Plastic Surgery Prices Head Up and Consumers Head Out

Dental and Medical Tourism on the Rise

It’s no secret that the cost of dental procedures, including root canals and dental caps, are on the rise, and it doesn’t appear to be coming down any time soon.  Plastic surgery prices are considered high since the procedures, which are most often regarded as purely cosmetic, are generally not covered by insurance.  As the demand grows, consumers take a second look at opportunities abroad, not only for the appeal of low prices due to the substantially lower overhead costs, but also for the two-in-one benefit of getting a dream vacation at the same time.  The high demand in countries like Thailand and India are illustrative of this growing trend.  According to Donga.com, 1.5 million global tourists visited Thailand for medical procedures in 2007.  This number is expected to grow to two million medical tourists by 2010.   

The Benefits of Medical Tourism

The most obvious benefit of medical tourism is beating the cost of simple procedures like dental caps or laser teeth whitening.  As one Australian news site points out, complete packages often “include airport and hospital transfers, accommodation for 10 to 14 days and follow-up care from a team of nurses, agents and helpers.”  Add to the equation the chance to walk through historical areas, lie on the beach (or in the shade) sipping cool drinks, learning a new language, and cheap shopping.  Depending on your country of choice, there’s a whole world of experiences to explore, and as you recover from your surgery, you’ve finally got the time to explore it.  After your surgery, your doctor will give you guidelines on protecting your healing body during recovery.  

Medical Tourism Awareness

Now before you book your flight and start planning your itinerary, there are a few things that you need to consider.  If you choose to work with a package operator, check their customer testimonials and do some research of your own.  Always check the credentials of the hospital and doctor that you’ll be dealing with.  Check if your insurance will cover the procedure.  Get a detailed breakdown of all the costs involved and exactly what they pay for.  Being fully aware of what you’re paying for will protect you from any disappointments or unwanted surprises later on. 

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