More than 45 million Americans live without health insurance according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau. The number is expected to grow along with health care costs.
For the uninsured, medical care can be financially devastating: it's why some people are looking outside the country for treatment options.
Two years ago, when Jonathan Reeder was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he knew he would need medical treatment. A dentist by trade, Reeder was between jobs and had let his insurance lapse.
"The company would not insure me because my PSA score, which is a tumor marker for Prostate cancer was too high. So, therefore, when I applied for insurance I was refused," said Reeder.
Reeder's local Urologist told him the surgery he needed would cost $ 36,000 not including fees for the hospital stay, anesthesiologist, and other incidentals associated with his treatment.
"It probably would have bankrupted me," said Reeder.
With no other options, he said, he turned to the Internet and found WorldMedAssist. The company is medical tourism facilitators, which helps patients in the U.S. find affordable treatment overseas.
"The cost and the rising cost of health careĀ has created a tremendous problem for patients being able to afford those surgical procedures. So, they are looking elsewhere," said Renee-Marie Stephano with the Medical Tourism Association.
The non-profit international organization helps patients identify hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International: a branch of the same group that accredits hospitals in the United States.
Stephano said her organization is in the process of accrediting qualified medical facilitators as well. For now, patients can locate information about doctors, their area of expertise and rate of success on the medical procedures they perform on the organizations website.
"The most high demand medical treatment is in the areas of orthopedics, such as, hip replacement, hip resurfacing, knee replacements," said Stephano.
Patients are heading to countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Thailand, and those in Latin America for medical treatment at far less than it could cost at home.
Reeder flew to Hyderabad, India to have his surgery.
"I paid a little over $5,000 for the hospital, the surgeon, and the all the medical part, and between $2,000 to 3,000 for airfare," said Reeder.
During his stay at the Apollo Hospital he stayed in the Presidential suite, the same hospital room reserved for visiting American Presidents in case of emergency.
Reeder is now cancer free and gets yearly checkups, which are paid for through his Medicare and supplemental insurance.
He also keeps in touch with his doctor in India.
"I email him the results just as a friendly jester so he knows his surgery was excellent," said Reeder.
Reeder is part of a growing trend, a report out by the consulting firm Deloitte Center for Health Solutions estimates as many as six million Americans will travel abroad for medical care by 2010.
To learn more you can visit Medical Tourism Association, Inc. or WorldMedAssist. websites.
For the uninsured, medical care can be financially devastating: it's why some people are looking outside the country for treatment options.
Two years ago, when Jonathan Reeder was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he knew he would need medical treatment. A dentist by trade, Reeder was between jobs and had let his insurance lapse.
"The company would not insure me because my PSA score, which is a tumor marker for Prostate cancer was too high. So, therefore, when I applied for insurance I was refused," said Reeder.
Reeder's local Urologist told him the surgery he needed would cost $ 36,000 not including fees for the hospital stay, anesthesiologist, and other incidentals associated with his treatment.
"It probably would have bankrupted me," said Reeder.
With no other options, he said, he turned to the Internet and found WorldMedAssist. The company is medical tourism facilitators, which helps patients in the U.S. find affordable treatment overseas.
"The cost and the rising cost of health careĀ has created a tremendous problem for patients being able to afford those surgical procedures. So, they are looking elsewhere," said Renee-Marie Stephano with the Medical Tourism Association.
The non-profit international organization helps patients identify hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International: a branch of the same group that accredits hospitals in the United States.
Stephano said her organization is in the process of accrediting qualified medical facilitators as well. For now, patients can locate information about doctors, their area of expertise and rate of success on the medical procedures they perform on the organizations website.
"The most high demand medical treatment is in the areas of orthopedics, such as, hip replacement, hip resurfacing, knee replacements," said Stephano.
Patients are heading to countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Thailand, and those in Latin America for medical treatment at far less than it could cost at home.
Reeder flew to Hyderabad, India to have his surgery.
"I paid a little over $5,000 for the hospital, the surgeon, and the all the medical part, and between $2,000 to 3,000 for airfare," said Reeder.
During his stay at the Apollo Hospital he stayed in the Presidential suite, the same hospital room reserved for visiting American Presidents in case of emergency.
Reeder is now cancer free and gets yearly checkups, which are paid for through his Medicare and supplemental insurance.
He also keeps in touch with his doctor in India.
"I email him the results just as a friendly jester so he knows his surgery was excellent," said Reeder.
Reeder is part of a growing trend, a report out by the consulting firm Deloitte Center for Health Solutions estimates as many as six million Americans will travel abroad for medical care by 2010.
To learn more you can visit Medical Tourism Association, Inc. or WorldMedAssist. websites.
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