5 Things to Consider Before Traveling for Medical Tourism

Before you set off on your medical tourism adventure, there are some things you should consider.

1. Are you ready to take control of your own health?

Medical tourists have decided to surmount the barriers to their care on their own, rather than take what the healthcare system gives them and make the best of it. This can be empowering or scary, depending on your attitude and how you arrange your trip. When you're working with SkyMedicus, you have access to your provider and hospitals credentials, can ask questions, and get assistance figuring out the details. You'll be empowered with the information you need to make the best choices for you.

2. What are your options at home?

What are the barriers to receiving care in your home country?  For many people, the answer is cost. Most medical procedures are much more affordable in other countries. For other people, even if they can afford to have their procedure done at home, they are not enthusiastic about the shared rooms,  inefficiency, and overworked staffs of American hospitals. In other countries they have access to a higher level of care—private rooms, a dedicated nurse, support during their recovery time—making care abroad much more appealing. Still others are refused, either by their providers or their insurance. Knowing your reasons for seeking medical care abroad will help you identify your priorities for your medical tourism experience.

3. Are the savings worth it?

Before you decide to travel for medical care, you'll want to crunch some numbers. How much will you save by traveling abroad for care?  There are some procedures, like vasectomies and minimal dental work that usually don't work out to be less expensive when you add the cost of travel. For other procedures, you may save 25-75% by traveling, even counting the price of a plane ticket.

4. What kind of preparation is necessary?

Just like any international trip, you'll need to know what kind of paperwork (passport, visas, etc) are required to travel to the country where you'll have your medical procedure. You can get this information from the US government.  Before your trip, consult with your doctor at home about any necessary shots or precautions you should take to safely travel in your procedure country, as well as preparations for your procedure.

5. What will your recovery be like?

When you talk with your provider before leaving for your procedure, don't forget to ask about your recovery. You'll need to know how long you'll need to stay in the country before you travel, and if you'll need any routine follow-up care. If you don't have to stay in the hospital for the duration of your visit, you'll need to find out about options for a hotel or a rehabilitation center—something SkyMedicus can help with. Our network includes some of the most beautiful places in the world, making for a pleasant recovery.

Contact the SkyMedicus Team today to learn more about how we can prepare you for your medical tourism experience.

Topics: Medical Tourism