Is medical tourism right for you? Medical tourism is becoming more and more popular, especially in the cosmetics area, because most insurance companies in the US do not cover cosmetic procedures. So, a good majority of people hop on a plane going to India or to Mexico, hence the term ‘medical tourism’. But how do you go about doing Medical Tourism? It takes planning:

First, if you do decide to travel abroad for a medical procedure, make sure the hospital you are going to is safe. It’s best if the hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). The JCI is the same organization that accredits hospitals in the US.

Second, find out about the country you will be traveling to. There are many infectious diseases in countries outside of the US; diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis A. Once your surgery procedure is complete, you are susceptible to bacteria and viruses. Find out what vaccinations are needed before your Medical tourism trip. Plus, check into the political stability or instability of the country you’ll be traveling to, you don’t want to be in a country in the middle of a civil war or an uprising.

Third, find out what the medical laws are in the country you’ll be traveling to, every country’s laws are different. Make sure your procedure is legal and if you are injured by the doctor, see what legal actions you can take.

Fourth, find out if it will be safe for you to fly after having surgery. Being on a long flight might raise your risk of health issues, like blood clots. Ask both your doctor and surgeon what to expect during recovery and when it will be safe for you to fly home. Then, ask what kind of procedures are in place if when you get home, you run into complications. Do they offer to fly you back? Can you fly back? Plus, will there be any extra charges.

Fifth and final, will traveling abroad actually save you money? Check into prices for having the procedure done in the US compared to having the procedure done in another country, that includes the cost of flying, hospital charges, and any extend stay facilities that might be necessary for your particular procedure. You might just find out that medical tourism will actually cost more, or you may find out why medical tourism has become a growing industry, because you do save a great deal of money and that the country you go to offers excellent care.