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Tuesday, November 1, 2016
What our Ministry does, in a few sentances
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Our new Christian ministry has grown out of our medical travel business
We are so blessed and excited that we have been able to help so many people. Not only have we helped good people in their times of pain and worry, but we are able to show the Costa Ricans our testimony. We are also able to contribute our tourist dollars to their local economy, but more importantly we can use our contacts to help our patients donate their time and talents to Costa Rican charities. But this isn't a selfless sacrifice: it's a win-win: patients who use our services can an average of $4,000 to $8,000 (even after airfare and hotel costs).
Please visit the website for DentaRica's Christian Ministry:
http://www.gocostaricamedicaltravel.com/ministry.html
This page explains a lot of what we do to minister to anyone requesting help from our ministry.
Please visit the Facebook page for the ministry:
https://www.facebook.com/costaricarichard.richard
Please visit the Facebook page for our parent medical travel company:
https://www.facebook.com/ncmedicaltravel/
John/James give their patient testimonies from July and May 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQPVWK3_2rM&feature=youtu.be
Richard's Kidney Stone PCNL surgery in Costa Rica (5:01)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHfE1k64_Jo
Cathy's Samaritan patient testimoney (7:19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S9IVVZZiX0
Listen to podcast - Steven's lengthy testimonial as Samaritan member (34:24)
http://healthcareelsewhere.com/2014/05/20/32-traveling-to-costa-rica-for-annual-checkups-with-steven-strotman/
Please visit the website for DentaRica's Christian Ministry:
http://www.gocostaricamedicaltravel.com/ministry.html
This page explains a lot of what we do to minister to anyone requesting help from our ministry.
Please visit the Facebook page for the ministry:
https://www.facebook.com/costaricarichard.richard
Please visit the Facebook page for our parent medical travel company:
https://www.facebook.com/ncmedicaltravel/
John/James give their patient testimonies from July and May 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQPVWK3_2rM&feature=youtu.be
Richard's Kidney Stone PCNL surgery in Costa Rica (5:01)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHfE1k64_Jo
Cathy's Samaritan patient testimoney (7:19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S9IVVZZiX0
Listen to podcast - Steven's lengthy testimonial as Samaritan member (34:24)
http://healthcareelsewhere.com/2014/05/20/32-traveling-to-costa-rica-for-annual-checkups-with-steven-strotman/
Monday, March 7, 2016
Helping Seniors Get Dental Costs Within Reach
Life can be very hard on a tight budget. It is especially hard for a senior who may have few resources. However, doing without quality medical is both dangerous and unsightly. Insurance companies will say that many kinds of dental work are cosmetic and therefore unnecessary, but that is hogwash. Quality dental work can improve quality of life in dramatic ways. We hear over and over from people with dental implants that they can smile again, they can eat again, they can be social again.
Moreover, the health benefits are very well-documented. You've heard the phrase that one bad apple will ruin the whole barrel? A similar principle extends to teeth. Decay spreads, and one unhealthy tooth can endanger its neighbors. Dental implants also prevent bone loss and the accompanying visible jaw changes.
We've been speaking about quality of life. A healthy face is so utterly important for self-esteem, but also for all aspects of social living. Jobs and careers and position can all suffer dramatically from poor oral health. This almost goes without saying.
The price for a better quality of life can appear out-of-reach for many seniors, especially if they have multiple needs. As an example, dental implants are generally $2,000 to $4,000. Mr. Example needs two implants. He can go down the street and pay perhaps $6,000.
Or Mr. Example can pay $1,600 in Costa Rica. He pays $400 for airfare.
Now he is at $2,000 in costs. He has saved $4,000 and so can enjoy a very luxurious vacation with a clear conscience. He can enjoy this sunny tropical country with great weather and beautiful world-renowned landscapes.
Perhaps he needed three implants? In this example, he would save $6000 (compared to $9000).
Perhaps he needed ten implants? In this example, he would save $20,000 (compared to $30,000).
Imagine that, a price $20,000 dollars cheaper with actually better quality.
Better quality? Yes, you see a USA dentist is trying to keep prices low by cutting costs wherever he can, more or less reasonably. They will use cheaper materials, last years' equipment, and not perform needed scans. In Costa Rica, the dentists do not cut corners. A patient will receive the best from the best surgeons in the best equipped offices.
Why is this such a difficult idea?
Helping People in Need, But Having Fun, Too
I am very proud of what we do. People are in need, and we help. Our little company is able to make an observable difference in people's lives. However, that isn't all we do.
