- Get a pre-travel consultation. If you are planning to travel to another country for medical care, s ee a your healthcare provider or travel medicine provider at least 4–6 weeks ...
- Maintain your health and medical records. Bring copies of your medical records with you, including results of lab tests and any other tests done related to your condition and care.
- Research the healthcare provider and facility. Check the qualifications of the healthcare providers who will be doing the procedure and the credentials of the facility where the procedure will be ...
- Arrange for follow-up care. Identify where you will be staying immediately after the procedure. ...
Full Answer
Why would you want to travel to another country for medical treatment?
Cost: To get treatment or a procedure that may be cheaper in another country. Culture: To receive care from a healthcare provider who shares the traveler’s culture and language. Unavailable or Unapproved procedure: To get a procedure or therapy that is not available or approved in the United States.
Does private medical insurance cover you when traveling abroad?
Even if you have private medical insurance issued in your home country, it will most likely not cover you on your travel abroad. And if it does, its coverage will most likely be insufficient to provide safety and confidence during your trip.
What are the consequences of taking medicine abroad?
These consequences can range from confiscation (removal) of your medicine, which could harm your medical treatment, to stiff penalties, including imprisonment on charges for drug trafficking. To avoid medicine-related issues during your travel, follow these tips.
Where do medical tourists from the United States travel?
Medical tourists from the United States commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. People may travel to another country to get health care for many reasons, including:
Can you go to another country for medical treatment?
People may travel to another country to get health care for many reasons, including: Cost: To get treatment or a procedure that may be cheaper in another country. Culture: To receive care from a healthcare provider who shares the traveler's culture and language.
Can I go to the hospital in another country?
Some countries have government run hospitals and private hospitals. Care at facilities may vary, so it may be wise to determine a hospital you would prefer to be taken to in the event of a medical emergency. Some countries may also have hospitals that are more able to care for tourists (the staff may speak English).
Can I go to another country for free healthcare?
According to the STC report, all but 43 countries in the world offer free or universal healthcare.
Which is the best country for medical treatment?
Countries With the Most Well-Developed Public Health Care SystemsDenmark.Canada.Switzerland.Netherlands.Norway.United Kingdom.Finland.Japan.More items...•
Can I see a doctor in another country?
How Do I See a Doctor in a Foreign Country? If you have an international health insurance plan, or travel insurance, they should provide you with an emergency medical assistance number you can call to help you arrange for a doctor visit. To schedule an appointment, first contact your insurance company.
Can I see a doctor abroad?
Find a local doctor abroad using government sources Local embassies in your destination country should be able to provide you with information on any travel health notices, links to up-to-date Covid-19 travel information and any vaccines or medicines you'll need to obtain before you travel.
Is it cheaper to fly to another country for healthcare?
For Some Americans, It's Actually Cheaper to Fly to Another Country for Treatment. Some stock up on medications while others travel for medical procedures that are either too expensive or illegal in the United States.
What countries offer free healthcare to non citizens?
Countries with universal healthcare include Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
How do patients get medical tourism?
How can medical tourism attract patients?Here are a few tactics to attract international patients:1.) Have a Medical Tourism Marketing Strategy.2.) Make it Easy for Patients to Find You.3.) Medical Tourism Training and Accreditations.4.) Affordability and Reliability.
Which country has the cheapest health care?
Here are 5 countries with some of the most affordable healthcareBrazil. Brazil is a wonderful place for expats. ... Costa Rica. Costa Rica has always been one of the top-ranking countries for long life expectancy. ... Cuba. Cuba is always the center of attention for expats. ... Japan. ... Malaysia.
Which country has the most advanced medical treatment?
Switzerland, along with the #1 overall ranking, placed first for Quality. The U.S. ranked first for Choice along with Science & Technology, while Germany ranked highest for Fiscal Sustainability.
Who is the best doctor in the world?
William A. Abdu, M.D, M.S. is considered the No. 1 doctor in the world.
How long can you be gone for medicine?
If you plan to be gone for more than 30 days , talk to your doctor about how you can get enough medicine for your trip. Sometimes insurance companies will pay for only a 30-day supply at a time. Ask your doctor about any changes to taking your medicine once you’re in a different time zone.
What to do if your medicine is banned?
If your medicine is banned at your destination, talk with your health care provider about alternative medicine or destination options, and have your doctor write a letter describing your condition and the treatment plan.
What is INCB in travel?
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) provides general information about country regulations for travelers carrying medicines that are made with controlled substances. It’s important to note that INCB may not have information from all countries or territories.
How to reduce the chances of counterfeiting drugs?
If you must buy drugs during your trip in an emergency, there are ways to reduce your chances of buying counterfeit drugs: Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate. They should be able to connect you with doctors and pharmacies that can help you find reliable, quality medicines.
Can you travel abroad with medicine?
Traveling Abroad with Medicine. Many travelers must carry their medicines with them across international borders to treat chronic or serious health problems. However, each country has its own guidelines about which medicines are legal. Medicines that are commonly prescribed or available over the counter in the United States could be considered ...
Can you buy medicine from open markets?
Buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and get a receipt. Do not buy medicines from open markets.
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism involves patients who live in one country traveling to another country to receive medical or dental care. Patients travel for medical care to save money, to gain access to care and/or to seek a higher quality level of care. Domestic medical tourism is when patients travel within their own country to a different area or city.
