by Denise

Medical tourism is growing increasingly popular with adults and seniors today. This field of health and wellness tourism has exploded because of rising medical care costs for dental care, vision care, laboratory tests, medical treatments and procedures for a multitude of conditions such as COPD, diabetes, heart care and other issues that commonly afflict today’s baby boomer generation. Finding and affording such medical care is becoming increasingly difficult for seniors today, due in part because of the faltering economy, but most commonly because pensions, Social Security and retirement funds are unable to keep up with healthcare costs.

To date, India is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourists because of their wide range of high quality yet low-cost procedures. Highly trained physicians and many hospitals within India such as the Artemis Health Institute offer services such as cancer treatment, bariatric procedures, orthopedic knee surgery, obesity and weight loss care and ophthalmology specialists that may be bundled into package deals.

Singapore enjoys high-quality hospitals accredited by the JCI, such as the National Heart Center that offers cardiac care in angiography, heart valve surgery and other thoracic care. Thailand rivals India in quality and pricing structures and has long been known as the ultimate destination for world-class private healthcare facilities and highly trained surgical staff.

Facilities in Latin American countries are well known for being able to provide high quality dental work, and prices there are one third to one half lower than those found in the United States. Northern Europe, as well as Western European countries such as Hungary, Germany, and Poland. Today’s baby boomers want excellent and affordable health care. They’re crossing borders to meet their needs.

Tags: affordable health care, angiography, Artemis Health Institute, baby boomers, bariatric, bariatric procedures, cancer treatment, cardiac care, COPD, dental care, dental work, diabetes, Germany, health and wellness, health and wellness tourism, healthcare, heart care, heart valve surgery, hungary, India, JCI, knee surgery, latin america, Medical Tourism, Medical tourists, medical treatments, National Heart Center, obesity, ophthalmology, orthopedic, orthopedic knee surgery, poland, Singapore, thailand, throacic care, vision care, weight loss care
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by Denise

A large percent of baby boomers (those between the ages of 45-65) are currently uninsured. Many who belong to this age group have lost their jobs due to aging, unemployment or downsizing and are no longer covered by affordable health care or insurance.

Traveling beyond local borders offers this group, more than any other demographic, the opportunity to pursue and receive premium healthcare, alternative treatments and travel, all at the same time. Boomers are leading the way to more affordable healthcare, seeking medical care overseas to address such needs as knee and hip replacement surgeries, cardiac care, and alternative treatments for chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, orthopedic procedures, and dental care.

American boomers needing dental care and prescriptions often travel south of the border into Mexico or even as far as Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica for their needs. Dental procedures as well as medications in Latin American countries is less than half of what comparable procedures and medications cost in the United States. Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia are popular destinations for those needing hip or knee replacement surgeries. Europeans are making trips to Hungry and Poland for dental and cosmetic procedures at great savings, even after including the cost of travel and hotel or clinic accommodations.

Hospitals in South America or Asia generally cost one half of the price charged in the United States and Europe. For example, cardiac and orthopedic surgeries performed in India can save health travelers nearly $20,000 or more with one surgical procedure.

The health and wellness industry is booming, and today’s older adults and boomers are leading the way to a new revolution in affordable health care known as medical tourism.

Tags: affordable health care, alternative treatments, Argentina, arthritis, asia, Brazil, cardiac, cardiac care, chronic conditions, cosmetic procedures, costa rica, dental, dental care, dental procedures, diabetes, Europeans, global medical tourism, health and wellness, hip replacement surgeries, hospitals in South America, hungary, India, knee replacement, knee replacement surgeries, Latin American, Malaysia, medical care overseas, Medical Tourism, medications, Mexico, orthopedic procedures, orthopedic surgeries, poland, prescriptions, Singapore, surgical procedure, thailand
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by Denise

 When looking for medical providers abroad, some of the first questions an individual may want answered include:

·         Convenience – where is the facility located?  How will I get there?

