The World Really is Flat: Flying Overseas For Healthcare

Many of us know that health care prices are getting out of control in the United States, but it won’t really hit you until you’re in a hospital somewhere and a doctor tells you that you need a $50,000 surgery. Nobody’s got that kind of money just sitting around! Many people have been going overseas to places like Brazi, Costa Rica and India to have surgeries performed so that they can get the surgery done for a lot less money. This practice is called medical tourism and according to the Financial Times of London, it can save patients up to 75% of the costs on major surgery.

Flying overseas to have medical operations performed will certainly save you money, but the question is whether or not the quality of care you will receive is similar to that you would receive in the United States. The Financial Times also tells us that Singapore is the best place to travel to overseas to receive medical care of the same quality as you would receive in the United States. You’ll save about 50% on your bill and will have a private nurse available 24 hours a day.

Several insurance providers actually allow their members to travel abroad to receive health care. Most plans that are sponsored by Aetna have benefits that cover elective surgeries overseas. In addition, OptiMed Health and United Group Programs offer care at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. You’ll have to check your specific policy to find out the exact terms and details, but there’s a chance your insurer might provide some money toward your overseas surgery.

There are some things that people considering overseas treatment need to be aware of before jumping on a plane. If you go overseas, chances are you will have no liability protection or any recourse in the event of malpractice. Be sure to check the credentials of the doctors and surgeons who will treat you. Make sure they were trained or board certified in the United States or another developed Western country. The hospital should also be certified by the Joint Commission International. It’s the foreign branch of the major US accreditation organization and will give you a pretty good idea if it’s a hospital you should be visiting.

There are now actually companies that provide medical tourism services. Companies such as Medical Tours International and Planet Hospital can handle all of the arrangements for you. Just be sure that the hospital has carefully reviewed the hospital before you sign onto anything.