BUSINESS INSIDER – Akaisha and Billy Kaderli retired early to travel the world.
When Akaisha was diagnosed with cancer, the couple sought affordable treatment in Mexico, Vietnam, and Thailand.
They aren’t alone: rising US healthcare costs have pushed some Americans toward medical tourism.
When Akaisha Kaderli was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer while traveling the world with her husband, Billy, the couple had to make a decision.
They could give up the nomadic lifestyle they’ve been living for more than 30 years and travel back to the US to navigate treatment through Medicare Advantage.
“We’re 72 and we’ve had a great life. I’m not looking to die, but I wasn’t going to spend my money on hospitals and drugs.”
Or they could pay out-of-pocket for healthcare abroad. They chose the latter — and Billy said he never left his wife’s side.
“She was a trooper about it,” he said. “I watched her every night and every morning.”
The early retirees said their jetsetting “isn’t a vacation, it’s a lifestyle.”
And, prior to Akaisha’s diagnosis, they spent most of their days trying new cuisines in Southeast Asia and lounging on Italian beaches.
For older people with limited savings who primarily live on Social Security, the cost of unexpected doctors’ visits and prescriptions can be devastating.
As healthcare costs continue to climb in the US, some Americans are opting for “medical tourism.”
Whether it’s for elective procedures or lifesaving treatment, people like the Kaderlis are looking for ways to afford healthcare without breaking the bank.
While data is limited, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that millions of Americans seek healthcare in another country every year …
