Paul Gerhold on fri 28 dec 07
Fellow Artists,
I am uninsured because of a pre-existing condition which no one will even
think of insuring. Yes I could get insurance for everything else.
This past fall I was faced with the necessity for major surgery at major,
major cost. Instead I went to India and had the surgery at a very good hospital
with an excellent doctor at about one fifth the cost in the U.S. The trip was
arranged through a company called Med Journeys which I chose after
contacting several other companies that specialized in medical tourism.
So if you need major medical procedures or even dentistry work consider
going overseas. The care will be as good or better than in the U.S. if you choose
well, and the cost will be a fraction of even the best negotiated rate in
this country.
If you want information google Medical Tourism or you can E-mail me at
_Pgerhold@AOL.com_ (mailto:Pgerhold@AOL.com) . I hope this helps .
Paul
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stephani stephenson on sat 29 dec 07
this is also a resend..sent twice yesterday...
OK, a bit of a rant here, but maybe some useful info
for some who are loking for options on dental care
i am in the process of getting dental care in
Tijuana,Mexico.
here in the U.S. , or at least in north county
san diego, $5000 covered one tooth implant. ($1,000
to get one simple tooth extracted by the way)
the implant was to be only a few hundred more than a
bridge and would save the two good teeth on either
side of one broken tooth...so , ok i went for it
did not fiond out til the end that to
actually get the TOOTH/crown over the imbedded
implant would be an
extra $2000, surprise surprise.
and the cost of an additional crown i need would be
almost $1500.
.i felt like an idiot paying that price for the
implant only to find
out i would have to shell out more.
so i am going to TJ, where $350 will get me the tooth
andif i wanted to spend $1400 it would will
everything i need long range (a 3-4 crowns,replace
old fillings, cleaning ,etc.)
and i am not necessarily going to the cheap guy in
TJ.
prices seem to be about 1/4 to 1/3 the price...some
possibly less.
i am going to someone who does implants, bridges etc
so he is probably more $$$ than other dentists, but
even at his place cavities filled are about $80
,versus $400 at my dentist.
my first visit went just fine, the building is old by
our standards, three chairs in one room instead of a
stupidly extravagant suite for each patient in the
U.S. . in the US office it took four dentist
assistants just to work the
sound system in the room .....-
and it didn't help that thedentists'( i mean oral
surgeon's ) architect kept flitting in to advise him
on progress in the mansion
construction, oh and also he wasn't interested in
trading for tile. :)
i am a cash or VISA card paying patient and pay
immediately for treatment .... you'd think there would
be a cash discount since the dentist doesn't have to
fuss with an insurance company, but no....
i allowed myself to get pressured into this guy
because my dentist, who use to have reasonable prices
partnered with him...
so it was my bad decision for not shopping around...
. of
course broken tooth leads to extraction leads to quick
decision how to solve problem.....
In Mexico i discovered that the dentist himself does
the exam and the cleaning, what better way to
familiarize himself with your teeth!
the office had modern x ray and digital computer
camera to document your teeth, all spoke english, a
local phone number, and they seemed thorough,
experienced and competent. getting there and back was
easy.
i took the trolley to the border, ($5 round
trip)walked across ,grabbed a cab($5 yellow cab or
less for a taxi libre), presto.
returning did involve a 30 -40 minute wait to walk
back over the border.
many dentists there will set you up in a hotel if you
need it. they don't need much lead time for
appointments,can usually see you in a day or two, or
the next week, unlike the american one, who is only
open 3 days a week and can't schedule you sooner than
3 months.
also they can process crowns, etc in 24
hours , so they are able to get a lot of work done
quickly. Also they will give you a preliminary quote,
and explain quite thoroughly the recommended work and
price.
ok i haven't had anything done yet but the exam and
cleaning, so i'll report back after the grinding
starts!
