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Medical Tourism FAQs About Hospitals
FAQs About Hospitals
- Is It Possible to Connect with Past Medical Tourism Patients So That I Can Ask Individual Questions?
- If I Sign up with a Medical Tourism Company, Who Is Ultimately Responsible for My Health and Safety?
How Can I Be Certain That a Medical Tourism Facility Is Safe?
It’s important to understand that no medical facility will have a perfect success rate for all procedures. This is as true in the United States, France, and Japan as it is in India, Singapore, or Argentina. Medical complications, errors, and negligence are common to all healthcare systems in all countries. If you ever come across a facility that claims to be 100% successful 100% of the time, walk away.
You can gauge the overall safety of a medical facility by researching its credentials, history, Web site, articles, testimonials, inspection records, success rate, and recommendations.
In our Accreditation & Safety section, we highlight some of the steps you can take to assess a hospital’s or practitioner’s record. We also invite you to visit our Medical Tourism Forums where you can ask questions and share experiences with other medical tourism patients. And of course, Testimonials can help you develop a clearer picture of what each facility has to offer. User feedback can often be more helpful than hospital brochures, fancy Web sites, and other promotional materials.
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Is There an Independent Body That Maintains Safety Records and Other Important Data Regarding Hospitals and Practitioners in Other Countries?
Sometimes there is, but not always. In the United States, for example, there is the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Us Department of Health And Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration. There are also various citizen watch groups that monitor the relative safety of individual hospitals and medical practitioners in the United States.
Once you leave the United States, however, you won’t always find independent organizations that monitor medical facilities with the same thoroughness. You should certainly check with whatever accrediting agency certified the medical tourism facility you plan to visit, but as far as finding government- or citizen-sponsored oversight agencies, this might prove difficult.
You can, however, assess the quality of a medical facility in other ways. For a more thorough discussion about how, please visit our Accreditation & Safety section.
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Will I Have Round-the-Clock Nursing Care during My Recovery?
Although nursing and administrative support varies from facility to facility, you might be surprised to discover that you receive more care and attention at medical tourism hospitals than you would in your hospital back home. Many medical tourism facilities invest heavily in personalized care because they understand that foriegn often have to go through great lengths to arrive. Visa concerns, culture shock, distance from family members, long flights, and other obstacles make it difficult for patients to pursue medical tourism impulsively.
Paradoxically, lower labor costs in medical tourism destinations can often translate to superior personalized care. A medical tourism facility can hire qualified, well-trained, and experienced nurses for a fraction of what a U.S.-based hospital would have to pay. As such, some medical tourism facilities report nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:4. This is a very impressive number when you consider that the average nurse-to-patient ratio in the U.S. is closer to 1:8.
That being said, you should ask the hospital any questions you have about nursing support-- before, during, and after your medical procedure.
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What Are Foreign Hospitals and Medical Facilities Like?
You can find medical facilities of all shapes and sizes when you go abroad. Some cater almost exclusively to locals, and thus, the tourism component is not nearly as prevalent. Other medical facilities cater almost exclusively to foreign patients, and thus, luxury and service are quite important.
Because most medical tourism hospitals have Web sites, you should be able to develop a general idea of what each has to offer in the way of accommodations, facilities, staff, and amenities. Some hospitals and dental clinics are modeled after luxury hotels, while others are more traditional and straightforward.
It pays to do some research ahead of time, however, since not all “medical tourism” facilities are of the same quality. An inferior hospital can market itself as a major medical tourism destination, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it can handle all of your specific healthcare needs appropriately. The more homework you do, the better.
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How Up-to-Date Are the Hospital’s Facilities?
Are the Facilities and Equipment Comparable to What I’d Find Back Home?
As you begin contacting different hospitals and dental offices, you should ask how often they update their equipment. Medical advances come along all the time, and you want to make sure that whatever tools and equipment a medical tourism facility uses are safe, reliable, and clean.
Fortunately, many medical tourism destinations invest heavily in their equipment and infrastructure to ensure that patients receive the best treatment possible. Whereas hospitals back home are charged with the responsibility of keeping the general public healthy, medical tourism facilities are charged with the more difficult responsibility of attracting patients from abroad and sending them back healthy. There’s obviously tremendous incentive to outperform Western facilities when it comes to technology, equipment, and health standards.
