The Danger of Medical Tourism!

What can appear to be an attractive and relatively cheap prospect for those considering some form of plastic surgery, can often turn into an expensive nightmare. The perils of medical tourism.

Within the UK, and particularly with regards to plastic surgery, there are more and more people turning to what is known as medical or ‘health tourism’. That is traveling abroad to have work carried out, lured by the incentive of cheaper prices and the prospect of a holiday thrown in.

Last month’s ‘Health Tourism Show’ at Kensington’s Olympia was proof of its growing popularity, with seminars and exhibitors enticing visitors by highlighting the massive savings that could be made compared with current UK prices.

But what might seem to be an attractive proposition at first can often wind up costing far more than it would to have stayed at home.

Leading consultant cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, Mrs. CC Kat highlights the case of 42-year-old mother-of-two, Jacqueline Evans whose dream cosmetic surgery holiday to Poland for a tummy tuck quickly turned into a living nightmare.

“Mrs. Evans, like many others, took the perfectly reasonable decision to have a tummy tuck to improve her self-image and boost her confidence. She discovered that it was possible to get the operation done in Poland for half of what she would pay here and naturally decided to go ahead with it.”

But for Mrs. Evans, what had seemed like a financially sound deal was to turn very sour indeed.

Despite researching the surgeon’s credentials beforehand and finding those to appear more than satisfactory, nothing could have prepared Mrs. Evans for either the treatment she received or the outcome of the surgery.

The morning following the operation she was put in a taxi and sent to her hotel from where she had to travel back to the hospital on a daily basis for check-ups and dressing changes. An infection quickly developed which became swollen and left Mrs. Evans in an enormous degree of pain. The holiday aspect of the trip was never even entertained.

Once back in the UK, Mrs. Evans’s condition failed to improve when she found herself unable to show off her new, flatter stomach due to the horrendous, lumpy scar left there.

Mrs. Kat explains: “When Mrs. Evans came to me for the initial consultation I must say I was horrified by the state of the scar. The unfortunate and sad aspect of this is that nowadays it’s not at all rare. I am seeing more and more cases of corrective surgery being necessary as a direct result of botched ‘holiday surgery’.”

With the cost of the original operation and the corrective surgery needed to remedy the problems that arose, Mrs. Evans ended up spending twice as much as she would have had she had the procedure on home soil.

“For those choosing to have cosmetic surgery in the UK, as with anywhere else in the world, it is a major decision and those companies shouldn’t trivialize this by advertising the process as a so-called ‘holiday’.”

Mrs. Kat went on to warn: “They can’t provide sufficient aftercare, as once you’re back home there’s nobody to turn to if things go wrong.”

A lesson Mrs. Evans unfortunately learned to her own cost.

Technorati Tags: india medical tourism

Understanding Medical Tourism and Its Affordability in India

With the health treatment becoming unaffordable and inaccessible in highly developed countries like the US and other developed European countries, huge popularity is gaining by medical tourism which is the process of visiting suitable destination for cost effective and competitive health care services.

Every human in this earth has a dream to excel and earn a better and comfortable livelihood. To achieve this people works so hard and often lead hectic schedules in life. They hardly get proper time to eat and sleep and merely forget how important their health is if they are to stay fit and keep working and earning.

Someone has rightly said that “health is wealth” – if you are in good health, you can earn in a variety of ways but ill health deteriorates your plan and your dreams can not be fulfilled. Now the treatment cost skyrocketing, it is better if you stay healthy otherwise be informed beforehand where to seek medical assistance to get healed from your ailments.

The concept of traveling to distant places for health check-up is a talked-about issue today as this process has significantly aided people in earning good health in considerably reduced cost. This concept has given the term “Medical Tourism” and many Asian counties like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, countries like South Africa and Australia are popularly known for medical tourism but the strong competent with these countries is India, and the industry related is the India Medical Tourism Industry.

Yes! You read it right. Today India has become a preferred medical tourism destination for the people around the globe. Reason behind this popularity is varied, which are discussed in detail below:

Affordable Cost- Treatment cost in India is far cheaper in comparison to cost needed for the treatment in the US, the UK and other European and Asian Countries. For an example, bone marrow transplant in the US cost $250,000 and 150,000 in the UK whereas the procedure with same compatibility and success rate is done at $26,000 in India. Heart surgery and cardiac care cost around $200,000 in the US which is done in India at as low as $30,000. Gastric bypass cost $65,000 in the US and 34,800 in the UK but the process in done in $9,500 in India. In addition to this, mostly the health care packages include airfare, hotel charges and a package to famous tourist destinations in India. Is not this a good idea?

World Class Health Care Centers – India has many corporate hospitals that are highly compatible to the hospitals in the US and other developed nations. Hospitals are well equipped sophisticated instruments, machines and laboratories that can deliver quick and accurate diagnosis and health care solutions. One health care official in Delhi has once said that once the door is closed, you will find yourself in the US.

Qualified Health-Care Professionals- Indian doctors are well qualified, highly trained and most of them have working experience in western counties hospitals. Hence, they know how to care and deliver quality medical treatments to international patients.

Quick Treatment Availability – People in countries like Canada and the UK has to encounter long waiting list that last more than a year if they want hip replacement surgery and this could be really painful and tiresome for the patients. But the case is something different in India as the patients would be in operating room the next morning they reach India for the process.

Availability of Linguistic Expert - Just imagine you landed in a foreign land and there is no one to understand your problem and needs and it is a dreaded nightmare for many people. But nothing as such will happen if you are traveling to India because you will find widely English speaking people in India or you can easily hire linguistic experts in case you need people knowing languages other than English.