I was about to write my article with all sorts of sad comments -- talking about the tragic consequences of poor healthcare and the sad circumstances that force people to make choices based on hard financial necessity. People who are between a rock and a hard place, as it were.
But I reconsidered, and enough with the negativity!
Our clients have a wonderful time! And we have the photos to prove it! There is no need to focus on the sad and the tragic. The Costa Ricans have a saying: PURA VIDA. It basically means "Have a good day" but extends to enjoying life in general. Let's enjoy life.
The reason for a trip with us is pretty clear --medical or dental. And that is rightfully the focus. But around those appointments there is no reason to not enjoy yourself. In fact, it is extremely difficult to ignore the exotic location you'll find yourself in.
Our patients are saving so much money by doing this, they are usually at liberty to spend money on vacationing and tours. Our patients will (for instance) visit the hospital two days and spend three days on sightseeing expeditions. There are volcanoes, 200-foot waterfalls, coffee plantations, majestic forests, organic farms, wildlife refuges, riverboat trips, sunny world-renowned beaches. There is even a theme park, much like a Six Flags. For the less adventurous, there is shopping and museums and parks all convenient. Whatever your adventure-comfort-level, the verdant scenery, breathtaking views, and boundless fresh air will thrill your senses. The plentiful fresh fruit and beautiful local meals only enhance the experience.
There are tours that appeal to all sorts of interests. Bird-watching, coffee-lovers, nature-lovers, shoppers, beach bums, church-sightseeing, sustainable farming, architecture, or family fun. We have people who prefer to travel with a group or others who are seeking an immersive experience.
Dental surgery or a medical operation is quite a bummer -- that cannot be helped. In fact, it is entirely proper -- after all, that is the reason for the trip. Discomfort can dampen the mood. I have no interest in trying to tell you it can't happen, but what is amazing is that we put together FUN trips despite all these hurdles.
Another part of this that is amazing is how within reach it is! For $300-$600 dollars a person can get a round-trip ticket to Costa Rica, and from there decide how much money they want to spend on hotels and tours. The value is quite simply unbelievable.
I was about to write my article with all sorts of sad comments -- talking about the tragic consequences of poor healthcare and the sad circumstances that force people to make choices based on hard financial necessity. People who are between a rock and a hard place, as it were.
But I reconsidered, and enough with the negativity!
Our clients have a wonderful time! And we have the photos to prove it! There is no need to focus on the sad and the tragic. The Costa Ricans have a saying: PURA VIDA. It basically means "Have a good day" but extends to enjoying life in general. Let's enjoy life.
The reason for a trip with us is pretty clear --medical or dental. And that is rightfully the focus. But around those appointments there is no reason to not enjoy yourself. In fact, it is extremely difficult to ignore the exotic location you'll find yourself in.
Our patients are saving so much money by doing this, they are usually at liberty to spend money on vacationing and tours. Our patients will (for instance) visit the hospital two days and spend three days on sightseeing expeditions. There are volcanoes, 200-foot waterfalls, coffee plantations, majestic forests, organic farms, wildlife refuges, riverboat trips, sunny world-renowned beaches. There is even a theme park, much like a Six Flags. For the less adventurous, there is shopping and museums and parks all convenient. Whatever your adventure-comfort-level, the verdant scenery, breathtaking views, and boundless fresh air will thrill your senses. The plentiful fresh fruit and beautiful local meals only enhance the experience.
There are tours that appeal to all sorts of interests. Bird-watching, coffee-lovers, nature-lovers, shoppers, beach bums, church-sightseeing, sustainable farming, architecture, or family fun. We have people who prefer to travel with a group or others who are seeking an immersive experience.
Dental surgery or a medical operation is quite a bummer -- that cannot be helped. In fact, it is entirely proper -- after all, that is the reason for the trip. Discomfort can dampen the mood. I have no interest in trying to tell you it can't happen, but what is amazing is that we put together FUN trips despite all these hurdles.
