MEDICAL TOURISM TIPS: WHAT A MEDICAL TOURIST SHOULD KNOW AND DO

It's easy to hop on a plane and catch the next flight to your surgical destination. But before you do so, there are a number of things you should know and do to make your medical tourism trip safe and successful. Here is a list of medical tourism tips that will assist you in planning...

DO PROPER RESEARCH

Research is the first step to successful medical travel. Make sure that you do your research on the following:

1. The procedure: Find out about the procedure and compare your expectations with what’s achievable by the surgery. Also inquire about follow-up care needed, time required for recovery, physical therapy, etc.
2. The hospital: When selecting the international hospital that's right for your needs, you should consider the hospital’s accreditation, awards and recognitions, facility and equipments, statistics like success rates, etc.
3. The surgeon: Check the certifications, training and repute of the surgeon who will be treating you.
4. The destination country: You should base your country selection on: quality, distance and cost.

KEEP YOUR LOCAL DOCTOR INFORMED

Always work with your local doctor and inform him about your decision to travel overseas for treatment. You may need his assistance prior to the surgery for furnishing the health records required by the international hospital and post surgery for any follow-up checks that may be required.

HAVE ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN ORDER

Bring the following documents with you. For each document, make copies and leave one set of copies at a safe place at home.

1. Medical records: Medical records like X-Rays, MRI's, health histories, photographs, immunization records, prescriptions, and any other health records relevant to the surgery. Remember to carry all these medical reports and any medicines in your carry-on luggage.
2. Passport and visa: You will need a passport for yourself and your travel companion (if any). Depending upon the country you are traveling to, you may or may not need a visa. Check with the destination country's embassy for the same.
3. Credit cards, debit cards and travelers checks: Bring some local currency, travelers checks and one or two major credit cards and debit cards.
4. Driver's license: Carry your driver's license and make sure it will remain valid while you're traveling.

KEEP IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION HANDY

Keep the following contact information handy: 1. Emergency contacts like relatives and friends 2. Destination embassy 3. Hospital 4. Hotel 5. Local surgeon / doctor 6. Employer

BE PREPARED TO STAY LONGER/SHORTER THAN EXPECTED

You should allow ample time for recovery after your surgery before you travel back home. So be prepared to stay longer as advised by your doctor. In some other cases you may not need to stay for as long as was expected.

WORK WITH A MEDICAL TOURISM COMPANY

Last but not the least, work with a medical tourism provider like Healthbase. They 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.

Due research and planning are vital to happy, safe and successful medical travel. Therefore, you must follow the above medical travel tips and do your homework before boarding the plane.

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.