Despite these major factors, medical tourism company in India can manage budget fitting tour packages and luxury to affordable hotels to stay. To make your trip more memorable one, you are cordially received at the airport and taken to hotels or directly to the hospital in case of emergency. Medical tourism agencies can manage a touring guide, avail car rental facility to give a comfortable ride during your health care cum touring vacation.

If you are looking for health check-up, think on visiting to India for the same. Due to thorough standardization and capability of delivering competitive health care, most Indian hospitals have been consecutively accredited by Joint Commission International. Medical treatments are highly affordable and you can strengthen yourself by visiting most desired locations in India at a same go. Many has been benefited, they have wisely saved their hard-earned money, so be smart by making wise selection.

Sharon Lepcha is an emerging author having information in various subjects like online marketing, medical tourism, medical treatments in India, famous medical destinations and famous tourist destination in India.

Technorati Tags: Medical Tourism

India medical tourism is the provision of competitively priced private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry of India.  Patients can travel to India for surgery overseas and other forms of healthcare and pay less than patients who stay in their own country.

Other highly attractive benefits include: The opportunity for patients to avoid long waiting lists and with the savings they make, get a holiday included in the package. Medical tourists are an expanding group and one of the leaders in the field is India.

The Growth of Medical Tourism in India

India’s healthcare industry is already growing at 30 per cent annually. The area has shown such growth potential that Indian finance minister Jaswant Singh, called recently for India to become a “global health destination.” His enthusiasm for making medical tourism in India a major foreign exchange revenue earner has broad based support among local government and industry.

The ministry of tourism has shown interest, but so to have the various state tourism boards and the private sector consisting of travel agents, tour operators and hotel companies. All are looking at healthcare and overseas surgery in India as an area with tremendous growth potential.

A newspaper article recently in “India Abroad,” showed the potential for medical tourism, when it outlined a deal, where India could earn more than $1 billion annually and creates 40 million new jobs by sub-contracting work from the British National Health Service. The deal would have broad appeal. It would slash waiting times dramatically in the UK and create huge savings in time and money for patients.

The potential for India medical tourism from the US and UK looks set for major growth, as India becomes a preferred destination for medical tourists from these countries.

Medical Tourism Competition

As more and more patients from nations with high Medicare costs look for medical tourism options, India has competition namely from Thailand, Singapore and other Asian countries. They have good hospitals, attractive climates and are established tourist destinations. While these countries with their advanced medical facilities and medical tourism options have been drawing overseas healthcare traffic, India is and looks set to, expand at a faster rate.

India’s World Class Healthcare Facilities

Indian corporate hospitals are comparable to hospitals anywhere in the world. In fact, India offers world-class medical facilities that are comparable with the US or UK.

There is already a high concentration of expatriate Indian medical staff working in the US and UK, as well as many other countries. This gives patients confidence in the healthcare offered by India generally as they are already used to the expertise and professionalism of Indian medical staff. This is a major, but often overlooked factor in the growth of medical tourism in India.

Medical Tourism Costs

The main appeal of Medical in India  is low-cost treatment. Most estimates claim treatment costs in India start at around a tenth of the price of comparable treatment in the US or UK and cover a wide spectrum of areas from, cosmetic surgery and major operations, to preventative screening.

Surgery Overseas in India and the Holiday of a Lifetime

Of course, you can get hugely reduced healthcare in India, but medical tourists can also enjoy a holiday in a country that has a huge diversity of holiday options, from the beaches of Goa, to the mighty Himalayas, diverse wildlife and thousands of years of culture.  In conclusion, medical tourism in India is here to stay and looks set for spectacular growth.

Author: Stephen Todd

More information about medical tourism in India and the cost savings possible is available on the web site: http://www.meddetour.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Todd

Emerging Medical Tourism in India
A research on medical tourism in india indicated ‘s always be a contribution of the patients the adjoining countries and Occidental Asia, but maintaining ‘rise significant in SA of the patients of the USA, RU and Europe.

India second in the Race
medical-tourism-in-india. A study has revealed the fact that India ranks second in medical tourism throughout the world. Interestingly, India spends only 1.2 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on health issues.

Signs of the Times News for Mon, 06 Apr 2009
“We [surgeons in India] want to make a profit, but we don’t want to profiteer. We don’t want squeeze people and I think American industries should also think that way,” Jha said. Critics of medical tourism warn patients to be diligent

The Compass Report: Visit Abacus nowVisit Tourism for Tomorrow
According to McKinsey & Company, the top 5 medical tourism destinations are currently Panama, Brazil, Malaysia, Costa Rica and India. India in particular is looking to become the world leader in medical tourism.

Singapore– Asian premier medical tourism hub : Medical Tourism
Asia’s medical tourism market will worth up to US$4 billion by 2012 and Singapore is focused to attract one million patients by year 2012. Patients from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East, Bangladesh, India, Australia and even from the U.S.

Technorati Tags: india medical tourism, Medical in India, medical tourism in India, overseas surgery, surgery overseas

Many folks that cannot afford the high-costs of medical insurance are going without. If something bad happens to them medically, they go to another nation where medical costs are lower. They call this medical tourism, where someone goes on vacation to get treatment where the prices cost less. Already many folks go from the US to Mexico for many medical procedures and dentistry, where the prices are a third or less of what they cost in the US.

