Everything You Need To Know Before Seeking Medical Treatment Abroad

Are you looking for a way to save money on the cost of your health care? If so, you may have thought about pursuing medical tourism. Medical tourism involves seeking medical care in another country in an effort to save money on the cost of your healthcare while also preserving the quality of the care you receive. Medical tourism is popular because some countries do not offer the same quality care as others. Furthermore, healthcare can be exceedingly expensive in some countries when compared to others, causing people to pursue medical care elsewhere. If you want to ensure your medical tourism journey is hassle-free, there are several important points you should keep in mind.

What To Expect

If you are interested in pursuing medical tourism, you should have several expectations. They include:

Do Your Homework: You should expect to do your homework. You do not want to sacrifice the quality of your medical care, so you should still do your research and figure out what countries are best for the specific types of procedures you require. You should also do your homework to figure out what you should expect to pay. Just because you can save money through medical tourism doesn’t mean that you will. You may come across some countries that are more expensive.
Language Barriers: Depending on where you are coming from and where you are going, you may run into a few language barriers. If you speak English, you should be fine just about everywhere you go; however, as you are researching hospitals, make sure you ask about potential language problems. You must be able to communicate with the medical professionals who are treating you.
Questions From Your Primary Care Doctor: If you are pursuing medical tourism, there is a chance that you are looking for something other than primary care. Your primary care doctor may have already referred you to a specialist nearby, so he or she may be surprised to hear that you are pursuing medical tourism. Make sure you keep your primary care doctor in the loop. He or she will want to know what is happening.
Procedural Differences: You should also expect to run into a few procedural differences when you travel overseas. Even simple procedures might be performed differently depending on where you go. For example, some countries may have a different standard regarding dental implants. You should expect the doctor to give you an opportunity to ask questions before the procedure begins.
Local Culture: Even though you expect most hospitals to handle things the same way, you should expect the local culture to pervade during your stay. Just because you are interested in medical tourism doesn’t mean the local culture is going to wait at the door. Be prepared to embrace the local culture during their time there.

These are a few of the top expectations you should have if you pursue medical tourism overseas. As a result, you need to plan accordingly.

Things To Plan

If you want your medical tourism trip to proceed smoothly, it is important for you to plan everything out ahead of time. That way, you can save money and minimize the amount of time you spend waiting. Some of the key items you need to plan for your trip include:

Your Doctors: Who are you going to see? You need to have a list of the doctors you will see during your medical tourism venture. Do your research ahead of time and figure out what doctors you want to take care of you. Then, make sure you have documents with the doctor’s name, address, appointment time, location, and contact information. This will be important if you encounter hurdles.
Your Flights: You also need to have information regarding your flight. What time does your flight leave? Where does it leave from? Do you have any connecting flights you need to catch? Do you need to worry about time differences? Make sure you have all the information you need regarding airplane flights. You should also have the address of the airport so you can tell the taxi driver where to go.
Shuttles: You may want to set up your taxi trips ahead of time. Your phone may not work overseas without a cellular data plan. Therefore, you might have a difficult time requesting a rideshare vehicle. If you schedule your shuttle trips ahead of time, make sure you have information for them. Know what time the shuttle is picking you up, where you are supposed to meet the shuttle, and where the shuttle is taking you. That way, you aren’t stuck hailing a cab at the last minute.
Cell Phone: Speaking of your cell phone, you need to have a plan in place for this as well. Do you want to purchase an overseas data plan? If not, you need to make sure you put your phone in airplane mode. You should also try to connect your phone to the internet when you can. That way, you can stay in touch with people back home.
Your Hotels: Where are you going to stay during your medical tourism trip? There are some situations where you might have to spend a few nights in the hospital; however, when you get released from the hospital, where would you stay? Make sure you have the dates of your stay, the address of the hotel, and the location.
Currency: You should make sure you have valid currency wherever you go. Even though you may have credit cards that work overseas, you should always have some cash available. That way, you can pay for things that they do not accept with a credit card. You might also need some cash to tip people who help you along the way. You might want to do some research on the local culture to see if you are expected to tip people.
Your Travel Agency: If you set up your medical tourism trip to a travel agency, you should also have their contact information. That way, if you have questions about where you are supposed to go, where you are supposed to stay, or what you need to do, you can reach out to the travel agency for help.

