More and more people from the west are going to Asia to try medical tourism. You may be surprised to know that you can save much more and get more perks and advantages by getting treated far away from home. It is important that you only deal with reliable institutions too, so that you can ensure that operations stay safe and successful. Learn more about the process and find out the different benefits of going through one program.

A Brief Description

Medical tourism is described as the process of going to a different country to get medical treatment. Some of the common procedures done to traveling patients include dental work, heart surgery, plastic surgery and hip replacement. Based on the location and the type of procedure to be done, a medical trip can usually cost you anywhere between 10% and 50% of what you expect to pay in your own country.

The main advantage of medical tourism is that it provides a cheaper means to get the type of treatment done, even if you consider other expenses like hotel accommodations, air fare, car rental services, dining and shopping. These are cheaper than domestic health care because of a variety of factors. Expect to get the same standard treatment or even better with top quality institutions from other nations. Some of the most popular medical tourism stops include Singapore, Thailand, Argentina and the Philippines.

Undergoing Treatment

Patients can travel halfway across the globe to receive various types of health care, including alternative care, psychiatric treatment, convalescent care and even for burial. Customers and service or health care providers from the other country usually communicate through informal means, to hasten the process and avoid very strict legal oversight. More than 50 countries have been named as a medical tourism destination. Some of these consider medical tourism as a major industry and are creating better buildings, facilities, equipment, as well as researching newer technologies to stay updated.

It is important that you research more about the institution and country you are eyeing on, since there are also unscrupulous agencies offering seemingly quality services and care online. You should talk to the right people and also communicate with previous patients to get honest feedback on what to expect about your treatment and vacation.

Things to Expect

A medical tourism package usually includes all the other factors to ensure that you have a safe, successful and enjoyable trip. Patients will be given preliminary meetings and diagnostic procedures before the actual surgery or treatment. They will also be given time to explore and tour around the new country to get the most out of their vacation. Expect to stay anywhere between 3 and 10 days when going to another country.

Today, Asian countries are the most popular destinations, with more and more Americans traveling to the East each year. European countries like Hungary, Ireland and Belgium are also offering excellent medical services. You can include a few personal reasons to determine which destination will fit your situation best.

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There are now around 50 countries recognized as medical tourism destinations. If you’re eyeing on vacationing in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, you have to learn more about the country and culture. It is very important that you also research more about the technologies available and the recent updates that each nation and institution has that applies to your specific condition. Here are some guidelines on the hot places and what to look for.

The Middle East

Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel are among the hottest countries to visit when going for medical tourism in the Middle East. Israel is quickly becoming a medical tourist hot spot, with over 15,000 visitors entering the country in 2006. In-vitro fertilization is one of the most popular procedures that foreigners go for in Israel. They also wish to view the Dead Sea, plus other historical and biblical landmarks.

Jordan is quickly growing as a medical tourism hotspot. In 2007 alone, over 200,000 visitors went and brought in more than $1 billion in revenue. Most of the foreigners come from Iraq, Sudan and Palestine. Compared to prices of health care in the United States, expect to save as much 75% on treatment. The World Bank rated Jordan 5th worldwide as a medical tourism hotspot.

The UAE or United Arab Emirates has also upgraded a lot of their equipment, facilities and practices to become competitive in the global market. More hospitals are aiming to get accreditation from the biggest agencies to attract more foreigners.

Asia and the Pacific

China is a favorite among medical tourists because of its unique approach to treatment. Chinese hospitals and institutions are widely known for fusing modern medical practices and technology with traditional Chinese medicine and therapeutic techniques. Stem cell treatment is one of the most common procedures that visitors go to China for. China is also very rich in culture, so you get the most out of your vacation by choosing this country.

Hong Kong is another popular medical tourist hub. All 12 private hospitals are accredited by Trent and ensure that patients only get the highest quality and standard of care available. Dual international accreditation is also acquired by the hospitals, with the second being from JCI. Hong Kong hospitals boast of having the latest technologies and equipment to ensure patient safety and well-being.

More Asian Destinations

Taiwan aims to become a big medical tourism center in the years to come. The government has been very active in providing funds and campaigns to help boost and advertise the different programs offered by hospitals and medical institutions. Some of the reasons that visitors go to Taiwan include the low cost of procedures and the many shopping places available. Some of the popular procedures that foreigners usually go for include bone marrow transplant, liver transplant, plastic surgery and joint replacement surgery.

Westerners prefer going to Asia because of its rich culture and cheap costs. You get the advantage of getting great packages and the best in accommodations and transportation. People in Asia are also known to be very warm and hospitable, making the places very ideal for both medical treatment and vacationing.