What is wrong with this picture you ask? Well, it is simple, the US Health Care System is broken and it seems to be getting worse. The high costs of medical care have made medical bankruptcies the number one reason for bankruptcies, literally taking people’s life savings. Insurance costs have become so high that many seniors simply cannot afford it anymore. “Houston, uh, we have a problem.”

If we take a look at medical tourism we see that folks in Europe where their currency is stronger, come to the US for the medical treatments that they cannot get in their countries due to socialized medicine causing back-ups and delays, and increased costs for the best doctors that have left the system and only work for folks outside of the socialized medical system.

In the United States, many folks that simply cannot afford treatment due to cost, choose to go elsewhere to other nations where treatments are cheaper. And yes, some do go because there are treatments that appear to work that are not approved here in the United States. It’s truly amazing what is happening in international healthcare, medical insurance and medical tourism these days.

Author: Lance Winslow

Lance Winslow – Lance Winslow’s Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Technorati Tags: Medical Tourism

The countries which are generally preferred over all other countries in the world for medical tourism destinations generally provides a wide array of medical facilities in a low cost packages. As the experts believe that the medical tourism destinations will have a positive impact on the economy of these distinctive countries and benefits the traders and patients alike. The medical tourism destination phenomenon may also encourage the foreign investors who hold an interest in those countries.

You have the best of medical services and attendance in these countries with reasonable prices. Some of the hospitals in these countries tie ups with various recreational facilities to provide the patient the best of all the time. According to your budged you can pay to hospitals which arrange the best available treatment package for you. If you want any other luxurious treatment the hospital of these medical tourism destinations will also provide you with this .Such as five star services with a round a clock nurse what is more do you need in your medical tourism destination it is the best you can get in these destinations.

The best of the medical tourism destination is Belgium. This country has doctors specializing in various medical fields such as surgery of heart, health services, cosmetic surgery, and surgery of knees, orthopedic surgery, and transplant of kidney and in care of teeth also called dental care. You will get to have the best of your treatment in Belgium according to your budged with pleasure and amusement. This just you need in your medical tourism destination.

The top 5 of the medical tourism destination which provides the most attractive opportunities for patients and investors for there a medical tour is as follows. These medical tourism countries are being selected on there quality and affordability of care as well as openness to foreign investment.

1. Panama

2. Brazil

3. Malaysia

4. Costa Rica

5. India

While some people took the options of only those medical destinations which offer low cost treatment, but these are the countries where you will get your medical treatment with relax and peace of mind. These are the top medical treatment destinations where you will find the best doctors and surgeons for you treatment. You will get to have a great time in the superb beauty of these countries which is considered to help the patient to recover and hell quickly. It should also be noted that the medical staff in these countries are largely and highly English speaking so the conflict of the language do not pose a major obstacle for the foreign patients in visiting these countries for there medical treatment.

There are some goals of each of these countries on which these countries are working. For example Panama represents a wide range of opportunities for real estate investments and as well as investment in the medical tourism industries. And goal of Brazil is to become one of the most dominating economies in the world in terms of medical tourism and this favorable for the foreign investments. Malaysia is doing progress in medical tourism by leaps and bounds. Malaysian medical tourism has grown from 75,210patients to 296,687patients from 2001 to 2006 which bring about a total revenue of $59 in the country through this act. Malaysia attracts foreign medical tourists and investors alike for its favorable exchange rate, political and economic stability and due to high rate of literacy. Costa Rica like Panama has become a popular medical destination for the foreign peoples due to its High-Quality medical facilities.

Most of the patients come across to Costa Rica on there medical tour for its low costs of dental work and plastic surgery. The countries political stability, high educations levels and its policies for free trade among medical tour have also attracted the foreign investors. While India, arguably has the lowest and the highest quality of medical facilities available for medical tourism. According the report of the world travel and tourism council India was ranked as one of the top ten emerging destinations due to its highly skilled and equipped doctors and hospitals.

Author: Radha Kishan

Radha Kishan is currently advertising for Medical Tourism website at http://www.medtourismreview.com and his own webpage based on medical tourism By Radha Kishan.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Radha_Kishan

Technorati Tags: Medical Tourism

Most businesses acknowledge that there is nothing better than a personal testimonial from a satisfied client to boost their business. At the rate, those businesses specializing in medical tourism are receiving those rave reviews today; it is enough to inspire envy with a capital ‘E’ among other industry leaders.

Without health insurance, the average household is one major medical bill away from bankruptcy, a possibility facing nearly 45 million adults in the United States today. Medical tourism representatives say they hear stories every day about the impact their business is making on the quality of people’s lives both medically and financially, short and long term.

One Medical Tourism company, shared the letter below from the *son of a client for this article. The patient, rejected by the healthcare system in the U.S. decided that that the option to use medical tourism was his only alternative:

“My dad was one of the millions that lost his insurance last year and was facing a life in a wheelchair because he could not afford double knee replacement surgery. When a friend pointed him in the direction of your company, he was tired, in considerable pain, and more than a bit anxious over the thought of traveling to another country for surgery.

Understandably cautious, Dad went to great lengths to research the procedures as well as your company. He was pleased to find out that each journey is arranged through a respected, knowledgeable and trustworthy agent. He was even more pleased to find that each agent had established relationships with the most respected medical facilities in the world.

In the end, what made the entire trip possible was the amount of care and thought that went into the entire process, as well as the cost. Passport assistance, round trip airfares, all medical expenses including x-rays, anesthesia, surgery, pre & post op treatment, physical therapy, doctors, medications, hospital stay with one companion, and recovery at a beautiful guest house complete with meals was completely covered in one inclusive price!

