Medical Tourism, Health Tourism

Dental Tourism in Europe

meditravel — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:40:20 +0000

Dental tourism is one area of medical tourism and is definitely not a new concept. Dental tourism in Europe has existed for decades and it has become more organized today with the increasing number of professional dental practitioners in countries like Hungary, Poland and Spain along with the ever-growing demand for quality yet affordable dental care.

Travelling typically means expenses but in the case of dental or medical tourism, patients are able to save on healthcare costs. In Hungary, for instance, top notch dental care is 50-70 percent cheaper than in the United Kingdom or the United States. As an example, a dental filling in the UK will cost about $400 but only $40 at the most in Eastern Europe. So, it’s very obvious why dental tourism is a fast-growing segment in the Europe’s medical tourism sector. Its offer of quality dental care, state-of-the-art equipment, highly competent dental professionals and affordability is a winning combination. It is certainly the perfect solution for individuals without dental insurance who are residing in high-cost places.

In addition to all these, dental tourism also gives European patients a chance to take a holiday in a beautiful European country. It may seem like a strange idea to mix ‘dental pain’ with the pleasure of travelling but, if you think about it, wouldn’t a 10-day vacation in Europe be a great pain or discomfort reliever? Or wouldn’t sightseeing in Budapest or hanging out in a scenic sidewalk café somewhere in Spain be a great antidote to nerves before a dental appointment?

Some of the important things to consider when planning for a ‘dental holiday’ include the location where you plan to get your treatment, how you will travel to and around the city, and your accommodation. Make sure the country or city is easily accessible with plenty of transportation options. Choose an accommodation that is recognized by the country’s tourism authority.

There are many dental tourism service providers that will arrange for your accommodation, transportation as well as holiday activities in addition to your dental treatment. However, national tourism offices of top dental tourism destinations in Europe such as the Hungarian National Tourist Office or the Polish Official Travel Website do not typically recommend any particular dental service provider and may not be able to give you any references.

A good idea is to search online for honest feedback from people who have had dental service done in the destination of your choice. Alternatively, if you have a prospect company, you can also ask them for references of their past clients who can confirm the quality of their service. Keep in mind that although Europe is known for its flourishing dental tourism, not all companies in this region provide the same quality of service. So, it is very important that you do your own homework before crossing continents to see a dentist.

Dental Tourism from the USA

meditravel — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:51:17 +0000

Dental tourism is a subspecialty of medical tourism that provides high quality, often world-class dental procedures, at a fraction of the cost had the procedure been done in the foreign national’s parent country. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, more than half a million Americans leave for medical and dental work in other countries. It is this number of tourists that are being lured by dental tourism countries all across the globe. Depending on the nature of the dental work that needs to be done and the cost of which the patient is willing to pay, there are a variety of options dental tourists can choose from.

One of the primary considerations dental tourists should carefully make is the type of dental work they require. Depending on the complexity of the procedure which may require state-of-the-art technology, equipment and facilities and world-renowned dental proficiency, a dental tourist can choose from a variety of dental tourism countries. If the cost of travel and some other issues are of concern, perhaps visiting a much closer dental tourism country will be the best option.

In most cases, if the dental work will only include dental implants, dental prosthetics, dental crowns and other similarly minor dental procedures North American dental tourists need not look any further. Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama have well-trusted and highly qualified dental professionals who can provide these kinds of treatments for a very minimal fee. Aside from the savings a dental tourist can get from these low cost dental services, the proximity of these nations as compared to those in Asian countries offer additional savings to the already budget-strapped tourist.

These Latin American countries have perfected their dental craft through the decades of providing dental services to both foreign and local nationalities. Many of these dental practitioners have been trained in the US and other Western countries but have the leverage of lowering their professional fees primarily because of the infrastructure in place.

For dental tourists who may either have the means to extensively travel around the globe or require a major dental work, the choices will have to be those facilities in India, Thailand and Singapore. These dental facilities integrate state-of-the-art equipment and facilities with the world-renowned expertise of internationally-trained dental practitioners. Although the cost of dental procedures may be similar to, if not slightly lower than, those in Latin America, these dental facilities have the added advantage of the reputation for topnotch technology.

