An American retiree spent $18,807 for cancer treatment abroad. She said medical tourism saved her money and stress.

When Akaisha Kaderli was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer while traveling the world with her husband, Billy, the couple had to make a decision.

They could give up the nomadic lifestyle they’ve been living for more than 30 years and travel back to the US to navigate treatment through Medicare Advantage. Or they could pay out-of-pocket for healthcare abroad. They chose the latter — and Billy said he never left his wife’s side.

“She was a trooper about it,” he said. “I watched her every night and every morning.”

The early retirees said their jetsetting “isn’t a vacation, it’s a lifestyle.” And, prior to Akaisha’s diagnosis, they spent most of their days trying new cuisines in Southeast Asia and lounging on Italian beaches.

A serious medical diagnosis can derail careful retirement planning. Business Insider has heard from dozens of older Americans who spent their 401(k) savings on medical bills, went into debt, or returned to work so they could afford care. For older people with limited savings who primarily live on Social Security, the cost of unexpected doctors’ visits and prescriptions can be devastating.

As healthcare costs continue to climb in the US, some Americans are opting for “medical tourism.” Whether it’s for elective procedures or lifesaving treatment, people like the Kaderlis are looking for ways to afford healthcare without breaking the bank. While data is limited, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that millions of Americans seek healthcare in another country every year — most commonly to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.

“We’re 72 and we’ve had a great life,” Akaisha said. “I’m not looking to die, but I wasn’t going to spend my money on hospitals and drugs.”

The Kaderlis sought cancer treatment abroad to save money

Akaisha and Billy say they were early adopters of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and have continued to maintain wealth through long-term investments and low-budget living. Before retiring in their late 30s, Akaisha ran a restaurant while Billy held jobs as a chef and in a brokerage firm. They invested most of their money in the S&P 500 and, when they stopped working, began traveling — often living for months at a time in low cost-of-living countries.

The Kaderlis said they kept an American health insurance plan through their mid-50s so they could receive care in the US if they needed it. Most US-based insurance doesn’t work abroad, and they kept the plan as a safety net for any serious medical needs. They later enrolled in Medicare Advantage around the time they qualified for Social Security at age 62.

But when Akaisha was diagnosed with cancer, the couple said they quickly decided to avoid the American healthcare system. They don’t know exactly what cancer treatment would have cost them in the US with Medicare, but Billy said he’s confident the choice saved them money, and it “would have taken much longer to go through all the hoops” of finding in-network providers. Stage three breast cancer treatment in the US typically costs over $100,000 — and even patients with insurance can be left with steep bills to pay.

For a total of $18,807 out of pocket, Akaisha received diagnostic testing in Thailand, follow-up exams in Vietnam, mastectomy surgery and radiation in Mexico, and some recovery care in the West Indies. Her treatment regimen lasted a few months from the day of her diagnosis.

“I wanted to live my life, and so I took the cheapest option,” Akaisha said. “This is the option we would have taken anyway, but I don’t like the idea of spending $100,000 or $200,000 on a medical procedure when I can get a wonderful type of care for $20,000.”

Now, Akaisha is done with her treatment and is recovering. She and Billy don’t plan to slow down their lifestyle anytime soon: they’re living in Arizona for a while before spending the summer in Mexico and Thailand, the colder months in the Caribbean, and the spring in the Mediterranean.

“It just gets better and better,” Akaisha said. “This is the life we were meant to live.”

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