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There are about 50 countries you can choose from to get medical treatment. Some of these countries offer the best hospitals and treatments, while others also have very colorful culture and experiences to add. Whatever your choice may be, it is important that you learn more about the country to blend well with the locals and have the vacation of your life. Here are some more nations that decided to become globally competitive in medical tourism.

Thailand

Thailand is the number one choice of most medical tourists because of its wide range of medical expertise and the several available tourist hotspots all over the country. Medical tourism has significantly grown in Thailand in the past few years. A single hospital in 2005 admitted 150,000 foreign patients. Some of the procedures sought after by patients include cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, cosmetic surgery, organ transplant and dental work. Some other procedures include physical therapy, mental treatment and spa.

The cost of health care in Thailand is also very cheap. Expect to pay only 10% to 25% of what you are charged in the United States. Several hospitals also have interpreters so that patients can communicate better with doctors. Most hospitals have English-speaking staff too. Today, several hospitals in the nation are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization and JCI. Traveling to Thailand will expose you to a variety of world class resorts, restaurants and other popular sights and events.

European Choices

Even though Asian and South American countries are the most popular choices, Europe has also grown in medical tourism. There are so many European nations now offering medical tourism packages, such as Germany, Hungary, Malta, Spain, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland and Lithuana. The Czech Republic primarily focuses on spas and health care that competes with the best in the world.

Germany is another top destination because of its state of the art equipment, very high standards and modern facilities. All citizens have health coverage. Waitlists are also considerably shorter in Germany and cost of treatment is 50% cheaper compared to America. Middle Eastern patients now prefer going to Germany instead of the United States because of the very strict regulations since the September 11, 2001 attack.

New Zealand and Mexico

New Zealand is new to the list of medical tourist hotspots. Several of the hospitals in New Zealand are accredited internationally. The cost of surgery is especially cheaper by around 80% compared to the United States. You also get to enjoy tranquil scenes and a very safe environment when vacationing this side of the world.

Mexico is a popular spot for Americans who live very near the border. The specialty treatments of the country are plastic surgery and dental work. The cost of care in Mexico is only 20% the cost you pay for in America. Medical tourists going to Mexico report that treatment and accommodations are very satisfactory. A lot of foreigners also go to Mexico each year to undergo lap band surgery and bariatric surgery to reduce weight.

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When traveling to another country to get medical treatment, it is important that you make the necessary preparations first to stay safe and healthy. Recovery is essential, so stay away from stress by having all your things ready. Planning and making reservations early will help you eliminate other troubles and let you enjoy your vacation fully. Before you go to any new country, learn a few things first and find out what to expect during your visit.

What’s Your Reason?

Determine your primary reason for needing to go abroad to seek medical treatment. First of all, you have to consider your medical reason. Are you going to get plastic surgery? Do you have heart or liver problems? Are you only going for dental work? Do you have life-threatening disease? Do you need to have an organ replaced? Some countries are known to be experts at specific procedures, so eye on these destinations to ensure that you are dealing with competent and well-trained staff and institutions.

Some people also wish to go abroad to seek medical treatment because of the cheaper rates and the opportunity to learn more about unique cultures and religious practices. Compare prices between countries. In Asia you get to pay anywhere between 25% and 75% less than what you expect in the United States or United Kingdom. Also study the different countries and try to go to places you’ve always dreamed of visiting like Thailand, China or the Philippines.

Getting Screened

You need to go through a full physical assessment and have diagnostic tests first before going abroad. Your condition can get worse or you may develop complications from traveling or staying cramped in an airplane for several hours. Some of the known complications include clogged blood vessels, immobility and severe headache. Get two or more doctors to screen you completely and give you the thumbs up to travel to other parts of the globe before booking your ticket. Some patients are not allowed to travel unless they display normal health levels. Some of the things your doctor will check include your blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, mental ability and other physical signs.

Making Reservations

Before choosing any medical institution, make sure that it is accredited with the known agencies, such as JCI and Trent. Other national accreditations will also help, to ensure that you are only dealing with legitimate and experienced medical doctors. Also find out more about the hospital and check if they have the latest technology and equipment when dealing with your case. You can talk to a travel agent to help you book hotel reservations and other trip plans to vacation comfortably before and after the medical procedure.

Finalize all the details such as mode of transportation once you arrive, tour schedules and dining places. It is recommended that you bring at least one other person with you during your medical tour to ensure that you stay safe and healthy. Stay abroad for 3 to 10 days more after the scheduled day of treatment so that you can recuperate fully and avoid complications post-operation. A vehicle should be made ready for you once you get to the airport and at the hospital or hotel before and after the procedure.

Research more about the place you are visiting and bring the necessary items such as an alarm clock, medications, a cellular phone or your laptop, maps and money or credit cards. You might need to learn a few foreign lines to know your way around and communicate well with the locals.

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