Medical Tourism Guide

Brought to you by Healthbase http://www.healthbase.com/ info.hb@healthbase.com 1-888-MY1-HLTH

Today, cheap yet world-class surgeries are just a flight away. But the deluge of information available out there can overwhelm anybody. So, here is a quick guide to medical tourism to answer most of your questions about the phenomenon.

WHAT IS MEDICAL TOURISM?
Medical tourism is the process of traveling abroad to receive superior medical, dental and cosmetic care by highly skilled surgeons at some of the most modern and state-of-the-art medical facilities in the world...all at a fraction of the price in the US, UK and Canada.

MEDICAL TOURISM OFFERINGS
1. Incredible Savings: Compare a $7,000 hip resurfacing in India with a $48,000 one in the US. In general you are able to save 50% to 90%.
2. Excellent Quality: Many international providers are accredited by JCI, JCAHO and ISO or by local accrediting organizations. They have world-class facilities, have access to the latest technology and provide personalized service. If in doubt, read testimonials by patients who have experienced treatment overseas.
3. Surgeon Expertise: Most surgeons catering to international patients have either been educated or have received professional training at top schools in the US, UK or in other countries in Europe.
4. No Wait-Lists: Access to immediate service is what attracts those from countries that have public health care system towards medical tourism.
5. Longer Hospital Stay: You can have a longer hospital stay than possible in your local hospital back home under the supervision of your surgeon and physical therapist.
6. Travel Opportunities: While the primary motivation for most customers is affordable surgery, the opportunity to visit exotic destinations is an additional draw for some.

WHO SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN MEDICAL TOURISM?
In general, most medical tourists are either uninsured, underinsured or those seeking elective surgeries. Others resort to medical tourism due to the long wait-lists or unavailability of certain procedures in their country.

WHICH COUNTRIES OFFER THE BEST SERVICES?
The most popular medical travel destinations are India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Belgium, and Argentina amongst others. Some of these countries are considered best for cardiac surgery, others for orthopedic surgery and yet others for plastic surgery. You should base your selection on: quality, distance and cost.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROVIDER
When choosing a provider, don't get swayed by attractive packages and fancy websites. Read and watch what others are saying about the particular hospital, clinic or surgeon. Check out the facility pictures and videos. Consider the provider’s accreditation, awards and recognitions, facility and equipments, statistics like success rates, etc.

WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE PAY FOR IT?
Insurance companies are keenly looking into medical tourism as an option though most haven't adopted it into their plans yet. So check with your health insurer for details.

SHOULD I COMBINE “SUN, SAND, AND SEA” WITH SURGERY?
That depends.
Usually after a cosmetic surgery, you are advised not to expose your body to the sun or to sea water. But, you can always choose to enjoy them before your surgery.
With certain other medical procedures, it's best for you to stay indoors and relax after your surgery.
In any case, you should always consult your surgeon if you have travel or tourism on your mind.

WHAT ARE MEDICAL TOURISM FACILITATORS?
Medical tourism facilitators like Healthbase are specialized facilitators that connect you with the hospital of your choice while providing all or some other valuable services like detailed information about various procedures, detailed hospital profiles and surgeon profiles, medical records transfer, free surgery quote, pre- and post-consultation with the overseas hospital, feedback and testimonials from previous patients, medical and dental loan financing, passport and visa, airport pick-up and drop-off, hospital escort, tickets, travel insurance, hotel booking, tourism services in the destination country, etc.

This medical tourism guide is just a starting step. You should do the proper required research before you fly to your medical tourism destination.

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, international healthcare facilities and surgeons and the details of the medical tourism process by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com. Healthbase.com is a medical tourism facilitator committed to providing low-cost high quality medical travel services to the global medical consumer.

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Interview with Josef Woodman - Author of Patients Beyond Borders

Just like we promised, we bring to you some more views from another expert in the medical tourism industry. Josef Woodman, the author of Patients Beyond Borders shares below his thoughts on the growing medical tourism trend in the US. Read on to learn from the expert..

Question: How did you develop an interest in medical tourism? What motivated you to write Patients Beyond Borders?

In 1997, I co-founded MyDailyHealth, an online, profile-driven preventive health service licensed to insurers and employers. Through that experience, I became aware of the looming US healthcare crisis. When contemporary international travel began to gain popularity, our research began. I became personally involved in medical tourism when I joined my father in Mexico, where he had some $24,000 worth of restorative dental work done, at a total savings of around $11,000. As international medical travel becomes a significant component of the US and global healthcare landscape, and the larger political debate, we see “Patients Beyond Borders” and related efforts as forming a mouthpiece of consumer advocacy for the more than 75 million un- and underinsured Americans aging into financially challenging medical procedures.

