Healthcare Abroad

Trigger Warning: Between timestamp 3:27 to 4:38, Mistelle discusses medical history. If you prefer to avoid this, please skip during this part.In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, Mistelle takes a deep dive into the healthcare systems she’s experienced while living in the US, Switzerland, and Austria. She compares her personal journey through (TRIGGER WARNING- personal health) treatment in the US with the healthcare experiences she's had in Switzerland and Austria, highlighting the stark differences in cost, accessibility, and approach.Mistelle shares the financial challenges she faced while undergoing extensive treatment in the US despite having excellent health insurance, discussing the toll it took on her and her family. She contrasts this with the more affordable and accessible healthcare she encountered in Switzerland, where even major procedures like MRIs and ultrasounds cost far less than what she would have paid in the US.The episode also explores Austria’s socialized healthcare system, which Mistelle experienced during a surgery in 2020. She recounts how the cost of care was completely covered by the government, with no out-of-pocket expenses, despite a seven-day hospital stay. Mistelle touches on the potential downsides of socialized medicine, such as long wait times for non-emergency care, and the balance between private and public insurance options in Switzerland.Through personal anecdotes and a candid comparison of healthcare in these three countries, Mistelle sheds light on the realities of navigating medical care abroad and offers insights into how different healthcare systems work, for both the healthy and those facing serious medical conditions. Whether you're a potential expat or someone who's already living abroad, this episode provides valuable perspectives on how healthcare varies across borders and what that means for your own well-being.Tune in for an honest and eye-opening discussion about health, insurance, and the real cost of care when living abroad.Like the episode? Follow Mistelle on instagram @iammistelle where we share all things "living abroad"