Healthcare can be Affordable
Medical Tourism Prescription Drug Comparisons Free Health Info
The Internet, global marketplace drive down the costs of health insurance, prescription drugs, and medical procedures, and even provide free health-related information.
Building on a prior article that addressed affordable healthcare options at a time when many people are alarmed by rising healthcare and other costs, the Internet and globalization are increasing innovation in the healthcare industry while driving costs down.
- Prescription drug comparison Web sites
In addition to Web sites that allow the user to compare health insurance quotes instantly, there are sites that can help locate less expensive prescription drug alternatives. A good example of this is Medco, a company employing 1,100 pharmacists who together are specialized in a wide array of chronic conditions. Medco has an online tool designed to help doctors and patients find lower-cost alternatives to current medications.
- Medical tourism
For those looking for either necessary or elective medical procedures, companies are sprouting up that cater to a new industry known as "medical tourism." These companies help match patients with physicians, surgeons, clinics, and hospitals in other countries.
According to John Torinus, chairman of West Bend, Wisconsin-based Serigraph Inc., the savings are definitely noteworthy. Torinus, who writes a weekly column for the Business section of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, pointed out that while an average hospital stay of 4.3 days in the United States costs $6,280, the same stay in New Delhi, India will set the patient back only $1,350--and that is for a private room ("Outsourcing health care may be a thrifty alternative." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 6, 2008.).
- Free health-related information on the Internet
Though there are many Web sites whose accuracy may be questionable, no matter what the subject matter, the Internet provides access to plenty of great, useful, timely, and even life-changing information as well.
One of those Web sites, maintained and updated by the trusted Discovery Channel, is Discovery Health. Discovery Health provides content on a wide array of health-related topics. Subjects range from CPR and parenting to mental health and dieting, with many points in-between.
Conclusions In closing, a wide array of options, tools, and resources exist that can save people great amounts of money on healthcare expenses while maintaining, even enhancing, quality. The Internet empowers users with the ability to compare health insurance quotes and prescription drug prices instantly. It provides users with unprecedented access to cutting-edge, albeit free, information needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Globalization, through that new industry known as medical tourism, allows people to cross borders in search of more affordable medical procedures.
Healthcare costs really can be affordable. All that is needed on the part of the individual is a good blend of curiosity, motivation, and patience necessary to go out and search for the latest in healthcare advancements.
