Many Americans need to become more familiar with the idea that You should Move Abroad for Health Care. The United States may be of high quality and low cost. The website Live and Invest Overseas creator Kathleen Peddicord often fields questions from skeptical readers. However, real expatriates like her attest to high-quality medical services available for a fraction of the cost in the United States. She spent $20 on medical care in Panama after crashing her motorcycle there. In the United States, emergency dental care might cost upwards of $10,000, yet in Paris, the same procedure would only set you back $4,500. Medications that typically need a prescription in the United States are often accessible over-the-counter and cheaply from registered pharmacies in many other countries due to government subsidies or regulations. Peddicord, who splits her time between Paris and Panama.

The Number Of Expats Is Increasing.

The State Department believes that around 9 million non-military Americans now reside abroad. The 1999 forecast was for 3 million, which is a significant rise. As millions more Americans speed toward retirement without sufficient savings to sustain their living standards, this figure may climb in the future. People in the United States who want to retire before Medicare eligibility (age 65) often worry about how they will pay for health care. Early retirees can now purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, although the quality and availability of these plans vary widely. Some people who may otherwise retire are considering staying in the workforce to avoid going without health insurance. However, individuals who are brave enough to take the plunge and explore a new life overseas may benefit.

The Quality Of Health Care Varies From Place To Place.

Unfortunately, high-quality health care is only a given in some desirable expat destinations. For instance, Peddicord adds that while Belize offers seniors tax breaks, many still go to Mexico to get adequate medical care. On the other side, the French healthcare system has a stellar reputation. The country is highly recommended by publications such as International Living and Live and Invest Overseas. Aside from the countries already mentioned, both International Living and instead Live and Invest Overseas highlight how great the healthcare systems in Thailand and Costa Rica are. When traveling to less populated places, it is essential to remember that the quality of any nation might vary. After discovering malfunctioning equipment and a lack of physicians at their first retirement destination, a tiny hamlet in Ecuador, Murray and his wife Diane decided to move on.

Access To Healthcare Options

Expats who become permanent national residents will likely be eligible for that country's public healthcare system. Without a public health care system, individuals with private health insurance may often make out-of-pocket payments and then be reimbursed. Peddicord and her husband, Lief Simon, both in their 50s, have an insurance policy that protects them everywhere, including France and Panama. According to her, the couple's yearly price tag is about $3,000. Murray, 69, and his wife spend roughly $80 monthly on Mexico's public health system. Still, they see private physicians and pay out of pocket for much of their treatment (including $8 for a recent emergency room trip to manage an eye infection). "Health care costs are no longer included in my personal budget," Murray explains.

Conclusion

Choosing to uproot and relocate to another country is a huge decision with many uncertainties. Possible key problem areas are healthcare coverage and cost. Covered? How? Does insurance coverage exist for international travelers? It would be best to ask yourself these reasonable concerns before making a significant decision like relocating abroad. In case you need clarification, I've included some details below. Many Americans doubt that medical treatment in other countries may be of high quality and low cost. Invest your life and get a life. Founder Kathleen Peddicord encounters criticism from far away. Expats like her claim to have received excellent care at a fraction of the expense in the United States. There was a $20 deductible for her motorbike accident medical care in Panama. Pricing for $4,500 for urgent dental care in Paris. Many nations' registered pharmacies provide low-cost prescription medications because of government subsidies through regulation.