These are a few of the most important things you should plan ahead of time. In addition, you need to make sure you have everything with you before you leave.

Travel Checklist

Before you step out the door, you need to have the most important things with you. Even though you probably already have your toiletries, clothing, and luggage, there are several critical items you need to make sure you have with you. They include:

Your Passport: One of the most important items you need to have is your passport. You will have a difficult time getting out of your country without one. Make sure your passport is up-to-date, and make sure you keep it in a safe place. You might also want to keep a copy of your passport somewhere in case you lose the original. You may need a copy if you have to go to the embassy.
Your Visa: Your passport will allow you to leave your home country, but you will need a visa to get into your new country. Depending on where you are coming from, you may or may not need a visa. For example, if you are traveling from the United States, there are lots of countries that do not require you to have a visa unless you are staying there for a certain number of days. Take a look at the travel requirements ahead of time, and request a visa if you need one.
Health Insurance Card: If you are still going to use health insurance as a part of your medical tourism trip, you need to bring your health insurance card with you. Make sure your health insurance card is up to date, and remember that you may have separate cards for dental procedures, vision procedures, and other medical procedures.
Medical Records: You should also bring your medical records with you. Even though you may think that the hospital has your medical records already, you should bring a copy of them just in case. You might want to print out multiple copies of your medical records if you are going to multiple doctors during your trip.
Any Medications You Take: If you take prescription medications, you need to bring them with you. If you are going to be gone a long time, you may want to talk to your primary care doctor to get a few refills. That way, you have enough medications to keep you stable during your trip. You should put these in a clear plastic bag for airport security.

If you have all of these items, you should be ready for your trip. Do not forget to bring other items you typically bring on domestic trips, such as your toiletries, clothes, and cash or credit cards. You might also want to bring earplugs and an eye mask for the plane.

When To Consider Medical Tourism Traveling Agencies

Even though you might be able to set up your medical tourism trip on your own, you might also be wondering when to consider hiring a medical tourism travel agency for help. Some of the situations where you may want to reach out to a medical tourism travel agency include:

If you are running into a lot of language barriers during your planning, you may want to reach out to a professional travel agency. They can communicate with hospitals and doctors on your behalf, getting everything arranged for you.
If you are trying to get more than one procedure performed at a time, you may want to rely on a travel agency. You will probably be gone for a lot longer, so you need a travel agency to help you with the planning process. They might be able to help you secure a visa as well.
If you are having a difficult time figuring out which doctor you want to work with, a travel agency can help you. A medical tourism travel agency has a lot of experience working with a variety of doctors scattered all over the world. They can help you find the right doctor for your needs.
Most people are trying to save money through medical tourism. If you feel like you can’t afford the trip, you may want to reach out to a medical tourism travel agency. A lot of these travel agencies have connections with doctors, hotels, and airlines. They might be able to use the connections to help you save money.

These are a few of the most common situations where you might want to work with a medical tourism travel agency. A medical tourism travel agency can help you set up medical tourism trips in a variety of countries, including:

💡 One of the best benefits of medical tourism is that a patient can have easier and faster access to health care services. Numerous developed countries do not have quick access to several medical procedures and keep long waiting lists.
Read related blog : The 9 Best Countries for Medical Tourism

Colombia

If you need medical tourism in Colombia, you may want to reach out to MedTour Colombia. This is an organization run by medical professionals with a number of years of experience. They specialize in plastic surgery, dental care, and other surgical procedures. They are based in Medellin, Colombia, and they can help you plan your trip from start to finish. You can contact them at hello@medtourco.com.

Spain

Medical Stay Group is a medical tourism agency based in Spain. The group can not only help you save money but also find Quality Healthcare. They have been in the industry for more than five years, and they have connections with multiple Hospitals and Clinics that can help you find the best professional to meet your needs. They also give you the personalized care you deserve. You can contact Medical Stay Group at +34 658 91 29 51.

Thailand

Doctors In Thailand is one of the top agencies in Thailand that help people find the doctors they need. The goal of the platform is to connect International patients to hospitals that can accommodate their needs. Because they have a network with numerous medical professionals across the country, they can also help you save money. You can learn more about Doctors In Thailand here.

