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Health Insurance Coverage From as Little as $80 a Month Overseas

By the staff of International Living

Healthcare costs in the U.S. continue to rise. According to PwC’s Health Research Institute, medical costs look set to grow by 6.5% this year alone. Out-of-pocket medical expenses are one of the main reasons U.S. citizens go into debt, according to the Association of Healthcare Journalists. And with the average health insurance premium for a family topping $18,000 as of last year (up 58% since 2006), it’s small wonder that more than 11% of U.S. adults are still uninsured.

Fortunately, there are countries overseas where you can find a great retirement lifestyle…and excellent, affordable healthcare when you need it. The five countries below rank among the top retirement destinations in the world. You can more than halve your healthcare costs in all these places—without compromising on quality.

In these countries, you can get yourself fully insured from just $80 a month, see a specialist for as little as $30, and have surgery performed by a well-trained professional for half or less (often much less) of the U.S. price. All of which leaves you with a lot more money to enjoy everything these retirement havens offer.

Costa Rica

When Rob Evans’s retirement severance package ran out, decent healthcare for him and his wife Jeni was going to cost $18,000 a year in the U.S. “We simply couldn’t afford it. If we chose to stay there, I would have to get another job just to pay for healthcare,” says Rob.

That was until they discovered the wonderful (and highly affordable) healthcare on offer in Costa Rica. Here, with low-cost coverage “and much lower out-of-pocket costs for medicines and treatment of minor ailments directly from a pharmacy, we can satisfy all our healthcare needs for about $4,000 per year,” says Rob.

As a legal resident of Costa Rica, you are part of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social government-run healthcare system. For a low monthly fee based on income (typically under $100 per couple), you receive complete care.

But many expats also use private doctors and hospitals. Costs are low, with doctors’ visits running $50, so some expats choose to pay cash. However, although surgeries and hospital stays are half to a third of U.S. prices, a lengthy hospital stay or major procedure can still be costly.

Insurance is available, with local providers like Instituto Nacional de Seguros, as well as companies like BlueCross BlueShield Costa Rica. Depending on your policy, you may even be covered for travel to the U.S. or internationally. But there are exclusions based on age (the cut-off is usually 70 to 75) and for pre-existing conditions.

You can also use international insurance and travel insurance. Some facilities, including CIMA Hospital, Clínica Bíblica, and Hospital Metropolitana, in the capital, San José, take TRICARE through its overseas program.

Many expats use both public and private healthcare. That same specialist visit could be scheduled within days in the private system, costing $80 to $100 (it’s $50 for a general practitioner). The ultrasound could be done the same day for $75. It’s a hallmark of the fast and efficient service in the private system.

“We use a private doctor for primary care,” says expat Barbara Jones. “He speaks English and writes prescriptions through the Caja. We’ve both had EKGs and I had a mammogram at the Caja hospital in Grecia.”

Colombia

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Colombia ranks 22nd in the world for quality of healthcare. That’s higher than Canada (30th) and the U.S. (37th).

“As a retired healthcare executive, I know what I’m talking about when I say that the quality of care for expats in Colombia is excellent,” says International Living’s Colombia Correspondent, Nancy Kiernan. “I have had laboratory tests, a mammogram, tests for cervical cancer, and a biopsy. In each case, the process was quick, the facilities were state-of-the-art, and most of the results were available online within a day or two.”

Foreigners who become residents of Colombia have the same access to health insurance as its citizens. If you are not older than 60 at time of enrollment, you can sign up for the public health insurance plan, EPS (Entidades Promotoras de Salud).

This basic plan is offered through a variety of administrative companies and covers doctors’ visits, hospitalization, lab tests, diagnostic tests, prescriptions, and even eye exams and dental cleaning. It is similar to a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) in the U.S., meaning that you need to use the doctors and hospitals within the approved network.

If you are over the maximum first-time enrollment age or want to supplement the EPS plan, there are private insurance companies that will cover you. The cost of premiums, services offered, and rules for pre-existing conditions vary from company to company.

