The idea of crossing borders for health care can be unfamiliar…and perhaps even a little scary.
To help you with the basics of getting the best medical treatment abroad, here are some important dos and don’ts, based on my personal experiences as a medical traveler and interviews with countless patients.
1. Do plan ahead
The farther in advance you plan the more likely you are to get the best doctors, the lowest airfares and the best availability and rates on hotels—particularly if you’re traveling in peak season. If possible, start planning at least three months before your expected departure date.
2. Do be sure about your diagnosis and treatment needs
The more you know about the treatment you’re seeking the easier your search for a doctor will be. Work closely with your local doctor or medical specialist. Make sure you get exact recommendations in writing. If you lack confidence in your doctor’s diagnosis, seek a second opinion.
3. Do research your in-country doctor thoroughly
This is the most important step. When you’ve narrowed your search to two or three doctors, invest some time and money in personal telephone interviews, either directly with your candidate doctors or through a health travel planning agency. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—lots of them—until you feel comfortable that you have chosen a competent doctor.
4. Do get it in writing
Cost estimates, appointments, recommendations, opinions, second opinions, airline and hotel accommodations—get as much as you can in writing. And be sure to take all documentation with you on the plane. Email is fine—as long as you retain a written record of your key transactions. The more you get in writing the less chance there will be of a misunderstanding.
5. Do insist on using a language you understand
Many of us would like to have a better command of another language. But the time to brush up on your Mandarin is most definitely not when negotiating medical care. Comfortable, reliable communication with your key contacts is paramount to your success as a medical traveler.
6. Do tell your local doctors before you leave
Keep a good working relationship with your family doctor and local specialists. Although they may not particularly like that you’re traveling for medical care, most doctors will respect your decision.
7. Don’t return home too soon
After a cross-border trip, multiple consultations with doctors and staff and a painful or disorienting medical procedure, most folks feel ready to head home immediately. That’s understandable. But it’s not advisable. Your body needs time to recuperate. And your in-country doctor needs to track your recovery progress. When you’re planning your trip, ask your doctor how much recovery time is advised for your particular treatment. Then add a few extra days, just to be safe.
8. Don’t plan your trip too tightly
Don’t plan your trip with military precision. A missed consultation or an extra two days of recovery overseas can mean expensive rescheduling with airlines. A good rule of thumb is to add an extra day for every five days you anticipate for consultation, treatment and recovery.
9. Do get all your paperwork before leaving
Get copies of everything. No matter how eager you are to get well and get home, make sure you have full documentation on all procedures, treatments and follow-ups. Get receipts for everything.
10. Do trust your intuition
Your courage and good judgment have set you on the path to medical travel. Rely on your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable with your in-country consultation, switch doctors. If you get a queasy feeling about extra or uncharted costs, don’t be afraid to question them. Thousands of health travelers have beaten a well-worn path abroad, using good information and common sense. You can, too.
About the Author
As president of Healthy Travel Media and author of Patients Beyond Borders, Josef Woodman has toured more than 140 medical facilities in 22 countries.
| Big Surgeries: Comparative Costs | ||||||||
| Procedure | US Cost | India | Thailand | Singapore | Malaysia | Panama* | South Korea | Taiwan |
| Heart Bypass | $70,000-$133,000 | $7,000 | $22,000 | $16,300 | $12,000 | $10,500 | $31,750 | $27,500 |
| Heart Valve Replacement with Bypass | $75,000-$140,000 | $9,500 | $25,000 | $22,000 | $13,400 | $13,500 | $42,000 | $30,000 |
| Hip Replacement | $33,000-$57,000 | $10,200 | $12,700 | $12,000 | $7,500 | $5,500 | $10,600 | $8,800 |
| Knee Replacement | $30,000-$10,000 | $53,000 | $9,200 | $11,500 | $9,600 | $12,000 | $7,000 | $11,800 |
| Facelift | $10,500-$16,000 | $4,800 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $6,400 | $2,500 | $6,650 | $8,500 |
| Gastric Bypass | $35,000-$52,000 | $9,300 | $13,000 | $16,500 | $12,700 | $8,500 | $9,300 | $10,200 |
| Prostate Surgery (TURP) | $10,000-$16,000 | $3,600 | $4,400 | $5,300 | $4,600 | $3,200 | $3,150 | $2,750 |
*Doctors’ fees not included.
The above costs are for surgery, including hospital stay in a private single-bed room. Airfare and lodging costs are governed by individual preferences. To get a ballpark estimate of total costs add $5,000 for you and a companion, fi guring coach airfare and hotel rooms averaging $150 a night. For example, a hip replacement in Bangkok would cost about $18,000, for an estimated savings of $15,000 over treatment in the U.S. Source: Woodman, Josef. Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Travel. (2d ed.) Healthy Travel Media, 2008.
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