Looking to emigrate to country with cheap healthcare

UKNeil

Hi,

Due to the collapse of the NHS and being nearly 2 years on an NHS waiting list I am looking for suggestions of countries to emigrate to that have good reasonably priced healthcare. Any suggestions welcome. Its hopefully only a minor operation but one that might re-occur. I absolutely love my country and will be devastated to leave it but I can no longer live in a country where i am unable to work due to lack of healthcare.

cymruchris

Have you looked into the cost of having your operation done privately in this country?

Usually moving to another country can be expensive. Many countries have very strict visa requirements for people going there to live. So the answer to your question would depend on what visas you qualified for based on age, income and bank balances. 

Malaysia has decent value healthcare and a good visa program - but you need a big recurring income and a large cash deposit.

If you're of retirement age, you could take a look at Thailand or the Philippines - both have retiree visas.

Living in another country (if you've never done it) is very different to living in this one. I spent several years in Malaysia - and it's an amazing place - but it's not the UK by a country mile. 

There's a lot to consider if you want to emigrate - it's certainly possible - but will depend as I say on your age, bank balance and income. 

74jax

What is the cost of paying privately? So we know where to suggest to move too that would be more cost efficient? 

elsien

Will you need to work while there and if so what work would you be looking to do?  Do you speak any other languages?

Flugelhorn

the op abroad might be affordable but if you become acutely unwell that may be very very expensive- best to ask about the cost of the procedure privately in this country as may be cheaper in the long run

Savvy_Sue

Some countries won't let you in if you have any ongoing health issues

MalMonroe

Hi, sorry to hear that you've been waiting for so long but given that you only need, hopefully, a minor op, would it be worth visiting your GP and stressing the point that you are not able to work because you need the op and if you could have it, after being so long on the waiting list, your life would be much improved?

It sounds as if the whole thing is making you feel quite depressed - which is very understandable.

But as others have said it does seem rather drastic to move to another country so you can get health care when it's free here and you are entitled to receive it. 

I agree with those who are saying that it would turn out to be much cheaper if you stayed here and then looked around for some private treatment because not only is it a major upheaval to go and live in another country (I've done it twice and it's never something to be undertaken lightly - and certainly not if you have health issues), it would also cost you far more than paying for a private op in this country.

Savvy_Sue, above, is right to say that some countries won't let you in if you have health issues.

Why not start with your GP, make the point that you can't work because you need the op and it's starting to make you feel really miserable to the point where you're now considering emigrating. Be honest. Sometimes people who have been on NHS waiting lists for a couple of years can tend to get overlooked if they don't say anything. Hospital admins do sometimes make mistakes. I've just checked online for waiting list times at the hospitals in my area and maximum time is 24 weeks for non-urgent cases.

Please do exhaust all your options before you consider leaving the country you love.

bouicca21

Is there any possibility of getting this op done under a contracted out scheme?  That’s how I got cataracts done on the NHS in a private clinic.  Totally against my principles but sometimes principles have to be compromised.

gettingtheresometime

I've got a hybrid private health care, costing about £11 a month. You have to be a member for 6 months before you can receive treatment though

Emmia

gettingtheresometime said:

I've got a hybrid private health care, costing about £11 a month. You have to be a member for 6 months before you can receive treatment though

But normally these also exclude pre-existing conditions, so I'd be surprised if the OP would qualify for the insurance to pay for treatment. 

jimpwarsop

Minor operation ? Pay private here.

Use the money you inherited.