P>S> though they are possibly postponing it, US
citizens will need a passport to cross back into the
U.S> after january (was supposed to be january 1 but
now january 31.
i'll let you know if it all works out.
i thought it would be a hassle to go to TJ,I wanted to
keep my business in my country,
it seems like the Mexican dentists are affordable,
reasonable and skilled... in the US i have never asked
for free care, or asked to pay less than reasonable
prices for care. six years ago i paid $500 for a crown
in the US....it has doubled and tripled since then.
i guess i would have to look at charging $200 per
square foot of tile to keep up with that kind of
inflation.
the difference being too that my tile is a luxury
item, dental care is not.
i finally just got fed up
Stephani Stephenson
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Hank Taylor on sat 29 dec 07
Mr. vince,
I'm going to stay away from political inuendo and propaganda done by Mr
moore . suffice it to say I don't agree.
Just check with average joe patients in these other countries that
have socialized med and get their opinions. Not the ones waving
waving for mr moore and his agenda.
everybody is intitled to make up his own mind.
That is the last 2 cents on this subject I will respond to on clayart
now where did i put my BP meds
Hank Taylor
----- Original Message -----
From: "vpitelka"
To:
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: Uninsured Artists-Some Good News on Health-Medical Tourism
> This is a re-send. I sent three messages to Clayart yesterday and none of
> them ever appeared, so I am re-sending them.
>
> Paul Gerhold wrote:
> :I am uninsured because of a pre-existing condition which no one will even
> think of insuring. Yes I could get insurance for everything else.
> This past fall I was faced with the necessity for major surgery at major,
> major cost. Instead I went to India and had the surgery at a very good
> hospital
> with an excellent doctor at about one fifth the cost in the U.S. The trip
> was
> arranged through a company called Med Journeys which I chose after
> contacting several other companies that specialized in medical tourism."
>
> Paul -
> I am glad to hear that you found out about this option and used it to your
> advantage. Just last night my wife and I watched "Sicko," Michael Moore's
> excellent movie about the American health-care debacle, and I recommend it
> to everyone. It is a very sad commentary that they have such good
> universal
> health care in Canada, England, France, Norway, and CUBA and not here in
> the
> US. Moore shows conclusively that the medical care in those countries is
> excellent and universally-available, and thus it is clear that stories
> about
> inferior medical care overseas under universal health care countries have
> been started and circulated by the Kaiser, Cigna, Blue Cross, and the
> other
> health insurance providers who are making so much money. Did you know
> that
> the American doctors employed by the HMOs to review health insurance
> claims
> make more money based on the number of claims they refuse? Did you know
> that doctors in England make more money based on the number of patients
> they
> cure and the number of people they get to quit smoking or adopt other
> preventative measures?
>
> Michael Moore shows clearly that the Al Qaeda detainees at Guantanamo Bay
> in
> Cuba receive much better medical care than most of our military vets.
> Moore
> gathered a group of people with very serious medical problems who had
> received claim denials from their health insurance carriers, including
> three
> or four whose health problems stemmed from volunteer participation in the
> 9/11 rescue. He took them by boat to Guantanamo Bay to ask for health
> care,
> and of course they were turned away by security patrols. So he took them
> to
> Havana Hospital in Cuba, where they were welcomed and received top-notch
> medical care after only providing their name and address. No charge at
> all
> for the treatment. One woman requires a specialized inhaler that costs
> her
> $150 per container in the US. In Cuba the charge at a pharmacy for the
> same
> drug was $.05 per container.
>
> I know that this borders on political discussion, and I apologize for
> that,
> but it is very relevant for so many of the craftspeople on this discussion
> list. It is such a crime that one of the wealthiest countries in the
> world
> (not for long!) can't even provide universal health care for its citizens.
> The hardship and suffering that occurs in America because of the greedy
> HMOs
> is criminal.
>
> Be sure you all see "Sicko."