Turkey

Dasein Healthcare is a travel agency based in Turkey that can help you with your medical tourism needs from top to bottom. They can help you find the right doctor to help you, they can address language barriers, and they can walk you through the treatment process from the initial planning stages until you arrive back home. You can contact Dasein Healthcare at +90 544 432 43 36.

South Korea

Docfinder Korea is a medical tourism travel agency in South Korea. This is a specialty service that can not only overcome language barriers but also find the best hospital to meet your needs. With countless people coming to South Korea every year, this is a travel agency that has years of experience pairing people with the right doctor here regardless of whether you have questions about your flight, specialty care, or travel accommodations. This is a travel agency that can help you. In addition to speaking English, the travel agency can also handle Chinese, Indonesian, and Russian. You can contact them here.

Mexico

If you need help with medical tourism in Mexico, then you may want to visit Medical Tourism Mexico. This is a travel agency that can handle everything related to your visit. They can help you locate specialty care, find the best hospital, and arrange hotel accommodations for you. They also offer financing for people all over the world, and their travel agents speak English. All of their travel agents have five years of experience in the field, and they focus on total transparency and I can help you save money. Learn more about Medical Tourism Mexico here.

India

If you are looking for a travel agency that can help you with travel to India, then you may want to reach out to HealGuru. They specialize in helping people plan surgical procedures and long-term therapy plans. They can help you schedule trips not only in India but all over the world. You can contact HealGuru at +91 73032 00696 or by emailing them at info@healgugu.in.

Vietnam

Medical Tourism Vietnam is one of the top travel agencies in Vietnam for helping you find Affordable Dental Care, surgical procedures, and chronic medical care abroad. They can help you plan your plane flight, hotel accommodations, and get you to and from the hospital. They can also arrange financing for your visit. You can learn more about Medical Tourism Vietnam and its doctors here.

Bulgaria

JMB Travel Bulgaria is one of the top medical tourism companies in Bulgaria. This is a family-run travel agency that always puts the needs of its guests first. They have connections with local doctors, and they can help you find the best specialist to meet your needs. They help countless people every year, and they have the experience necessary to help you as well. You can learn more about JMB Travel here.

What To Expect

If you are interested in pursuing medical tourism, you should have several expectations. They include:

Do Your Homework: You should expect to do your homework. You do not want to sacrifice the quality of your medical care, so you should still do your research and figure out what countries are best for the specific types of procedures you require. You should also do your homework to figure out what you should expect to pay. Just because you can save money through medical tourism doesn’t mean that you will. You may come across some countries that are more expensive.
Language Barriers: Depending on where you are coming from and where you are going, you may run into a few language barriers. If you speak English, you should be fine just about everywhere you go; however, as you are researching hospitals, make sure you ask about potential language problems. You must be able to communicate with the medical professionals who are treating you.
Questions From Your Primary Care Doctor: If you are pursuing medical tourism, there is a chance that you are looking for something other than primary care. Your primary care doctor may have already referred you to a specialist nearby, so he or she may be surprised to hear that you are pursuing medical tourism. Make sure you keep your primary care doctor in the loop. He or she will want to know what is happening.
Procedural Differences: You should also expect to run into a few procedural differences when you travel overseas. Even simple procedures might be performed differently depending on where you go. For example, some countries may have a different standard regarding dental implants. You should expect the doctor to give you an opportunity to ask questions before the procedure begins.
Local Culture: Even though you expect most hospitals to handle things the same way, you should expect the local culture to pervade during your stay. Just because you are interested in medical tourism doesn’t mean the local culture is going to wait at the door. Be prepared to embrace the local culture during their time there.

These are a few of the top expectations you should have if you pursue medical tourism overseas. As a result, you need to plan accordingly.