From the moment my parent’s plane touched down, they were taken care of in a manner that allowed them to focus on my Dad’s health and well-being. Mom and Dad were met at the airport and taken to the hospital without any fuss or confusion. On the day of my Dad’s surgery, my mother was able to relax on a beautiful hospital balcony in New Delhi. One of the world’s finest orthopedic surgeons performed the surgery itself. This doctor has performed over 3500 joint replacement surgeries in his long career.

My parents returned home completely satisfied with their experience. Dad has repeatedly stated that because of your company he had complete confidence in, and indeed, experienced care in India far superior to any care he received recently in the states. He was also happy the way my Mom was treated and even encouraged to relax and sightsee while he was receiving therapy.

I am of course as delighted as my parents are. Dad still cannot get over the price of the surgery. His double knee replacement surgeries cost my Dad only 17% of the cost he would have incurred in the United States!

I would like to convey our thanks on behalf of our entire family. You have given us back our Dad.” – R. L. (2009 – Reprinted with permission )

Medical tourism is fast becoming a viable, alternative solution to the rising health care crisis facing the United States. Medical tourism advocates work continually to improve knowledge of the process and remove the myths surrounding the practice of medicine in foreign countries. In 2008 alone, an estimated 1.5 million people underwent surgery in exotic locations such as Thailand, Brazil, India, Costa Rica, Malaysia, and Singapore. Moreover, all the surgery performed is done at world-class hospitals by teams of surgeons and doctors educated at Princeton, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins.

Today’s economic climate requires every individual to begin to think outside the box when it comes to getting quality affordable medical care. With the help of medical tourism, even those in desperate straits, may now think outside of the country when it comes to having their medical needs met and solutions to their healthcare problems resolved.

Author: Roger Langenberg

Roger Langenberg http://www.medjourneys.com/ Medical Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Medical Tourism: Having surgery or medical procedure in a foreign country has tremendous interest to your readership. With 1.5 million Medical Tourists in 2008 and growing, this is a topic that has hundreds of thousands of Americans at any one time searching for information. Med Journeys is at the top of the Medical Tourism industry in designing and delivering the highest quality, affordable medical services in foreign countries. Medical Journeys provides the worlds finest surgeons and world class hospitals in beautiful countries such as Costa Rica, Brazil, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Langenberg

Technorati Tags: cosmetic surgery overseas, healthcare tourism, medical health tourism

More and more people have started travelling to India for Medical Treatment and during the past year alone, over 150000 people travelled to India for their medical requirements. Medical Tourism is finally coming of age.

India boasts of several good private owned hospitals with facilities second to none. They have some of the best doctors, with most top end being educated in USA and UK. When it comes to becoming a doctor, India also has some of the stringest criteria. Language is another plus factor – English, which is widely spoken throughout the country and in all good hospitals. Furthermore, the costs are much lower than most countries and most importantly, there are no waiting lists. With all the media hype about medical tourism, most hospitals have geared themselves up for medical tourists from abroad.

Medical Tourism companies in India such as Health Line – http://www.indiamedicaltourism.net have introduced several packages for patients travelling to India which include holidays and hotel stays during their travel apart from other basic requirements such as airport pickup, meetings with doctors post and pre-surgery etc. Such packages make it convenient for the patient to have peace of mind during travel without the tension of what to do next.

For all those still hesitant to travel abroad for treatment, try getting a package deal with a company such as Health Line and you will get an idea of how much you can save. No coss are incurred for getting a quote or medical advise over email. Doctors are very willing to help patients abroad feel comfortable and will be more than happy to respond to your queries through such medical tourism companies.

With the introduction of the medical visa, it will now be easier than ever to travel to India. If your treatment requires an extension, the medical visa can be extended without any problem. Ending on one final note, do not forget to include your medical reports before travelling to India.

Author: Nakul Jain

Nakul Jain is a Medical Tourism Advisor for patients travelling to India. Contact him at his site – Medical Tourism in India from USA

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nakul_Jain

Technorati Tags: Medical Tourism

An estimated 58 million US residents are without healthcare insurance. Of those who do have coverage, many are choosing medical tourism – combining travel with a medical purpose – to reduce out of pocket expenses. With rising healthcare costs in the western world and quality facilities and staff in other countries, it’s not surprising that the trend is increasing among both insured and uninsured Americans. A great many state of the art facilities overseas, with staff trained to current western standards are ready to serve at a fraction of the cost for similar procedures in the US.

A New Industry – A New Profession

A new field of professionals is emerging. Medical Tourism Facilitators can help arrange travel, accommodations, transportation and medical procedures. They also provide information so the patient can choose destinations, facilities and sometimes specific health care professionals. Facilitators can also provide options for travel and medical complications insurance to alleviate financial concerns that may accompany a decision to accept the option of medical tourism. It’s important to note that if they are not licensed insurance agents they may refer you to a licensed insurance agent for questions. This should not cast them in a negative light – they are acting correctly by doing so.

When selecting a facilitator, it’s important to know his qualifications, experience and fees up front. Also ask for transparency and full disclosure – is he receiving income from or does he have any personal interest in the options he’s providing you? The existence of income from any other sources is not necessarily a red flag – but you should be made aware of it. Being professionals, they’re not likely to balk or take offense. As a consumer, you have a right to know.

