Medical Tourism and the Cost of Healthcare Abroad

Dec 21, 2021

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Learn the prices medical tourism, dental care abroad, travel insurance, and overseas healthcare for expats and digital nomads from Kristin and her guests, Brent Hartinger and Michael Jensen.

This is Part 2 of a conversation with Brent and Michael Are Going Places. ➡️ Listen to Part 1 here on Living Like a Local Anywhere in the World.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

I. HEALTHCARE ABROAD:

Which countries have the best medical care?
How is the quality, cleanliness, and prices of medical care abroad?
Are there English-speaking doctors abroad?
How is the healthcare in Mexico?
How much does a dental cleaning cost in different countries?
How much does an ambulance cost abroad?
How do you find recommendations for doctors abroad?
What travel insurance should you use?
When should you buy travel insurance?
Is it better to use public or private hospitals in other countries?

II. SLOW TRAVEL:

What is Geo-Arbitrage?
Living on $100k per year in Seattle versus $50k while traveling full-time
How to choose your next destination as a digital nomad?
How do you know when it's good to move onto a different country?
Is one month in each destination long enough to get to know a place?
What is your Digital Nomad Exit Strategy? Will you be nomads forever?
Have you been to any "dangerous" countries?
How do you finance your travels?

III. SAFETY FOR GAY AND MINORITY TRAVELERS:

Is it safe to travel everywhere?
Doing your due diligence on destinations
Female and solo travelers
Fear of solo travel
Are certain countries "dangerous" or homophobic?
Human rights and white privilege
Religious beliefs in foreign countries
Being held to a different standard as Americans
Should you tell people if you're gay or hide it?
Following your gut instinct

EPISODE 138 TOPICS DISCUSSED:

I. HEALTHCARE ABROAD:

Cost and quality of medical care abroad compared to the USA
Health insurance for travelers and digital nomads
When to buy travel insurance
Kristin's and Co's best and worst dental cleanings abroad
What to do in case of emergency
Fears of getting bankrupt because of medical emergencies
How to calculate your cost-of-living abroad

II. SLOW TRAVEL:

Making friends in different countries
Freedom and flexibility in the digital nomad lifestyle
How long to stay in each country
How long to plan your travel in advance
Planning versus spontaneous travel
Traveling with people you meet abroad
The trade-offs between slow and fast travel
The ages of different digital nomads: traveling in your 30's versus 50's
Coping with loneliness when your friends leave
Traveling to avoid winter
Small towns versus popular destinations
Hiking and finding off-the-beaten path destinations
Over-tourism and friendly locals
Underrated destinations
Getting "addicted" to travel and new places/experiences
Poverty and cost-of-living in developing countries
How to help locals in different countries without over-stepping boundaries.
Being "guests" in foreign countries
Using geo-arbitrage to your advantage
Following your creative pursuits and passions while traveling

DESTINATIONS:

Istanbul, Turkey
Brasov, Cluj, and Timiosoara, Romania
Bansko, Bulgaria
Tbilisi, Georgia
Cebu, Philippines
Paris, France
Ireland
Albania versus Santorini and Mykonos
Akyureri, Iceland
Bali AKA "Silicon Bali"
Lisbon, Portugal
Switzerland
Amalfi Coast, Ravello, and Cinque a Terre, Italy
Peninsula Hotel Manila

Resources: