Medical Tourism Blog

Thailand’s Worst Kept Secret

Putting the Cost of Dental Bonding Within Reach of the Masses

Like everything else in the developed world, dental procedures are getting more and more expensive. The result has been a mass exodus of individuals and families in need of quality dental care that falls within the limitations of their budget. And where is everyone going? Many of them are heading overseas. The New York Times reports that dental bridges and bonding are two of the most sought-after procedures among American medical tourists. In the same article, the National Coalition on Health Care estimated that 40% of the half million Americans seeking treatment abroad in 2006 had opted for dental procedures. The significant interest in medical tourism over the last few years is a testament to its effectiveness in dealing with a primary concern: reducing the cost of procedures like dental bonding and inserting bridges.

Where Does Thailand Fit In?

Away from the sandy white beaches and serene temples, you’ll find a beehive of activity at each of the major hospitals that serve medical tourism candidates. Thailand has established itself as a trusted destination for dental tourism and safety. While it always remains necessary to ensure that the hospital you’ve selected is fully accredited and the doctor is qualified in that field, all good hospitals take dental tourism safety very seriously. Thailand is also home to hospitals like Bumrungrad that are famous for their dental services. The availability of cheap yet high quality dental care easily takes first place as Thailand’s worst kept secret.

Thailand for a Medical Vacation

If you absolutely have to stop avoiding the trip to the dentist, then you may as well get a nice vacation out of it. There’s nothing like a medical vacation to perk up your spirits and make an otherwise fearful event seem a little less frightful. Unlike other invasive surgical procedures, simple dental procedures like dental bonding or root canals will not keep you from the sun and sand. You may be warned to be careful about what you eat or drink, but you can still enjoy your holiday to the fullest in every other way.

Is a Health Vacation Right for You?

Medical Tourism Vacations on the Rise

News articles and press releases vouching for the high cost effectiveness of health vacations are showing up with increasing frequency.  Some of them go into detail, quoting savings of 60–80% on medical tourism vacations.  With cost savings of that magnitude within reach, it seems almost too good to be true that you’d get a full-fledged vacation to go with it.  The increased interest from healthcare consumers has spurred various authorities to forecast the growth of the industry over the next few years.  For example, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India published a study forecasting annual earnings of US$1.87 billion in foreign exchange by 2012 in India.  These earnings are seen as a direct result of the medical tourism boom. 

What Does Medical Tourism Mean for the Individual?

Quite simply, medical tourism takes care of the healthcare requirements of those who are uninsured and underinsured.  It also provides unlimited opportunities for those seeking tremendous cost savings coupled with an enjoyable vacation from the daily grind.  Individuals in need of major surgery need not fall into heavy debt and potentially damage their credit in order to pay for it.  For example, the cost of hip resurfacing surgery in the U.S. can amount to a whopping $55,000.  Wockhardt Hospital in India performs the same surgery with the same quality of care for a mere $7,000.  But that’s not all.  The lower price tag covers the cost of the hip resurfacing surgery as well as transport to and from the airport, consultations, standard tests, standard medication, a fully equipped room with accommodations for a companion, a customer service attendant, a comprehensive written medical report, a dietician, daily email updates of your condition for your family, and travel planning assistance.  Now that’s what I call adding value! 

Choosing the Right Hospital for a Health Vacation

Anyone considering a health vacation should remember to do a fair bit of research on the hospitals and doctors promoting their services.  Amidst today’s climate of zeal for medical tourism and its benefits, there are many great deals as well as scams to be found.  Take the help of a reputable medical tourism operator or look up the major hospitals in the countries of your choice.  Their websites or customer service personnel should clearly state their rates and the details of the package.  Be sure to check that the hospital is accredited and that the doctor assigned to you is fully qualified. 

Singapore’s Secret for Low Cost Herniated Disc Surgery

Cost of Herniated Disc Surgery May Hurt More Than the Injury

In the United States, according to Dr. Thomas Russell, executive director of the American College of Surgeons, “No surgery is minor.”  He alludes to the fact that whenever someone is working on the inside of another person, there’s the potential for Murphy’s Law—if something can go wrong, it will—to intervene.  However, with soaring health care costs, even procedures as complicated and dangerous as herniated disc surgery (discectomy) or heart surgery seem even worse.  In addition to undergoing the knife, patients have to shell out big bucks to receive the treatment they need.  This added stress can be extremely unhealthy. 
 

Health Vacations to Singapore Relieving Pressure on Bank Accounts, Too

A person with a herniated disc may experience numbness in the legs, difficulty walking, or incontinence; but almost all herniated disc symptoms will include pain, too.  Sadly, some United States citizens are more afraid of the cost of herniated disc surgery than the procedure itself.  At least the surgery gives relief.  But what can Americans do to relieve the bulging envelopes stuffed with medical bills?   

Singapore is one of many countries capitalizing on the growing medical tourism boom, offering safety and affordability for these and a wide array of other procedures during health vacations making health care not only affordable, but enjoyable as well. A discectomy operation in Singapore can cost as low as $10,000.  If this pricing follows medical tourism and health vacation industry standards, the surgery would be between 40-60% of the cost of the same procedure in the United States…minus the vacation, of course. 

Fusion Surgery in Singapore Defusing Cost of Herniated Disc Surgery

Singapore offers fusion surgery to many US patients at a fraction of the domestic cost of the herniated disc surgery.  Singapore General Hospital is one of the country’s leading centers for nerve and spine procedures.  While the medical industry continues its research into less invasive forms of fusion and discectomy surgeries or treatments, some studies question the need for surgery at all.  Various sources claim medicine and rest is treatment enough, at least for the milder cases of herniated discs.  Validation of these claims may prove an even greater reduction in the cost of treatment for herniated discs without the surgery.

Why Is Thailand the Land of Smiles?

What’s Next…Family Medical Vacations?

While medical vacations originally won their appeal from older patients combating the health and cosmetic effects of age, countries like Thailand are adding braces to the list of procedures and attracting a younger audience.  Remember the kids in grade school with the obtrusive metal braces, impatiently waiting several years for their teeth to be corrected.  Medical tourism offers a more attractive version of braces, with a more attractive price tag.  Whether you’re a parent who prefers the cost savings of Invisalign braces, or a savvy teen who prefers the aesthesis of the “wireless” Invisalign look, a family medical vacation to Thailand may be the way to go.   

Medical Vacations Offer Seemingly Invisible Cost of Invisalign Braces

The cost savings of globalization have proven abundant in dental tourism destination countries like Thailand, Singapore, Brazil, India, and the Philippines.  For example, the cost of Invisalign braces can be as low as $5,000 in Thailand.  That’s about the cost of traditional braces 10-15 years ago in the United States.  Even traditional metal braces in Thailand can be as low as $1,500.  The cost of Invisalign braces in the United States can get up to $9,000.  The more than 20% savings gives the appearance of getting braces in a 2-for-1 sale, where you’re getting the medical procedure and vacation at the same time.  In some cases, the accommodations, travel, and ground transportation in-country are included in the already discounted price.    

New Draw For Dental Tourism Destinations

At a glance, you can’t see the clear plastic trays used in place of wire and bracket braces; but patients can certainly see the reduced cost of Invisalign braces during medical vacations.  Computer generation helps produce the custom-fitting trays which move teeth slightly, almost twice a month; even giving patients before and after shots before the process takes place.  The process takes, on average, six months to a year, as opposed to taking several years for conventional braces.  Receiving quality medical care at an affordable price while enjoying a family vacation with sightseeing, culture, history, fun, and sun time makes for an amazing medical vacation to Thailand or other dental tourism destination countries.