Because the cost of healthcare services is so inexpensive in Colombia, many expats go the pay-as-you-go route and choose not to sign up for any healthcare insurance. A one-hour consultation with a specialist will run you about $50.

“I arrived with a pre-existing condition of cancer,” says expat Curt Noe, who lives in Medellín. “I expected to have a problem getting health insurance here, and was pleasantly surprised that I was completely covered by the national health plan (EPS) after only a six-month waiting period.”

Mexico

“When I moved to Mexico, one piece of emotional baggage I left behind in the U.S. was worry over the cost of healthcare,” says International Living Mexico Editor Glynna Prentice.

Though private healthcare in Mexico is a fraction of the U.S. cost, expats depending on it generally get private insurance to cover emergencies and costly procedures. GNP Seguros is Mexico’s largest private health insurer. Several other companies operate in Mexico, as well, including Bupa Mexico, a subsidiary of the U.K. giant Bupa Global.

Premiums vary, depending on your age, the coverage you choose, and your deductible. But expect to pay on average anywhere from about $1,000 to $3,000 a year for a policy. You can even get international coverage for emergencies as part of your policy, or as a rider to it. If you expect to travel frequently outside Mexico, or to visit family back in the U.S. or Canada, it’s worth asking about this.

You’ll need to show that you’re a resident of Mexico to get an insurance policy there. Insurers will want to see proof that you live there, such as a utility bill in your name. They may even ask to see a residence visa.

“In Mexico, I have access to two affordable healthcare systems: public and private,” Glynna says. “While folks in the U.S. can legitimately worry that an unexpected, costly illness can deplete their nest egg, I don’t. Like other expats in Mexico, I can budget for healthcare: It’s a manageable expense.”

And the quality of care is excellent, with wonderful individual doctors and specialists, many top-notch hospitals, and cutting-edge technology. Many doctors in the private system have done part of their studies abroad, in the U.S., Canada, or Europe. Doctors’ visits usually run from about $30 a visit up to $45 or $50 for many specialists.

Panama

Panama is known throughout Central America for its top-notch private hospitals.

Hospitals and large clinics in Panama tend to have affiliations with their U.S. counterparts, from the Cleveland Clinic and Miami Children’s Hospital to Johns Hopkins International. Accreditations offered by the likes of the Joint Commission International (JCI) help highlight Panama’s high standards.

Though some expats in Panama choose to pay their medical expenses out of pocket, it’s best to have private medical insurance. Local plans, such as Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Panama, can cost as little as $80 a month. The cut-off age to apply for these plans is typically between 62 and 65.

Internationally underwritten plans are also available in Panama. These can cost anywhere from $120 to $250 a month and may offer coverage in other locations, not just Panama. It’s best to apply before age 70.

For anyone over 70 or with pre-existing conditions, a hospital membership may be the best option. These can cost $90 to $175 a month. They offer hefty discounts on consultations and treatment. And unlike insurance plans, they may offer limited coverage for pre-existing conditions after a waiting period of a year or two.

Expat Jennifer Blackstone, 60, pays about $65 a month for her hospital membership plan in the growing beach town of Coronado. “It’s like a major medical plan,” she explains. “It doesn’t cover as much as my plan in the U.S., but in Panama you don’t need a high limit.”

Malaysia

General medical insurance in Malaysia, should you wish to have it, can cost very little. “We pay $270 per person per year, and it covers us for a variety of ailments,” says International Living Malaysia Correspondent Keith Hockton, who lives with his wife Lisa in the city of George Town on the island of Penang.

“Malaysia is the best country in the world to get ill or injured,” says expat Justin Strong. “In the U.S., medical bills were sending us broke. But we go to the doctor here and don’t have to worry about how to pay him.”

These sentiments are shared by many expats who’ve enjoyed world-class care in Southeast Asia’s premier retirement spot.

