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Sally’s Savings

How U.S. Patients Save Money With Safe Cross-Border Medical Care

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“I Saved $4,000 on Dental Implants — and Got a Mini Vacation.”

 

Dental care, especially implants, remains significantly underinsured in the U.S. The Lupus Foundation of America notes that long-term steroid use can accelerate dental breakdown. Melissa Grant, 61, from Phoenix, received an $8,200 quote for dental implants in Arizona. In Los Algodones, at a clinic certified by the Mexican Dental Association, she paid $3,800, including transportation from her hotel — and was treated by U.S.-trained dentists. 

 

 

Prescription Purchases Across Borders

 

Mexican pharmacies regulated by COFEPRIS, Mexico’s federal health authority, comply with national medication-distribution standards. A RAND Corporation report found that U.S. drug prices average 278% higher than prices in comparable high-income nations. U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows travelers to bring a 90-day personal supply of medication when declared and in original packaging.

 

“I Went to India for Knee Replacement — and Brought My Physical Therapist.”

 

Elective orthopedic procedures are among the most common forms of international medical travel. The ITA reports cost reductions ranging from 40–60% for joint replacements and other scheduled surgeries compared with U.S. prices. A Milwaukee patient documented by a nonprofit network coordinating global care underwent knee replacement in Chennai with U.S.-trained surgeons and an interpreter. His insurer reimbursed part of the procedure as out-of-network care. 

 

 

“I Joined a Group for Cross-Border Patients — That’s How I Found a Trusted Doctor.”

 

Peer communities are often the first place patients learn about safe, regulated options. Patients Rising maintains regional groups where members share vetted provider lists, transportation instructions, and guidance on sending imaging to U.S. specialists.

 

A California patient with multiple sclerosis shared that, using a recommended imaging center in Mexicali, she paid $220 for an MRI instead of the $2,200 U.S. hospital quote.

 

 

The Emotional Reality: Relief and Responsibility

 

During one of her posts, Sally described the emotional weight behind cross-border decisions: “When people message me about medical travel, I tell them: You’re not being reckless — you’re being resourceful. You’re doing what the system made necessary.”

 

— Sally Figueroa

 

 

The Takeaway: Smart Care Knows No Borders

 

Cross-border care is not about avoiding the U.S. system — it’s about staying healthy when domestic costs become unmanageable.

 

When patients use:
 ✔ accredited facilities
 ✔ transparent medication sourcing
 ✔ U.S. specialist oversight
 ✔ documented follow-up
 ✔ careful cost planning

international care can reduce financial strain without compromising safety.

 

 

Practical Steps for Safe Medical Travel

 

  1. Explore in-state and regional alternatives first.
  2. Request documentation of clinic licensing and accreditation.
  3. Share every result and medication with your U.S. doctor.
  4. Budget for travel, follow-up, and unexpected care.
  5. Store digital copies of all medical documents.
  6. Identify the nearest accredited emergency facility abroad.

 

Trusted Resources

 

  • Joint Commission International — jointcommissioninternational.org
     • U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) — trade.gov
     • U.S. State Department Travel Health — travel.state.gov
     • COFEPRIS (Mexico) — gob.mx/cofepris
     • Patients Rising — patientsrising.org
     • PAN Foundation — panfoundation.org
     • HealthWell Foundation — healthwellfoundation.org
     • HRSA Health Center Finder — findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

 

 

Estimated Potential Savings (ITA-Aligned)

 

U.S. drug prices:
 ≈ 278% higher than comparable nations
 Source: RAND Corporation

 

Elective procedures:
 ≈ 40–60% lower abroad in accredited facilities
 Source: ITA, International Medical Tourism Overview

 

Global averages:
 ≈ 30–75% lower depending on procedure and country
 Source: ITA and OECD international pricing comparisons

 

Estimated annual savings for chronic-care patients:
 $5,000–$30,000+ depending on medications, infusions, and travel frequency.

 

 

Our Pay It Forward Approach

Every small act of sharing creates a ripple. If this piece resonated with you, consider sending it to someone who might need the same hope today—or leave us a comment in the section below with your own saving story so thousands can benefit from it. No one should have to navigate the cost of illness alone.

 

 

Verification Note

All links opened and verified active December, 2025.
All sources are government, nonprofit, peer-reviewed, or accredited institutional publications directly supporting claims in this article.

Dental Cost Burden & Chronic Illness Impact

Lupus Foundation of America — Oral Health Complications From Steroid Use
https://www.lupus.org/resources/oral-and-dental-complications-of-lupus

(Supports link between chronic steroid use and accelerated dental deterioration)

Kaiser Family Foundation — Dental Coverage Gaps in Medicare and Private Insurance
https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/dental-care-and-medicare-beneficiaries/

Dental Tourism & Mexico-Specific Care

Mexican Dental Association — Certified Clinics & Professional Standards
https://amdf.com.mx/certificacion-de-clinicas

Patients Beyond Borders — Los Algodones Dental Tourism Cost Comparisons
https://patientsbeyondborders.com/dental-tourism/los-algodones-mexico/

Prescription Drug Pricing & Cross-Border Purchases

RAND Corporation — International Prescription Drug Price Comparisons (278% Figure)
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2956.html

COFEPRIS — Regulation of Pharmacies and Medication Distribution
https://www.gob.mx/cofepris/acciones-y-programas/establecimientos-farmaceuticos

Medication Re-Entry to the United States

U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Personal Importation of Medication (90-Day Rule)
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items#medications

FDA — Personal Importation Policy for Prescription Drugs
https://www.fda.gov/industry/import-basics/personal-importation

Orthopedic Medical Tourism & Cost Savings

U.S. International Trade Administration — Medical Tourism Overview (40–60% Savings)
https://www.trade.gov/medical-tourism

OECD — International Health Expenditure & Procedure Cost Comparisons
https://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/health-care-prices.htm

Accreditation & Safety Oversight

Joint Commission International — International Accreditation Standards
https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/about-jci/accreditation/

Joint Commission International — Accredited Organizations Directory
https://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/about-jci/jci-accredited-organizations/

Peer Networks & Patient Navigation

Patients Rising — Regional Support Groups & Care Navigation
https://patientsrising.org/patient-help-desk/

Patients Rising — Cost of Care & Alternative Access Pathways
https://patientsrising.org/resources/healthcare-costs/

Chronic Disease Cost Context

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation — Cost of Care and Infusion Access
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/managing-the-cost-of-ibd

U.S. Safety-Net & Continuity Reference

HRSA — Health Center Program Overview (for comparison to cross-border care)
https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about-health-centers/what-health-center-program

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Our Pay It Forward Approach: Every small act of sharing creates a ripple. If this piece resonated with you, consider sending it to someone who might need the same hope today — or click on Share Your Story so thousands can benefit from it. No one should have to navigate the cost of illness alone.