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What If I Need a Prescription Filled While Overseas?
Although prescription medication practices vary from country to country, it’s best to assume that you’ll need a doctor’s note before having any prescriptions filled at a pharmacy or drug store. Although a doctor’s note from your home country may sometimes suffice, you’ll probably need to go through a local dentist or physician in most cases. Having your medical records with you when you visit a physician or dentist can certainly expedite the process.
In some countries (Thailand, for example), you actually don’t need an official prescription for many pharmacies. In Bangkok there are tons and tons of pharmacies spread throughout the city selling everything from cough syrup to generic Viagra to brand name arthritis medication. You simply walk in, describe your symptoms (or ask for the medication directly), and a pharmacist will provide whatever is necessary. However, we don’t endorse self-medication. For maximum health and safety, it is best to go through a licensed medical practitioner. Visit our Traveling with Medications section for a more detailed discussion.
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How Do I Handle Follow Up Procedures?
What About Follow up Procedures?
What Happens if There Is a Problem Once I Return Home?
Will I Still Be Able to Contact My Physician When I Return Home?
What happens if you return home and require follow procedures, physical therapy, or other post-treatment care?
Any treatments or procedures that you receive while abroad should be cleared with your domestic medical providers in advance. Your doctors and dentists back home should be part of any general discussions before, during, and after your surgery. This discussion should also include your insurance provider, attorneys, medical tourism broker (if there is one), and family members. This is because each case differs with regard to follow-up care, financial responsibilities, and legal accountability.
Sometimes, arrangements can be made for post-operative treatment back home to be covered by insurance. Usually, however, you will be financially and legally responsible for any additional health care. Make sure you have all of your questions sufficiently answered in writing before you sign any agreements, purchase any tickets, and begin your medical vacation. You should also make certain that your medical tourism provider will be easy to reach once you return home.
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Will the Hospital Be Able to Accommodate My Strict Dietary Restrictions?
I Am Strictly Vegetarian/Vegan. Will the Hospital Be Able to Accommodate Me?
I Am Strictly Kosher. Will the Hospital Be Able to Accommodate Me?
I Am Allergic to Certain Foods. Will the Hospital Be Able to Accommodate Me?
Because many of the more upscale medical tourism facilities cater to a wide array of dietary and culinary backgrounds, if you want your meals to be vegetarian, vegan, kosher, cholesterol-free, P net-free, or dairy free, they should be able to accommodate your particular needs. However, it’s always best to call ahead and alert them to any dietary restrictions you might have. If the hospital or dental office cannot provide the type of in-house service that you require, it might be able to make special delivery arrangements with the closest restaurant that fulfills your requirements.
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Will I Need a Translator?
If you speak English, very rarely will you need a translator when visiting an established medical tourism facility. Most of the doctors and many of the nurses will speak fluent English. In those rare cases where they don’t, the hospital facility will likely provide a translator for you.
If you are not a native English speaker, you might be surprised by the broad range of languages available at some medical tourism facilities. Bangkok Hospital in Thailand, for example, offers 26 languages, including Farsi.
However, you should always call ahead and make sure that whoever will be handling your medical treatment will either have facility with your native tongue or a translator nearby who can help.
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Will I Have Access to Modern Conveniences in the Hospital?
Will the Medical Tourism Facility Be Air Conditioned?
Will the Medical Tourism Facility Have Cable, Television, and Internet Access?
Will the Medical Tourism Facility Have Newspapers, Magazines, and Other Reading Materials?
The number and quality of modern conveniences will vary from medical facility to medical facility. But given the emphasis on international tourism, it’s safe to say that most of the more reputable hospitals, dental clinics, and wellness centers offer the full gamut of luxuries. Cable television, Internet access, international newspapers, magazines, air conditioning, diverse cuisine, in-patient accommodations, and convenience stores are all quite common these days. Some medical tourism patients are actually surprised at how luxurious and extravagant the facilities are. Many comment that hospitals in countries like Thailand and India more closely resemble five-star hotels than traditional healthcare centers.