Another part of this that is amazing is how within reach it is! For $300-$600 dollars a person can get a round-trip ticket to Costa Rica, and from there decide how much money they want to spend on hotels and tours. The value is quite simply unbelievable.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Getting a Second Opinion in a Third World Country
Press release by Kathy Jordan, CEO for NC Medical TravelFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Kathy Jordan, 336-608-5636Clemmons, NC: February 4, 2016 –We all know that getting a second opinion for any medical or dental treatment or surgery is a smart idea. What many people do not realize, is that in many cases, that second opinion in the USA is not so much different from the first opinion. However, what we have found as a medical travel company, is that people are often spared unnecessary surgery, or are recommended to have an alternate treatment, by traveling outside of the USA for that second opinion. As an example, my own daughter is a college student at UNC, Chapel Hill. She was told by two dentists in NC that she needed her wisdom teeth out. She took her x-rays to a well qualified dentist in Costa Rica, who recommended to her that she not have her wisdom teeth removed. Wow! That was a shocker. Having had the wisdom teeth of my two older kids removed, and my own removed, and my husband’s removed in NC, here was a dentist in a 3rd world country telling us that it was not at all necessary. Of course I googled this, and found an article in the NY Times, among other articles, that reinforced exactly what the dentist in Costa Rica had told her: that the crowding of the teeth would not be made worse, and that unless there is pain or disease the teeth could remain, and that there may be stem cells in those teeth, and that there are always risks associated with any surgical procedure that are best avoided when possible. In other words, leave well enough alone. The outcome for removing the teeth, could result in complications, nerve damage, or even death.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/
Of special interest in this article, the dentist referenced was a local practitioner from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was quoting those same unfounded statistics that we had always heard and led me (as a parent) to the decision to remove the wisdom teeth of my other two children. I trusted the dentists, and had no reason to disbelieve their statistics. My daughter’s decision to go to Costa Rica was because she wanted to save $3000 on the surgery, but in the end, she saved $4000 and also was spared needless surgical pain. As a consolation prize, she was able to spend her money shopping at the Multiplaza Mall in San Jose, go on a couple of nice tours, and enjoy some great meals and hotels. She came home smiling with all her teeth. Another example that comes to mind is a man who was told that he needed orthopedic surgery on his shoulder. He went to Costa Rica expecting to be told the same thing as in the USA. Instead, he had some physical therapy there ($35 a session as opposed to $350 a session in the USA) was told to swim 2 hours a day, and that would fix it. As a medical travel company, we have frequently encountered the amazement of people when they speak to specialists that we refer them to, who tell them that surgery is not necessary. Meeting the doctors, seeing the hospitals, and then googling a bit is enough to convince anyone of the value of a second opinion, even if that second opinion comes from a third world country such as Costa Rica. (Costa Rica, by the way, ranks higher than the USA for quality of health care by the WHO. Many specialists and surgeons are trained in the countries that rank above Costa Rica and the USA. I see this when I review their profiles for our clients. What we find are typically attitudes and practices more in line with countries with socialized medicine, that put a priority on long term positive outcome and avoidance of unnecessary procedures.)Isn’t that worth a short inexpensive flight to Costa Rica?About NC Medical Travel to Costa Rica:NC Medical Travel (internationally known as MediRica) is a USA-based company with an open-to-the-public office in Clemmons, NC. They help both individuals and businesses to significantly reduce costs for healthcare. They put the cost savings of medical travel within reach while being more convenient and much safer than unaided medical tourism. This is accomplished though various means, including finding trustworthy and skilled Costa Rican partners, performing background checks on these partners, answering questions from USA residents, and when needed guiding guests personally.Their website is www.ncmedicaltravel.com/
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Of special interest in this article, the dentist referenced was a local practitioner from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was quoting those same unfounded statistics that we had always heard and led me (as a parent) to the decision to remove the wisdom teeth of my other two children. I trusted the dentists, and had no reason to disbelieve their statistics. My daughter’s decision to go to Costa Rica was because she wanted to save $3000 on the surgery, but in the end, she saved $4000 and also was spared needless surgical pain. As a consolation prize, she was able to spend her money shopping at the Multiplaza Mall in San Jose, go on a couple of nice tours, and enjoy some great meals and hotels. She came home smiling with all her teeth. Another example that comes to mind is a man who was told that he needed orthopedic surgery on his shoulder. He went to Costa Rica expecting to be told the same thing as in the USA. Instead, he had some physical therapy there ($35 a session as opposed to $350 a session in the USA) was told to swim 2 hours a day, and that would fix it. As a medical travel company, we have frequently encountered the amazement of people when they speak to specialists that we refer them to, who tell them that surgery is not necessary. Meeting the doctors, seeing the hospitals, and then googling a bit is enough to convince anyone of the value of a second opinion, even if that second opinion comes from a third world country such as Costa Rica. (Costa Rica, by the way, ranks higher than the USA for quality of health care by the WHO. Many specialists and surgeons are trained in the countries that rank above Costa Rica and the USA. I see this when I review their profiles for our clients. What we find are typically attitudes and practices more in line with countries with socialized medicine, that put a priority on long term positive outcome and avoidance of unnecessary procedures.)Isn’t that worth a short inexpensive flight to Costa Rica?About NC Medical Travel to Costa Rica:NC Medical Travel (internationally known as MediRica) is a USA-based company with an open-to-the-public office in Clemmons, NC. They help both individuals and businesses to significantly reduce costs for healthcare. They put the cost savings of medical travel within reach while being more convenient and much safer than unaided medical tourism. This is accomplished though various means, including finding trustworthy and skilled Costa Rican partners, performing background checks on these partners, answering questions from USA residents, and when needed guiding guests personally.Their website is www.ncmedicaltravel.com/
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Monday, January 11, 2016
Better Dental Health Through Better Dental Prices
Press release by Richard Jordan, PR Coordinator for NC Medical Travel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Jordan, 336-608-5636
Clemmons, NC: January 11, 2016 – It is easy to understand the problem. We have all seen the people who are putting off their dental care because it is just too expensive to properly address. By the time they do address it, the damage is done and hard to fix (and even more expensive than before). The damage may even be permanent.
