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Originally Posted by NJblue
I've heard reports of this before, but I have to question how this can be. For it to be that much cheaper, the cost structure must be cheaper. First, if the equipment is as modern as that of a US dental/medical practice, it must cost the same - hence no savings there. With respect to labor costs, I assume there may be some savings, but I wonder about that as well. If the doctors are US trained, I assume that they also have the ability to get a green card to practice in the US since we also have a shortage of trained medical people. Are these people willingly choosing to work for a small fraction of what they could make in the US? Perhaps it's my no-free-lunch cynicism, but doesn't seem to add up.
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There is no doubt that medical tourism has proved profitable and highly competitive with the US medical establishment. But there are risks and massive inconveniences.
I'm sure that sooner or later there will be a health care insurer which will offer reduced costs, but with a proviso that certain procedures, if deemed medically necessary, may only be paid if the insured uses a particular out-of-US medical facility. From a business standpoint, the potential is there, but the emotional stress (and ancillary costs) on the patient and family will be enormous.