Countries in Asia that people go to for medical tourism

meditravel — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:55:30 +0000

Because of the global financial crisis, healthcare delivery now comes at a rather prohibitive cost such that families can hardly pay for their medical and health insurance anymore without necessarily impinging on their other requirements of daily living. The phenomenon has indeed spawned the development of a brand new kind of tourism industry. Medical tourism in Asia has been at the forefront of this surge in providing high quality and world-class healthcare services at a cost that is significantly lower than those in most First World countries like the US, UK, and most of Europe.

The central idea in medical tourism is that the healthcare service one so requires is much more expensive in the country of origin than in other countries. With this in hand, the patient then seeks healthcare services from outside of his home country and in countries that promote medical tourism. The good thing about medical tourism Asia is that all of the countries that promote the industry are manned by internationally trained health professionals so that foreign nationals will still receive the same kind of high quality care they would otherwise get from their health professionals back home.

The World Health Organization has identified the role medical tourism in Asia in providing quality healthcare services at a much lower cost to the overall health and wellbeing of every individual human being all around the world. Majority of these countries combine medical treatment with recreation to make the medical tourist’s stay more holistic. Furthermore, such integration is recognized as instrumental in the successful recuperation of the patient from his condition.

Thailand leads the Asian countries in the number of medical tourist arrivals every year – more than a million – and steadily growing. India, with its blend of Ayurvedic medicine, modern know-how and technology comes in a close second with half a million medical tourist arrivals every year. Although slightly more expensive than its neighboring countries because of the world-class and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment used in treating various health conditions, the tiny island nation of Singapore comes in third. The Philippines have also played a crucial role in the promotion of medical tourism in the Asia-Pacific region such that a few of its hospitals are already either ISO certified or are accredited and certified by the Joint Commission International.

All of these medical tourism countries are backed with adequate political and tourism infrastructures that aim to further advance the aims of the industry. As such, medical tourism packages are considered a standard in these nations to make the overall health package truly cost-effective.

Medical Tourism in Latin America

meditravel — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:27:57 +0000

American healthcare patients who may be hard-pressed with the rising healthcare costs in the US may find medical tourism in Latin America a more practical solution. Not only are these countries within striking distance from the mainland USA, they are also manned by world-renowned, US-trained and Board certified medical practitioners. But, because the infrastructure may be significantly lower than those in American clinics, the cost of the healthcare service is relatively many times cheaper.

The culturally rich nation of Mexico has been largely credited for a variety of cosmetic and plastic surgeries as well as dental procedures and bariatric treatments. Lying just across the southern border of the United States, majority of the healthcare facilities here are run and manned by US, if not US-trained, health professionals. But because the infrastructure is inexpensive, the medical professional need not charge exorbitant fees lest he loses to stiff competition. This does not mean that the quality of the healthcare procedure is anything less than satisfactory. The procedures are well above industry standards and can accurately measure up to any other standard across the globe.

Costa Rica is another Latin American country that exhaustively combines its vast natural resources of rustic mountains, miles-long sandy white beaches, and lush tropical rainforests with internationally recognized expertise in the area of cosmetic, plastic, and bariatric surgery as well as dental procedures. Costa Rica’s major attraction is not only its well-known medical specialists but also its natural environment which can greatly foster faster recovery times for patients. Although most of the hospitals in the island are not yet fully accredited by the Joint Commission International, throngs of medical tourists still flock this paradise island because of its beauty and the competence of its healthcare professionals.

Panama is also an ideal medical tourism destination for treatments such as plastic and cosmetic surgery as well as cancer therapy. American medical tourists can readily enter the country with a tourist visa.

Cuba, although at the other end of trade restrictions by the US, has been enjoying medical tourism for more than four decades now. Well-known for their proficiency in plastic and cosmetic surgery, joint replacement, eye surgery, and cancer therapy, medical professionals in Cuba are a must for medical tourists who want true value for their money. The only trade off is that, for American medical tourists, additional permission is required from the US government.

Surgery and travel can blend together in the most European-esque city of Buenos Aires in Argentina. This country became highly attractive for medical tourism after its currency plummeted in favor of the US dollars. Another favorite destination is Colombia because of its well-trained staff and state of the art facilities, as most of the physicians studied in Britain or the United States.

A long-time player in cosmetic surgery but considered a newbie in the non-cosmetic field, Brazil is another destination of choice when considering the Latin America sphere. However, a Visa is still required should US Citizens opt to visit Brazil for medical tourism purposes.

