Before you go to another country to receive treatment, it is important that you understand all the details of the trip first. The information you obtain should entail all the procedures to be done, as well as all the institutions and medical experts included in your care. This will ensure that you only get the highest quality treatment and that you stay protected against possible scams and other errors. Here is the typical process of medical tourism.

The Process

A provider of medical tourism should be consulted initially by patients looking for medical attention overseas. The patient should give complete medical reports, such as the local doctor’s diagnosis and recommendations, current condition, current ailment, medical background and other pertinent data. Certified consultants and medical experts will then advise the patient on which medical treatment is right for the problem.

The patient should also be informed about the details of the trip, such as the tourist destinations, estimated costs of care, hospitals and medical institutions included and the duration of the stay. The patient will be provided with recommendation letters to obtain a medical visa. After the patient signs agreements and consent bonds, the embassy will procure the documents and finalize the visa and passport for travel.

The provider will appoint a case executive to handle the patient once he reaches the country abroad. The provider will manage items like accommodations, transportation, tours and treatment. The patient can choose to stay longer abroad or immediately return home after treatment, depending on the doctor’s recommendations.

Finding the Organizations

The Trent International Accreditation Scheme is the main body handling standards of care in the United Kingdom and Hongkong, while the Joint Commission International (JCI) is responsible for monitoring health care standards and providers in the United States. It is important that the patient is informed about the involved medical institutions handling his case. The type of scheme may differ in terms of size, cost and intensity of marketing. Dual accreditation is also available in some very competent agencies.

Laws and Regulations

The patient should be informed about the various laws and regulations regarding his care and the procedure to be done. For example, fertility clinics or in-vitro fertilization are not allowed or are strictly regulated in some countries. The patient may choose to travel abroad to take advantage of some lenient policies. He should also be informed about other related stipulations once he returns to the United States or the UK. Patients should also be informed about current epidemics and other high risk nations that still harbour infectious diseases, such as malaria, TB and HIV.

Patients in the end have the final say as to the type of care they wish to receive, as well as the institution they choose to deal with. The patient has the right to refuse treatment. Patients can also stay longer if they want to extend their vacation. These individuals should be informed about the different risks and possible complications involved in the medical procedure to be done. Follow-up treatment can be done back in their home country.

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A lot of people are wondering if their current insurance policy can cover medical tourism packages. You should know that some individuals have fallen prey to dishonest individuals who promise quality treatment and accommodations but are truly only interested in getting their cash quickly. Others experienced worse by being treated by doctors who are not truly experienced or qualified to perform different procedures and surgeries. Here are tips.

For Medical Tourism Operators

If facilitators are sued by the patient for negligent acts or unintentional misrepresentation of data, a policy regarding professional liability policy will then include the amount lawfully needed to be reimbursed by the facilitator, plus the costs for defense. The policy can be fixed to cover intellectual property, claims against the patient who has the insurance from actions of agents, consultants and sub-contractors, loss of documents, breach of confidential data, libel and slander and joint venture liability.

Personal accident insurance for operators of medical tourism is also available. This is the personal accident coverage that provides a pre-agreed amount, should the medical tourist become disabled permanently or dies during the medical tour or vacation. The compensation will be given immediately and can save beneficiaries from having to go through long and expensive litigation procedures.

The policy can be fixed to cover evacuation and repatriation, dismemberment or accidental death resulting from a medical process, permanent incapacitation because of medical procedure and hospitalization and medical expenses coming from the accident.

Availability of Insurance

Because of the widespread growth of medical tourism, insurance policies are now being made specifically for the tourists. Complications after the treatment can be paid for abroad or as soon as the patient returns home. The financial investment can also be protected. Coverage can range anywhere between $10,000 up to $100,000, while abroad and once the person returns home. Should you cancel your trip, you can get coverage up to $50,000. The traveling companion also gets benefits, such as travel accommodations. You will be covered including the amount that is non-refundable due to the medical hospital.

Medical evacuation coverage can reach up to $100,000. Acute diseases and injuries you acquire during the trip can be covered by insurance as well amounting up to $50,000.

Getting Serious

Majority of the tourists going abroad for treatment are not actually covered by the new available insurance policies. They will have to talk to agencies like Medicaid to look for relief and other answers if they go through bad experiences. Medical tourists do not usually go to other countries to get very serious operations, but only opt for more doable ones with fewer complications like plastic or cosmetic surgery.

If patients leave their home country to get very major operations abroad, they might secure an insurance policy, plus ask for accreditation from the medical institution they are visiting. They should also make sure that the attending physician and surgeon are fully competent and qualified for the procedure. The coverage of insurance will depend on the premium or package acquired and the condition of the patient.

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More and more medical tourists are going to different destinations each year to receive top quality treatment and world class accommodations. As a medical tourist, you get several advantages such as lower expenses, friendly accommodations and getting to see new sights and scenarios. You have to learn some tips first before you go abroad to stay safe and avoid any further complications. Here is some more information before you travel.

Doing Research

All experts highly recommend patients to do a lot of research first before they travel abroad. They can become victims to scams and unscrupulous individuals. Some may become victims of medical malpractice and other errors because the medical institution failed to comply with the given standards or does not have sufficient accreditation.

First, study and review the procedure you are going through. Are you healthy physically and mentally to undergo treatment? Know the different effects, results, risks and possible complications that can arise. You should also consider the health risks and other potential complications that may arise from traveling far distances or staying cramped inside the plane after surgery or treatment. Determine how much time you will need off from work, how long the treatment will take, if you need follow-up care and how long before you can return to your home country. Also check if you will need other types of treatment afterwards like physical therapy, etc.

Hospital and Surgeon Background

Since more and more hospitals are getting into medical tourism, you should now check for accreditation to ensure that the standards and medical practices sufficiently meet the requirements set by the biggest agencies. Check for accreditation by the JCI, Trent, ISO, JCAHO, etc. You can also compare hospitals and pick the ones that have received numerous awards and achievements.

Identify the success rate, which means how many successful operations and treatments have been done. The figures may be displayed in percentage. Check the available equipment and facilities and how often the institution upgrades these. You should also determine which particular procedures the hospital is known to be good at. Check if majority of the staff understands English or are English-speaking.

Talk to the surgeon who will be doing the surgery. Ask the necessary questions, such as your diet and exercise regimen days before the operation, medical and health hazards, possible risks and complications, medication regimen afterwards and the duration of hospitalization. You should ensure that the doctor is well-experienced in the type of surgery to be done. Ask for some referrals and talk to previous patients to get the full details.

Preparing the Documents

Some foreign countries will not require you to get a visa, but will require you to stay only for a limited period, such as 60 to 90 days. You should consider the distance and talk to your local physician to update him about the developments. Prepare your passport and visa, credit cards, traveler’s check, identification cards, driver’s license, etc. You should include IDs with your photo and full information on it, just in case you get lost or accidents occur.

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