How to Save Money on Health Care and Get the Treatments You Need
1. Get a passport. It is necessary to re-enter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico or other places. Most U.S. Post offices have information and forms.
2. Search the web for the nearest border crossing to your home. This web site may help: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
3. Then search for healthcare providers who cater to U.S. citizens; there are many.
You might want to start with simpler procedures like dental cleanings and fillings to gain a comfort level. The price savings may still make the trip worthwhile.
4. Seek recommendations from friends or family who may have used these types of services. You might be surprised to know how much of this is going on.
5. Call for an appointment and ask about hotels, wait times, follow-up visits, etc. Most healthcare providers have toll-free numbers that can be dialed directly from the U.S.*
Tip: Avoid crossing the border at crunch times like 4th of July. There is a U.S. government web site that reports wait times in case you have to go then: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
Canada
According to Wikipedia, Americans can save “…30 to 60 percent on health costs in Canada. Canada’s quality of healthcare is cited by the World Health Organization as equal to if not better than that of the US in most categories.” More information can be obtained at the web site listed below. [1]
’Winter Texans’
These are usually retirees from northern states who migrate to South Texas for the winter. For years they have crossed over at Progreso, Texas and other border cities.
It is possible to park your car at the bridge there and almost keep sight of it while shopping, dining and visiting the many clinics in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico. According to an article in the New York Times: "About 90 percent feel the care they had received in Mexico had been good or excellent.” [2]
Phone Numbers:
*In Mexico, there is only one main difference, and one very minor difference in phone numbers. 1.) For U.S. callers to reach their phone numbers, a prefix must be added in front. For my dentist, I just dial 01152, then the rest of his number.
Like ours, they are usually 10 digits like American numbers here. But, they are hyphenated differently. My dentist’s number is 899-937-0373 - BUT - on his website, it is written: 89-993-70373.So, all I need to do is rewrite it to 899-937-0373, I enter the prefix of 01152 first, then dial as if it were a local call.
Links:
[1] http://www.findprivateclinics.ca/resources/general/medical-tourism.php
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/23/us/quality-and-low-cost-of-medical-care-lure-americans-to-mexican-doctors.html
[3] http://www.usps.com/passport/welcome.htm