Who are the local doctors who will review your case and what are their qualifications? Can you use your own doctor? In addition, ask if there have been any problems. Is he insured? Does he have any testimonials or former clients who have agreed to be available so you can contact them directly? Check with the Better Business Bureau and your Secretary of State to see if there have been any unresolved issues. Problems can arise anywhere in the world – even here in the US we are not immune to medical accidents or claims of malpractice, so ask your facilitator what your recourses may be if you experience a problem.

Ask about alternatives and make your own choices. Your selections should be based on your own needs and what’s important to you. And your facilitator can be instrumental in providing further, critical information. By being an informed consumer, you will possess the knowledge to make wiser choices and therefore stack the odds in your favor to achieve good results. Bon voyage!

Author: Lorna Greenwood

Lorna Greenwood, WCS, CRM, CIC, CISR, ACSR is Program Manager at US Risk Underwriters, Inc. in Dallas, Texas with over fourteen years of experience in the insurance industry plus ten years experience in real estate investment portfolio management. Visit http://www.usrisk.com/medtour.htm for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorna_Greenwood

Technorati Tags: health tourism, Medical in India, Medical Tourism, plastic surgery tourism

Medical tourism is a sensitive process that involves sufficient amount of knowledge and decision making. The process involves two to three parties – the patient, the surgeon and the mediator (medical tourism agencies). However, most patients who have already experienced a successful affordable plastic surgery abroad may have already developed a mutual relationship with a good surgeon. But for first timers, I recommend to seek help from medical tourism agencies whom you find worthy to handle your procedure and can be trusted.

Since plastic surgery cost is on the rise and the demand for healthcare is filling up the waiting list, a large number of U.S. patients choose to leave their homes and pack for a tummy tuck in Mexico or a face lift in India. But since flying abroad could be a whole new experience for the majority, here are some advice to help you decide for your medical trip.

Dr. Prem Jagyasi of the Medical Tourism Magazine stressed out the five major factors involved in decision making process of medical tourists. He called it as the Five “A” factors:

Affordability – Medical tourism won’t be a multi million industry if plastic surgery cost in the United States, Canada and Europe is accessible even by people who have average income. The core factor why patients consider a tummy tuck in Mexico or a face lift in India all comes down on how much is the procedure. Countries that offers affordable plastic surgery generally have lower cost of living thus, the price of healthcare is much cheaper compared to its counterparts in the United States and Europe.

Accessibility – Medical care is highly in demand, the number of procedures booked everyday increases which leaves other patients weeks or even months on the waiting list. Thus, more patients choose to fly abroad to beat a deadline or to acquire procedures that needs urgent attention. A tummy tuck in Mexico or a face lift in India can be scheduled and booked according to the patient’s date. Since clinics and hospitals on these countries can always accommodate patients who are under time constraints because its much more accessible.

Availability – Aside from the plastic surgery cost factor, many patients choose to travel abroad to get affordable plastic surgery that are not available in their local areas.

Acceptability – Religion, politics and other social reasons prohibits the practice of medical tourism in some countries. Services might be affordable, available and accessible but the ethical value of such services seems hard to define which usually leads to traveling to other countries to get a particular procedure.

Additional – The most important and extensive factor of all will be the add-ons which most countries under the medical tourism campaign offers. In fact, many patients travel because they want to take advantage of the additional benefits by making use of treatments abroad. Former patients have actually received better care, better hospitality, personalized care or privacy among others. These factors provides some sort of additional benefits to patients which is better comparable to home country.

Medical tourism can save lives while offering enormous amount of savings from plastic surgery cost without bargaining the standards of quality. If you’re interested or needs more info about medical tourism to a country of choice you can visit our affordable plastic surgery page and get a quote.

Author: Claudia D. Johnson

Medical tourism can save lives while offering enormous amount of savings from plastic surgery cost without bargaining the standards of quality. If you’re interested or needs more info about medical tourism to a country of choice you can visit our affordable plastic surgery page and get a quote.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claudia_D._Johnson

Technorati Tags: Medical Tourism

Most businesses acknowledge that there is nothing better than a personal testimonial from a satisfied client to boost their business. At the rate, those businesses specializing in medical tourism are receiving those rave reviews today; it is enough to inspire envy with a capital ‘E’ among other industry leaders.

Without health insurance, the average household is one major medical bill away from bankruptcy, a possibility facing nearly 45 million adults in the United States today. Medical tourism representatives say they hear stories every day about the impact their business is making on the quality of people’s lives both medically and financially, short and long term.

One Medical Tourism company, shared the letter below from the *son of a client for this article. The patient, rejected by the healthcare system in the U.S. decided that that the option to use medical tourism was his only alternative:

“My dad was one of the millions that lost his insurance last year and was facing a life in a wheelchair because he could not afford double knee replacement surgery. When a friend pointed him in the direction of your company, he was tired, in considerable pain, and more than a bit anxious over the thought of traveling to another country for surgery.

Understandably cautious, Dad went to great lengths to research the procedures as well as your company. He was pleased to find out that each journey is arranged through a respected, knowledgeable and trustworthy agent. He was even more pleased to find that each agent had established relationships with the most respected medical facilities in the world.

In the end, what made the entire trip possible was the amount of care and thought that went into the entire process, as well as the cost. Passport assistance, round trip airfares, all medical expenses including x-rays, anesthesia, surgery, pre & post op treatment, physical therapy, doctors, medications, hospital stay with one companion, and recovery at a beautiful guest house complete with meals was completely covered in one inclusive price!

