Americans go to Mexico for medicals to cut costs.

[og kush420]

They go to Canada as well if they are closer to that border, basically they can travel to Europe, get the medication they need or surgery they need, and go back to USA and they would still be fine. That is the end result of being the nation that spends the most money on healthcare and still being worse than almost anyone else in the world.

You can claim whatever you want for the reason, but the reason is that politicians do not want to fix it since it's a too big of a trouble to tackle. There are few like Bernie, but people never vote for those people so it ended up being something terrible for them like this, hence they will keep traveling for many more decades until they finally elect someone who will fix it.

People do things which is beneficial to them. And there is no harm in doing that - saving some extra buck
There are many local who does this in our country too.
They don't get their haircut abroad. They get their dental treatment when they come back for vacation.

[naikturun]

Access to specialized procedures: Some medical procedures are not available or are very expensive in the United States. For example, some dental procedures or certain types of surgeries may not be covered by insurance, or may be too expensive for some people to afford. In Mexico, these procedures may be more accessible and affordable.

[Theones]

The recent kidnapping of four Americans exposed me to the medical tourism going on in America. I have always thought that the US was a perfect country has very functional health, economic, and political systems. I thought all Americans have access to cheap and quality medical services until I read that over one million Americans go on medical tourism in Mexico yearly.

And the reason why some of them choose Mexico was because of its quality and low cost. These medical tourists are aware that it is risky to do to some parts of Mexico, but they still go there because they want to cut costs.
Is there any other reason why Americans go to Mexico for medical?

and there is no problem if they go there - everyone look for the option where they can save some extra money
however in my case - I am so dumb in realising that I have lost so much money due to my stupidity and trusting other. I seriously regret and I will keep doing that for the rest of my life

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Just as a side note -- I'd wait for more information on this before we call medical tourism in Mexico dangerous. Seems odd Mexican cartels would target random U.S. citizens who were on their way for a cosmetic procedure. It's possible they were complicit in nefarious activities.

I don't know a whole lot about how the Mexican cartels operate (aside from their extreme brutality), but I'd have to assume that killing random tourists from the US would bring unwanted attention to them from law enforcement, and as bold as they are that's something they wouldn't do.  Nor would they really have a reason to kill random tourists who pose no threat to them whatsoever.

By the way OP, I don't follow the news and thus don't know anything about what happened.  Perhaps linking to a source to the incident you're referencing would help ignoramusses like me (derp) understand things better without having to google-ize it.

And as to your question, the only thing I've heard is that folks from the US go there who want very odd surgeries that American doctors won't perform because of ethical or other reasons.  I don't know how common it is.  I think way more Americans go there for the drugs that are available over the counter.  Viva la Mexican pharmacies!

[zasad@]

Not all people in America have full health insurance that covers all illnesses. If the insurance does not help, then people are treated in the second country, where it is cheaper. For example, in Russia, in a good private clinic, you can cure caries with a dental filling for 140 dollars. Very high quality medicine. If treated in a state clinic, the service will cost 30-40 dollars, but this is not the best quality.
In Uzbekistan it is possible to cure teeth, but for the same operation you will pay 50-70 dollars instead of 140.

[og kush420]

Not all people in America have full health insurance that covers all illnesses. If the insurance does not help, then people are treated in the second country, where it is cheaper. For example, in Russia, in a good private clinic, you can cure caries with a dental filling for 140 dollars. Very high quality medicine. If treated in a state clinic, the service will cost 30-40 dollars, but this is not the best quality.
In Uzbekistan it is possible to cure teeth, but for the same operation you will pay 50-70 dollars instead of 140.

But then they go to mexico - unless it is a big surgery they have to pay hotel expense and the airfare or the travel expense as well.
So in both the case they are paying good money.
I can't comment on it because I am not sure about medical facility in Mexico

[nicolas1979]

The recent kidnapping of four Americans exposed me to the medical tourism going on in America. I have always thought that the US was a perfect country has very functional health, economic, and political systems. I thought all Americans have access to cheap and quality medical services until I read that over one million Americans go on medical tourism in Mexico yearly.

And the reason why some of them choose Mexico was because of its quality and low cost. These medical tourists are aware that it is risky to do to some parts of Mexico, but they still go there because they want to cut costs.
Is there any other reason why Americans go to Mexico for medical?

America is a large country, if you find people who go to Mexico for treatment, of course we also need to know the location where these residents live. If they live at the border of course it is better to go to Mexico for treatment to reduce costs even if they have to pay passport and visa fees. This is not a quality problem, but it is very influential on the costs they have to spend. Sometimes high quality also cannot reach the ability of the community in general.