Question: How did you collect the information you used in your book? What form of research did you do?

A small team of authors and researchers worked on the book for nearly three years, profiling various medical tourism destinations, vetting hundreds of hospitals and clinics, investigating regional and international accreditation, interviewing patients, patient’s families, medical practitioners and administrators, health travel agents, and more. Extensive surveys were sent to treatment centers. The author has visited more then 40 hospitals in 7 destinations.

Question: Do you expect the medical tourism trend growing in the US?

Medical tourism is growing in the US 15-20% annually. This figure is expected to rise as baby boomers age into expensive treatment and as the industry gains infrastructure, raising consumer confidence in international medical travel.

Question: What do you tell people to keep in mind when deciding upon an overseas facility for treatment?

Above all, be an informed, scrutinizing healthcare consumer. Thoroughly check hospitals accreditation(s), number of surgeries performed, success/mortality rates; in the same manner, patients should check physicians’ credentials, board certifications, professional affiliations.

Question: Do you hear from happy or otherwise unhappy customers thanking you or complaining to you about the advice you gave in your book?

We’re often contacted by prospective patients, seeking supplemental advice to the information found in “Patients Beyond Borders.” As we do not recommend specific hospitals, physicians or courses of treatment, we are often of limited help to these callers.

Question: Are there hospitals out there that do not have international accreditations like JCI but still maintain best practice standards of care? If yes, why do they choose not to be accredited?

Yes, dozens of top-flight hospitals abroad are certified by their country’s accreditation agency, or an international agency other than JCI. Our research shows that Americans are gaining familiarity with accreditation, and gain comfort in JCI-accredited hospitals, as well as hospitals that partner with American medical centers, such as Harvard Medical, Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic.

Question: How are the American healthcare providers reacting to Americans traveling overseas for care?

Regarding hospitals many of America’s best hospitals are aggressively partnering with hospitals and hospital networks abroad, sharing research, technical skills and sometimes staff. Duke University Medical Center is building a Graduate Medical School in Singapore. The list of partnerships grows monthly.

On the physician front, many doctors—understandably--feel threatened by medical tourism, and are openly hostile. Many lack knowledge about overseas hospitals and are not in a position to properly inform their patients. We believe that as the US healthcare crisis deepens, physicians and surgeons must engage in more collaborative relationships with patients who express wishes to travel overseas for affordable treatment.

Question: How about insurance companies? Do you anticipate them jumping into the medical tourism business?

Insurance companies are just getting their feet wet, and some have launched pilot programs (e.g. Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC). Pressured by employers large and small, carriers are seeking alternatives to the very costly treatments that break most plans. As challenges of liability and medical transparency are met, we expect to see insurance companies become more aggressive and creative on this front, offering specialized carve-outs for medical travelers and employers.

Question: To those Americans who are skeptical about going to a third world country for care, what do you have to say?

I say, we hear you. Even when armed with the facts, it’s hard for most people to imagine themselves actually boarding a plane for a medical procedure in a far-flung land. Medical travel isn’t for everyone. That said, there’s safety in numbers, and last year more than 150,000 Americans traveled abroad for a wide array of treatment, saved more than $2 billion collectively, and came home to tell about it.

Question: Why have you dedicated a full book on Singapore medical tourism?

The “Patients Beyond Borders Singapore Edition” is the first in what we expect to be a series of country-specific editions, which allow us to offer in-depth information that a general guidebook cannot. The Singapore Edition was the result of a very successful collaboration between our company, Singapore Medicine and the Singapore Tourism Board. With its excellent medical and research infrastructure, Singapore is the ideal candidate for the first edition of this series.

Question: What’s coming next for you?

A Second Edition of the book (mid-2008), greater Web presence, creative partnerships with carriers and providers, more country-specific editions.

Question: Would you like to add anything else?

We’re happy to hear from patients and others who wish to share their stories or otherwise comment on international medical travel.


Thanks, Mr. Woodman, for your time and your valuable insight. We wish you all the best with Patients Beyond Borders Singapore Edition.

Stay tuned to Medical Tourism News and Views for more news, views and videos.

This exclusive interview was brought to you by Healthbase. For more information on medical tourism visit Healthbase.com.


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