| If you are one of the thousands of people | | | | medical travel as well. |
| considering medical tourism as an option for your | | | | For example, once you are certain of your |
| health needs, how can you be sure that your trip | | | | medical travel plans, make your reservations, |
| will be everything that you hope it will be? | | | | book your travel arrangements, and take care of |
| Here are some practical tips for medical travel to | | | | any necessary paperwork. Make sure your |
| help make sure that your trip is smooth sailing. | | | | passport is still valid. Find out if any visas are |
| The number one tip for any medical travel plan is | | | | necessary for your destination, and apply for |
| to do your homework. A little research will go a | | | | them. Are any vaccinations needed for travel to |
| long way to make sure that your trip does not hit | | | | your destination? Get all these travel |
| any unexpected bumps along the way. Medical | | | | arrangements taken care of early. |
| tourism is a growing trend, and more and more | | | | Be prepared to extend your stay at your medical |
| countries are jumping onto the bandwagon to get | | | | destination. It can be dangerous to travel without |
| their share of this booming industry's multi-million | | | | your doctor's approval and release, so allow |
| dollar annual revenue. With this being the case, it is | | | | adequate time for your recovery, and don't be |
| important that you make sure that you will be | | | | afraid to stay a bit longer on your doctor's orders. |
| getting the highest quality healthcare available at | | | | Purchase some of the local currency so that you |
| affordable prices, wherever your medical | | | | have cash on your arrival at your medical |
| destination might be. | | | | destination. Get traveler's checks from the bank. |
| Check out the hospital that will be providing your | | | | Bring along a credit card with sufficient balance for |
| medical care at your medical destination. Find out | | | | spending. Visa and Mastercard are the most |
| all you can about the hospital's reputation, its | | | | widely recognized worldwide. Make sure your |
| facilities, its technology and equipment, and the | | | | credit card dates are valid, and don't be afraid to |
| procedures they provide. | | | | ask for an increase if you need it. Most credit |
| With the growing trends in medical tourism in so | | | | card companies are happy to give their |
| many countries, as a wise traveler, also find out | | | | customers a temporary increase for travel |
| all you can about the doctor who will be providing | | | | purposes. |
| your medical treatment while overseas. You | | | | Make at least two photocopies of your passport, |
| should be able to learn a bit about the doctor's | | | | as well as at least two lists of your credit card |
| education and training, as well as his areas of | | | | information and traveler's check serial numbers. |
| specialization, and his general reputation. | | | | Leave one of the passport copies and one of the |
| Research your travel destination. Find out about | | | | lists at home in a safe place. Bring one copy of |
| any possible language or cultural differences. Look | | | | each with you, but don't carry it on your person. |
| into the local currency and the exchange rate. | | | | Either keep it in your luggage, or leave it with |
| Check out hotels, recovery care facilities, and | | | | your travel companion. |
| hostels. Check out the weather conditions at your | | | | Check all your medical prescriptions for necessary |
| medical destination so you can pack adequate and | | | | refills. Bring along a list of your medications, and |
| appropriate clothing. Be prepared for hidden costs | | | | be sure to include their generic names, as brand |
| and unexpected expenses. | | | | names may differ from place to place. |
| Learn about the medical procedure you are having | | | | Bring along a list of important contacts, so that |
| done. It will be helpful for you to fully understand | | | | you, your travel companion, or your medical |
| all the possible risks and complications involved in | | | | provider can contact your doctors back home, |
| your surgery abroad, as well as having a good | | | | family members, insurance providers, employers, |
| understanding of the recovery time and | | | | and other important contacts. |
| necessary follow-up medical care. | | | | Careful planning and preparation are two of the |
| Careful preparation is vital to having a positive | | | | key ingredients to the successful medical tourism |
| experience in medical travel. Find out if there are | | | | holiday. So, do your homework. Put thoughtful |
| medical tourism packages, special health travel | | | | consideration into all your preparation, and you too |
| deals or discounts for which you might qualify. | | | | can join the growing ranks of medical tourists. |
| In terms of your preparation, in many ways, | | | | Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy a delightful |
| medical travel isn't that much different from any | | | | and memorable medical travel vacation |
| other travel. All the arrangements you would | | | | experience. |
| make for any holiday would be applicable for | | | | |