Medical Tourism

Medical travel is becoming more popular, as more people realize its benefits. The main benefits of health tourism include getting the opportunity to travel to an exotic destination and reaping potentially big monetary savings. Many common operations overseas cost a fraction of what they might cost in the United States and Europe countries. For instance, the average cost of rhinoplasty (or nose job) in the U.S. is $6,000; the same procedure in Costa Rica costs only $1,500. The savings of $4,500 is more than enough to cover your travel expenses, and you'll get to travel to a new destination.

Benefits

One of the primary benefits of medical tourism is the huge potential for savings. Even when the cost of the plane ticket and lodgings for the weeks that you are there are added in, treatment in a foreign country can still be significantly cheaper than back home. In some places, the cost can be as little as a tenth of what it would cost to have the same treatment in your home country. Dental work provides the greatest overall savings, but other cosmetic and major surgeries can be had at a significant discount as well. Often, unlike hospitals in the U.S., hospitals abroad are willing to give you an estimate of the cost up front, as they know no matter what they charge it's still going to be cheaper than you would pay in your home country. This can help you to avoid many of the hidden costs that can be associated with surgery. It should also be noted that some insurers will cover overseas surgeries. Check with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible to have these costs covered so you won't be paying it all out of pocket.

Availability and lack of a wait is also a major benefit of taking your treatment abroad. Wait times for surgery can be months or up to a year in some cases and those needing treatment more quickly might actually be better served by seeking treatment elsewhere. Most surgeries whether major or cosmetic can be scheduled within a few days or weeks if done in a less overburdened foreign hospital. Whether you have a pressing need due to personal comfort and quality of life, or if you simply want to get it taken care of more quickly, medical tourism can be a great way to more easily and quickly get the attention you need.

Though it might come as a surprise to some, one benefit to traveling for medical reasons is that you may actually be able to get better and more personal care at a foreign hospital than you can get at home. Many hospitals specialize in medical tourism, and in order to draw in customers they provide exceptional quality and service. Depending on your destination you have the opportunity to get treatment from some of the best doctors in their field, many of which will have been trained at prestigious institutions abroad. Equipment and facilities are actually very comparable to those in the U.S., and patients will often find that they can afford a more luxurious hospital stay abroad than they could at home.

Medical tourism isn't just about getting more reasonably priced medical care; it's also a great way to spend your recovery in a relaxing and beautiful environment, free from the ringing phone and responsibilities that could plague your recovery at home. You will have the opportunity to spend your recuperation time under an umbrella on the beach or shopping in luxury boutiques. The savings on the surgery can also allow you to bring along friends or family members and still pay less than you would have at home. Bringing along familiar faces can also help make getting treatment in a foreign country less intimidating. Many package deals are also available which can help you easily bundle your treatment in with sightseeing, massages, and spa treatments.

Medical tourism isn't a perfect solution to combating rising medical costs but for many it can be a much more rewarding experience than dealing with medical facilities at home. Not to mention it has the added benefit of a vacation afterwards. Depending on your situation the benefits of seeking treatment away from your home country can actually outweigh the risks, and medical tourism can be an incredibly rewarding way to get your medical care.

The Risks

With skyrocketing medical costs and long waits to schedule surgery patients have been increasingly exploring medical tourism as an alternative to treatments at home. As is true with any kind of medical treatment at home or abroad, there are a number of risks that come along with going under the knife. Along with its many benefits, medical tourism can create some additional risks that anyone considering it should keep in mind.

One of the most important things to remember about medical tourism is that other countries might not regulate professional licensing and certification as closely as the United States and Europe. While a great majority of the doctors working in these countries will be more than qualified it is always best to check out the credentials of any doctor you wish to work with before ever undergoing any procedure. Many doctors are western trained and some are even certified with U.S. medical associations, and will be easy find out information about. You may also be able to contact the licensing agencies of the country you are considering to check out certifications there as well. Undergoing surgery is always a risk, but you can help mitigate the chances of botched procedures by checking out your doctor beforehand.

It is also important to remember that if something does go wrong in many countries outside of the United States you will have very little legal recourse. The high cost of medical treatment in the U.S. is due in part to the large amounts of malpractice insurance doctors are required to carry. Be aware that though you may be receiving a discount on your surgery that it could actually end up costing you much more in the long run if you encounter problems. Insurance often will not cover the cost of additional treatments and surgeries needed due to your overseas operation, and the legal systems of many of the countries won't be much help in getting you compensation.

Another thing to watch out for is traveling too soon after your surgery. Flying immediately after or within a few days of a surgery can cause some very serious complications. The combination of high altitude and sitting for long periods of time can cause blood clots and pulmonary embolisms, both potentially fatal conditions. Less seriously, you also put yourself at risk of swelling and infections. To be safe, give yourself at least a week, if not a little more, to recover after your treatment.

You'll also need to be vigilant in making sure you get adequate follow-up care. Many hospitals are in the business of getting patients in and out quickly and post-operative care can be very limited in some cases. Getting this care once you return home can sometimes be complicated and potentially pricey. Since you are in a country with many diseases and bacteria that you may not have built up an immunity to you can be especially vulnerable to infection, so you'll need to choose a hospital that offers not only great surgical care, but also will check up on you afterwards to ensure you're healing properly and are healthy enough to travel home.

Finally, while part of the allure of medical tourism is the vacation it can also be one of the risks. Drinking, spending too much time in the sun, or just not resting enough can lead to complications with your recovery including hematomas, scarring and infection. While you can and should enjoy your visit, do remember to take it easy so your body can recover.

Going abroad for surgery can be a great way to potentially save tens of thousands of dollars but it's certainly not without its risks. You should spend time researching and doctors and hospitals and keep your recovery time in mind when planning your trip. Risks can be managed if you're careful and educate yourself and can help you make your experience a rewarding and healthy one.