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How many retirees return to their home countries?


Tecolote

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This has been an interesting "thread wander", starting with the question of how many people leave and why, and ending with those who have one foot in Mexico and the other in the U.S. weighing in on the quality of medical care in each place.  In other words, multiple subjects are being discussed.  One useful thing that could come out of having a discussion solely about medical care in Mexico would be learning how we could check the education and experience of the doctors so that we are not placing our bodies in the care of a "pretend" specialist.  In that spirit, I'm going to start such a thread.

Just as we are helping one another with finding gas, we can help with finding the best doctors.

 

 

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11 hours ago, gringal said:

Maybe so.  However, a lie is a lie and liars are not to be trusted with your health.😉

Right on.....hmmmm.....I am sure you are not as naive as you  sound ...but living in Mexico...... well you should always be prepared to expect the unexpected , like fixing your car or fixing your heart

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Moving on doesn't mean moving back. What I am seeing are some that use Mexico to the test waters and get the experience to try more exotic places in Latin America. The possibility exists for me also but I am going to S.E. Asia.

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We maintain doctor relationships in both countries.  Our insurance provides emergency coverage here, otherwise we go to our "home base" in Texas for the things that can be scheduled.  And we focus on living healthy to minimize the need for either.  Of course as we age this approach may be less viable.

We have very strong ties here with our "adopted" families and no similar connections NOB.  We hope to live out our days here but you never know.  If we had to return, we would return to New Mexico.

 

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37 minutes ago, lakeside7 said:

Right on.....hmmmm.....I am sure you are not as naive as you  sound ...but living in Mexico...... well you should always be prepared to expect the unexpected , like fixing your car or fixing your heart

I am anything but naive, and I do my research.  I don't want to be a put-down artist, which, IMO, is a sad approach to human relations.  You, on the other hand, make heavily cynical statements with no backup.   How about answering the question of WHO, specifically, you were referring to in your post about phony doctors' credentials?  Another subject that could use more solidity is your implication that Mexicans are more corrupt in their business practices than in other places.  I don't know about you, but I've been hoodwinked and cheated well and truly in the good old U.S.A., too.  The word is "watch your back" always and everywhere.

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10 minutes ago, AngusMactavish said:

Even a senator in the US is bailing:

Rand Paul Heading To Canada, Land Of Universal Health Care, For Surgery

https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/rand-paul-heading-canada-land-012217228.html

I don't care much for Rand Paul's politics,  but the article made it clear that he's paying out of pocket and selected this hospital in Canada for its reputation in this type of surgery.........so what's the BIG DEAL??

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Most return due to family or medical.  That has been what we have gleamed in first hand accounting from those we know whom decide to return.

No matter when we move, I would never drop our NOB insurance.

The higher misdiagnosis rates in countries such as Mexico, and the missed diagnosis for life threatening issues, are a harsh reality.  We wish we had known the limitations of medical here in the lake Chapala area, prior to simply believing that it was wonderful.  There were a few people on the boards who wrote, informing about a missed diagnosis (for serious issues such as cancer), where they were given a clean bill of health.  

That can mess up a life planned here, and necessitate early return to the states.

The lesson learned is do review most of your medical (via travel back) NOB if you are fortunate to have US or CA health insurance.

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Mexluis:  "The higher misdiagnosis rates in countries such as Mexico, and the missed diagnosis for life threatening issues, are a harsh reality.

Please cite your source for those rates.  Also, what led you to believe that care in this area was "wonderful"?   I was led to believe that I needed to really watch my back.  (Been in Mexico 14 years.)  Most people I talked to were scared silly at the idea of being treated for serious problems ANYWHERE but in the U.S.A.

These rankings of the U.S. and Mexico might surprise you:

https://www.numbeo.com/health-care/rankings_by_country.jsp

There is no question on where the U.S. ranks for cost of care:  it's number 1 on every measuring survey.  Apparently, you may not "get what you pay for". 😉

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1 hour ago, gringal said:

Mexluis:  "The higher misdiagnosis rates in countries such as Mexico, and the missed diagnosis for life threatening issues, are a harsh reality.

Please cite your source for those rates.  Also, what led you to believe that care in this area was "wonderful"?   I was led to believe that I needed to really watch my back.  (Been in Mexico 14 years.)  Most people I talked to were scared silly at the idea of being treated for serious problems ANYWHERE but in the U.S.A.

These rankings of the U.S. and Mexico might surprise you:

https://www.numbeo.com/health-care/rankings_by_country.jsp

There is no question on where the U.S. ranks for cost of care:  it's number 1 on every measuring survey.  Apparently, you may not "get what you pay for". 😉

From the site:

"This section is based on surveys from visitors of this website. "

No real information on the survey size and obviously not a random selection.  I'd take this with a carton of salt.

 

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Rand Paul is claiming his hernia is from a physical altercation from his neighbor. The neighbor will have to pay in a financial settlement, Rand Paul will get his money back. He probably hopes that it is high enough that his difficult neighbor will have to sell and move out.

I met many interns at my time in Hospital Occidente. They are tremendously hard working, voracious learners, and very smart. The next generation of Doctors and Specialists unleashed into Mexico give me great hope. The problem with Mexican Doctors seems to start at a certain age, when they think they should be earning income levels equivalent to their American associates - they have not established the unique cameraderies which other Mexican doctors celebrate and possibly keeps them sane.