Compared to their Asian counterparts, medical tourism in Latin America does not have the luxury of a well-established infrastructure nor the topnotch technology. However, they more than make up for this drawback by the unparalleled competence of their medical professionals and the richly varied landscape and history of these countries.

Going to the Philippines for medical tourism

meditravel — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:22:04 +0000

With a rich Spanish, American and Japanese colonial history, the medical practitioners of the tropical Pacific island paradise of the Philippines are naturally gifted to be at par with internationally recognized medical practitioners. This rightfully gives medical tourism in the Philippines the much needed impetus to become one of the most effective revenue-generating industries in the country.

Considering that the Philippines is party to various international treaties and organizations, it thus offers a certain degree of latitude to foreign nationals who may be having some problems attending to their healthcare needs in their mother country. This is because, like other medical tourism-promoting nations, the Philippines offers healthcare services that is truly world class and high quality yet at a lower cost than in First World countries.

The Philippine Department of Tourism, in cooperation with the Department of Health, has put in effect a very aggressive marketing campaign to promote medical tourism in the country. Dubbed as the “pearl of the orient”, the Philippines is carefully being positioned as the next Singapore in Southeast Asian Medical tourism because of its equally talented and naturally gifted professionals, internationally accredited and certified hospitals and standalone specialty clinics, extensive use of state-of-the-art medical equipment and procedures, as well as a warm and hospitable people and world class tourist destinations for recreation and leisure. The procedures commonly performed on medical tourists include cosmetic and plastic surgery, dermatological treatments, bariatric surgery, ophthalmologic treatments and dental procedures.

In major cities of the Philippines like Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Cebu and Davao are hospitals that are either duly accredited and duly certified by the Joint Commission International or are in the process of being accredited. Majority of these hospitals are also ISO-certified to assure foreign nationals seeking treatment options for their various health problems that they receive world class service at a fraction of the cost in their country of origin.

Couple this benefit with the additional incentive of having to experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people, world renowned for their ready smile and friendliness. As such, medical tourists in the Philippines will not only be able to receive the highest level of quality health care but they will also be able to have the vacation of their life. Visiting the country’s 7,107 islands and enjoying its unique regional customs and traditions can truly make successful recovery a certainty.

Philippines medical tourism is a unique mix of medical science and technology and the island nation’s natural charms and warm hospitality. This blend is an interesting treatment regimen in itself that patients will heal and recover a lot faster.

Fertility Clinics Abroad

meditravel — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:28:00 +0000

Fertility clinics are highly specialized medical establishments that provide assistance or help to couples and individuals who want to have a baby but cannot because of some organic or psychological problem on either partner. The services offered by these clinics can range from simple sperm cell diagnostic tests to the more complex in vitro fertilization and assisted reproductive technology procedures, all of which command considerable healthcare costs. This is one of the reasons why American couples are looking to other avenues such as fertility clinics abroad.

The issue of fertility is something that is very sensitive, especially to the conservative family. As such, they go to great lengths to try to bear a child, even to the point of joining some traditional folk dances that are believed to gain favor from a local spirit of fertility. Yet, the need to bear a child is an overriding concern among married couples of today. However, the exorbitant fees often attached to such healthcare services preclude couples from ever realizing their dream.

Fertility clinics abroad, like those in India and Turkey are well known for their competence in solving some of the more sensitive issues in fertility. And because these countries are part of a collection of nations known as medical tourism countries, the cost of the fertility procedures are four to six times less expensive than those in the US, UK and even Canada. Despite the low cost of healthcare services, it does not follow that the quality of the procedure is also low. Indian and Turkish fertility professionals are internationally trained to handle such issues and they perform these procedures within the confines of a state-of-the-art facility.

In Turkey alone, majority of the fertility professionals US Board certified medical practitioners which should be enough reason not to suspect their competence. In India, the British Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority has effectively outlined the parameters at which assisted reproductive technology procedures are to be performed. Usually costing to as much as $18,000 per cycle of in vitro fertilization in the UK, the same procedure can be had in India for only $7,200. Most of these Indian clinics will also be paying for the couple’s airfare and hotel accommodation, sometimes including in the package a sightseeing tour in India.