·         Customized services - will the facility be able to meet my specific needs?

·         Acknowledging risks - what are the risks involved not only traveling to this destination, but of my specific surgical procedure or treatment? Is staff at this facility open and honest about all potential risks of such procedures or treatments?

·         Providing unique solutions - will the facility be able to cater their services to meet my specific needs? Are they open to the prospect of working with me to solve my particular problem or issue?

·         Quality of service - is this facility accredited and approved not only according to their country’s accreditation levels, but also by international accreditation facilities such as JCI (Joint Commission International)?

PlacidWay offers an informative article Choosing an International Medical Provider on what to look for when choosing international medical providers in more detail. Whether you’re looking for cosmetic/plastic surgery, obesity or weight loss surgery treatments and procedures, or you need orthopedic surgery for your hip, affordable health care is out there.

For example, relatively minor cardiac surgical procedures that range in the placement of stents to coronary bypass or grafts may cost anywhere from $30,000 to $250,000 as compared to about $5,000 to $20,000 or less for the same procedures in India. Orthopedic treatments such as a partial hip replacement procedure performed in Thailand or Singapore may cost half of what is charged in the United States. The same applies for other procedures such as knee replacement. Cosmetic surgical costs in the United States run thousands of dollars per procedure, compared to less than a thousand in India.

Tags: affordable health care, cardiac, cardiac surgical procedures, coronary bypass, cosmetic surgical costs, cosmetic/plastic surgery, grafts, India, knee replacement, Medical Tourism, medical tourism abroad, obesity, obesity and weight loss, orthopedic surgery, orthopedic treatments, partial hip replacement, PlacidWay, Singapore, thailand, weight loss surgery
Posted in Health Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism | No Comments »

by Denise

The Land Down Under, more commonly known as Australia, has long been a destination as well as a jumping off point between the southern hemisphere and the Orient. People from Australia head north every year to visit exotic and forested destinations in the Far East, including Malaysia, Singapore, India, Thailand, and Hong Kong. However, more Australians than ever before have also been venturing to Thailand for affordable surgery abroad and expert surgical care in the fields of cosmetic and plastic surgery, cardiology, orthopedic care, infertility treatments, and more.

Thailand has become famous for its excellent and affordable medical facilities and healthcare for foreigners. One of the most popular medical tourism destinations in the world, Thailand’s surgeons and health care facilities are known for superlative care in cosmetic/plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiac care and valve replacement surgeries as well as for their weight loss and obesity programs, dental care and many others.

Locations such as the Bangkok Hospital and the Yanhee Hospital provides superlative services, state-of-the-art technology and equipment and compassionate, considerate care by physicians and hospital staff or a multitude of cosmetic surgeries and pocedures. Not only that, medical treatments in Thailand save money, whether traveling to Bangkok, Phuket, or Klongtan. Thailand offers a wealth of superlative medical destinations and facilities that offer accredited an experienced care in a multitude of health fields.

Medical travelers looking for any type of surgery abroad, and that goes for obesity or bariatric surgery, LASIK treatment abroad, heart care surgery and more may save between 50% and 75% on surgical procedures and other medical care found throughout Thailand over costs found in the U.S. This savings does not reflect the quality of care, however. Thailand physicians, surgeons and healthcare facility staff are held to rigorous standards of training and care and take pride in offering all medical travelers the best that experience and expertise may offer.