Things To Plan

Your Doctors: Who are you going to see? You need to have a list of the doctors you will see during your medical tourism venture. Do your research ahead of time and figure out what doctors you want to take care of you. Then, make sure you have documents with the doctor’s name, address, appointment time, location, and contact information. This will be important if you encounter hurdles.
Your Flights: You also need to have information regarding your flight. What time does your flight leave? Where does it leave from? Do you have any connecting flights you need to catch? Do you need to worry about time differences? Make sure you have all the information you need regarding airplane flights. You should also have the address of the airport so you can tell the taxi driver where to go.
Shuttles: You may want to set up your taxi trips ahead of time. Your phone may not work overseas without a cellular data plan. Therefore, you might have a difficult time requesting a rideshare vehicle. If you schedule your shuttle trips ahead of time, make sure you have information for them. Know what time the shuttle is picking you up, where you are supposed to meet the shuttle, and where the shuttle is taking you. That way, you aren’t stuck hailing a cab at the last minute.
Cell Phone: Speaking of your cell phone, you need to have a plan in place for this as well. Do you want to purchase an overseas data plan? If not, you need to make sure you put your phone in airplane mode. You should also try to connect your phone to the internet when you can. That way, you can stay in touch with people back home.
Your Hotels: Where are you going to stay during your medical tourism trip? There are some situations where you might have to spend a few nights in the hospital; however, when you get released from the hospital, where would you stay? Make sure you have the dates of your stay, the address of the hotel, and the location.
Currency: You should make sure you have valid currency wherever you go. Even though you may have credit cards that work overseas, you should always have some cash available. That way, you can pay for things that they do not accept with a credit card. You might also need some cash to tip people who help you along the way. You might want to do some research on the local culture to see if you are expected to tip people.
Your Travel Agency: If you set up your medical tourism trip to a travel agency, you should also have their contact information. That way, if you have questions about where you are supposed to go, where you are supposed to stay, or what you need to do, you can reach out to the travel agency for help.

These are a few of the most important things you should plan ahead of time. In addition, you need to make sure you have everything with you before you leave.

Travel Checklist

Your Passport: One of the most important items you need to have is your passport. You will have a difficult time getting out of your country without one. Make sure your passport is up-to-date, and make sure you keep it in a safe place. You might also want to keep a copy of your passport somewhere in case you lose the original. You may need a copy if you have to go to the embassy.
Your Visa: Your passport will allow you to leave your home country, but you will need a visa to get into your new country. Depending on where you are coming from, you may or may not need a visa. For example, if you are traveling from the United States, there are lots of countries that do not require you to have a visa unless you are staying there for a certain number of days. Take a look at the travel requirements ahead of time, and request a visa if you need one.
Health Insurance Card: If you are still going to use health insurance as a part of your medical tourism trip, you need to bring your health insurance card with you. Make sure your health insurance card is up to date, and remember that you may have separate cards for dental procedures, vision procedures, and other medical procedures.
Medical Records: You should also bring your medical records with you. Even though you may think that the hospital has your medical records already, you should bring a copy of them just in case. You might want to print out multiple copies of your medical records if you are going to multiple doctors during your trip.
Any Medications You Take: If you take prescription medications, you need to bring them with you. If you are going to be gone a long time, you may want to talk to your primary care doctor to get a few refills. That way, you have enough medications to keep you stable during your trip. You should put these in a clear plastic bag for airport security.

When To Consider Medical Tourism Traveling Agencies

If you are running into a lot of language barriers during your planning, you may want to reach out to a professional travel agency. They can communicate with hospitals and doctors on your behalf, getting everything arranged for you.
If you are trying to get more than one procedure performed at a time, you may want to rely on a travel agency. You will probably be gone for a lot longer, so you need a travel agency to help you with the planning process. They might be able to help you secure a visa as well.
If you are having a difficult time figuring out which doctor you want to work with, a travel agency can help you. A medical tourism travel agency has a lot of experience working with a variety of doctors scattered all over the world. They can help you find the right doctor for your needs.
Most people are trying to save money through medical tourism. If you feel like you can’t afford the trip, you may want to reach out to a medical tourism travel agency. A lot of these travel agencies have connections with doctors, hotels, and airlines. They might be able to use the connections to help you save money.

💡 One of the best benefits of medical tourism is that a patient can have easier and faster access to health care services. Numerous developed countries do not have quick access to several medical procedures and keep long waiting lists.
Read related blog : The 9 Best Countries for Medical Tourism

What To Expect

Things To Plan

Travel Checklist