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft
> Tennessee Tech University
> vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Clayart members may send postings to: clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list, post messages, or change your
> subscription settings here: http://www.acers.org/cic/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.12/1202 - Release Date:
> 12/29/2007 1:27 PM
>
>
vpitelka on sat 29 dec 07
This is a re-send. I sent three messages to Clayart yesterday and none of
them ever appeared, so I am re-sending them.
Paul Gerhold wrote:
:I am uninsured because of a pre-existing condition which no one will even
think of insuring. Yes I could get insurance for everything else.
This past fall I was faced with the necessity for major surgery at major,
major cost. Instead I went to India and had the surgery at a very good
hospital
with an excellent doctor at about one fifth the cost in the U.S. The trip
was
arranged through a company called Med Journeys which I chose after
contacting several other companies that specialized in medical tourism."
Paul -
I am glad to hear that you found out about this option and used it to your
advantage. Just last night my wife and I watched "Sicko," Michael Moore's
excellent movie about the American health-care debacle, and I recommend it
to everyone. It is a very sad commentary that they have such good universal
health care in Canada, England, France, Norway, and CUBA and not here in the
US. Moore shows conclusively that the medical care in those countries is
excellent and universally-available, and thus it is clear that stories about
inferior medical care overseas under universal health care countries have
been started and circulated by the Kaiser, Cigna, Blue Cross, and the other
health insurance providers who are making so much money. Did you know that
the American doctors employed by the HMOs to review health insurance claims
make more money based on the number of claims they refuse? Did you know
that doctors in England make more money based on the number of patients they
cure and the number of people they get to quit smoking or adopt other
preventative measures?
Michael Moore shows clearly that the Al Qaeda detainees at Guantanamo Bay in
Cuba receive much better medical care than most of our military vets. Moore
gathered a group of people with very serious medical problems who had
received claim denials from their health insurance carriers, including three
or four whose health problems stemmed from volunteer participation in the
9/11 rescue. He took them by boat to Guantanamo Bay to ask for health care,
and of course they were turned away by security patrols. So he took them to
Havana Hospital in Cuba, where they were welcomed and received top-notch
medical care after only providing their name and address. No charge at all
for the treatment. One woman requires a specialized inhaler that costs her
$150 per container in the US. In Cuba the charge at a pharmacy for the same
drug was $.05 per container.
I know that this borders on political discussion, and I apologize for that,
but it is very relevant for so many of the craftspeople on this discussion
list. It is such a crime that one of the wealthiest countries in the world
(not for long!) can't even provide universal health care for its citizens.
The hardship and suffering that occurs in America because of the greedy HMOs
is criminal.
Be sure you all see "Sicko."
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka
L Shields on mon 31 dec 07
Hello
I wanted to pass along some information that has helped my son get health insurance. He moved back home (at age 25) to go back to school. He has some medical issues that even if he could get insurance it would be very expensive. We found the state( South Dakota) has formed a "risk pool". He could not be denied coverage. His insurance is under $200 a month and the prescription coverage is great! He sees the doctor of his choice. I know many states have such a program, but do not know if all states offer this.
Linda Shields
----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Gerhold
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 8:51:45 AM
Subject: Uninsured Artists-Some Good News on Health-Medical Tourism
Fellow Artists,
I am uninsured because of a pre-existing condition which no one will even
think of insuring. Yes I could get insurance for everything else.
This past fall I was faced with the necessity for major surgery at major,
major cost. Instead I went to India and had the surgery at a very good hospital
with an excellent doctor at about one fifth the cost in the U.S.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Russel Fouts on tue 1 jan 08
>> Just check with average joe patients in these other countries that
have socialized med and get their opinions. <<
Ok, In Belgium I pay the equivalent of 15 dollara for 3 months of
coverage. I'm asthmatic and my medicines cost a small fraction of what
they cost in the us.
One medication is $10 dollars a pill in the us but only $1 a pill in
Belgium and I'm remboursed for a large part of that.
Average Joe in Belgium
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