Healthcare Abroad

Greater numbers of medical tourists are seeking affordable health care abroad to avoid high health-care costs and lengthy waiting lists at home. Others are dismayed with the unreasonable constraints their health-care insurance policy places on them, seeking treatment elsewhere at their own expensive.

Among the leaders in the growing industry of health care abroad, Thailand and India are hugely popular destinations for their affordable, high quality treatments while South American cosmetic surgery giants Brazil and Argentina are drawing increasing numbers of patients with their attractively priced plastic surgeries. Meanwhile, Cuba, Mexico and Costa Rica are seeing large numbers of mostly US patients arrive for dental care.

By seeking health care abroad, you may be able to make a significant saving on the price of treatment in your home country. For example, Indian hospitals offer heart valve replacement surgery at US$10,000 while the same procedure costs about US$200,000 in a US hospital. Even including the price of airfares, post-treatment accommodation and a sightseeing holiday, many patients make a saving.

Not only are people seeking elective health-care procedures abroad such as laser tooth whitening and spa therapies, but they are also seeking serious medical surgeries such as bypass heart surgery, hip replacement surgery and organ transplants. Cosmetic and dental procedures as well as alternative therapies are also becoming popular among people seeking health care abroad.

Health-care abroad providers are able to make all necessary arrangements for patients, from hospital appointments and travel visas to post-surgery care and accommodation. Typically a health-care abroad representative will meet the patient and the airport and then lead them through the entire process.

It is important to choose a health-care provider with caution as many global facilities offer treatment below international standards. It is best to seek a hospital that has been accredited by a reputable health board so that in the event of any malpractice you will have recourse to compensation.