solutions.
Is there really such a difference in cost? It must be worth it
When comparing healthcare costs between the US and basically any other country in the world, the answer is a big, fat YES. The Commonwealth Fund states that “Health spending per person in the US was nearly two times higher than in the closest country, Germany, and four times higher than in South Korea.” It is the only high-income country that doesn’t guarantee health coverage, while in many comparable countries, residents have the option to have both public and private health insurance. Meanwhile in the US, 8.6% of the population has no health insurance whatsoever.
You may be asking yourself, “Well, if people have to spend so much more in the US, it must be worth it!”, which is a very reasonable conclusion. At times, it can even feel this way. There is an idea that the best healthcare and the best doctors are available only in the United States. Various sources, including US News, will tell you otherwise. Denmark, Germany, and Sweden are ranked as the top three healthcare systems in the world. This order varies depending on the source and the number of industrialized countries in the world included in the analysis, but one thing doesn’t change – the US ranks low. The Commonwealth Fund outlines multiple shortcomings of the American healthcare system that are summarized below, and it doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
Life expectancy is a strong example of where the United States fall short. In 2020, average life expectancy was 77 years, three years lower than the average for high-income countries. Studies are showing that the US average has even declined since the pandemic.
And it doesn’t end there… avoidable deaths in the US, meaning deaths that are preventable and treatable, are higher than the average of similar countries. This can be attributed to preventative care, including health screenings and proper diet and exercise. This care is hard to achieve in the US with a system that doesn’t offer accessible healthcare or health education.
The US also has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates, one of the highest rates of suicide, deaths from assault, and obesity rates.
When you consider these factors and the cost Americans pay for this level of care… well, this is why I am writing about medical tourism.
Medical Tourism -
Enjoy a vacation & Get your healthcare needs met
You may have heard stories of people traveling to far-off places, enjoying a vacation, and getting the medical attention they need. Turkey is a popular example for those who are looking for aesthetic or dental care. Spain is one of the highest ranking countries for medical tourism, which I will speak to from personal experience later in this article. I remember seeing an old Instagram post outlining the costs of getting a hip replacement in Spain. For the cost of getting the procedure in the US, you could live in Spain for two years. While this may not always be the case, medical tourism is a very attractive option.
My experiences with Medical Tourism in Spain
My first experience was with laser eye surgery. Quotes for the procedure in the US came in at around $5,000 in the New York metropolitan area. With insurance only willing to cover 10%, I was ready to look into other options.
I was recommended a clinic in Madrid, Spain that specialized in eye care. They offered the three different laser operations available, which allowed them to recommend which would be best for my eye and my conditions (a mild case of nearsightedness). Most clinics only offer one laser option, for reference. My consultation, operation, and follow-up treatments came out to under $2,000 out-of-pocket. There was definitely room left in the budget to enjoy a very nice summer holiday in Spain when compared to the US quotes I had received.
And I didn't stop there! I go to Spain for everything now
Yes, I recognize that not everyone can fly to Spain for all of their healthcare needs. I am fortunate enough to currently live in France and I travel to Madrid frequently for personal reasons. Instead of finding new doctors in the Parisian suburbs, I opted to find most of my doctors in Madrid. And I am not disappointed.
For reference, due to my health concerns, I was paying approximately $170 per month for health insurance in 2022 in the US. Plus $40 co-pays at the specialists (which most of my doctors are) and some prescription costs.
Below I’ll share specific specialists I see and the average cost I pay out-of-pocket. This is all via the private sector. The public options are also great and free, but private healthcare allows me more flexibility with my schedule.
Gynecologist
My gynecologist’s office looks like a spa. I’m not even kidding. It is so much more welcoming than an average doctor’s office in the US, at least in my experience. Green plants, cute furniture, and super modern medical devices. It definitely feels less “clinical”, which can help put you at ease for what can normally be an uncomfortable experience.
My yearly check-up costs 180€. It includes:
- Consultation and Physical Exam: 50€
- Pap Smear: 30€
- Uterine Ultrasound: 50€
- Breast Exam with Ultrasound: 50€
Dentist
Again, another very modern and bright office with lovely staff. I was seen right away, and was consulted with what the cleaning would entail and the price before proceeding. No surprises!
Dental Cleaning: 60€
Dermatologist
This is my most expensive specialist, but the results have been amazing.
I started experiencing acne as an adult, which to summarize, has been really not fun. I had tried everything in the US, but we weren’t able to stop the cystic acne on my cheeks. The next step would have been to take Accutane, which is an oral form of vitamin A. In the US, this is a very controlled drug, requiring bloodwork and negative pregnancy tests, plus a very long list of side effects.
In Spain, I was prescribed something similar but in a much lower dosage. My doctor told me it would take longer, but that I could live a normal life (no pregnancy tests, bloodwork, and I could still consume alcohol within reason – yet another limitation of taking this drug). The first three months were hard, and my skin looked bad. At six months, I barely have any active acne and we are shifting our treatment to focus on dark spot correction.
Dermatologist Visit: 120€
Prescription Costs (per box, roughly 1-1.5 months):
- Mayesta (Vitamin A): 17.09€
- Spironolactone (Common drug prescribed to women with PCOS to help with PCOS side effects, including acne): 3.62€
- Antibiotic Ointment (For any active pimples): 5.12€
- Tube of Licoforte Gel (Bleaching for hyperpigmentation): 32.00€
Endocrinologist
I do my endocrinologist visits virtually, which is really comfortable. She sends me what bloodwork I need to do, I upload it into the online platform, and we have 25 minutes to discuss my results and questions.
If you are looking for a similar platform in Spain, Doctoralia is great. Doctolib is great in France to find doctors, but offers fewer virtual features.
Endocrinologist Appointment: 60€
Bloodwork
And finally, bloodwork is also pretty important to get done. And since there aren’t any Quests or Labcorps (common labs in the US) in Europe, you can go to any private clinic you find online with a list of what you need them to check. They will normally offer you the option of picking up your results in-person or receiving them online within a week.
Bloodwork: 130€*
*This total will vary depending on what you need done (I get a loooot checked out). According to houseofdebt.org, the average cost of blood tests in the US ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the type and number of tests.
would you do medical tourism?
Medical tourism can be a great alternative for a specific costly surgery, or a great way to pair up a vacation with other care you may need. Whether for aesthetic (think everything from nose jobs to laser hair removal) or medical reasons, it may make sense to check other countries before signing on the dotted line. You may receive better care for significantly less.
I know it can be scary to go to another country for a medical reason. Your health is a priority, so do your research, ask for recommendations, and do whatever is best for you.
Will I be running back to the US healthcare system..? Not quite yet!