Why Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad Makes Sense
Medical tourism was once something that was only done by the idle rich, looking for cheap cosmetic surgery, but now more and more Americans are taking advantage of the health care that is offered in foreign countries. Find out why, even with the cost of airfare and travel, that medical tourism has become a valuable option for Americans requiring surgery and other medical treatments!
With the costs of medical procedures and health insurance rising every year in America, the new trend of Americans seeking medical care abroad makes perfect sense. Health insurance, which was once an American’s first protection against the debilitating cost of procedures like CAT scans and surgery is now turning into more and more of a liability. Rising premiums coupled with inadequate co-pays have rendered some health insurance nearly useless and the cost that you will pay out of pocket is quickly rising to astronomical levels. Moreover, if you are one of the more than 46 million Americans without health insurance of any kind (or one of the many more whose health insurance is inadequate) medical tourism might be your path to escaping a financial burden that could follow you for years.
There are many Americans who can benefit from foreign health care, but the ones who stand to benefit the most will be those who are underinsured or lack insurance entirely. Essentially, if you fall into either of those categories, you will find a system that that is compatible with small (for Americans) cash payments and where your dollar will stretch farther. The accommodations in these hospitals are usually fairly luxurious, as most of the locals will use the public hospitals and the private hospitals will find themselves caring for tourists, who can more easily afford them.
When Americans travel abroad, one thing they quickly recognize is the completely affordable, more than competent health care that is available in countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippine and India. These five countries are ranked as the best one to visit for health care and it is easy to see why. For instance, in Thailand, the costs stay low because doctors pay significantly less in malpractice insurance than do their Western counterparts. Similarly, hospitals in Thailand don’t spend the enormous amount of money on processing insurance claims because most of the payments more than 75 percent) are handled via cash payments.
In light of today’s American medical health crisis, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to investigate the opportunities that medical tourism provides. Find out what so many medical tourists already know; a little research now can save you a lot of trouble and money later on!
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Medical Tourism: Get the Medical Treatment you Need Overseas
It’s hard not to be keenly aware that health care costs have skyrocketed – a week’s stay in the hospital for a few tests and treatment WITHOUT ANY PROCEDURES can cost $15,000 or more![1] So, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of people who need or want real treatment are looking elsewhere for a solution.
Where do they go? To places like India, Thailand, Panama, and Argentina. These countries have strongly emerging economies, and have correspondingly made significant investnment in their medical capabilities. That translates to quality care – second to none – at reasonable cost.
“Medical Tourism”, the name for the new practice of going overseas to receive medical treatment and perhaps get a bit of travel in on the side, is becoming a very popular option, for many.
It can make a lot of sense. Laparascopic, prostate, hernia repair, gastric banding, dental implantation, and other treatments can cost far less in say, India, than in the US – a tenth to a fifth as much. There is no delay in diagnostics and treatment, either. Diagnostics and tests are done in the same facility, the prognosis and treatment follow, immediately. Billing is easy, too – just a matter of presenting a credit card for the final bill, often determined by an up-front quote.
Of course, medical care is only as good as the doctors that perform it. There is excellent news on this front, as well. Doctors in India (again) are very active in the international medical community. Go to any major facility in the US, and you’re likely to see a large number of Indian doctors on the staff. Likewise, many Indian doctors are US trained. Doctors are constantly engaged in improving their skills, and in imparting those skills to others in the international medical community.
And, of course, the fact that you are in an exotic place, only adds to the enticement. The “tourism” aspect is a terrific adjunct – why not recover seeing the Taj Mahal, or Qtub Minar, or on the beaches of Goa? Why not, indeed. Facilities typically have arrangements to help you explore your new-found destination.
Medical treatment overseas may be just the ticket you’re looking for – if you don’t have health insurance or your insurance has determined that a wanted procedure is ‘elective’, or there are other impediments to your getting the treatment you want, it can be very much worth your while to investigate your “Medical Tourism” options.