Other countries that offer low cost yet very efficient and high quality fertility services include Israel, Guatemala, Thailand, Argentina, China and Mexico. These countries already have fertility clinics that offer the newest in assisted reproductive techniques like intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, laser assisted hatching, embryo freezing, egg donation, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, embryo biopsy, and blastocyst transfer. Aside from these state-of-the-art technologies, couples seeking solutions to their fertility problems are also given other treats as part of a unique package that combines medical treatment with tourism recreation.

Why Get Plastic Surgery Abroad?

meditravel — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:20:31 +0000

With the ever-increasing realization of modern man to look his best and function in his most optimum levels, the specialization of plastic surgery is now enjoying a boom never before seen. These reconstructive procedures are usually expensive and are out of reach for the cash-strapped family of these times. This is one good reason why plastic surgery abroad is a practical solution for individuals who may want to have some parts of their body restored or reconstructed in the best or optimal form.

Plastic surgery abroad is usually offered as part of a package that includes travel, accommodation and treatment. These packages are uniquely designed to cater to both the patient’s medical concerns and his need for fast and efficient recuperation. This is why medical tourism countries like Mexico, India, Hungary, Turkey, Thailand, Costa Rica, Malaysia, and the Philippines can be very beneficial to such individuals. Medical tourism enables the acquisition of world class healthcare services at a fraction of the cost from First World countries; it is not surprising that millions of medical tourists are traveling all over the world in search of the most effective high quality and affordable healthcare services.

In Asia, Thailand and Malaysia offer cosmetic procedures at a cost which is slightly higher than those in India. Yet, the quality of the outcome of the procedure is essentially the same because of the presence of internationally-trained professionals. Singapore and the Philippines also offer such services although the latter offers them on a significantly lower price than the former.

Latin American countries like Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica offer plastic surgical procedures to US and Canadian patients. Aside from getting the best plastic surgery there is, US patients are also given the luxury of cutting their travel expenses. Unlike medical tourism to Asia, visiting countries in the American continent entails very minimal travel expenses so that the patient can have more resources to enjoy the added frills.

While in Europe, Hungary, Turkey, Poland and the Check Republic are the destination of medical tourists from United Kingdom, Germany and other rich countries.

Singapore medical tourism

meditravel — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:04:14 +0000

Singapore is one of the smallest nations in the world, the total land area of which is no larger than most Asian cities. However, this does not preclude it from attracting hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals every year to the Singapore medical tourism industry. With its first class healthcare services and facilities deeply integrated into a no-nonsense public policy and governance as well as unparalleled education system and expansive use of technology, Singapore ought to be the world’s haven for medical tourism.
Although the cost of healthcare in Singapore is slightly higher than in other Asian countries like Thailand, India and the Philippines, the quality of the healthcare services provided more than compensates for the premium placed on such procedures. Furthermore, the cost of the healthcare services are still much less expensive than those in the US, UK and Europe. Add to this Singapore’s penchant for discipline and medical tourists are assured of only the best and highly credible healthcare services there is.
Unlike other countries, medical tourism in Singapore started more as a showcase of the technical proficiency and state-of-the-art systems and procedures of the healthcare industry to the world. With over 200,000 medical tourists a year, the Economic Development Board, together with the Singapore Tourism Board and the International Enterprise Singapore have pooled together their resources to strategically position the tiny island nation as the most preferred medical tourism destination in the world.
Presently, there are about 11 world class hospitals in Singapore that are duly accredited and certified by the Joint Commission International while most hospitals have attained ISO-certification, at the very least. The major healthcare services offered by these fully equipped healthcare establishments include cardiac care, ophthalmology, cancer therapy, dental treatments, plastic and cosmetic surgery, and stem cell transplantation.
Medical tourists seeking professional help from Singapore’s first-rate medical professionals are thoroughly assisted by the Singaporean Tourism Board by providing them comprehensive and truly economical medical packages. These packages include a variety of features and amenities such as transportation and accommodation assistance, appointments with appropriate healthcare professionals, arrangements with specific hospitals for the duration of the treatment, as well as facilities to allow the foreign patient to successfully recuperate.
Singapore is well-known for its chic boutiques and immaculately-clean surroundings. Its commercial districts are strategically interspersed with beautifully-landscaped parks and reserves. Its naturally calming cleanliness together with the variety of fun and recreation activities makes medical tourism in Singapore a truly marvelous experience.

