[theoneone]

So 3000$ for a biopsy: ticket to Greece and back to USA : let's say 1000€. Biopsy procedure if it's ultrasound guided around 300€. Lab fee for examining the biopsy:around 200€ max, maybe less. Hotel room for 2-4 days in Thessaloniki 120€-150€ in a decent hotel. Total:1500€ or even less. All these can be done by highly and well educate medical doctors, treatment in private clinics is very good(since you are paying in cash you always get vip treatment) and o course you can enjoy a good vacation. I always said that medical tourism is the future

[samirillian]

Obviously, the problem with this strategy is uncertainty. Part of the point of healthcare is that other people worry about it so you don't have to. Better the Byzantine, inefficient healthcare system you know than a system you don't know at all.

That said, I consider myself lucky to have been in Japan when my lung collapsed. The surgery itself was $80!

[greggman]

I love that japanese medical care is mostly inexpensive compared to the USA but at least 1/2 the doctors and dentists I've visited here over the last 20 years were complete quacks and would not be qualified to practice in he USA. No training to certification is required to be a nurse here. And, if you need special treatments like surgery it's common wisdom you should do your research on your own to find a good doctor a and then pay a several thousand dollar bribe to see them. (of course thats still cheaper than the USA for the same treatment)

[csydas]

I would strongly agree, especially since it's already happening in the US for those who can afford the travel time, which is probably the biggest damning factor for most people. My last job was a good job, but it was University work so it paid pittance. Likewise, with such terrible sick leave/vacation policies, it's very hard for such a strategy to really work for many Americans. Even those at my company that had been there for 10+ years only got 16 days vacation a year - my job abroad has 28 days a year standard, with the requirement that one bout of it must be at least 2 weeks in duration. It's way easier to plan a vacation around a medical procedure when you have a month to plan around it.

Even when you make a steady livable income, it's really crappy to have to go to the doctor in the US.

[mhneu]

It's already mostly the other way around.

If you have cancer and can afford it you come to the US for surgery and chemo consults because the best treatment is here.

That's partially because of the money made in US by drug and device makers. But it's mostly because of US government funds spent on research, and because of the US university system with its medical research that attracts minds from all over the world.

[surgeryres]

So are you going to fly back when the biopsy is positive for your surgery or chemotherapy?

[cmdrfred]

Chemo is often every week or month for a period of time, but the surgery is probably a one off. I'd go for it if I was able.

[surgeryres]

Surgery might be a "one-off", but cancer surgery can be brutal. People with cancer who need surgery are often nutritionally depleted and surgery takes a big toll. Recovery time in the hospital could be weeks. Rehab, getting you back to where you can wipe your own ass and feed yourself, can take months.

It's not like you would just fly in, get cut and fly back in a week.

You would have to set up some kind of support system for yourself there, which would be very expensive.

[mhneu]

If you need cancer surgery and you want the best you do the opposite-- fly to the US. E.g. MD Anderson has many patients come from all over the world for surgery.

[cmdrfred]

I doubt I can afford the best, an extra 100k or two for a few percentage point increase in outcome isn't a deal I'd make personally.