Tags: affordable medical facilities, affordable surgery abroad, Australia, bangkok, bangkok hospital, bariatric surgery, cardiac care, cardiology, cosmetic and plastic surgery, cosmetic surgeries, cosmetic surgery, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, cosmetic/plastic surgery, dental care, health care facilities, healthcare for foreigners, heart care curgery, Hong Kong, India, infertility treatments, Klongtan, LASIK, LASIK treatment, LASIK treatment abroad, Malaysia, Medical Tourism, medical tourism destinations, medical travelers, obesity, Orient, orthopedic care, orthopedic surgery, Phuket, Singapore, surgery abroad, surgical care, thailand, Thailand's surgeons, valve replacement surgeries, weight loss and obesity programs, Yanhee Hospital
Posted in Affordable Heart Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Medical Tourism, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Thailand Medical Tourism | No Comments »

by Denise

Antiaging treatments aren’t just for “old” people anymore. Anyone concerned about the appearance of wrinkles, sagging jaw lines, and “turkey neck, may benefit from today’s new antiaging treatments. Men are among the growing numbers of individuals fighting the good fight against the aging process, and are just as likely to benefit from such treatments as women.

New Technologies in Antiaging Treatments

Some of the most popular new antiaging treatments today include but are not limited to:

·        Cosmetic treatments – such as FDA approved cosmetic treatments and injectable facial fillers such as Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Perlane.

·        Laser resurfacing

·        Infrared light treatments

·        Bleaching creams

Medical tourists are able to save up to 50 to 75% on such costs by traveling to foreign destinations such as South America, Singapore, Thailand, and Mexico. For example, laser skin resurfacing treatments in Costa Rica cost an average of $1,600 and $780 in India. Botox treatments, which range from around $400 in the U.S. per injection site, costs roughly $130-$180 in Thailand and around $180 in India.

Log online and learn more about dermabrasion in South Korea or skin care medical centers in Saudi Arabia. Learn more about affordable skin care hospitals in Turkey or the best skin care specialists in Hungary. Skin care treatment in Singapore is unequalled, as are some of the best skin care doctors in Malaysia. Explore your options and enjoy the benefits of medical tourism for skin care abroad. You’ll more than likely be amazed… and pleased.

Tags: affordable skin care hospitals in Turkey, antiaging, antiaging treatments, best skin care doctors in Malaysia, best skin care specialists in Hungary, bleaching creams, botox, Botox treatments, cosmetic treatments, dermabrasion in South Korea, India, infrared light treatments, injectible facial fillers, Juvederm, laser resurfacing, laser skin resurfacing treatments in Costa Rica, Medical tourists, Mexico, Perlane, Radiesse, Restylane, Singapore, skin care abroad, skin care medical centers in Saudi Arabia, skin care treatment, skin care treatment abroad, skin care treatment in Singapore, south america, thailand
Posted in Anti Aging Abroad, Medical Tourism | 1 Comment »

by Denise

Research has shown that medical tourism, or the desire to travel internationally and across borders for health reasons has become a viable alternative for the treatment and care of the specialized health issues experienced by this group of people from around the world.

After comparing the cost of procedures in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia, most baby boomers are combining their retirement desires with ongoing medical care by traveling to various destinations for their needs.

American boomers needing dental care and prescriptions often travel south of the border into Mexico or even as far as Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica for their needs. Dental procedures as well as medications in Latin American countries is less than half of what comparable procedures and medications cost in the United States.

Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia are popular destinations for those needing hip or knee replacement surgeries. Hungry and Poland are popular for their for dental and cosmetic procedures (at great savings).

Hospitals in South America or Asia generally cost one half of the price charged in the United States and Europe. Cardiac and orthopedic surgeries performed in India can save health travelers nearly $20,000 or more with one surgical procedure.

The most common afflictions and conditions experienced by boomers today are:

·        Kidney disease

·        Arterial sclerosis

·        Osteoporosis

·        Breast, lung, and colon cancer

·        Stroke

·        Joint Complaints: bursitis, arthritis, tendonitis

Dentistry in Poland, heart care surgery in Central America, clinics in Egypt, orthopedic surgery in Thailand or orthopedic surgery in South Africa are just a few of the possibilities waiting for you.

Research your options for world-class and affordable medical tourism destinations. You won’t be disappointed.

