Mexico
Every year, approximately one million Californians make the trek across the border to Mexico in search of affordable healthcare. And, according to a paper published by UCLA, about half of these are Mexican immigrants, who travel abroad for medical care because of its lower cost and their lack of insurance in the U.S. Which is kind of embarrassing for the United States. The number one service sought out by Californian immigrants crossing over? Dental care. And for non-Latinos crossing into Mexico for care, the number one thing they're after is sweet, sweet prescription medications. And maybe a glimpse at those famous Tijuana zebras.
Those traveling to Mexico for health reasons are not necessarily poor, as the cost of travel can offset whatever savings are garnered by crossing the border. More often than not, language and cultural barriers played significant roles in sending Mexican immigrants to California back across the border in search of doctors. The findings outlined in this paper might help dictate how insurance companies and employers go about creating and maintaining transnational insurance plans as they go about finding new and interesting ways to screw you over.
What the paper doesn't seem to touch upon is the number of people who travel to Mexico, and other Latin American countries, in search of cheaper plastic surgery and, to that end, the safety concerns that come with seeking out cheaper medical care abroad. Indeed, even on this side of the border, there are horror stories about people who visit unlicensed and/or unethical doctors, surgeons and dentists in the hopes of saving money.
Have any of you ever traveled to Mexico (or elsewhere) to receive medical care? We're kind of terrified of waking up on a bloodied operating table and glancing down to see what's left of our own intestines glinting back at us under a swinging light bulb. So we'll continue to see how our illnesses and pain and tooth decay "pan out" as we sit here, uninsured. But well-intestined.
Millions Of Californians Rush To Mexico For Medical Care, Also New Boobs
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27 May 2009 | 21:30
Comments: 9
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Papisongo
Every year, approximately one million Californians make the trek across the border to Mexico in search of affordable healthcare. And, according to a paper published by UCLA, about half of these are Mexican immigrants, who travel abroad for medical care because of its lower cost and their lack of insurance in the U.S. Which is kind of embarrassing for the United States. The number one service sought out by Californian immigrants crossing over? Dental care. And for non-Latinos crossing into Mexico for care, the number one thing they're after is sweet, sweet prescription medications. And maybe a glimpse at those famous Tijuana zebras.
Those traveling to Mexico for health reasons are not necessarily poor, as the cost of travel can offset whatever savings are garnered by crossing the border. More often than not, language and cultural barriers played significant roles in sending Mexican immigrants to California back across the border in search of doctors. The findings outlined in this paper might help dictate how insurance companies and employers go about creating and maintaining transnational insurance plans as they go about finding new and interesting ways to screw you over.
What the paper doesn't seem to touch upon is the number of people who travel to Mexico, and other Latin American countries, in search of cheaper plastic surgery and, to that end, the safety concerns that come with seeking out cheaper medical care abroad. Indeed, even on this side of the border, there are horror stories about people who visit unlicensed and/or unethical doctors, surgeons and dentists in the hopes of saving money.
Have any of you ever traveled to Mexico (or elsewhere) to receive medical care? We're kind of terrified of waking up on a bloodied operating table and glancing down to see what's left of our own intestines glinting back at us under a swinging light bulb. So we'll continue to see how our illnesses and pain and tooth decay "pan out" as we sit here, uninsured. But well-intestined.
Nearly 1 million Californians seek medical care in Mexico annually [UCLA Center for Health Policy Research]
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alejandra@guanabee.com
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Comments
After watching an episode of Nip Tuck once, where they went to a "China Town" nail salon for botox, I don't think I'll EVER trust ANYONE.
ReplyI get all my dental work done in Thailand. The cost is less than a tenth of what it is in the US and the quality of work is equivalent or superior. Of course this only makes sense because I am in SE Asia every year anyway. I have (US) friends who have had hip replacement surgery done in India. They speak very highly of the experience. I would think that it comes down to chosing the right hospital/doctor.
Replychin. when i was 14 i remember my dad asking me if i wanted to go to mexico for a summer to get 2 years worth of orthodontics done all in one summer (which thinking about it now...wtf?! apa!)..i know its very popular to go to mexico for stuff like that amongst my family b/c apparently they drug you up gooood...
ReplyJAJA...this totally hit home! Its an epidemic with my friends now!...5 of us have gone to Mexico City with the most awesome Doctor to get boobs, nose jobs, and even tummytucks! We DONT recomend TJ...we have friends that have gone thru horrid experiences. But as far as DF goes, we all still have our INTESTINES!...but best of all, LESS fat and BIGGER boobs!
Replyufff in colombia they do every type of plastic surgery that isnt even heard of in the states!
ReplyMy parents when they go to Mexico, they get their dental check up... I dont understand why though, they have dental insurance. The dentist that they go see is like a 2nd or 3rd cousin of mine.
ReplyI have a cousin who got liposuction in Mexico City. She said she felt fine afterwards and still is fine. My family in the RGV gets all their drogas in Mexico. They live close to the border so they just walk across, load up, and head home. The bonus? Cheap booze to wash down the meds!
ReplyWhere do you go in Thailand? I was thinking about going there next January, but I found several dental clinics. I liked the BIDC, but was also recommended several others.
ReplyOMG! Tell me where to goooooooo! Was thinking of going south of the border for a tummy tuck and maybe some more but don't know of anyone who has gone down there. It'd be nice to get some suggestions on GOOD possibly GREAT doctors
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