Medical Tourism Tips - What a Medical Tourist Should Know and Do

It's easy to hop on a plane and catch the next2. Passport and visa: You will need a passport for
flight to your surgical destination. But before youyourself and your travel companion (if any).
do so, there are a number of things you shouldDepending upon the country you are traveling to,
know and do to make your medical tourism tripyou may or may not need a visa. Check with
safe and successful. Here is a list that will assistyour destination country's embassy for the same.
you in planning...3. Credit cards, debit cards and travelers checks:
DO PROPER RESEARCHBring some local currency, travelers checks and
Research is the first step to successful medicalone or two major credit cards and debit cards.
travel. Make sure that you do your research on4. Driver's license: Carry your driver's license and
the following:make sure it will remain valid while you're traveling.
1. The procedure: Find out about the procedureKEEP IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
and compare your expectations with what'sHANDY
achievable by the surgery. Also inquire aboutKeep the following contact information handy:
follow-up care needed, time required for1. Emergency contacts like relatives and friends
recovery, physical therapy, etc.2. Destination embassy
2. The hospital: When selecting the hospital that's3. Hospital
right for your needs, you should consider the4. Hotel
hospital's accreditation, awards and recognitions,5. Local surgeon / doctor
facility and equipments, statistics like success6. Employer
rates, etc.BE PREPARED TO STAY LONGER/SHORTER
3. The surgeon: Check the certifications, trainingTHAN EXPECTED
and repute of the surgeon who will be treatingYou should allow ample time for recovery after
you.your surgery before you travel back home. So
4. The destination country: You should base yourbe prepared to stay longer as advised by your
selection on: quality, distance and cost.doctor. In some other cases you may not need
KEEP YOUR LOCAL DOCTOR INFORMEDto stay for as long as was expected.
Always work with your local doctor and informWORK WITH A MEDICAL TOURISM COMPANY
him about your decision to travel overseas forLast but not the least, work with a medical
treatment. You may need his assistance prior totourism provider. They are specialized facilitators
the surgery for furnishing the health recordsthat connect you with the hospital of your choice
required by the international hospital and postwhile providing all or some other valuable services
surgery for any follow-up checks that may belike detailed information about various procedures,
required.detailed hospital profiles and surgeon profiles,
HAVE ALL YOUR IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS INmedical records transfer, free surgery quote, pre-
ORDERand post-consultation with the overseas hospital,
Bring the following documents with you. For eachfeedback and testimonials from previous patients,
document, make copies and leave one set ofmedical and dental loan financing, passport and
copies at a safe place at home.visa, airport pick-up and drop-off, hospital escort,
1. Medical records: Medical records like X-Rays,tickets, travel insurance, hotel booking, tourism
MRI's, health histories, photographs, immunizationservices in the destination country, etc.
records, prescriptions, and any other healthDue research and planning are vital to happy, safe
records relevant to the surgery. Remember toand successful medical travel. Therefore, you
carry all these medical reports and any medicinesmust follow the above medical travel tips and do
in your carry-on luggage.your homework before boarding the plane.