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Today's Topic

Outsourcing your health

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#1 of 6

     Posted Nov-5 11:35 AM   
Jim1
 
From  Jim1  Posts 1763  Last Nov-20
To  All      [Msg # 147872.1 ]    

Do you get nervous in the local doctor's office? It can be a nerve-wracking wait. How would you feel if you had to do it in Bombay or Mexico City, and it wasn't your choice to be there?  

Unless Congress acts to reform the insurance industry, "American workers may find themselves facing 'incentives' for overseas surgery that border on coercion." The Los Angles Times is reporting that foreign hospitals and medical centers are lobbying U.S. insurance companies and major employers hard.

Patients,  American workers, also may have to sign waivers that free their foreign health care providers from any liability for error or malpractice. 

Here are a few early indicators of insurer interest: The Blue Cross Blue Shield website touts “Blue Cross’ Companion Global Healthcare,” a wraparound travel planner and network of overseas providers, selling to individuals and to employers in South Carolina. In California, Blue Shield and HealthNet offer plans for employers of Mexican immigrants that cover treatment in Mexico. And United Health Group, the parent of PacifiCare, sent a speaker to the medical tourism conference to advise on how to get employers to include overseas surgery in health plan networks.

Conservatives want the free market to determine cost and delivery and medical outsourcing is the logical consequence. Your medical events and employer-based insurance may force you to go to a strange land and unknown doctors. Or do you agree with Nicholas Kristof's opinion — we may get better care by going overseas?

What's your choice?



Edited Nov-6   by  Barbara/Sysop
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#2 of 6

     Posted Nov-5 3:10 PM   
PathO'Logic
 
From  PathO'Logic  Posts 12143  Last Nov-20
To  Jim1      [Msg # 147872.2 Message 147872.2 replying to 147872.1 147872.1 ]    

We've outsourced most everything else, why not healthcare?   Personally, the thought of traveling when I am sick isn't too appealing. 

BTW, my wife was relating the other day how her hometown, Livermore CA, home of Lawrence Livermore Labs, pop. 73,000, had a hospital once, but because of costs (presumably) it was closed down and now the closest hospital is in Pleasanton, many miles away, and most of the doctors moved to Pleasanton because that's where the facilities are.   This isn't much different than moving things out of country, just the scale.  I'm sure Livermore's plight is echoed across the country.

 

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#3 of 6

     Posted Nov-5 3:39 PM   
Jim1
 
From  Jim1  Posts 1763  Last Nov-20
To  PathO'Logic      [Msg # 147872.3 Message 147872.3 replying to 147872.2 147872.2 ]    
Many people might not know that their MRI scan taken in Happy Valley,  USA  will be read by a doctor in Manila or Bombay,  at a much lower fee that won't be passed along to the patient,  but travel while ill?   It boggles the mind to consider traveling while experiencing hip or knee problems, let alone imagining the disaster it'd be for a child suffering from a grave chronic condition.

I reside in an area smaller than Livermore, and it has more than three hospitals including specialty clinics.   Of course,  no insurance means no access or at least a five hour wait at the only free clinic within several miles. If you can afford to get there and put any temporary employment at risk.  That's a grim scenario in itself.

It'd be one thing to travel on your own,  but to be coerced?   Just image the nightmare if something goes horribly wrong or recovery is bumpy -- who coordinates care or are you left on your own to fumble for another physician close to home?
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#4 of 6

     Posted Nov-5 3:44 PM   
Tobster E [Wizoptress]
 
From  Tobster E [Wizoptress]  Posts 5889  Last Nov-20
To  Jim1      [Msg # 147872.4 Message 147872.4 replying to 147872.1 147872.1 ]    

I think that emergency care in a foreign country might be necessary, but there is no way I would go to a foreign country for treatment. I do think that it is time for Congress to get off their duffs and pass this thing. The House Bill now has the support of both the AMA and AARP. When you get both sides of this agreeing, the bill must be decent.

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#5 of 6

     Posted Nov-5 4:17 PM   
Jim1
 
From  Jim1  Posts 1763  Last Nov-20
To  Tobster E [Wizoptress]      [Msg # 147872.5 Message 147872.5 replying to 147872.4 147872.4 ]    
<<I think that emergency care in a foreign country might be necessary, but there is no way I would go to a foreign country for treatment.>>

What if you were cash-strapped?  Millions of Americans are dependent on their employer-provided insurance coverage and what can be done if those employers opt to "entice" their employees to go to a Third World country?
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#6 of 6

     Posted Nov-5 5:20 PM   
Tobster E [Wizoptress]
 
From  Tobster E [Wizoptress]  Posts 5889  Last Nov-20
To  Jim1      [Msg # 147872.6 Message 147872.6 replying to 147872.5 147872.5 ]    

>>What if you were cash-strapped? Millions of Americans are dependent on their employer-provided insurance coverage and what can be done if those employers opt to "entice" their employees to go to a Third World country?<<

Let’s think about what they would have to provide to “entice” an American. Air fare both ways, preferably first class. Some family member to go with you. Hotel accommodations for you and your family member, food for both. Would it still be that much cheaper?

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