[teosanru]

The recent kidnapping of four Americans exposed me to the medical tourism going on in America. I have always thought that the US was a perfect country has very functional health, economic, and political systems. I thought all Americans have access to cheap and quality medical services until I read that over one million Americans go on medical tourism in Mexico yearly.

And the reason why some of them choose Mexico was because of its quality and low cost. These medical tourists are aware that it is risky to do to some parts of Mexico, but they still go there because they want to cut costs.
Is there any other reason why Americans go to Mexico for medical?

You really thought US was good at providing cheap medical services? US have one of the most expensive medical structure. So expensive that most of the Americans won't be able to use it without   insurance. I have seen so many people going to Asian countries for better healthcare. India infact has lot of healthcare tourism. So it's pretty normal for them to go to Mexico for such things.

[TheGreatPython]

They go to Canada as well if they are closer to that border, basically they can travel to Europe, get the medication they need or surgery they need, and go back to USA and they would still be fine. That is the end result of being the nation that spends the most money on healthcare and still being worse than almost anyone else in the world.

You can claim whatever you want for the reason, but the reason is that politicians do not want to fix it since it's a too big of a trouble to tackle. There are few like Bernie, but people never vote for those people so it ended up being something terrible for them like this, hence they will keep traveling for many more decades until they finally elect someone who will fix it.

People do things which is beneficial to them. And there is no harm in doing that - saving some extra buck
There are many local who does this in our country too.
They don't get their haircut abroad. They get their dental treatment when they come back for vacation.

This happens everywhere. You will always find people who will take such steps to get the treatments that serve them the best and that also don't become a burden on them due to the affordability. If someone can afford to do so, they go to a different country, and if they can't, they would at least go to a different city with better facilities and treatments for illnesses, etc.

Private hospitals and medical facilities charge a hell of a lot of money while government ones don't provide the best treatments or facilities to the patients, so they probably have no other option but to look for other places where they can get things done at lower prices.

[KingsDen]

I believe that bearing costs is the reason why a person prefers one country over another. Good medical care will not be free, and then you may not be able to afford it, especially for individuals in the middle and poor classes. There are also consequences after the operation, such as care in the first months, medicines and other costs.

Also, some countries are better in certain disciplines, this chart may give you better information, although I am surprised at the reason for choosing Mexico, perhaps because of the flight costs)

How correct is this chart?
Will it be possible that a country like US will not appear on this list? Is the caption actually what it is?
USA is the highest spender of the GDP to ammunition and USA also tale good care of the man force in the army, and they have good insurance system. So I doubt they will not allocate something much more than 6% of GDP to health care.
Well the information in the media is not always correct, some are sensored, others mutilated in order to give to the audience what they feel the audience should know.

[Baofeng]

The recent kidnapping of four Americans exposed me to the medical tourism going on in America. I have always thought that the US was a perfect country has very functional health, economic, and political systems. I thought all Americans have access to cheap and quality medical services until I read that over one million Americans go on medical tourism in Mexico yearly.

And the reason why some of them choose Mexico was because of its quality and low cost. These medical tourists are aware that it is risky to do to some parts of Mexico, but they still go there because they want to cut costs.
Is there any other reason why Americans go to Mexico for medical?

You really thought US was good at providing cheap medical services? US have one of the most expensive medical structure. So expensive that most of the Americans won't be able to use it without   insurance. I have seen so many people going to Asian countries for better healthcare. India infact has lot of healthcare tourism. So it's pretty normal for them to go to Mexico for such things.

True, not just medical services, but Asia seems to attract a lot of Americans who just want to retire and have their money valued so much in such countries. As for those who travel to Mexico for medical procedures, yes, they are cheap but there is also risk as well just like the kidnappings and killings of the American. You can say that it's normal because this has been exposed now, but then again, as I have said, they have to be very careful when they venture to a country such as Mexico and they need to weigh the pros and cons. There's even one, who supposedly who went to go, but back out in the last minutes. So she is very lucky, otherwise she could be one of those victims that unfortunately die.

[Iroh]

By the way OP, I don't follow the news and thus don't know anything about what happened.  Perhaps linking to a source to the incident you're referencing would help ignoramusses like me (derp) understand things better without having to google-ize it.

A short summary on what went down.
1. Four Americans crossed the border and went into Mexico for a medical procedure(not sure all of them needed the procedure)
2. They were shot at and later kidnapped
3. Unfortunately, two died.
4. The Cartel, knowing the shit storm they’re about to come under quickly condemned and disowned the actions of the perps, forwarded an apology letter along with the guys who were responsible.

