A Guide to Medical Tourism

October 7th, 2009

Have you thought about using medical tourism for your upcoming procedure? Medical tourism has become an increasingly popular way to save money on surgeries and other medical procedures for patients around the world. Of course, there are risks, processes, and plenty of considerations to attend to. Read on, and you’ll learn more about the practice of medical tourism and what it means for you.

Almost all medical tourism procedures fall under the elective category. Often, insurance companies do not support or pay for elective procedures, and patients find that they have better options outside of their own country. Common procedures include dental surgery, cosmetic surgery, and fertility treatments.

Medical tourism doesn’t come without risk. Many countries have a different standard of care, and you may find that surgeons and facilities just don’t have the quality that you can find at home. Traveling to foreign countries can also expose you to diseases that you haven’t built up a natural immunity to. Additionally, traveling long distances before or after surgery can increase your risk for complications. On top of the health risks, you will also face legal risks. Medical care abroad has a very limited amount of legal protection, and you may find that there are few legal remedies to medical malpractice. To minimize the risk involved, you should research international healthcare accreditation as well as quality assurance associated with your chosen doctor and facility overseas.

Popular destinations for medical tourism include Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Mexico, Malaysia, India, Turkey, and Israel. These countries tend to offer the best quality of care at a fraction of the cost. Some destinations, like Israel’s Dead Sea, also have special therapies and related resorts for medical tourists to enjoy.

Medical tourism is popular primarily due to its cost. Outside of your home country, you may be able to find surgery available for a tenth of what you would pay. Without the red tape of insurance, patients have the freedom to choose their facility, surgeon, and other important details that otherwise might be dictated by their insurance company. On top of the cost factor, many medical tourism patients find that this practice is much more convenient, as they are able to schedule procedures more quickly than they are at home.

Medical tourism has many factors for you to consider, but if you want or need a procedure that can be done overseas, it is worth looking into. Keep these tips in mind when you do your research for medical tourism.

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