Because of rising costs and lengthy treatment waiting lists, many people in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom are choosing to go to other countries for more budget-friendly prices and efficient service for medical treatment. This practice, officially known as medical tourism, sounds appealing, but is it safe?
Accreditations and Providers
For more than ten years, an accrediting body known as Joint Commission International, or JCI, has been involved with evaluating international healthcare providers. Now there are more than 300 accredited locations around the world.
Also, anyone who’s interested in medical tourism doesn’t have to go through the process alone. Just as people who are preparing for a court date related to a motorcycle incident might hire an attorney from Russ Brown to advise them, or someone who’s preparing to attend college could rely on a guidance counselor, anyone who wants to get medical care abroad can start by contacting a recognized medical tourism provider.
What Happens Next?
Providers get a client’s medical history and then consult with a medical professional to obtain a recommended strategy for care. If it’s determined that a client could receive the proper assistance by going abroad, they’ll be provided with the necessary paperwork, such as a medical visa.
Once the client arrives at their destination, it’s time to meet with a case manager. This person may help a client with accommodation needs or explain the general time frames for a treatment.
The Potential Risks
Although all medical procedures carry some degree of risk, concerns differ in regards to medical tourism. Because the type of infectious diseases in some destinations might not be the same as the common threats in First World countries, some patients might experience complications during or after their procedure.
Locals in some areas have acquired natural immunity to illnesses over time, but the same isn’t true for someone just visiting briefly to undergo a procedure.
Also, if something goes wrong, or a client is generally dissatisfied with the care received, there may not be a system in place to deal with complaints in a fair and effective way.
Additionally, some clients are discovering that their insurance provider will not cover the costs of medical treatment received abroad. However, in many cases, this is not a strong deterrent, because the price of procedures is already drastically less than a person would pay if they stayed in their home country to get the procedure.
As with most decisions related to your well-being, it’s necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a firm choice for or against medical tourism. Protect yourself by always insisting on getting treatment an accredited hospital, and find out as much as you can about what’s involved before you travel abroad.
Author Bio: Michelle is an aspiring writer with a passion for blogging. She enjoys writing about a vast variety of topics and loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to publicly voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience.
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