There are many reasons why medical tourism is a good idea.
Medical tourism has helped countless patients get the treatment they need more affordably and conveniently.
The procedures offered by medical tourism clinics are the same as those provided at home but cost less because insurance companies do not cover them.
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is the exercise of traveling to another country for medical treatment. While this may seem counterintuitive, the cost of medical care in other countries can be much lower than what’s available in other countries.
People can save time and money by going abroad for treatment, which also results in better quality care depending on where they go. Some countries have more advanced technology than others, and some have lower prices for specialized treatments only available there.
What are the potential upsides or downsides of medical tourism?
1. The cultural difference between the patient and their doctor is an issue
One of the most common complaints about medical tourism is its difficulty in communicating with doctors who speak different languages.
It is an issue for people who need to be fluent in the language said at their destination. Still, it also means that patients may be unable to communicate when they return home and need follow-up care.
Additionally, cultural differences could lead doctors to recommend treatment methods or medications that patients need help understanding or are unfamiliar with the drugs.
Patients familiar with these treatments and cures may be less likely to accept them as part of their ongoing health plan.
2. There’s also a need for more data on medical tourism
There’s also a need for more data on medical tourism, so there needs to be a way to know what kind of risks or benefits it presents.
A lot of the information out there is anecdotal and not scientific. Some people do not want to travel for medical treatment, but others do.
3. Patients can get lower rates on insurance and reasonable procedures
If a patient’s medical treatment is covered by their insurance provider, they will pay much less for a medical trip abroad.
In addition to saving money on medical care, patients may also save on travel expenses (airfare, hotel, and food). Their insurance provider may reimburse them for all these costs once they return home.
Many people choose to fly to their destination country instead of driving there because flying is more convenient than driving—and it can be cheaper too.
Different types of procedures and their pricing for medical tourism
1. Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a surgical measure to improve the size of breasts. The surgery is done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.
The surgery takes one to two hours and requires stitches that dissolve over time.
The cost of breast augmentation in the U.S., without insurance coverage, ranges from $5,500 for saline implants to $8,000 for silicone gel-filled implants (the difference is due to the materials used).
In addition to medical tourism costs and recovery time being less than those associated with surgical procedures performed in the United States, there are other benefits related to having cosmetic or corrective surgery overseas.
2. Botox and Dysport
Botox and Dysport are used to treat wrinkles. Botox is made from the botulism toxin, while Dysport is made from the botulinum toxin A.
Botox and Dysport work by relaxing face muscles: which can cause wrinkles on someone’s face. The doctor injects these products into the skin to reduce or eliminate wrinkles and fine lines on the front.
Botox and Dysport can vary depending on who is using it for treatment, but it typically costs around $300-600 per session (or up to $1500 if one has multiple sessions).
3. Breast Lift
A breast lift is a surgical strategy to elevate the breasts by removing extra skin and tightening or reshaping the underlying breast tissue. It is used to correct drooping breasts and restore volume and shape to the breasts after weight loss.
A breast lift may be performed under general anesthesia, but some surgeons also perform it while patients are awake (local anesthesia).
Breast lifts typically take between two and four hours to complete. The results of a breast lift include an improved shape and size of breasts, with less sagging or wrinkling than before surgery.
The cost of a breast lift varies mainly depending on where someone lives;
It costs anywhere from $5,000 to $11,000 per patient in the United States.
4. Orthopedic Surgery
Though most think of medical tourism in the sense of saving money the other aspect to consider is expertise. Finding experts in the field that offer cutting edge medicine, and often the price goes along with it, can be difficult. A good example of this is platelet rich plasma treatments (PRP). Which is a procedure that has many uses but is finding many applications in orthopedics. Providers can be found in the US and Europe.
What should people look for in medical tourism?
A wide range of medical procedures and treatments
When searching for a medical tourism destination, the country must have various medical procedures and treatments available.
This way, patients can find the right doctor and book their system as soon as possible. The best destinations offer everything from cosmetic surgery to dental care to fertility treatments.
When choosing a destination, ensure they offer various services so one can get everything done at once without traveling worldwide.
Does the FDA approve it?
The FDA is a good start when looking for quality medical tourism. The FDA does not have the power to approve or deny any treatment, but it sets safety and effectiveness standards.
If a company meets those standards, it can say that its product or service is FDA-approved.
But even though something has FDA approval, it still needs to be safe and effective; many companies get approved to say they’re official.
Some treatments are hazardous and may cause more harm than good, yet those procedures will still be called “FDA-approved.”
Does the country/state allow the procedure?
When researching medical tourism, patients need to ask questions: Does the country/state allow the procedure they are interested in?
If not, can they go somewhere else and pay for it? How long will it take to outright the process, and is this acceptable to them?
Is their insurance plan good enough to cover any expenses incurred while abroad, or do they have a pre-existing condition clause that will prevent me from having the procedure done at all?
Qualified expertise whom they can trust
For most medical procedures, the doctor must have experience with the system they seek.
The same principle applies when looking for doctors who speak the patient’s language; they want someone who speaks English well enough to clearly understand what needs to happen during treatment or follow-up care.
Conclusion
Medical tourism is an important topic that deserves much attention. It can be an incredible opportunity for people who don’t have access to good medical care at home and want to travel abroad for treatment.
The critical sense is that one should always research before making big decisions like this one.