From the moment my parent’s plane touched down, they were taken care of in a manner that allowed them to focus on my Dad’s health and well-being. Mom and Dad were met at the airport and taken to the hospital without any fuss or confusion. On the day of my Dad’s surgery, my mother was able to relax on a beautiful hospital balcony in New Delhi. One of the world’s finest orthopedic surgeons performed the surgery itself. This doctor has performed over 3500 joint replacement surgeries in his long career.

My parents returned home completely satisfied with their experience. Dad has repeatedly stated that because of your company he had complete confidence in, and indeed, experienced care in India far superior to any care he received recently in the states. He was also happy the way my Mom was treated and even encouraged to relax and sightsee while he was receiving therapy.

I am of course as delighted as my parents are. Dad still cannot get over the price of the surgery. His double knee replacement surgeries cost my Dad only 17% of the cost he would have incurred in the United States!

I would like to convey our thanks on behalf of our entire family. You have given us back our Dad.” – R. L. (2009 – Reprinted with permission )

Medical tourism is fast becoming a viable, alternative solution to the rising health care crisis facing the United States. Medical tourism advocates work continually to improve knowledge of the process and remove the myths surrounding the practice of medicine in foreign countries. In 2008 alone, an estimated 1.5 million people underwent surgery in exotic locations such as Thailand, Brazil, India, Costa Rica, Malaysia, and Singapore. Moreover, all the surgery performed is done at world-class hospitals by teams of surgeons and doctors educated at Princeton, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins.

Today’s economic climate requires every individual to begin to think outside the box when it comes to getting quality affordable medical care. With the help of medical tourism, even those in desperate straits, may now think outside of the country when it comes to having their medical needs met and solutions to their healthcare problems resolved.

Author: Roger Langenberg

Roger Langenberg http://www.medjourneys.com/ Medical Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Medical Tourism: Having surgery or medical procedure in a foreign country has tremendous interest to your readership. With 1.5 million Medical Tourists in 2008 and growing, this is a topic that has hundreds of thousands of Americans at any one time searching for information. Med Journeys is at the top of the Medical Tourism industry in designing and delivering the highest quality, affordable medical services in foreign countries. Medical Journeys provides the worlds finest surgeons and world class hospitals in beautiful countries such as Costa Rica, Brazil, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_Langenberg

Technorati Tags: cosmetic, cosmetic surgery vacations, medical vacation

Healthcare costs in US are rising at an alarming rate every year. Expenses for surgeries are a cause of even greater concern. Even simple surgeries carried out in US can cost quite a lot, and expenses for complex surgeries are skyrocketing at an alarming rate. To add to the concern, most surgeries are not covered by medical insurance packages. Hence patients are forced to pay for those surgeries out of their own pockets, even after paying the huge premiums for health insurance every year.

This has led to the rise in the number of patients opting for getting their surgeries done abroad. Asian countries like India, China, Philippines, Hong Kong, and South American countries like Brazil, Bolivia, and Colombia are fast becoming highly favored destinations for patients from US. The cost of surgeries carried out in these countries is much less than those carried out in the US. Besides, in US, much of healthcare is subsidized by the Government. Thus people opting for subsidized healthcare may have to wait for extended periods of time. For instance, a man opting for a hip replacement surgery may even have to wait for over a year, because his case cannot be attended by doctors till they have cleared the queue of around 2,000 patients on the waiting list. On the other hand, this is almost never a concern for people traveling to foreign countries for surgeries. A person can have his/ her surgery done on the very next day after arrival.

The facilities for surgeries in developing countries were considered to be of poor standard compared to those in US for many years. But the recent times have brought about a complete change in the scenario. Thousands of happy patients have commented that the medical facilities in the Asian and South American countries at times even surpass those in US based healthcare facilities.

Insurance coverage for surgeries carried out in foreign countries is still not supported by many US based insurance companies. But patients do not seem to mind, because the cost is often so low that it is very easy for them to get those done with out-of-pocket expense itself. Thus they do not seem to care that they do not have insurance for the surgeries. They go ahead and get it done anyway. This has led to the rise of many countries in Asia and South America as “medical hubs” for the rest of the world, while the number of patients opting for surgeries within homeland is steadily decreasing.

Author: Melville Jackson

Surgery Abroad – Surgery Planet offers the best global choices in hospitals, treatment & our staff providing comfort & value for your complete medical travel in destination countries like australia, canada, south africa & new zealand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melville_Jackson

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Lap Band Surgery in Mexico – is it Worth the Risk ?

Article addresses the perception of grave danger that a number of people have about Lap Band (weight loss) surgery overseas, especially in regards to Mexico. Some practical ideas are discussed that will help in reducing the chance of any risk related to medical treatment abroad.

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Lab band surgery is one of the safest and least invasive weight loss surgeries. In this surgery, an adjustable gastric band is placed at the top of the stomach so that the individual feels full with only a small amount of food. As the cost of this surgery is quite high in the USA, Canada & UK many prefer to undergo, Costa Rica or India where they can get the surgery done for about 50 to 70% less price. Some people find the idea of lap band surgery overseas quite scary. They have probably heard horror stories about lap band surgery abroad and are discouraged by the associated dangers and risks. This article addresses the important things to keep in mind when deciding whether to opt for lap band surgery at international locations especially Mexico, Costa Rica & India.

The perception of risk and danger associated with lap band surgery in Mexico is not entirely baseless. There are some horror stories of inexperienced surgeons, unhygienic hospitals, and post-operative complications that ended up costing more than the surgery itself. However, it is important to view these horror stories in the right perspective. It is not as if surgery in the United States is absolutely error free. According to the Institute of Medicine, at least 44,000 people die in hospitals each year in USA as a result of medical errors[Refer: To Err is Human: Medical Error Deaths in USA]. In addition, lap band surgery has been performed much longer in Mexico than in USA. While lap band surgery started in USA in 2001 after FDA approval, it has been successfully performed worldwide 1996.