In dealing with dental patients, I have heard of many poor souls who have let matters get so out of hand they have to recourse except complete extraction and dentures.
Another result of the bad prices is that people often are able to get just one or two things done (when they know they need dozens of things). Dental insurance is laughable. It will usually only pay for those one or two things, not the dozen that are needed, and still leave the patient with an unmanageable bill.
All these things lead to bad health....and directly a result of outrageous prices. People are willing to go to the dentist. People even want these issues addressed. They are in pain, discomfort, or have limitations to their lifestyle.
Studies have repeatedly shown that bad teeth affect one's ability to get a good job...not to mention a significant other! Even without that extreme, we commonly hear how after dental work people smile more, laugh more, socialize with fewer worries, and simply have a better quality of life.
There seems no way out, but NC Medical Travel found out they could help by referring people to dentists in Costa Rica. They chose Costa Rica because the quality is high while the prices are low. It is also remarkably safe and modern, and also surprisingly convenient from the USA.
Overseas travel seems like an extreme solution, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
If you or someone you love is facing bad health because of bad dental prices, please consider your alternatives.
About NC Medical Travel to Costa Rica:
NC Medical Travel (internationally known as MediRica) is a USA-based company with an open-to-the-public office in Clemmons, NC. They help both individuals and businesses to significantly reduce costs for healthcare. They make the cost savings of medical travel convenient and much safer than unaided medical tourism through various means, including finding trustworthy Costa Rican partners, performing background checks on these partners, setting up appointments, answering questions from USA residents, and when needed guiding their guests personally.
Their website is www.ncmedicaltravel.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Jordan, 336-608-5636
Clemmons, NC: January 11, 2016 – It is easy to understand the problem. We have all seen the people who are putting off their dental care because it is just too expensive to properly address. By the time they do address it, the damage is done and hard to fix (and even more expensive than before). The damage may even be permanent.
In dealing with dental patients, I have heard of many poor souls who have let matters get so out of hand they have to recourse except complete extraction and dentures.
Another result of the bad prices is that people often are able to get just one or two things done (when they know they need dozens of things). Dental insurance is laughable. It will usually only pay for those one or two things, not the dozen that are needed, and still leave the patient with an unmanageable bill.
All these things lead to bad health....and directly a result of outrageous prices. People are willing to go to the dentist. People even want these issues addressed. They are in pain, discomfort, or have limitations to their lifestyle.
Studies have repeatedly shown that bad teeth affect one's ability to get a good job...not to mention a significant other! Even without that extreme, we commonly hear how after dental work people smile more, laugh more, socialize with fewer worries, and simply have a better quality of life.
There seems no way out, but NC Medical Travel found out they could help by referring people to dentists in Costa Rica. They chose Costa Rica because the quality is high while the prices are low. It is also remarkably safe and modern, and also surprisingly convenient from the USA.
Overseas travel seems like an extreme solution, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
If you or someone you love is facing bad health because of bad dental prices, please consider your alternatives.
About NC Medical Travel to Costa Rica:
NC Medical Travel (internationally known as MediRica) is a USA-based company with an open-to-the-public office in Clemmons, NC. They help both individuals and businesses to significantly reduce costs for healthcare. They make the cost savings of medical travel convenient and much safer than unaided medical tourism through various means, including finding trustworthy Costa Rican partners, performing background checks on these partners, setting up appointments, answering questions from USA residents, and when needed guiding their guests personally.