George Town and Kuala Lumpur (the country’s capital), are the medical centers of excellence. Here you find the best doctors, nurses, surgeons, and dentists in Southeast Asia. Most of them have been trained in the U.S or the U.K., or at the very least have completed their post-graduate studies there.

Due to its British colonial heritage, Malaysia is also English-speaking. There’s a lot to be said for being able to converse with your specialist of choice in English. But the best part? No waiting lists. Seeing a doctor or specialist is as simple as turning up, registering, and waiting for them to see you.

Related Articles:

The 4 Best Hospitals in Mexico

Low-Cost and Personal: The Truth about Healthcare in Ecuador

One Fall, a Three-Hour Hospital Visit, and a Bill of Just $320

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Tickets for Game 5 of the NBA Finals are in such high demand that one fan has reportedly paid six figures for a pair of courtside seats. 

ESPN’s Darren Rovell, citing a Golden State Warriors source, reports that a buyer paid $133,000 for two floor seats for Monday’s game at Oakland’s Oracle Arena, including over $17,000 in fees. According to Rovell, the seats were sold by a season ticket holder on Ticketmaster’s resale platform. (At face value, courtside tickets for the game ranged from $4,000 to $5,500.)

The sky-high price is more than the record Game 7 seats sold by StubHub last year for $49,500 each. 

Spokespeople for the Warriors and Ticketmaster didn’t immediately return HuffPost’s requests for comment. 

The Warriors currently hold a 3-1 lead in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and would clinch the championship with a victory on Monday. It’s the third year in a row the two teams have faced each other in the finals. 

As of Monday afternoon, tickets were still available on Ticketmaster and StubHub starting at $600.

The most expensive seats still up for grabs are a pair in Oracle’s section 109, offered on Ticketmaster for a cool $57,878 a piece (not including fees). 

If the Warriors lose Monday, the series returns to Cleveland for Game 6. Tickets for that possible game are a relative bargain on StubHub, starting at $368 for upper corner seats. 

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Stanley Freeland and his 4-year-old son, Josiah, have turned their living room into their stage for adorable dance videos that have captured the hearts of thousands.

Freeland shares videos that show him and Josiah dancing, sometimes synchronously and sometimes in matching outfits. The Atlanta dad told HuffPost he enjoys dancing, and he clearly passed his hobby on to his son. 

“Anytime we hear music we both feel the beat and start dancing anywhere from the dance floor or in the car,” he said.

Known as Father Like Son collectively, the duo has more than 30,000 followers on Instagram keeping track of their dance videos. Their fans especially love when they wear matching outfits, an idea inspired by Josiah.

“Josiah would say, ‘I want shirt and shoes like you, Daddy. I want to dress like you, Daddy,’” Freeland told HuffPost.

Freeland has used music with his son as both a bonding experience and learning opportunity. In April, the creative duo made their recorded version of “The ABC Song” available on Spotify and iTunes.

When asked whether he expected the videos with his son to go viral, Freeland told HuffPost that he “had faith” he and Josiah could have an impact on the lives of others. He also has plans to take their reach even further.

“I knew Father Like Son videos were different ― positive as well as inspiring,” Freeland told HuffPost. “My plan for Father Like Son is to travel around schools teaching students new ways to recite educational learning, while dancing with my son.”

See more videos of Freeland and Josiah dancing on Instagram.

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By Jessica Migala

It’s a heartbreaking story: an Indiana girl just shy of her third birthday has died of organ failure caused by Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). Doctors didn’t realize Kenley Ratliff contracted the tick-borne illness until it was too late for the antibiotics to work.

Now, her devastated family, along with health officials, are sounding the alarm about this sometimes lethal infection, which despite its name isn’t limited to the Rocky Mountains. “If we could save one child’s life then we will have done our job,” Jordan Clapp, Kenley’s aunt told Today.