When deciding whether or not to opt for lap band surgery in abroad, it is important to differentiate between the risks of the surgery itself and the risks of getting it done in Mexico. Like all other surgeries, lap band surgery too involves some risks and dangers. However, these risks are related to the surgical procedure and have nothing to do with where the surgery is done. The second type of risk occurs because the surgery was not performed correctly. This is directly related to where and by whom you get your surgery done. Most such risks can be avoided if you choose your surgeon and the hospital carefully.

There are cases of lap band surgery in some countries that were done for as low as $6,000. Avoid places that offer such a low price as it indicates that the facility does not do a quality job and may have an incompetent or inexperienced surgeon. A decent hospital in Mexico, Costa Rica or India with a well experienced surgeon is likely to charge between $8,000 and $10,000 for lap band surgery. When deciding on which doctor overseas for lap band surgery, it is important to do a lot of detailed research. Look at the surgeon’s qualifications, surgical experience, and proctoring experience. The surgeon should be certified by a medical board and should have experience of at least 100 Lap Band surgeries. Talk to existing patients of the surgeon and get their feedback on the surgeon and the surgery.

Another important factor to evaluate when considering lap band surgery in a foreign country is the hospital quality. It is better to go for a fully integrated hospital rather than a clinic so that any unexpected emergency or medical complications can be taken care of there itself. Verify the track record and reputation of a hospital before agreeing for the surgery. In addition, check that the hospital staff understands and speaks English. Try to go for an international quality, fully equipped hospital, such as Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, Mexico; or Wockhardt Hospital in India.

If you take the above precautions, your chances are that you will have a convenient & safe cost savings trip to Mexico for a lap band surgery.

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While costs of many elective surgeries and medical procedures continues to rise in the US, many people considering going under the knife are looking abroad for cost cutting options. This blossoming industry, known as Medical Tourism, must be approached with even greater caution than surgery in the United States. It is big business, and potential patients are often lured overseas by the promise of quality medical care for as little as one tenth the cost of the same procedure in the US. There are, however, significantly more risks associated with having surgery in a foreign country than there are in the US. We will examine a few of these risks in the following paragraphs.

Licensing and Certification Issues

One of the first things to consider is that foreign countries often do not regulate medical certification and licensing as strictly as the United States. While it is true that many overseas doctors are indeed highly qualified, it is important to investigate the specific credentials and references of each practitioner. This effort may be tougher than usual, since prospective patients in general are far less educated about foreign medical associations and regulations than domestic ones. Most often these medical facilities are privately owned, which can make checking the credentials of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and medical staff all the more difficult.

Legal Issues

Since United States law is rarely enforceable overseas, patients who choose Medical Tourism will have little if any legal recourse in the event that something goes wrong with the procedure. Medical malpractice and negligence can become much tougher issues to deal with in a foreign country than here in the United States. The limited ability to litigate in non-US countries is one reason that the cost of procedures overseas is able to be kept so low. Certainly some countries that market themselves as superior hosts for the medical tourist also tout some form of legal recourse in the case of negligence or malpractice, but these means may not be exactly what the patient is expecting. Hospitals and doctors in certain countries may not be able to pay out a settlement should you successfully win your suit against them. Personal medical insurance will rarely cover procedures that take place out of the country. The prospect of complications long after the patient is back home further muddy the waters of any legal issues that may arise.

Ethical Issues

While many will argue that Medical Tourism is a safe and viable outlet for quality medical care, there are other camps that point out that ethical issues may still exist that should cause American consumers to be extremely wary of going abroad for surgery. In countries such as China and India, there are still alleged instances of illegal purchases of tissues and organs used for transplant surgeries. A broader ethical issue that has grown along with the industry itself is the impact of Medical Tourism on citizens of the countries that people are flocking to in order to have these procedures performed. According to recent reports out of Thailand, doctors in the country have become so busy treating Medical Tourists that Thai patients are now having trouble getting quality care. If this trend continues, expect some backlash in the United States towards those choosing to go abroad for medical procedures.

Follow Up Care Issues

While many have had success going to a foreign country for surgery, some glowing reviews are later retracted because of post-surgery issues. Doctors in the US constantly see patients who have returned from surgery overseas, only to experience complications that require further medical assistance. In this situation it is ideal to revisit the same surgeon that performed the procedure, as he or she will be most familiar with the patient as well as the exact nature of the procedure. However it is most often impractical to arrange another trip abroad for a checkup or to fix a minor problem caused by the initial surgery. This can make it difficult for your home doctor to provide the precise care that would have been easy to provide had the surgery taken place in the US. In some cases the discount a patient enjoyed on the initial surgery may be offset by costly follow up visits required to monitor recovery or correct errors once back home in the United States.

Explore Stateside Options First

With many American surgeons now offering affordable financing options for elective procedures, those thinking of traveling halfway around the globe should take a long look at the many safe, affordable options available here in the United States. In the end, a perceived bargain on a medical procedure may end up costing far more than imagined in terms of money, time, and long term health issues. Patients should carefully weigh the pros and cons of Medical Tourism, taking into account lengthy international travel and the increased number of risks associated with Medical Tourism.