Benefits of going to Costa Rica for medical tourism

meditravel — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:25:56 +0000

Costa Rica is not only a favorite destination for its lush virgin tropical forests, miles-long white sandy beaches and a rich cultural heritage. Capitalizing on its internationally trained medical professionals and its low cost yet high quality healthcare services, medical tourism in Costa Rica is now one of the primary motives for foreign nationals, especially US citizens, in visiting the Caribbean paradise.
The staggering healthcare costs, including the cost of health insurance premiums, are causing many Americans to look for alternatives where they can address their health needs within their budget. This is the reason why a lot of American patients have turned to countries that offer affordable yet high quality healthcare services. Today, more than 15% of Costa Rica’s tourists are visiting the country as medical tourists. This rate has been growing steadily over the years, primarily because of improved communications, aggressive marketing of medical tourism, improved infrastructures, and enhanced quality of healthcare services.
The healthcare services of Costa Rica have been recognized to be at par with, if not slightly higher than, those in the US. Majority of its big hospitals and specialty clinics are manned by internationally trained and Board certified healthcare professionals. These medical professionals are well known for their expertise in the field of plastic surgery and dental treatments. These procedures, like in any country that promote medical tourism, cost significantly lower compared to those in the US and Canada. The technology used in the performance of these procedures is also modern. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) marks the country’s healthcare services very highly which should provide an additional assurance to medical tourists seeking quality health services at an amazingly lower cost.
Combining well trained, world-renowned and duly certified health care practitioners with a complete array of only the latest in medical and health technology as well as globally competent patient care systems, Costa Rica is indeed a very viable alternative to healthcare systems in Western countries.
Perhaps the most important reason why medical tourists should consider Costa Rica is the opportunity to combine medical treatments with vacation, recreation and leisure. Medical tourists can greatly benefit by the peaceful, tranquil, and paradise-like environment of the nation when recuperating from their medical procedures.
As they say, Costa Rica’s natural charms as ingrained in its beaches, mountains, tropical rainforests and breath-taking landscape can greatly enhance the experience of Costa Rica medical tourism.

Mexico as a medical tourism destination

meditravel — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:17:06 +0000

In the booming and equally challenging industry of medical tourism, Mexico is fast becoming a major alternative to Americans who would like to get real value for their money in terms of medical and dental procedures that would otherwise be very prohibitive in their own native states in the US.
Rather than stretching the limits of an already over-stretched budget by traveling across the Pacific to receive low cost yet high quality healthcare services, American medical tourists have found a haven in Mexico. Dubbed as an emerging hub for American medical and dental tourists, Mexico is now on its way to developing its various tourism and healthcare infrastructures to accommodate the ever increasing demand for low cost high quality health care services.
Mexico offers many advantages for the average American over Asian medical tourism destinations like Thailand, India, Singapore or the Philippines. First, its proximity to the mainland US and its being a member of the North American Free Trade Agreement allow Americans easy access to the medical proficiency and dental skills of Mexican healthcare practitioners. Secondly, since a majority of the Mexican healthcare institutions are located in the northern portion of the country that borders with the US, language barriers is never a problem.
The quality of the health care service provided by these hospitals and specialty clinics is usually at par with global standards. Many of these institutions are duly accredited and certified by Mexico’s Entidad Mexicana de Accreditacion which is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. A few of these health care institutions have already undergone the process of accreditation and are awaiting certification from the Joint Commission International.
Mexico is heavily favored by Americans for its high quality dental, cosmetic and plastic. Furthermore, a majority of the healthcare practitioners performing a variety of these medical, surgical, dental and cosmetic procedures are US-trained and qualified. Completing the allure for the American medical tourists are specially crafted packages for medical tourism that combine medical procedures with recuperation in a quite vacation location.
The Mexican medical tourism industry is well-known for its affordable dental and plastic surgical procedures. Some of the procedures are offered at a cost which is 75% to 80% cheaper than in the mainland USA. One of the most sought after procedure in Mexico is the bariatric surgery which is a form of weight loss treatment especially for morbid obesity.
Given the proximity, friendly and warm atmosphere and the overall cultural sensitivity of Mexico to American medical tourists, it is without a doubt that it is on its way to becoming a major hub for medical and dental tourism in North America.