Here’s a link to an article.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gulf-cartel-apologizes-americans-are-kidnapped-killed-mexico-rcna74242

[n0ne]

The medical expenses vary a lot between the two countries. The same medical treatment provided at $10000 can be availed at $1000 on Mexico. This is a big difference, and in particular I've heard about Dental treatments were very expensive in America. With the ongoing economic issues things could've gone even worse. Rich might not be the sufferer, mostly the middle class people who are at the level of moving to next level growth suffers with these kind of expnse.

[Gallar]

And the reason why some of them choose Mexico was because of its quality and low cost. These medical tourists are aware that it is risky to do to some parts of Mexico, but they still go there because they want to cut costs.
Is there any other reason why Americans go to Mexico for medical?

what is the main attraction of these Americans is the low price and fairly good quality.
when it comes to cheap costs, many people are willing to travel far to pick up these cheap prices. not only in the world of health, but in many cases low prices are the goal, especially for the lower class.

maybe also because of the travel distance that can still be reached using land vehicles, which makes many US citizens come to Mexico for treatment even though they have to travel without permission.

because I'm sure, surely everyone also, if asked about health, must be number one. because the health of the body is indeed second to none in the pleasures given by the almighty God. so surely everyone will continue to struggle to maintain their own health even though they have to seek treatment at hospitals in different countries, different islands, different continents, and even desperate to break into other countries without permission (but don't imitate this).

[soramon]

The cost of health care USA is high some people can afford it. Im not american but i watch news and read some article how much the cost of health care there. It make sense why people go traveling to other country for cheaper medical treatment.

[Mpamaegbu]

On the top 24 on that list, neither Mexico nor the US made it in there. It shows the dip in the health sector of both countries. Now I know why those seeking medical help outside my country don't head to the US. Instead they head to either the UK or Germany.

On a lighter note, it isn't for nothing that we've the Red Cross symbol on the Switzerland flag. The reason is clear.

[og kush420]

On the top 24 on that list, neither Mexico nor the US made it in there. It shows the dip in the health sector of both countries. Now I know why those seeking medical help outside my country don't head to the US. Instead they head to either the UK or Germany.

On a lighter note, it isn't for nothing that we've the Red Cross symbol on the Switzerland flag. The reason is clear.

Good piece of info shared - I went to read why Switzerland flag has red cross symbol on it, thanks for the share.
edit - but there are different reason for the cross - which one it the right one? it is a tribute to Henry Dunant, the Swiss founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross?

[Theones]

The cost of health care USA is high some people can afford it. Im not american but i watch news and read some article how much the cost of health care there. It make sense why people go traveling to other country for cheaper medical treatment.

and there is no harm in doing so, people find the places where they can get good treatment and on the other side in less budget.
I would also do the same for so many reasons.

[og kush420]

The recent kidnapping of four Americans exposed me to the medical tourism going on in America. I have always thought that the US was a perfect country has very functional health, economic, and political systems. I thought all Americans have access to cheap and quality medical services until I read that over one million Americans go on medical tourism in Mexico yearly.

And the reason why some of them choose Mexico was because of its quality and low cost. These medical tourists are aware that it is risky to do to some parts of Mexico, but they still go there because they want to cut costs.
Is there any other reason why Americans go to Mexico for medical?

America is a large country, if you find people who go to Mexico for treatment, of course we also need to know the location where these residents live. If they live at the border of course it is better to go to Mexico for treatment to reduce costs even if they have to pay passport and visa fees. This is not a quality problem, but it is very influential on the costs they have to spend. Sometimes high quality also cannot reach the ability of the community in general.

That is correct - if the treatment is big and you can save some bucks while having lodging and food there then its worth doing it
Otherwise one can have treatment in the home town and pay a little extra.

[stompix]

On a lighter note, it isn't for nothing that we've the Red Cross symbol on the Switzerland flag. The reason is clear.

Clear? Not for me, care to elaborate?
One is 700 years old and one is not even 200, and it's not in the order you think it is.

Good piece of info shared - I went to read why Switzerland flag has red cross symbol on it, thanks for the share.

The Red Cross simply got this symbol because it was established in Geneva at the initiative of  Swiss citizens so they simply used the flag of the country where they did it. The Turkish flag, for example, has the same relation with the Red Crescent and as you can see in that table there is no trace of it in the top 20 countries, Israel uses also a different design based on their own flag.
Just like the guy above you've got it backward.

A short summary on what went down.
1. Four Americans crossed the border and went into Mexico for a medical procedure(not sure all of them needed the procedure)

One thing about this, it was a cosmetic medical procedure:

The tummy-tuck surgery sought by McGee generally aims to remove excess skin from the abdomen and tighten the muscles in that part of the body.

Dental and cosmetic surgeries are the top reasons for these trips, so it's not like people go there only for life-threatening procedures and more for ones that are not that needed. One article claimed that every 1/20 is a breast augmentation procedure, so this would paint a completely different picture.