RELATED: 15 Important Facts You Must Know About Ticks

While you dry your eyes, consider Kenley’s story to be a wakeup call about RMSF, cases of which have been on the rise over the past decade, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When it comes to tick-transmitted illnesses, Lyme disease is the one that gets the media spotlight. But lesser-known RMSF is actually more serious. “The issue with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is, unlike many other tick-borne diseases, it’s more severe and can cause death,” says Colleen Nash, MD, MPH, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

When it comes to tick-transmitted illnesses, Lyme disease is the one that gets the media spotlight. But lesser-known RMSF is actually more serious.

What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

Different species of ticks can pass along different diseases. In the case of RMSF, the infection agents are the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog tick. All three can transmit the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii to a human adult or child through a bite. (The tick must be attached for several hours to pass along this bacteria.)

The problem is, half of all people infected with the disease have no idea that they were bitten by a tick in the first place. Ticks are incredibly small, and you may not be on the lookout for them. Making things worse, “symptoms are similar to a lot of other basic and benign infections and illnesses, like fever, headache, and vomiting and diarrhea,” says Dr. Nash. “It can be difficult to identify in both children and adults.” And even though cases are increasing, RMSF is still rare, she says, so it’s not the first thing a doctor may suspect.

In the case of Kenley Ratliff, she was initially taken to the emergency room with a high fever, where she was given antibiotics, according to Today. When she didn’t improve, she was diagnosed with strep throat and given more antibiotics. When she still wasn’t better, her family took her to a different hospital. At that time, she had begun to develop a telltale rash on her arms and legs, which signaled that it could be RMSF. Sadly, she was also developing organ failure and brain swelling.

The rash, which is where “spotted” comes from in the disease’s name, typically appears two to five days after a fever begins. It starts near the wrists and the ankles and then moves upward to the trunk. The spots are often small, flat, and pink, but they don’t itch. Still, not having a rash isn’t necessarily a sign of being free of RMSF; 10 percent of people diagnosed with it don’t get a rash at all.

“If treatment is delayed by five days or more, there patient has a poor prognosis. But often, the rash doesn’t appear until that time,” says Dr. Nash. That doesn’t mean it will be fatal, but you may get severely ill and have to be hospitalized.

How to stay safe

Protect yourself and your family by checking each other for ticks (don’t forget in your hair!) when you come in from playing outside. Give your dog a once-over, too, and make sure all pets in your household are up-to-date on any flea and tick medication. Recent research suggests that dogs are one of the major ways humans are exposed to ticks.

If you or a loved one comes down with an unexplained or severe illness, especially in late spring and summer (when we’re not in the thick of cold and flu season), give your doctor as much info about your recent whereabouts and outdoor habits as possible, suggests Dr. Nash. Tell them if you’ve been camping or even just out in your yard. Talk about any recent travel, including where you’ve been and if you explored a new city or did a lot of outdoor activities.

Recent research suggests that dogs are one of the major ways humans are exposed to ticks.

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That goes double if you noticed ticks in the area, especially if you got a bite and the tick looked engorged. If a tick appears, remove it, put it in a plastic bag, and take it to your doctor, who can have it tested and identified, says Dr. Nash. (Here’s a handy how-to video for tick removal.) 

Depending on the species of tick and potential disease it can carry, you might be put on a preventative round of antibiotics (as in Lyme) or watched carefully for symptoms over 7 to 10 days, as is the protocol for suspected RMSF. Stay on the lookout for signs of infection, including a fever and the telltale rash. Don’t wait to see if it gets better on its own; when it comes to RMSF, time is of the essence.

An Indiana Toddler Died From Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever—What to Know About This Tick-Borne Infection originally appeared on Health.com.

More from Health.com:

Alec Baldwin Thought He’d ‘Die of Lyme Disease.’ What to Know About the Tick-Borne Illness

Health Officials Are Warning This Tick Season Could Be the Worst Yet

After Her Daughter Was Paralyzed by a Tick, One Mom Sounded the Alarm on Facebook

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