Now that U.
S.
Healthcare Reform has passed it's time to take a look at how it will affect insurance costs and ultimately health tourism.
At its core, US Healthcare Reform was supposed to reduce medical costs, making health insurance more affordable to everyone, regardless of your health or age, and while no one will argue that this ideal doesn't sound great, there are reasons to be concerned.
In fact, many experts including Devon Herrick or the National Center for Policy Analysis in the U.
S.
suggest that the changes made may have the reverse affect.
Here are some statistics that come from a whitepaper recently released by the Medical Tourism Association...
People can have surgical procedures such as knee replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, or hip resurfacing surgery performed overseas at prices that are 50% or more the cost of the same procedure in the U.
S.
And choosing a first-world country like New Zealand means that people don't have to subject themselves to an environment that may be uncomfortable.
In fact, health tourism to places like New Zealand is actually offered by many U.
S.
healthcare organizations as an option and for good reason.
Chronic medical problems like hip or knee pain, if not treated, can lead to other health complications, further exacerbating healthcare costs for people, businesses and healthcare providers.
If you suffer from chronic knee, hip, or joint pain you can see if there are orthopedic options available to you.
In fact there are websites out there that offer quick and easy evaluation of your orthopedic condition, so you can see if health tourism is an option for you.
So, while Healthcare Reform may spell an increase in costs down the road, you can do your part to ensure that you're healthy and pain free.
S.
Healthcare Reform has passed it's time to take a look at how it will affect insurance costs and ultimately health tourism.
At its core, US Healthcare Reform was supposed to reduce medical costs, making health insurance more affordable to everyone, regardless of your health or age, and while no one will argue that this ideal doesn't sound great, there are reasons to be concerned.
In fact, many experts including Devon Herrick or the National Center for Policy Analysis in the U.
S.
suggest that the changes made may have the reverse affect.
Here are some statistics that come from a whitepaper recently released by the Medical Tourism Association...
- By 2020, it is estimated that family health insurance costs be between $30,000 and $40,000 per year.
If you're self-insured or a small business this has got to be scary! - Baby Boomers will add a huge burden to the aging masses (no blame here...
it's just a fact).
The over 65 set will nearly triple by 2030 with 6 of every 10 people suffering a chronic condition such as hip or knee pain.
Half of the Boomers will be living with moderate to severe arthritis and the demand for knee replacement surgery will skyrocket 8 fold. - In 2014 pre-existing conditions will disappear, but the penalty for not having insurance will be far below the cost of insurance.
This will allow people to drop and add insurance on the fly as their medical needs require creating a huge burden on health insurance companies, which will undoubtedly cause prices to increase. - Over the next 15 years it is expected that there will be a 150,000 doctor shortage in the U.
S.
, creating longer waiting periods for almost all non-emergency procedures.
People can have surgical procedures such as knee replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, or hip resurfacing surgery performed overseas at prices that are 50% or more the cost of the same procedure in the U.
S.
And choosing a first-world country like New Zealand means that people don't have to subject themselves to an environment that may be uncomfortable.
In fact, health tourism to places like New Zealand is actually offered by many U.
S.
healthcare organizations as an option and for good reason.
Chronic medical problems like hip or knee pain, if not treated, can lead to other health complications, further exacerbating healthcare costs for people, businesses and healthcare providers.
If you suffer from chronic knee, hip, or joint pain you can see if there are orthopedic options available to you.
In fact there are websites out there that offer quick and easy evaluation of your orthopedic condition, so you can see if health tourism is an option for you.
So, while Healthcare Reform may spell an increase in costs down the road, you can do your part to ensure that you're healthy and pain free.