Medical tourism is booming and affordable healthcare isn’t a myth. Developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK provide health care services at prices that many citizens can’t afford. When you look beyond the borders of your home country, you will find health care systems in other countries that are equally as good (if not better) at a fraction of the price. When you look at your health care options, you will find that you can in fact pay significantly less for high quality health care overseas. Medical tourism allows you to save on thousands of dollars without having to sacrifice quality. More and more people are opting for medical tourism in order to take advantage of the number of benefits it provides. Aside from saving money on health care, who doesn’t want to travel to a foreign country and relax during their recovery? Medical tourism appeals to many people because not only can they see interesting and new parts of the world, but they can also save enough money on health care to cover the cost of an overseas trip and still come out ahead financially. Instead of recovering in a small hospital room at your local hospital or health care clinic, you could spend your recovery time in a luxurious hotel. Receiving premium treatment and still save a small fortune, now who doesn’t want that?

Cost savings is one of the predominant factors that have made medical tourism a lucrative option. Patients in countries with expensive medical care seek overseas options in order to save money. The availability of affordable health care appeals to patients with expensive medical care in their home country or are without medical insurance. When it comes to money, price influences our decision when committing to purchase a product or service. Therefore, when choosing between options, the majority of us go towards the cheaper alternative. With medical tourism, it is not surprising that a number of people choose to travel overseas for surgery. Choosing to travel abroad doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on quality. In most cases, the quality of health care overseas surpasses that of in developed countries due to the rapid expansion and establishment of health care services. Many countries have invested a lot of time, money and resources to build up their health care system to attract overseas patients. A growing number of patients from developed countries travel to areas of the world once characterised as developing and third world countries. These countries have been able to capitalise on medical tourism and reap the benefits of a huge cash flow. This cash flow allows for hospitals to invest in the latest and state of the art technology and instrumentals to deliver superior medical care. Medical tourism has become an attractive option for potential economic growth in many countries around the world. As a result of this, global competition is emerging in the medical care industry where more and more patients are travelling abroad for surgery. The amount of money saved by the patient varies depending on the destination country and the treatment.

There are a number of reasons for the growth in medical tourism and we have already narrowed down cost as the primary motivator. High labour costs in developed countries (such as Australia, the US and the UK) drive up the cost of operating hospitals which in turn reflects in the amount charged to the patient. On the other hand, developing countries with lower operating and labour costs (such as India, Vietnam and Thailand) mean that the treatment can be offered at lower and more affordable prices. Medical tourism is also on the rise because of its accessibility and availability of certain treatments. Some countries may have long and extensive waiting lists, even in the private sector. This is why medical tourism becomes an option for many patients as there are short or even no waiting lists. Medical tourism serves as a timely and effective solution to patients whose health condition requires immediate attention. In addition, many patients simply travel abroad for treatments that are not available in their home country. When it comes down to the quality of medical care overseas, especially in developing countries, there is a common misconception that health care is not as good in the developed world. However, there are a number of leading foreign hospitals and medical clinics in the world. This is because they cater to the tourist market and have the latest facilities and technology, highly skilled doctors and nurses, and provide quality care. Some of these countries have also invested heavily in developing research infrastructures that lead to important new developments in health care. In fact, countries such as South Korea and India are two of the world’s leader in stem cell research and biotechnology.

It is important to remember that the quality of treatment is not the same everywhere. When intending to travel overseas for surgery, it is crucial to conduct research and ensure that the foreign hospital or medical clinic you are considering is internationally accredited. By confirming this, you are guaranteed a medical institution that delivers its treatments to extremely high standards and provides high quality care. The Joint Commission International (JCI) is the accreditation body in the US that accredits health care organisations by identifying, measuring and sharing best practices in quality and patient safety with the world. The Trent International Accreditation Scheme plays the same role in Hong Kong and Britain. Many hospitals around the world seek to achieve these accreditations in order to attract medical tourists. Some countries have even adopted their own accreditation standards. There are over 600 JCI accredited medical facilities around the world that gives us an extensive list of options to choose from when intending to travel abroad for medical treatment. As patients, we should avoid the common mistakes when aiming to experience the true benefits of medical tourism. Choosing certified or accredited medical facilities as per international standards ensures you will receive quality health care. Keep in mind to weigh the pros and cons of medical tourism to your specific circumstance before making a final decision. There are a number of factors to consider that will determine your decision as well as the cost and overall quality of treatment. Opting to travel abroad requires legal paperwork and permits, which can make the process tedious. Therefore, you should be aware of the legalities in the foreign country you intend on travelling to. Furthermore, the cultural and language barrier puts medical tourists at a disadvantage. When travelling to a foreign country, the different culture and language make it difficult to adjust. You may find it tough to communicate with health care professionals and locals during your visit. However, with many patients travelling from English speaking countries, you will find that many medical facilities have English speaking health care professionals. But if language is an issue, you can rely on facilitators or interpreters to help with communication. Taking the time to thoroughly carry out research of a medical tourism institution can pay off. This way you can filter out the available options to choose those with high medical care standards. Educate yourself not only about the benefits of medical tourism, but also the risks involved and the alternatives available before you commit to your final decision.

At International Rejuvenation, we are Australia and New Zealand’s leading medical tourism agency. We help you find safe and affordable medical services at our partner JCI accredited hospitals. By partnering with JCI accredited medical facilities, we can assure all our patients that they will receive the highest standards of health care. If you are interested in cosmetic surgery in Thailand, we offer abdominoplasty, liposuction (traditional and vaser), breast augmentation, and many other plastic surgery procedures. Not only do we provide cosmetic surgery, but also dental, Lasik, skin care/anti-ageing treatments and vaginal rejuvenation. We are partnered with one of Bangkok’s premier health care facilities. Superior quality and high efficiency, Samitivej Srinakarin’s cosmetic and plastic surgery centre boasts a team of highly skilled and board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons. We are committed to providing you with comprehensive care along your journey and we appoint you with your very own experienced and knowledgeable case manager who will be there to guide you through every step of the process. We understand that medical tourism can feel overwhelming, which is why we’re here to make sure you don’t compromise quality over cost. International Rejuvenation offers a range of different packages to suit your individual needs and also provide return cover. Our return cover will cover the cost of flights and accommodation if you need to undergo revision surgery. This will give you the added peace of mind and assistance you may need. We believe that surgery should never be entered into lightly. Our professional, efficient and affordable cosmetic health care grants you to opportunity to propel your charm without having to compromise your budget. International Rejuvenation first class service and fostering partnerships with only accredited surgeons and hospitals puts your health and outcome first. Now you too can afford high quality health care.