Medical Tourism Shapes the Future of Global Healthcare

Over the past decade Medical Tourism has been rising rapidly and the industry has been transformed from a niche marketplace to a highly competitive environment. An increasing number of people is becoming aware of the numerous medical options waiting for them abroad and many are willing to travel to a foreign country to get the treatment or procedure they need.

PlacidWay, a leader in the global medical tourism industry, has been analyzing the Medical Tourism trend over the past 8 years. The recent 2014 Medical Tourism Global Consumer Demand Survey Analysis has shed some light upon the medical tourism industry seen for the consumers' perspective, collecting information from people who have traveled abroad for medical care and those who would consider this option, people of various ages coming from 70 countries.

The reasons for traveling abroad vary from affordable prices, new technology available abroad, treatment not available in the patient's country, to simply looking for a second opinion. The survey has showed that the top 10 treatments for which patients will be willing to travel abroad are:

·         Cancer Treatments (71%)

·         Stem Cell Therapy (68%)

·         Chronic Diseases Treatment (61%)

·         Dentistry Procedures (58%)

·         Heart Surgery Procedures (58%)

·         Organ Transplant (57%)

·         Orthopedic Surgeries (56%)

·         Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery (55%)

·         Eye / Lasik Surgeries (53%)

·         Wellness Programs (52%)

When choosing the medical destinations, patients take into consideration factors such as the quality and availability of the needed treatment, prices, proximity to their home country, if the hospital has accreditation and the doctor training and experience. The results of the survey have showed that the top 10 most chosen medical destinations are: Mexico, India, Thailand, Germany, United States, Costa Rica, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and the United Kingdom.

More and more consumers are not limiting themselves to the solution local doctors are recommending. They are exploring outside the local boundaries, regionally and, in many cases, globally for the option that fits their health care buying behavior, being motivated by price, quality, accessibility and second opinions.

About PlacidWay

PlacidWay, a leader in the medical tourism industry, offers health travelers extensive, reliable information related to medical travel destinations, international medical providers, foreign treatment packages and resources. PlacidWay's network has over 250 renowned medical centers from more than 30 countries. PlacidWay is able to help customers from all over the world get access to personalized, safe, and affordable medical care, no matter where they are from, meeting their budget requirements. 

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Why Medical Tourism?

More and more patients are considering medical tourism as a better option on comparing the costs between domestic and international facilities. Read on to know more on why medical tourism is picking up and why you too may want to consider this option for your near and dear ones.

Before selecting an option for medical tourism, patients are advised to do thorough research and comparison of costs. They need to look for safe and affordable options. Let’s read about some benefits of medical tourism.

1. Affordable and Reliable Options

People are opting for travelling abroad as the specialized procedures there are costing much less than in their own countries. They can get themselves treated and also get to visit a new country. In some cases, the cost difference can be very high.

2. Better Care and Facilities

Patients often travel abroad in search of better care options. Their domestic facilities might not be capable of offering the treatment they are looking for. When people have the money to spend, they do not want to settle for anything but the best.

3. Superior Customer Service

Long distance travel medical assistance companies come very handy in planning such trips to medical tourism destinations all around the world. They offer bed-to-bed services and top standards in customer service. They have tie ups with medical networks that ensure that the patient gets superior medical care at all times.

4. Superior and Focused Service

When a patient decides to travel to another country for a medical treatment, he has to do his homework first. He can get in touch with the concerned hospital; representatives brief him about the condition and various possible treatments he could get. Hence, when he arrives there the doctors are already briefed and aware of his medical history. The treatment is much more focused and top quality.

Download our reference PDF here: 
http://www.slideshare.net/sentinelmed/medical-tourism-a-primer-41282343 

For More, visit: http://visual.ly/medical-tourism-primer

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Does Travel Insurance Cover Pregnant Women?

Planning to travel in pregnancy? Do check with your insurance company if they have you covered or not.

Different travel insurance companies have different rules when it comes to providing cover to pregnant women. Always look out for the ‘present medical condition’ clause before you sign on any papers and have complete clarity on it.

A medical transport company will always suggest women in their third trimester of pregnancy to check before making any travel plans. Read on more to know about insurance covers if you are pregnant.

1. Present Medical Condition Clause

Most women get worried about this clause when planning a trip while pregnant. But let us inform you that beside 1% exceptional cases all would be moms can opt for a standard insurance plan for travel. In other words expecting mothers’ world over can now relax, and look forward to a break without worrying.

2. Pregnancy Is Not a Medical Condition

Pregnancy is not a medical condition, unless there is a history of any complications in an earlier pregnancy. Most travel insurances will cover a would-be-mother up to thirty two weeks of pregnancy. Travelling mothers should keep the details of a travel medical assistance handy in case they need any help.

3. Time Period of Cover

Medical expenses of the emergency kind are available up to 8 weeks before the due date. If a lady is expected to give birth within 8 weeks of starting a trip, then conditions need to be re-checked with the insurance company. Ladies travelling between 32 to 36 weeks need written permission from their doctor stating that they are fully fit to travel. Again, different airlines have different rules and it is best advised to check beforehand.

4. Exceptions

If a pregnant lady goes into labor prematurely, the cover will be off automatically. It is best to call a travel medical assistance company at that time in order to shift her to the closest medical facility.

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