I have had many people ask why I created the show Healthcare Elsewhere. My wife and I have had some experience with traveling for medical care over the years. Jennifer is a two-time cancer survivor and she traveled across the country to Duke University many years ago for experimental cancer vaccines. Our children are originally from Poland; we adopted them into our family 10 years ago. We had experience dealing with several of our children’s medical issues during the many months we were in Poland to facilitate the adoption. For example, our son Peter is deaf. We traveled with him for cochlear Implant surgery twice; this technology allows him to hear, understand, and function just like any other hearing person on the planet.
Technology has always fascinated me. Many of the latest medical advancements are moving forward at an ever accelerating rate and I am no stranger to the incredible benefits of these innovations. In 2012 I had stem cells implanted into my right knee to repair damaged cartilage. I can now run again and enjoy sports with my kids. We do a segment in the show called “The Onwards Medical Breakthrough” where I talk about leading edge technology and the future of medicine. My team and I love doing the research to find this information, and we hope it inspires you as much as it does us.
Medical tourism provides options. The current medical “system” in the United States and many other countries is broken. Many people around the world are finding that their medical costs are spiraling out of control and they are looking to find better, more affordable options. High costs, mediocre service, long wait times, insurance issues, and a variety of other maladies plague this system. There are amazing medical advances happening all of the time, yet many of us feel like we just don’t have access to what we need unless we have top-tier insurance.
Over the last 20+ years in the United States, statistics have consistently shown that over half (about 60%) of all bankruptcies involve medical debt. Many of those people actually had insurance and still ended up buried in debt through no fault of their own. This book is the lightly edited transcripts of select episodes on our medical tourism show, Healthcare Elsewhere. In this book you will meet and learn from pioneers who have taken action, saved time and money, and improved their lives by traveling elsewhere to receive world class medical care. I interview Doctors, healthcare experts, and patients worldwide to help educate people about the affordable and cutting edge options available globally. Some people prefer to read as opposed to listening to podcasts - this book is for you. My intent is to have our guests educate and inspire you - to show you what is possible when people do the research, take massive action, and obtain affordable, world class healthcare.
“I am not the expert. I am the guide and explorer.”
The quote above is attributed to Timothy Ferris who is the author of several books, including The 4-Hour Body. I am starting this introduction by quoting him, because it speaks to what this book, and the podcast that inspired it, are all about. I will add the following comment as well, to dispel any doubt as to why you should seek always professional medical advice from your Doctor before taking action: “I am not a Doctor nor am I a medical expert.”