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Can I Take Prescription Pills Back Home with Me?
What if I’m Prescribed Medications That Are Not Allowed Back Home?
It’s not uncommon to receive antibiotics, vitamins, painkillers, and other important prescription medications after your treatment. In most cases, these drugs won’t be a problem when you take them back home. But sometimes your native country might not permit certain prescription medications past customs. If you have any doubts or concerns, clear your prescription drug lists with your medical tourism doctor or dentist, and clear them again with your domestic doctor or dentist. You might have to find alternative remedies if your medical practitioners determine that some or all of the ingredients are banned in your home country.
When it comes time to fly back home, make sure you keep all prescription medication in the original packaging. You’ll also want to keep all relevant medical records in your carry-on baggage so that, if need be, airport security can authenticate your records as necessary. Visit our Traveling with Medications section for a more detailed discussion.
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If I Sign up with a Medical Tourism Company, Who Is Ultimately Responsible for My Health and Safety?
Different medical tourism companies use different contracts and agreements. Some take full responsibility for your health and safety, while others merely act as liaisons between you and partner medical facilities. You’ll need to read the exact terms and conditions of whatever agreements you sign. We recommend including your family members, attorney, and medical practitioner in this process. It’s very important that you clearly understand who is responsible, who is liable, and who is in charge. Ultimately, however, YOU are responsible for your health and safety. That is to say, don't sign or agree to anything that doesn't feel right. When it comes to your well-being, you are the boss.
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Will the Hospital Supply Wheelchairs, Crutches, and Other Medical Equipment after Surgery?
Braces, bandages, wheelchairs, crutches, and other medical equipment should be included in whatever treatment you receive. In most cases, there will be a charge. If you’d like to know the exact terms and fees, you should call ahead and check with the medical tourism facility.
You’ll also need to make special arrangements with the airline on your way back home if you need to take medical equipment on the plane. Because medical tourism facilities are familiar with these types of situations, they can probably help you make whatever arrangements are necessary. For a detailed discussion about flying with extra medical equipment, please read our Traveling with Disabilities section.
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Hospitals Back Home Don’t Allow Me to Bring My Own Prescription Medication During Treatment. Is This True with Medical Tourism Facilities Abroad?
There is no one easy answer to this particular question. Different countries and different medical tourism facilities will have their own rules and regulations regarding outside prescription drugs. You’ll need to call ahead and alert them to any existing medication.
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Back Home, I Usually Have to Sign Consent Forms before Surgery. Is the Same True Abroad?
Yes, you usually have to fill out consent forms, medical history paperwork, contact information, insurance data, and all the usual forms you’re probably used to back home. Finding English versions of these forms usually isn’t difficult since medical tourism facilities obviously cater to very international crowds. If you’d like the requisite paperwork in a different language, however, you might need to make special arrangements in advance.
If a medical tourism facility cannot provide paperwork in the language of your choice, it will often have a translator on hand to help you fill out the necessary information. We recommend asking for this paperwork in advance so that you can arrange for independent translations (just in case).
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Is There Any Way I Can Review Consent Forms in Advance and Make Changes?
If you call ahead, you might be able to receive all or some of the paperwork in advance. As to whether or not you can make substantive changes to the forms, it’s hard to say. It’s safer to assume that you’ll have to abide by whatever rules and regulations a hospital or dental office puts forth. If you are uncomfortable with any of the terms, conditions, or general language of the paperwork, you should probably seek out an alternative medical tourism facility.
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Suppose the Medical Tourism Facility Is Unable or Unwilling to Provide Treatment Once I Arrive. Do I Get My Money Back?
If a hospital or dental office is unable or unwilling to provide treatment once you arrive, you shouldn’t have to pay for the treatment. There may be a bill for general nursing and administrative items, but you might be able to get out of these extra charges as well.
If you booked your vacation through a medical tourism company or broker, you might be able to receive a refund on the airline ticket and hotel accommodations. You’ll have to read the exact terms and conditions of whatever contracts you signed. If you handled all reservations and arrangements on your own, it is unlikely that the airline and hotel will refund your money.
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