Save Thousands of Dollars on Health Care Overseas

Monday, June 2, 2008

The June issue of International Living magazine is online now.Subscribe now to get instant access.

The rise of health insurance costs in the U.S. is a hot topic in the mainstream media. In the past month alone, publications like The New York Times and the LA Times have run articles on the soaring price of health insurance. We say, go abroad for your medical procedures…or move abroad for cheaper health insurance. In the past six months alone, we have told you about how you can save thousands (as much as $70,000) by going to countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico for your medical needs—be it dental, cosmetic, or even major surgery.

In the June issue of International Living magazine, Glynna Prentice, our Mexico expert, tells you about two low-cost health insurance options in Mexico. In fact, in Mexico, you can pay less than $300 a year for full-coverage health insurance—including your prescription medicines. Read Glynna’s article starting on page 28 in this month’s issue.

From topical to tropical…this month, we profile Bill and Jenny Bellerjeau. After reading an article in International Living in 2005, they were inspired to move to the little country of Belize. Before this, they lived in Denver and worked six days a week, 10 hours a day. Now they run their own resort in Corozal (where they could afford beachfront property) and have the freedom to decide their own fate. There are no clocks or wristwatches, no commutes, stress, or worries, they say of their new life overseas. And, best of all, anyone can do it.

Not ready to move yet but planning your retirement? No problem. Buy your overseas property now and earn money by renting it out until you’re ready to live there yourself. Suzan Haskins provides tips on how you can do this in the June issue.

We’re hot on Brazil; specifically, the northeast coast. So much so that we’ve dispatched four members of staff there since January to scout the amazing property deals. In this month’s issue we spotlight the opportunities you’ll find in this part of Brazil. This stretch of coastline represents the best beachfront buy on the planet right now: beachfront lots for $30,000; second-tier ocean-view lots for $16,000; sea-view two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos from $83,000.

Staying in South America, Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison uncovers Uruguay’s “Forgotten Coast” (as he refers to it)—where you can buy a house on the beach for less than $35,000.

There is a shortage of hotel rooms in Panama City. As the number of visitors increase in this First-World city, supply is not keeping up with demand. On page 30, Ronan McMahon offers advice on how you can profit from this dilemma...by investing in hotel rooms.

I’m a lover of all things Italian—from the food to the fashion—and was tempted to hop on a flight to pick up one of the property deals that Steenie Harvey found while on a recent trip to Italy. This month, she explores Abruzzo and Molise. These southern regions above the spur of Italy’s boot offer affordable enticements...one-bedroom apartments in picturesque seaside towns for $116,500, or fixer-uppers in time-stopped villages for less than $35,000…

Intrigued? You’ll read about all this and more in your June issue of International Living .

Laura Sheridan
Managing Editor, International Living

Editor’s note: The bargains in this month’s International Living magazine are too good to be missed…especially those $16,000 beachfront lots. If you are not yet a subscriber to our monthly magazine, you can sign up now and get instant access to the new issue.