Their website is www.ncmedicaltravel.com/
Is Quality Medical and Dental Out-of-Reach Because of Prices?
Press release by Richard Jordan, PR Coordinator for NC Medical Travel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Jordan, 336-608-5636
Clemmons, North Carolina: January 11, 2016 – Sometimes, just getting the correct tests and exams done to FIND OUT if you need surgery are out of reach because of outrageous healthcare prices.
I can speak from my own experience. As a direct result of unreasonable healthcare prices I was forced to delay treatment of a kidney stone, which almost caused me permanent kidney damage.
Another man spent a year not knowing if he was going to suddenly die. His doctor had ordered a heart stress test, but the patient could not afford it.
Another patient thought she needed carpel tunnel release surgery, but discovered that after all the special visits and X-rays were put together it was cheaper to just schedule the surgery in Costa Rica. If her x-rays and specialist recommend some other treatment, she is still coming out better!
We had two surgery patients (a husband and wife) who were both in desperate need of some kind of medical attention, but they did not know what. They were spending outrageous sums of money going from specialist to specialist. They decided to heck with it, and to just go to Costa Rica.
Recently I had a prospective dental patient ask me if it was a good idea to just go to Costa Rica without knowing quite what they need. My response: that's a GREAT idea. We would not be talking to a person about their health if there wasn't a reason. I do not need to know the exact reason or any given treatment. In fact, we specifically organize patient trips to include a general doctor visit upon arrival to see if there is any unknown pressing matter.
Going to Costa Rica for dental or medical can be cheaper than exams and tests in the USA. It's that simple, and that hard-to-believe. Depending on the situation, we have seen how a patient finding out what treatment is needed in the USA (though expensive exams, specialist visits, and scans) can be more expensive than just going to Costa Rica with a general idea but no fixed agenda.
To heck with it, I'm going to Costa Rica.
About NC Medical Travel to Costa Rica:
NC Medical Travel (internationally known as MediRica) is a USA-based company with an open-to-the-public office in Clemmons, NC. They help both individuals and businesses to significantly reduce costs for healthcare. They make the cost savings of medical travel convenient and much safer than unaided medical tourism through various means, including finding trustworthy Costa Rican partners, performing background checks on these partners, setting up appointments, answering questions from USA residents, and when needed guiding their guests personally.
Their website is www.ncmedicaltravel.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathy Jordan, 336-608-5636
Clemmons, North Carolina: January 11, 2016 – Sometimes, just getting the correct tests and exams done to FIND OUT if you need surgery are out of reach because of outrageous healthcare prices.
I can speak from my own experience. As a direct result of unreasonable healthcare prices I was forced to delay treatment of a kidney stone, which almost caused me permanent kidney damage.
Another man spent a year not knowing if he was going to suddenly die. His doctor had ordered a heart stress test, but the patient could not afford it.
Another patient thought she needed carpel tunnel release surgery, but discovered that after all the special visits and X-rays were put together it was cheaper to just schedule the surgery in Costa Rica. If her x-rays and specialist recommend some other treatment, she is still coming out better!
We had two surgery patients (a husband and wife) who were both in desperate need of some kind of medical attention, but they did not know what. They were spending outrageous sums of money going from specialist to specialist. They decided to heck with it, and to just go to Costa Rica.
Recently I had a prospective dental patient ask me if it was a good idea to just go to Costa Rica without knowing quite what they need. My response: that's a GREAT idea. We would not be talking to a person about their health if there wasn't a reason. I do not need to know the exact reason or any given treatment. In fact, we specifically organize patient trips to include a general doctor visit upon arrival to see if there is any unknown pressing matter.
Going to Costa Rica for dental or medical can be cheaper than exams and tests in the USA. It's that simple, and that hard-to-believe. Depending on the situation, we have seen how a patient finding out what treatment is needed in the USA (though expensive exams, specialist visits, and scans) can be more expensive than just going to Costa Rica with a general idea but no fixed agenda.
To heck with it, I'm going to Costa Rica.
About NC Medical Travel to Costa Rica:
NC Medical Travel (internationally known as MediRica) is a USA-based company with an open-to-the-public office in Clemmons, NC. They help both individuals and businesses to significantly reduce costs for healthcare. They make the cost savings of medical travel convenient and much safer than unaided medical tourism through various means, including finding trustworthy Costa Rican partners, performing background checks on these partners, setting up appointments, answering questions from USA residents, and when needed guiding their guests personally.
Their website is www.ncmedicaltravel.com/
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