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25 minutes ago, Mainecoons said:

From the site:

"This section is based on surveys from visitors of this website. "

No real information on the survey size and obviously not a random selection.  I'd take this with a carton of salt.

 

Okay.  I'll go back to Google and provide several more references that will, essentially, say the same thing about where the U.S. ranks.  I chose that one because it was most recent.  I'd save the salt.  It's not good for you.😉

Back again:  The query I used for Google was  "where does the U.S. rank for quality of health care"  The  following was one reference for a long page of other references which anyone who wants to do so can check out on their own.  I know that this is not what most people have been told or want to believe, but there it is.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-health-care-system-ranks-lowest-in-international-survey/

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22 minutes ago, gringal said:

Okay.  I'll go back to Google and provide several more references that will, essentially, say the same thing about where the U.S. ranks.  I chose that one because it was most recent.  I'd save the salt.  It's not good for you.😉

Back again:  The query I used for Google was  "where does the U.S. rank for quality of health care"  The  following was one reference for a long page of other references which anyone who wants to do so can check out on their own.  I know that this is not what most people have been told or want to believe, but there it is.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-health-care-system-ranks-lowest-in-international-survey/

What I don't understand about some posters is why they find it necessary to provide "statistics" that try to justify that they made the "right choice" and anyone who 'did not make their choice is a "loser". Do they really feel so insecure about the choices they have made that they have to continue to put others down so they feel good about their own choice? What works for one often does not for everyone. I think it would be valuable to quit putting others down (that includes the countries of their choice) and simply show some respect for everyone being secure in their own choice and decisions. You do not have to agree with their choice ( because your experiences have been different), but "shame on you" if you try to infer they made the wrong choice because it is not what you chose ( sounds like .what is happening NOB?) Everyone does not have to agree with you to be right in their personal decisions !

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Here's the problem with these surveys:  They assign too much weight to things like health of population which are more about culture than health care.  For example, the U.S. and Mexico regularly vie for the dubious distinction of fattest.  That is not the fault of our doctors.  That is our personal failing.

Also, they fail to take into account the relationship between cost and availability of advanced technology.  To illustrate this do a little reading on the availability of MRI and other diagnostics in the U.S. versus England.  Our English friends tell us the government health care is shoddy and backwards in the extreme.  They speak from direct experience. 

How available is health care if you have to wait extended periods to see a doctor for non life threatening but significant health issues.  Ask a Canadian.  More than a few of them here for health care.  Why?

The U.S. system has serious problems.  The handling of payment is truly terrible.  You go into a doctor's office and there is an army of paper shufflers.  There is an army of predatory lawyers looking for any and all opportunities to sue, hence the liability insurance of medical personnel in the U.S. is astronomical in cost.  The medical system groans under all forms of regulation that drives up costs.  One of the big reasons health care is so cheap here is the lack of this and the lack of constant litigation.

The flip side of those last two is you need to be very careful about picking your doctors and hospitals.  We have had both bad and good experiences here.  Our experiences in Texas where our U.S. health care is based ranges from good to fantastic.

I base my impressions of health care based on personal experience of myself and others in a number of countries.   I don't waste time looking at surveys from agenda driven sources pro or con.

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That's right.  Rush back to your foreign trained doctors in the US.  Just because it is the US it must be better, right?

 Having medical providers in my family here, some of the statements/assumption made are insulting. Everywhere you find bad, good and great doctors. Yes, some hospitals may not be up to your NOB standards but that is improving. 

I have US insurance only because I have a pre-existing condition that is not covered here.

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In all countries, fifty per cent of the Doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class. I look for a Doctor who is willing to say that he/she doesn't know but is also willing to take on the challenge. The Doctor/Patient relationship should be a partnership.

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38 minutes ago, Ferret said:

In all countries, fifty per cent of the Doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class. I look for a Doctor who is willing to say that he/she doesn't know but is also willing to take on the challenge. The Doctor/Patient relationship should be a partnership.

Agree. This is all about passing information around, not about fighting for one point of view.  Pick the one you feel most comfortable with. Also, I have no intention of discouraging anyone from seeking health care in the U.S. or anywhere else.  There are some facts out there about various countries and how good their health care is, compared to others. "Agenda driven"? Every point of view is based on some agenda, and there's always something to back it up.  In addition, some countries have populations with terrible health habits resulting in too many cases of diseases such as diabetes or heart failure. An obese population in unlikely to be a healthy one in general.

When you have a serious pre-existing condition that has made obtaining private health insurance out of the question,  you do the best research you can for finding your most desirable option...in any country.

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1 hour ago, Ferret said:

In all countries, fifty per cent of the Doctors graduated in the bottom half of their class. I look for a Doctor who is willing to say that he/she doesn't know but is also willing to take on the challenge. The Doctor/Patient relationship should be a partnership.

I always ask my doctors which part of the exams they failed...

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2 hours ago, Tiny said:

That's right.  Rush back to your foreign trained doctors in the US.  Just because it is the US it must be better, right?

 

Those of us who go NOB for health care actually go there because in our own experiences here in Mexico, the health care WE receive NOB has been MUCH better than WE have received here in Mexico. Can you please not "put us down" because of our experiences? You are welcome to your doctors and health care, why can't you respectfully allow that for us without "putting us down"?

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