Medical Tourism

Medical tourism (also referred as medical travel, health tourism) is traveling to another country for medical treatment. A growing number of Australians are setting out for India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore for everything from dental work to breast implants to major heart surgery. According to a recent report by the Singapore-based travel supplier Abacus International, Asia's medical-tourism industry is expected to generate more than $4.4 billion dollars by 2012. These tourists are usually surprised to find brand new facilities and equipment in these hospitals, supported by the excellent service. The most common reasons for increasing medical tourism are great savings in prices, better quality of services and combining vacation and medical treatments. However, medical tourism does have its downside and the aspiring tourist should be familiar with possible risks and spend time conducting their research or taking assistance from a healthcare facilitator, as these risks are manageable.

1. Excellent SavingsCost savings is the main reason most people are initially attracted to go overseas for medical treatment. Australian health insurer, Medibank Private, says open-heart surgery can cost up to $180,000 in Australia; in India's best hospitals it could cost between $3000 and $10,000. Dental, eye, and cosmetic surgeries in Western countries cost three to four times as much as in India (Source: Theage.com.au). The table below provides you a representative list of the procedures that are worth considering for overseas treatment and the indicative treatment savings at home and in India.
   
   

   Treatment	Cost in AUS	Cost in India	Saving (%)
   Total Knee Replacement	$16,500	$7,500	55%
   Total Hip Replacement	$19,000	$8,000	58%
   Full Face Lift	$11,000	$3,750	66%
   Breast Augmentation	$9,250	$4,150	55%
   Tummy Tuck	$7,500	$3,400	55%
   Lower Denture Supported by Implants	$22,200	$6,500	61%
   16 Porcelain Veneers	$35,200	$6,900	80%

   
   
   Dental surgery is typically the biggest saver with medical tourism; 50%-80% savings across the board are standard in India with excellent facilities. These savings that you receive in the treatment costs can easily offset the air tickets, tours or in case of major surgeries, can pay for the entire family’s trip overseas.
   
   
2. Price Transparency
   
   In addition to having a lower price, overseas hospitals are increasingly more willing to provide upfront prices. More complicated surgeries will still be estimates, but they are increasingly more forthcoming about the cost of past procedures and for many procedures they will often offer set packages that cap the total cost, barring complications. This is excellent for planning purposes and comparing options. This openness is a product of intense competition for foreign patients.
   
   
3. Bypass Waiting List & Bed Shortages
   
   According to Australian Hospital Statistics 2004-05, the waiting time for elective surgery for 90th percentile is 217 days and 4.8% waited for more than 365 days. This is another factor contributing to the increased uptake of these elective surgeries overseas. With a well-planned tour, most surgeries can be conducted within days of landing. This is offering Australians a fresh hope, rather than living with the pain and inconvenience especially for orthopedics problems. For all non-life threatening surgeries, overseas medical treatment is a viable option.
   
   
4. World Class Quality
   
   One of the major issues pondered by prospective medical tourists is risk of a reduction in quality, not just in facilities but also in the physicians/surgeons themselves. It is natural to assume that if something is cheaper then it must be of lower quality. The reality is exactly opposite. Many of the reputed hospitals in the overseas medical hubs are accredited by the Joint Commission International, which certifies - through painstaking periodic inspections that procedures and practices meet demanding standards. JCI is the sister organisation of Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the U.S. hospitals certifying body and is similar to Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) or similar kind of standards in Europe Canada in health care. Additionally, many have management and staff training tie-ups with leading U.S. medical organisations such as Johns Hopkins and Harvard Medical International. These hospitals employ hundreds of highly-trained and specialised surgeons with impeccable credentials. Many either trained or previously worked in the U.S., Europe or Australia; many are U.S.-certified; and the vast majority speaks English fluently. Additionally, these hospitals boast state-of-the-art medical equipment and diagnostics. With some support from a good healthcare facilitator, you can generally get a doctor who is the country’s best in the field.
   
   
5. Five Star Service
   
   In addition to low costs, many people appreciate the superior service and hospitality offered in overseas hospitals. Most of the hospitals will have a special division to look after the needs of International Patients, making their stay comfortable and making them feel at home. Airport pick ups are typically part of the package. You will be picked up from airport at any hour of the day. International patients are looked after by specially trained nurses, and facilitated by guest relations executives for any special requirements like accommodation for the companion, shopping, interpreters, currency exchange, tourism packages etc. There is a plentiful supply of registered nurses in these hospitals to ensure a service that can only be dreamed of in the local hospitals in Australia. If staying overnight in the hospital, the rooms come with all the facilities – air conditioning, TV, meals etc., which will be superior to any hospital rooms at home.
   
   
6. Let healthcare cost savings pay for your vacationTypically, by availing of the medical treatment overseas, you will be able to save enough in your treatment costs, to recuperate in luxury and also give your family/ partner a much deserved holiday. All of the major medical tourism hot spots – India, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia – offer a vast array of tourist attractions. Working closely with your healthcare facilitator, you should be able to put together a travel package for yourself and your family to have a well deserved vacation before the treatment and recuperate in style after the treatment, without spending a cent extra to what you would have spent at home. Having a recuperative holiday after your surgery, without the daily hassles of the life at home should assist you in faster recovery as well.

1. Foreign Language and Culture
   
   It is quite natural for you to be hesitant about language and culture of a foreign country, especially if you have not been to the country before. Therefore, you need to be prudent with the choice of country for your treatment. Indians tend to speak much better English than some other Asian countries. You will not have much trouble in finding your way around with English in any of the major cities in India. You will be able to find all of your familiar brands in India. It also helps to work with your healthcare facilitator like MyMedicalChoices, who have a good understanding of the local language, culture and practices. They can assist you with putting together a package that will take care of all the logistics, from airport to hospital with little need to stray or interact with the locals, as another option.
   
   
2. Limited Legal Recourse
   
   The chances of complications occurring because of incompetence or negligence are rare in major tourism hospitals due to less hectic work shifts, surplus of staff and expertise of the doctors. However, the fact of the matter is that medical tourists have few options if there is a major problem. The legal system in many of the foreign countries could be time consuming and full of hassles. This makes it vitally important to choose a reputable hospital by working closely with a healthcare facilitator like MyMedicalChoices, who has a good understanding of the local medical practices, hospitals and doctors. Do your research and ask as many questions you like to get your satisfaction before you leave for treatment.
   
   
3. How to arrange the logistics?
   
   Finding the right hospital or doctor is often the biggest stumbling block for prospective medical tourists. Medical tourism can be complicated if you make your plans yourself or can be simple using services of a healthcare facilitator, though with a fees for their planning services. Healthcare facilitators can take care of all the aspects for your trip such as air tickets, visa, airport pick-ups, local ground transport, hotel bookings and tour packages. If you have little experience traveling, they are a safe bet. Most of the healthcare facilitators like MyMedicalChoices work with multiple hospitals. Your interest is kept in mind at all times.