Tags: Argentina, asia, aterial sclerosis, Brazil, bursitis, cancer, cardiac, cardiac surgeries, clinics in Egypt, cosmetic, cosmetic procedures, costa rica, dental, dental care, dental procedures, dentistry in Poland, europe, heart care surgery in Central America, hospitals in South America, hungary, India, kidney disease, knee replacement surgeries, Malaysia, medical care, Medical Tourism, medications, Mexico, orthopedic surgeries, orthopedic surgery in South Africa, orthopedic surgery in Thailand, osteoporosis, poland, Singapore, south america, srthritis, stroke, tendonitis, thailand
Posted in Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad | 2 Comments »

by Denise

The rising cost of health care, insurance, and demand has forced many natives to seek help across borders. As such, more and more Americans are traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Guatemala for cosmetic and dental procedures. Natives from Australia and New Zealand travel to Singapore and Thailand to save on orthopedic and dental procedures as well. Even Western Europeans from England, France and Germany are traveling to Hungary and Poland for premium vision and dental care procedures, as well as the most common elective surgical procedures like cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Why this growing trend in cross-border medical travel?

Everything from cosmetic surgery to dental needs, to hip replacement surgeries are available in countries like Argentina, Singapore, India, Hungary and Thailand. Many of the facilities found in those countries are regulated and accredited by Medical Association accrediting boards in the United States.

The cost of procedures around the world drastically differs.  For example, bypass surgery in the United States can cost up to $35,000.  The same procedure provided in India costs $6,000.

Transplant procedures in the United States and Britain can cost up to $200,000.

Orthopedic surgery abroad, cancer treatment abroad, obesity/bariatric surgery abroad and procedures involving cosmetic and plastic surgery abroad are just a few of the procedures and treatments available today that promotes quality care at affordable prices. Explore your options. Don’t think that you have to receive treatment at your local hospital. Your medical care can be found in high quality and state of the art destinations around the world. Nowadays, the world is literally your oyster.

Tags: Argnetina, Australia, Brazil, Cancer Treatment Abroad, Chile, cosmetic and plastic surgery, cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery, cost of procedures, cross-border medical travel, dental, dental care procedures, dental procedures, Health Tourism, hip replacement surgeries, hungary, India, Malaysia, Medical Association accrediting boards, Medical Tourism, Mexico, New Zealand, obesity/bariatric surgery abroad, orthopedic, orthopedic procedures, orthopedic surgry abroad, poland, Singapore, thailand, transplant procedures, vision care
Posted in Argentina Medical Tourism, Brazil Medical Tourism, Cancer Treatment Abroad, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Dental Tourism Abroad, Hungary Medical Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad | 4 Comments »

by Denise

Singapore is a land of rivers, islands and gorgeous beaches that draws visitors from around the world. A mild climate, delicious cuisine, and thousands of years of history, steeped in thousand-year-old culture and traditions beckon world travelers who have only heard about the wonders and scenic beauty of this smallest country in Asia. Long the hub of trade between the Orient and the rest of the world, Singapore has a long history of being a leader in finance, electronics, IT development, and medical technology.

Singapore has earned a reputation of being one of the hottest medical tourist destinations in Asia. High quality medical care and facilities await those arriving from around the world to benefit from Singapore’s expert physicians and surgeons in the fields of dentistry, cardiac and orthopedic surgeries and organ transplant programs.

Nine JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals in Singapore provide excellent service and quality for nearly all medical and health needs, at a tenth of costs paid for equal medical care in the U.S. Thousands of international travelers visit health centers in Singapore every year to benefit from low-cost surgical procedures and high-quality care and facilities. Medical treatments in Singapore offer superlative results.

Enjoy the benefits of heart care or organ transplant surgery in excellent hospitals in Singapore. Some of the best surgeons in Singapore offer affordable surgery and affordable heart surgery in a multitude of fields, including but not limited to fertility treatments, heart care, organ transplants, Ayurveda, and cancer treatment abroad.

