The numbers of patients travelling abroad for medical treatment are increasing and there are five main reasons people travel abroad for treatment:
Patients have family or friends in their destination country who can help during their recovery period The waiting lists for government funded healthcare in the patients home country are too long Patients want to combine sick leave from work with a holiday and recover in peace The cost of treatment is cheaper abroad Treatments not available in the home country are available abroad
If you fall into categories 1 and 3, the destination of your medical treatment is likely pre-decided. If you fall into categories 2 or 4 however, you have research to do.
National health care services are often underfunded and understaffed, leaving patients waiting for an opertaion they desperately need. One of the main benefits of travelling abroad for treatment is you are able to book your surgery for a time that is convenient to you. If the treatment you need is urgent, hospitals and clinics abroad can normally accommodate treatment requests as soon as the patient arrives in the destination country.
If your reason for travelling is to receive more affordable healthcare, the research you must do before hand is vital. Below are some questions to consider:
Are you certain about the treatment you need?
Sometimes the first advice is not always right – with so many healthcare providers worldwide and new treatment methods being developed constantly, there may be an alternative to the treatment you think you need that is more suitable. It always helps to get a second opinion.
Why is the cost of treatment so high in your home country?
The prices quoted for medical treatment can sometimes give you a shock. Healthcare is expensive everywhere and generally the cost is relative to the economy of the country. However, if the treatment you need is new or the equipment used is expensive to purchase, the treatment price quoted to you may not be overly high.
Will you be fit to travel or will you need to stay in the treatment country as you recover?
Traveling abroad for treatment may lower the costs of the treatment itself, but what about the time you will loose from work if you are away from home? If the treatment you need will require you to take a long period of time off work in your own country, there may be little difference. If however after treatment you would be able to return to work but will require follow up appointments that mean it is necessary for you to extend your stay in the treatment country, the lost salary may out-weight the money saved on treatment.
If you will be unable to travel due to a difficult recovery period, think about your after care. If you are away from home you will need to co-ordinate with the hospital or clinic regarding after care or will need somebody to accompany you when you travel.
What additional expenses will you have on top of the treatment costs?
While the treatment costs for your surgery may be lower than your own country, patients must keep in mind that being away from home has additional expenses attached to it. Accommodation, eating out, travel and any minor medical expenses, such as an IVF drip for dehydration, that may be readily available under insurance coverage or national healthcare schemes will need to be paid for if abroad.
If you decide medical tourism is the right choice you need to decide which country you will travel to:
Do you want to be close to home?
Medical tourism can allow you to simply cross a border for cheaper treatment or can enable you to combine a vacation with treatment. Many Americans choose Mexico for dental and medical treatment because of the convenience for travel, in the same way that patients from the UK often travel to European countries. But sometimes the treatment you need requires you to rest afterwards and if so, many patients choose a medical tourism destination that offers the chance for a vacation as well.
Will you need to make repeat trips for follow-up appointments?
Ok, so the treatment costs are lower and you found good deals on flights but then you learn you need to have a follow-up appointment 6 months later. What do you do? If your treatment may require secondary appointments to check your progress, or if the treatment cannot be finished within one trip, you may want to consider a country closer to home. Alternatively, many patients locate a healthcare provider they trust in their home country and make appointments at home for follow-up care.
Which country is cheapest?
The aim of travelling abroad may be to receive more affordable care than home but that shouldn’t mean you choose the cheapest treatment you find. Use a platform like WhereismyDoctor.com to help you research and compare treatment prices and make sure you check the credentials of the clinic/hospital/doctor you choose before travelling for treatment.
Will your insurance pay?
If you have medical insurance and are considering travelling abroad for treatment, it is worth contacting your insurance provider to inquire about partial or full payment of your treatment. While insurance companies often refuse to pay for treatment abroad, if the cost is significantly lower than at home and the treatment you are travelling for is covered under your health insurance policy, the insurance company might just pay.
What about if you are in category number 5 and want to travel abroad for treatment not available in your home country? Research, research, research.
There are many treatments that are prohibited in certain countries for religious, moral or political reasons that are fully approved by health organisations and are perfectly safe. Many patients travel abroad for infertility treatments that are restricted to them at home. These procedures have generally been approved by health organisations worldwide and banned in the home country for political or religious reasons. This type of medical travel poses little risk and although patients should research the intended healthcare provider thoroughly, receiving treatment abroad should not be a major concern.
However, any patients planning to travel to a foreign country for a new treatment or surgery that has not been medically approved in their home country should be extra careful and consult health professional in their home country before going ahead with treatment.
Tags: affordable healthcare, destination country, health care services, medical tourism, national health care