Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 114 posts

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#11

Post by relaunched »

I'd apply to be seen at the Mayo or Cleveland clinic. While it sucks that there is a patient selection process, once you are in, they can line everything up, over a a few days, and get you an answer - at least all the testing will be done. They do have telehealth options and I found the digital experience compelling.

I'd second the medical tourism, but I've never done it myself.

I'm a patient at the Mayo.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#12

Post by BadCookie »

Honestly, your wait times sound really fortunate. I’m currently in a 4-month wait to see a specialist and a 9-week wait for some standard imaging tests. (The imaging tests were delayed by staff scheduling errors combined with staff absences.) I sympathize, but also think you have it relatively good! There seem to be some issues with staffing shortages throughout the medical industry right now (possibly combined with an increase in demand now that many people are less fearful of Covid).

I don’t have any advice except to pester the scheduling staff at every turn (which is easier said than done when most places try to divert you with an automated phone tree ending in the option to leave a voicemail). It’s aggravating for sure. I have no doubt that people are dying who wouldn’t have if they had received more timely care.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#14

Post by stanmancan »

I believe I remember hearing that the Mayo Clinic does an extensive multi-day health checkup. They essentially shuffle you from specialist to specialist and you get a full thorough look over. I believe it’s the kind of thing that high level executives get done to make sure they’re healthy. Might be worth checking out.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#15

Post by nsb1 »

codegeek wrote: post #3

Look into medical tourism if that's an option for you. Country like India is a great choice for the money. They have excellent hospitals and doctors for a fraction of the cost of US healthcare. I say this as an Indian American who has lived in the US for half of my life. Don't be fooled by "Oh India is 3rd world". Not when it comes to Healthcare (if you have some money which will always be much less than what you nee…

This. Thailand is another option. They have a booming medical tourism business.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#16

Post by decafninja »

Concierge healthcare. It's also gotten more widespread than when it first became a thing, so even there I would make sure to do due diligence to see what level of service you're getting. But if you're willing to fork over the money, the level of care that you're supposedly given seems far better than even anything in stories you hear about in Europe or Asia.

Seems like you should expect to pay five digit amounts per year for the privilige though, in addition to fees per visit/service?

This is the kind of thing where I feel that if you are making FAANG tier salary in the US, you can bulldoze your way into getting better quality of life benefits privately, than someone living in say, Europe who would be making a fraction of your earnings but with better publically provided benefits.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#17

Post by beebmam »

codegeek wrote: post #3

Look into medical tourism if that's an option for you. Country like India is a great choice for the money. They have excellent hospitals and doctors for a fraction of the cost of US healthcare. I say this as an Indian American who has lived in the US for half of my life. Don't be fooled by "Oh India is 3rd world". Not when it comes to Healthcare (if you have some money which will always be much less than what you nee…

Be aware that if you travel to India, you will almost certainly need to bribe people during the travel process. It's something westerners tend to be really uncomfortable with and usually stresses them out.

Re: Ask HN: How can you buy high quality healthcare?

#19

Post by atlasunshrugged »

codegeek wrote: post #3

Look into medical tourism if that's an option for you. Country like India is a great choice for the money. They have excellent hospitals and doctors for a fraction of the cost of US healthcare. I say this as an Indian American who has lived in the US for half of my life. Don't be fooled by "Oh India is 3rd world". Not when it comes to Healthcare (if you have some money which will always be much less than what you nee…

How can you determine what places are any good or not? I've seen one or two medical tourism marketplaces come and go and it doesn't seem like a solved problem. I'd be happy to try out somewhere for dentistry/something not serious or if I was truly desperate, but not sure about everything in the middle
Post reply on HN