Medical Travel and Global recession.

Struggling economies and medical tourism:
The recent economic down turn and protracted recession have prompted a bigger debate about the health care costs today. There have been several speculations about the effect of tough economic times on medical travel industry. Let's review some interesting arguments here.


Disposable income and the effect on Medical Travel:
The hard economic times have created a sharp decrease in the disposable income for many middle class families. This obviously will create the postponement of optional medical care like cosmetic and bariatric surgeries. Then one might ask about the necessary procedures. There might not be a much a much a discussion about medical necessity of these procedures. The medical travel industry has felt some impact already. The slow pace of recovery did not really help the matters in this segment.


Rising premiums and increasing medical consumerism:
The Americans have seen their health care costs go up each year. The insurance companies have started passing a significant portion of these costs to the patients. With many hospitals abroad with very high standards and international accreditation's, many patients are not hesitating today. The out of the box thinking that is fueling the medical travel industry. Some patients are combining their recreational travel and medical budget to pursue the health acre abroad.


However one should understand and appreciate the fact that undertaking medical tourism is a big decision. The patients are more learned and are willing to take some matters in their own hands. It will be very interesting to watch how this will unfold in the time to come.

Cheap Surgery Abroad- The Right Way

The medical tourism industry has passed its infancy and has now clearly became a force to reckon with. Today, almost everybody understands the importance of health travel. Despite this, many people are still learning the hard lessons in the most painful way. We see these horror stories everyday and want to help out to prevent these tagedies in future.

1. Be Frugal- not Greedy:
Unfortunately many patients seems to think that shopping for the better price in medical tourism. Get a decent price. But don't compromise on the quality. Stick with your earlier objesctive. Safe and affordable surgery.

2. Safety comes first:
Again, many patients planning a medical tour, think all the surgeries are same. WRONG!!! There is a reason why medical facilities are accredited in America. The same is truee abroad. The accreditations will evaluate the quality of the hospitals. The hospitals, once accredited, will work extra hard to maintain those accreditations.

3. The ability of the surgeon:
Most of the quality surgeons will typically practice in high quality hospitals. They are typically reluctant to operate in cheap facilities. They don't want to spoil their reputation by associating with these small surgery clinics. Think about it!! You would do the same if you are the surgeon.

4. Don't play around:
Any reputed medical tourism provider would not entertain patients who would play around. They would help you to find better facilities within your parameters. Be clear to yourself, what you want to do. Then find a good medical tourism provider and stick to them.

5. Reward the ethics.:
There are few medical tourism companies that would strictly adhere to the ethics. They are easy to spot and by reawding them, you would help to bring about a much needed change.



Finally remember: Don't be a medical mishap statistic. Instead, do something about it!