Reasons for medical tourism

It's quick enough to find answers to the question: "Why do more and more patients undergo treatment abroad?"

1.) More and more treatments require co-payments:
Because of the explosion in costs in Western Europe's health care systems, statutory health organisations are eliminating an increasing number of services from their catalogs. Health organisations are also paying progressively less for dental care and laser eye treatments, with the result that patients must cover more of their own expenses. Changing demographics reinforce this phenomenon.

2.) Cost advantages:
Depending on the region, different pricing structures exist for various health services; hence, as a patient, you can still achieve significant savings despite budgeted travel costs. Various labour expenses and rent indices
can make the operational costs of a clinic or health resort significantly lower than those in Western Europe. Additionally, tax advantages such as those in the United Arab Emirates or in some Eastern European countries
allow Western European patients to save up to 70% of the costs that would otherwise be incurred in their own countries. Have a look at our initial overview of medical costs by country.

3.) Excellent service:
In some countries, clinics, doctors' practices, and health establishments specalise in the treatment of foreign patients. Moreover, they offer correspondingly specialised service. From interpreting services to all-around on-site care to the complete planning of your trip, an array of providers are available to help you meet your needs. Agencies can also help facilitate your trip.
You will find an initial overview of doctors and clinics with detailed profiles, including services offered, here.

4.) High quality:
In the present day, several providers with an outstanding level of quality have established themselves in a number of countries. Indeed, in several supposedly developing countries such as India or Brazil, one sees professional clinics, doctors' practices, and health resorts with ever-increasing levels of quality. In some cases, doctors from Western countries have settled abroad and some foreign doctors are visiting renowned universities. Various clinics have become accredited in the meantime.

Certainly the level of quality can vary dramatically from clinic to clinic or from doctor to doctor. So inform yourself beforehand and take enough time to prepare your treatment abroad properly! Don't just visit a doctor's or clinic's homepage, but contact the provider directly and clarify any questions you have. Further points that should be taken into account when selecting a doctor or clinic can be found here.

5.) Recovery and vacation:
Many patients recover in the country of their choice after a successful procedure and in doing so, explore exciting cities, countries, and ciltures they have always wanted to become acquainted with. Follow-up examinations can be performed locally by the attending doctor - one might otherwise be on the receiving end of strange looks back home.

6.) No waiting times:
The situation in some Western countries can be quite frustrating for patients. Months of waiting time for major operations are often the rule rather than the exception. Treatment abroad can be a good alternative in this case - you can be treated without having to endure long waiting periods. Regarding this matter, the European Court has repeatedly ruled that when patients are waiting for long periods of time in their own country, statutory health organizations (for example, the NHS in England) must pay for treatment abroad.

In addition, the EU explicitly supports the transnational treatment of patients within the EU. Individual countries are now advertising to medical tourists because they have become a major economical factor.