For example, the National Heart Centre in Singapore is a world-class and highly acclaimed surgical center that offers diagnostic, therapeutic and rehab services for heart and lung transplant patients. The National Cancer Centre in Singapore offers clinical and research programs for international travelers.

Tags: accredited hospitals in Singapore, best surgeons in Singapore, Cancer Treatment Abroad, cardiac, HCI, health centers in Singapore, heart care, heart surgery, heart surgery in singapore, heart transplant, hospitals in Singapore, Joint Commission International, medical tourism in Singapore, medical treatment in singapore, medical treatments in Singapore, National Heart Centre, organ transplant surgery, Singapore
Posted in Affordable Heart Surgery, Cancer Treatment Abroad, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore | No Comments »

by Denise

JCI stands for Joint Commission International, an accrediting organization. Accreditation (in the healthcare field) is a process of assessing a medical facility to make sure it meets basic standards and requirements for providing quality of care.

Undergoing the accreditation process is voluntary and provides a means of gauging the commitment of any healthcare facility or a provider to ensure a safe environment as well as reduce risks to both patients and staff members. The most commonly used evaluation and management method around the world, JCI credentials are an important measure of the credibility and quality of a multitude of medical facilities.

What is JCI’s Function and Mission?

The Joint Commission International supports quality care among healthcare organizations around the globe and works with the World Health Organization, and with national accreditation programs and agencies. JCI standards and evaluation methods are created by health professionals in global health sectors, and can be tested in all world regions. The standards of the Joint Commission International apply to health care organizations and systems and are designed to support and sustain improvement in patient care and safety.

The goals of the Joint Commission International are to reduce risks, adverse effects, and consistently improve healthcare methods and procedures. The JCI works with hospitals, health providers, medical consultants, government agencies, and patients to provide standards, rules, and processes for medical facilities.

In order to be competitive and to reassure medical travelers that medical standards are up to date and training and expertise are followed through, foreign medical facilities in medical tourism destinations like India, Singapore, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil and Croatia, Hungary, Jordan and Ukraine are accredited by recognized accreditation organizations from the U.S. and abroad.

Tags: accreditation, accreditation process, accrediting organization, Brazil, croatia, health care organizations, hungary, India, JCI, JCI credentials, Joint Commission International, jordan, Medical Tourism Accreditations, medical travelers, Mexico, quality of care, Singapore, thailand, U.S., Ukraine, World Health Organization
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by Denise

One of the most well-known accreditation agencies in the world are the Joint Commission, the Joint Commission International and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, (JC and JCAHO), the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC), and the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA).

Global healthcare in destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, India, South America, Egypt, Jordan, Hungary, Turkey and Croatia also see the need to show high standards and quality of medical care, and have taken steps to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as well as the Society for International Healthcare Accreditation (SOFIHA) based out of Britain.

The Joint Commission and others designed like it evaluate medical facilities based on a standard of requirements that must be met in order to ‘pass’ inspection.

Accreditation guidelines ensure an external review and evaluation of quality as well as management practices in a wide range of medical fields and scenarios. The focus is on patient care, from the moment they access care to when they are discharged from a hospital or medical facility.

Individuals wishing to find information about a specific facility may find resources at the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is considered the “umbrella” organization for international healthcare accreditation issues. Representing about 70 countries to date, ISQua is dedicated to improving safety and quality of care in facilities throughout the world.

Other International Accreditation facilities include:

· The United Kingdom Accreditation Forum (UKAF)

· Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI)

· Canadian Council on Health Services Regulation (CCHSA)

· Joint Commission International (JCI)

· Trent Accreditation Scheme – aka Trent (U.K., Europe, Hong Kong, Malta, Philippines)

Tags: accreditation, accreditation organizations, croatia, global healthcare, hungary, India, International Society for Quality in Health Care, ISQua, JCI, Joint Commission, Joint Commission International, jordan, Medical Tourism, medical tourism accreditation, Singapore, Society for International Healthcare Accreditation, SOFIHA, south america, thailand, turkey
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