Why should I go outside the US for medical care and wellness?

The best example to help sort this out is the issue of time. How much is your time worth to you? How long of  a period in your life do you want to be less active or more uncomfortable because of scarce medical care resources?

I hope your answer is: as short a period as possible. 

When we are asked about long distance travel as an issue, I tend to turn the question towards this concept of time.  Yes some of these locations are relatively far in distance, but they are relatively close in time. Consider, a three or four month wait for an elective procedure to be performed to allow your to rehab and get back involved in your life. In some cases these waiting times are much longer. If you chose a 6 or 10 hour flight to accomplish the same procedure, you could easily be involved in your life before your turn came up for the open slot in our slow to respond healthcare system. 

There are always more than one way to look at an issue. To me, I would rather choose the option that made me healthier sooner. In many cases medical travel is the solution. Too many people are simply blind to the opportunity. 

We can help.

Travel Safe, Be Well.

Jim McCormick MD

Premiere Medical Travel

Why won't insurance companies pay for this choice?

The question is probably better phrased "When will insurance companies pay for medical tourism?"

In my estimation they will, but there needs to be some significant developments in the industry before they fully enter the arena. These large businesses require structure to enter. The issues of lines of responsibilities and where transition points occur are very important. The clarity here must be crystal clear. There can not be an excess number of unanswered questions.

There is a very compelling reason for insurers to enter the space. My intuition says that the landscape must be formed and refined. Quite likely there are activities happening in the back ground that are creating the fog-shaping which leads to more certainty and clarity. The clarity leads to entry.

The First World Congress on Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism will be happening in San Francisco this September. The companies and entities attending will be meeting to help shape the environment. You will see them enter, but when the time and environment is well defined.

Be Well, Travel Safe

Jim McCormick MD
Premiere Medical Travel Company
818.917.6189