How to find a doctor outside the US?
Try searching online by typing in the name of the country, “doctor”, and “registry” or “certification”. It might take you a few tries to find a government agency that oversees doctors in the foreign country you are considering.
Why did medical tourism grow in 2010?
Americans concerned about healthcare costs set the stage for the medical tourism industry to significantly grow in 2010. Patients traveled overseas for cosmetic and dental procedures not covered by their insurance. Others traveled abroad because they were denied health insurance due to pre-existing conditions or other exclusions.
How many hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission?
Is the hospital you are considering accredited? The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.
What to consider when selecting a doctor?
Is the doctor qualified? Do they have any accreditation or certification? Where did they train? How long have they been in practice? How many patients does he/she treat each year with the same procedure you are planning? What is the outcome of these procedures? Has he/she ever been found guilty of malpractice ?
How to find out what health insurance covers you?
Call your health plan to learn what they will cover – both abroad and in your home country. Ask about coverage, including co-payments and deductibles, and ask if they will cover your travel expenses as well .
Where is the North American Specialty Hospital?
Since 2017, North American Specialty Hospital (NASH) has organized treatment for dozens of American patients at an upscale Cancun, Mexico hospital. The hospital provides care and services at significantly lower prices than US hospitals.
What is the most common cosmetic procedure that people travel abroad for?
One of the most common cosmetic procedures people travel abroad for is breast augmentation. The goal of breast augmentation is to enhance the fullness and shape of the breasts, improve the proportions of the body and boost self-confidence. This can be achieved by inserting implants into the breasts and also using fat transfer.
Why do people seek out treatment away from home?
The high cost of treatment is another significant reason that many people seek out treatment away from home. A number of patients travel to other parts of the world to receive oncology treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and CyberKnife treatment.
How many people in the world have cancer?
Nearly 40% of the world’s population will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives. When it comes to treating this deadly disease time is of the essence so many patients opt to travel abroad for treatment to avoid being put on a waiting list in their own country. The high cost of treatment is another significant reason that many people seek out treatment away from home. A number of patients travel to other parts of the world to receive oncology treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and CyberKnife treatment. A few of the world’s leading cancer treatment centers can be found in Germany, Turkey, South Korea and the United States.
How many people die from heart disease in Europe?
The World Health Organization estimates that 16.7 million people die of heart disease around the world each year and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Europe. The most common types of cardiac surgery that medical tourists travel abroad for include coronary artery bypass grafting, coronary angioplasty, ...
When is weight loss surgery recommended?
The surgery is recommended only when patients have tried non-surgical methods of weight-loss such as a change of diet and regular exercise, and they have failed to see results. This surgery is an option for people who suffer from serious health problems related to obesity.
Is Turkey a good place to get a hair transplant?
The procedure is recommended for anyone who wants a permanent, natural-looking solution to partial baldness. Turkey has become a hub for hair transplant surgery as it’s home to some of the most experienced hair transplant specialists in the world.
What is the best medical insurance for traveling abroad?
With Patriot Platinum Insurance , you get the same coverage for extra riders and extreme sports. This is one of the best medical insurance for traveling abroad because it provides world-class coverage and access to the best service and assistance for traveling outside your home country.
How to apply for travel health insurance?
Just answer a few questions about yourself and the planned trip to get the initial quote. From there, you can refine the plan and see how much the travel health insurance will cost by selecting and deselecting different benefits and their maximum coverage amounts. You can also tweak the deductibles, optional add-on features, and other portions of the policy, if possible.
What is International Travel Health Insurance?
When you are traveling outside your home country, it is vital to buy international travel medical insurance to cover yourself against accidents or illnesses. Even if you have private medical insurance issued in your home country, it will most likely not cover you on your travel abroad. And if it does, its coverage will most likely be insufficient to provide safety and confidence during your trip.
What is travel insurance?
Travel Medical Insurance Plans. Travel health insurance is a necessity when you are going outside your country. This will help you cover the costs of getting medical attention in case of an emergency. But even if you have local travel insurance, there is no guarantee that it will be accepted abroad. Learn more about travel medical insurance ...
What is affordable travel insurance?
For reference, an affordable travel health insurance plan covers specific benefits that you need at a reasonable price you can pay for. Some inexpensive plans do not cover the most important benefits or cover them with limited value.
How long does trip insurance last?
This type of policy is usually available only for up to 62 days. Travel health insurance plan is more comprehensive.
What is the Liaison Plus Travel Medical Plan?
The Liaison Plus Travel Medical Plan includes coverage for Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus). The plan is a little more expensive but is worth considering if you would like this level of cover.
Why do people leave the healthcare system?
While some people leave the U.S. healthcare system to pursue stem cell and other yet-to-be proven therapies, others do so out of necessity — whether for travel or cost considerations.
Is it cheaper to fly to another country?
For Some Americans, It’s Actually Cheaper to Fly to Another Country for Treatment. Some stock up on medications while others travel for medical procedures that are either too expensive or illegal in the United States. Experts say you should be sure a health facility is legitimate before traveling overseas. Getty Images.
Is Cancun Hospital self insured?
The website reports it was part of the North American Specialty Hospital (NASH), which has organized treatment for dozens of American patients over the past few years at the Cancun hospital, which some self-insured employers in the United States prefer because of its cost-saving capabilities.