Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Catastrophic Health Care in a Foreign Country

Q & A with a Reader

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Dr. Galindo's private operating room, panoramic view

Hi Billy and Akaisha, I hope you’re well and safe!

I’m a follower enjoying and learning from all of your content and I just read the post Receiving Medical Care in Chapala, Mexico.

I was wondering how are you prepared for a possible accident or chronic illness (I hope it never happens!) that may involve a complex surgery or a highly expensive medical treatment?

I understand the part of having specific and short-term procedures in a cheap and convenient way, but how would you cover a “catastrophic” event like the ones I said knowing it will be highly expensive in Mexico or any country?

Thanks!

Daniel

Received 10 Hyperbaric Chamber sessions in Guatemala City

Hi Daniel,

You ask a very good question.

Of course, having an emergency or a complex medical condition anywhere is awful. No one wants to go through that.

Since we have been pretty much traveling as a lifestyle for decades now, we have met with emergencies a few times. You can read about the most recent ones here:

Billy puts Medical Tourism in Guatemala City to a Test

Billy's Medical Tourism Follow Up

Pricing of a Medical Emergency in Guatemala

When I de-gloved my finger, it was an emergency.

I was bleeding out on the road because I had cut an artery in my hand.  The eventual surgery was complex in that I had a skin graft taken from my thigh and attached to my finger, after the dead area was cut away. Rehab was months and months long getting my finger moving and flexible so I could make a fist, close my hand to hold shopping bags or hold change given back to me after purchasing something. 

I was told that I might only have a 75% chance to have a working hand again...  but, today, I would give it a 98%.

We have friends who have been going through cancer treatments, others who have had eye surgeries, shoulder surgeries, hip replacements, stents put in as well as pacemakers.

Our friend Kathy in the hospital, Ajijic, Mexico

Some utilize the local insurance that Mexico provides, others have an underwritten international policy. Insurance run-arounds are the same everywhere, but it seemed as though the ones who are on the government's policy have had the least amount of trouble.

You might want to read these articles: 

A Canadian Perspective on Health Care Ovverseas

Experiencing Covid in Mexico

Getting Covid in Panama - a personal story

Dr. Sergio Bojorquez Blanco, La Paz, Baja California Sur

I hope this answers your question satisfactorily.  There are never any guarantees, but the style of care overseas has been humane and attentive. Pricing of course, is a great bonus.

You might also want to view our Medical Tourism Page  as well.

Feel free to write again if you have further questions.

Take care and thank you for your compliments on our website and the information that we share.

Best!

Akaisha and Billy

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

HOME   Book Store

Retire Early Lifestyle Blog      About Billy & Akaisha Kaderli      Press     Contact     20 Questions     Preferred Links    

Retirement     Country Info     Retiree Interviews      Commentary     REL Videos