Video by Amelia And JP Abroad
Why They Left the US for Ecuador After Spine Surgery
Amelia And JP Abroad say JP's two spine surgeries cost almost a million dollars, and afterwards the insurance company cancelled his insurance. His new plan was going to be $1,200 per month with a really high deductible, which they couldn't afford. They later moved to Ecuador, where they had lived almost three years at filming.
What it cost them
As stated in the video, June 2020. Prices change; these are theirs.
| Two spine surgeries | almost a million dollars | ▶ 1:32 |
|---|---|---|
| New insurance plan after cancellationwith a really high deductible and co-pays; they couldn't afford it | $1,200 per month | ▶ 1:32 |
Their situation
- Moved to
- Ecuador, almost three years before filming ▶ 0:00
- Procedures
- Two spine surgeries: first on JP's neck, then a five-level fusion in his lower back ▶ 0:30
- Hospital stay
- Eight days ▶ 1:00
- Insurance after surgery
- Cancelled by the insurance company; the plan is not named ▶ 1:32
- When they were deciding
- 2016, during the presidential election ▶ 5:11
- Work now
- Amelia still works for the same company, with more flexibility ▶ 7:15
Questions this video answers
How much did JP's spine surgeries cost?
JP says his two surgeries cost "almost a million dollars." ▶ 1:32
What happened to their insurance after the surgeries?
JP says the insurance company cancelled his insurance. His new plan was going to be $1,200 per month, with a really high deductible and a co-pay for everything, and they couldn't afford it. ▶ 1:32
Why do they say they can't move back to the United States?
JP says that if he needs another surgery, they wouldn't be able to afford it and would be bankrupt in their 40s and 50s. ▶ 1:32
Why did they sell their house before moving?
JP says they had to sell their house because they couldn't afford the mortgage payment anymore, and the cost of living was outpacing their income. ▶ 4:07
Did they visit Ecuador before moving there?
Yes. JP says Amelia made them take a trip first, and they spent 10 days in Ecuador. He loved it right away; she took a day or two to warm up to it. ▶ 8:18
The moments, in order
Press ▶ to play the video from that second.
- ▶ 0:30
JP had two major spine surgeries a few months apart: one on his neck, then a five-level fusion in his lower back about three or four months later. After both he had to learn to walk again.
- ▶ 1:00
JP spent eight days in hospital and could not drive for a long time. Amelia quit her high-paying regional sales job and took a local job at quite a pay cut so she could look after him.
- ▶ 1:32
The two surgeries cost almost a million dollars. Afterwards the insurance company cancelled JP's insurance. His new plan was going to be $1,200 per month, with a really high deductible and co-pays for everything. They could not afford it and say another surgery would bankrupt them, which is why they can't move back.
as stated, June 2020
- ▶ 4:07
With JP's income gone, Amelia on lower pay and higher healthcare costs, they had to sell their house because they could no longer afford the mortgage. They then looked at moving to a country with a much lower cost of living, like Ecuador.
- ▶ 6:43
Amelia says they have had a little culture shock and that becoming fluent in Spanish is still a process, but she does not regret a second of the move.
- ▶ 7:15
At first she thought they could always move back if they hated it. Now she doesn't see them ever moving back. They feel healthier and happier, and she still works for the same company with a lot more flexibility.
- ▶ 8:18
Amelia made them take a 10-day trip to Ecuador before moving, and JP is glad they did. He loved it from the first day, while she took a day or two to warm up to it.
Worth knowing before you go
- ▶ 1:32
The two surgeries cost almost a million dollars. Afterwards the insurance company cancelled JP's insurance. His new plan was going to be $1,200 per month, with a really high deductible and co-pays for everything. They could not afford it and say another surgery would bankrupt them, which is why they can't move back.
as stated, June 2020
This is their experience, retold in our words, and not medical, insurance or financial advice.