As always, you should investigate your options and requirements as they apply to your situation. One place to do this is by participating in a forum we have set up for just such a purpose (see link in resource box.) The forum is free to all, you just need to join to participate. Treatment overseas adds one more choice to your set of options – an option that can greatly reduce costs, and give you the opportunity to explore another part of the world, while you’re at it!
[1] Source: personal experience.
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What are the Risks in Receiving Medical Treatment Abroad?
(c) 2008 Medical-Tourism-Guide.com
The first question that a potential medical tourist has is whether or not there are risks in receiving medical treatment abroad. It is understandable that there would be such a question; however one must look at it logically. Yes, there are risks, but no more so than having the treatment in your own local medical facility.
Medical tourism is on the rise, with an annual increase in usage of 20-30% in many countries. Ten years ago, the concept of medical tourism was new and received bad media coverage in developed countries. It was misunderstood and given bad press. Today, that trend has not only reversed, but medical tourism is being embraced as a viable option for people in need of affordable medical care.
The incredibly discounted prices are not those of the unregulated, back alley operations that are in every corner of the world. These are prices offered by fully accredited state of the art facilities, equipped with the latest technology and staffed with some of the best trained doctors in the world.
You may wonder how it is that a foreign country can offer what your own country cannot. If you live in the United States, the answer is very simple. The cost of insurance propels the medical field into a high cost service. Doctors in the U.S. pay an exorbitant amount in malpractice insurance, facilities have high overhead expenses and insurance policies on their buildings, equipment, and the staff who are employed there. Someone needs to pay for all of those insurance policies, and unfortunately that someone is the patient. Although the same type of costs are incurred in other countries, it is at a fraction of the price, thereby allowing the facility to offer services at a much lower rate.
You will be encouraged to learn that several facilities that offer medical tourism are accredited by the IOS (International Organization of Standardization) and the JCI (Joint Commission International). Most of the doctors who work in these medical tourism facilities have studied in the developed countries and then have returned to work in their home countries.
When trying to decide which doctor to outsource medical needs to, a patient should use the same process as would be used at home. It is imperative that references are done and credentials are confirmed. Most new facilities are also equipped with the latest equipment such as heart mapping equipment, CT Scanners, Open MRI machines, heart catheterization labs, digital ultrasound and mammogram machines and more. Phone and email conversations with former patrons of the facility will give you critical information concerning the cleanliness of the building and is well worth your time and effort. Most tourists report that they were allowed to stay for a full recovery period, and that staff were very attentive. Many facilities have translators standing by who are fluent in every language.
Some countries have been providing top quality medical services for hundreds of years. If a person would travel thousands of miles to vacation, why not travel that far to have a medical procedure done? If a person is willing to risk having a foreign doctor perform the procedure in the developed country (E.G. a cardiologist from India, working in Chicago) why does that person not trust going to the same caliber cardiologist in the country of India itself? If a person is willing to fully research the hospitals and credentials in their homeland, why not check the ones abroad and save money by choosing a facility abroad?
Lower cost certainly does not mean lower quality! Case studies and statistics verify that medical tourism offers top quality medical care in accredited facilities. Reading such cases will be an encouragement to you, as you realize that millions have traveled abroad to receive their medical treatment, and consider that their experience was actually superior to what they have previously had at home! For years, the only press given was that of the back alley practices in foreign lands. There have been many stories aired about poor sanitation that has led to infection, and those that have had poor surgery which has led to extensive scaring. Those random stories are not the norm and can be found in every country, including the one you currently reside in.
The risks of choosing to have surgery abroad are no greater than at home. Just as one needs to research doctors and facilities in a home country, one also needs to research the options available in another country. Just as it is true that there are both good and bad available in developed countries, the same is true in tourist destination spots. Anyone considering surgery should research thoroughly and choose a facility wisely. There are resources available that can aid you in your decision making process. Fear of the unknown should not be a reason to pay high costs or go without medical treatment. This is the 21st Century and we are living in a global medical community that has no borders!