By: Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum performs gastric Lap Band surgery in Denver, Colorado. He has performed gastric surgeries since 1989, accommodating patients from all over the United States. He accepts out of state patients with minimal office visits prior to scheduling Colorado Lap Band surgery.

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One of the fastest growing trends in medical treatment today is plastic surgery. Face lifts, liposuction, nose jobs and breast augmentation are all very popular surgical options for people looking to feel better about the way that they look. While plastic surgery is a generally safe and permanent solution to many individuals’ cosmetic concerns, unfortunately, it can be expensive. Health insurance usually does not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures, and so many patients are forced to pay for the entire cost of their surgery. In order to cut down on the price of their procedures, many potential patients are now choosing to have plastic surgery overseas.

When choosing to have plastic surgery overseas, there are many issues to consider. Before even starting to look for a different country in which to have your procedure, make sure that you have a consultation with your own doctor here in the United States. That way, you can be sure that you’re in good enough health to be able to have any surgical procedure, regardless of the location of the surgeon. You’ll also want to make sure to research the location or country where you want to have your surgery performed. Not all countries have the same standards for their doctors and hospitals, so you’ll want to find out just what sort of credentials are needed in your chosen country.

Another item to consider when having plastic surgery overseas is what you would do if any complications arise from your surgery. Often, when a patient chooses to have surgery in a different country, aftercare for their cosmetic procedure is not included. You may end up leaving the hospital or facility where your surgery was performed without being fully recovered, because medical standards vary. Be sure to have a doctor lined up for aftercare in the US before leaving for your plastic surgery abroad.

A final item to consider is whether you will actually be saving a large amount of money by having your procedure abroad. Sometimes, when you factor in the cost of flying to a different country, as well as the cost of staying in that country before and after your surgery, it may be cheaper to stay in the US and have your plastic surgery done at home.

Choosing plastic surgery overseas can be a viable choice for people looking to cut down on the cost of cosmetic procedures, but it’s important to do a lot of research on the subject before planning your trip and deciding to have surgery in a different country.

By: Ricardo de Silva

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com – a directory of plastic surgeons.

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One of the fastest growing trends in medical treatment today is plastic surgery. Face lifts, liposuction, nose jobs and breast augmentation are all very popular surgical options for people looking to feel better about the way that they look.

By careful and thorough selection, Secret Escapes are able to offer some of the most qualified and experience health care professionals in Thailand. Promoting and maintaining the highest standards of surgical practice and patient health care they have achieved excellence in their field. Secret Escapes can organise the total package for you including flights, accommodation, surgery and after care.

Thailand is undoubtedly one of the worlds leading countries for cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic medical tourism is not a new phenomenon in Thailand. For years, savvy travellers have travelled to Thailand for medical, dental and cosmetic surgery procedures. Some finding a wonderful, safe and cost saving experiencing without sacrificing quality of care. Others have not been this lucky. Secret Escapes first desire is to enable people who choose surgery overseas to have a safe, secure experience that is of the highest standards.

Do not assume that low prices equal low quality. Quite the contrary!

While plastic surgery is generally a safe and permanent solution to many individuals cosmetic concerns, unfortunately at home, it can be expensive. Health insurance usually does not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures, and so many patients are forced to pay for the entire cost of their surgery. In order to cut down on the price of their procedures, many potential patients are now choosing to have plastic surgery overseas.

When choosing to have plastic surgery overseas, there are many issues to consider. Before even starting to look for a different country in which to have your procedure, make sure that you have a consultation with your own doctor at home. That way, you can be sure that you’re in good enough health to be able to have any surgical procedure, regardless of the location of the surgeon.
Many web sites try to sell you the idea of a plastic surgery-holiday with beautiful beaches and sun, you must rather focus your attention on what really matters and has a lasting effect: Making sure that you get the best plastic surgeon, service and comfort, so your desired procedure can be a total success.

Of course, one of the main reasons that people travel is the great value. For the price of a treatment at home, you can get a wonderful tropical holiday as well. Feeling your best as well as looking the best you ever have is now in easy reach. Medical tourism is without doubt the fastest growing industry in the new millennium. It is an affordable and a popular alternative for people who want a positive life changing experience. It is extremely advantageous for certain individuals to go “on holiday” and return home looking refreshed and younger without anyone knowing they received plastic surgery. No matter what your reason is for travelling, the most important consideration should always be the quality of care you will receive.

By: DanielaP

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Secret Escapes understand and are dedicated to providing you with as much information about the doctors, hospitals, procedures and your follow-up care, so that you can make the decision that is right for you. Secret Escapes offers to assist you with information that will enable you to make an informed decision, offering private, luxurious and affordable accommodation options. www.secretescapes.com.au/

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SurgeryOverseas.Info is dedicated to providing quality information on the subject of medical tourism and in particular, on  The Complete Guide to Medical Tourism .

Here you will find helpful reviews, informative information and tips and much more. This site is in the format of a ‘weblog’ so that each time I post new information, it will come to the top of the front page. This means that you can check back here frequently to see new updates to the information found here.

You can navigate through the site by using the menus on the sides of the page. Also don’t hesitate to follow the links you see in bold throughout each post to learn more about the product being spoken about.

I hope you find the information I provide valuable and helpful.

All the best,
Rich K

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If you have any questions regarding the content in this website, about the products that are mentioned, or just any questions at all don’t hesitate to contact me at the following address. I’d also love to hear any feedback on the site if you’ve found it helpful or have some ideas about how I can improve the site in some way.

Please contact me at richk09 at gmail dot com

I will reply to all messages as soon as possible.
Rich K

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