Medical tourism: 10 tips before you book | The Times http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/travel/news/article2808370.

ece

Medical tourism: 10 tips before you

book

Dental Clinic, Hungary Association of Leading Hungarian Dental Clinics

Meera Dattani
November 15 2010 3:38PM

Hugary for dentistry and Cyprus for a facelift... here’s

some advice to consider before going under the knife
abroad
From tooth implants in Hungary to fertility treatment in India, an increasing number of
people are travelling abroad for cheaper, quicker or specialist healthcare.

At London’s World Travel Market, healthcare expert Keith Pollard of medical tourism
website, Treatment Abroad, said: “We expect more UK visitors to travel overseas for
elective and cosmetic surgery, dentistry and fertility treatments, as public spending cuts
and an ageing population increase NHS waiting times and affect treatment choice.”

Who does what

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Medical tourism: 10 tips before you book | The Times http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/travel/news/article2808370.ece

Hungary is Europe’s leading dental destination with Poland close behind. Cyprus,
Belgium, Spain and Germany are popular for cosmetic and elective surgery and France
for orthopaedic and heart surgery.

Further afield, Brazil is considered the cosmetic surgery capital of South America and
India is also experiencing a medical tourism boom.

Costs vary according to treatment and country, but dental treatments can cost 60-70
per cent less in Hungary while rhinoplasty, £4,000 in the UK, can cost £1,500 in Europe
and £850 in India.

10 tips to help your decision

1. The NHS may pay for your treatment. Under European law, EU citizens have the right
to access healthcare anywhere within the EU, but according to Treatment Abroad, only
550 people exercised this right in 2009. It only applies to treatments already available
on the NHS, costing the same or less (flights/accommodation aren’t covered).

2. Research, research, research. Talk to people who’ve had treatment overseas and
read articles, online forums and reviews like http://reviews.treatmentabroad.com which
ensures they haven’t been written by the clinic or rivals.

3. No matter how professional a website or clinic appears, ensure they have full JCI
accreditation and individual practitioners are fully qualified and accredited.

4. Just as you should with UK treatments, ask questions about the surgery or
treatment, for example, methods and materials used and options available including
new treatments.

5. Obtain correct insurance from specialist providers like Angelis or Free Spirit. Check
what’s covered by the clinic – this usually extends to all treatment fees, transfers,
anaesthesia and extras like local phone use. Clarify payment methods and see a
contract beforehand.

6. Ask about post-treatment procedures from what happens in the event of

complications to whether a friend or family member should travel with you.

7. Cost is often a key driver so consider avoiding high season and check local costs
(transport, hotels, food). If a destination where fluent English is widely spoken is
important, factor that in.

8. Ask about UK partner clinics. Tom Emmerson, Patient Care Manager at Budapest
dental clinic Kreativ Dental says: “Many Hungarian dental clinics have a UK base for
pre-treatment consultations. They can then schedule your treatment abroad, usually
within a week.”

9. Fertility treatment, especially in Turkey and India, is increasingly popular. Bear in

mind that ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) treatments can be mentally and
physically draining and be honest about circumstances e.g. some clinics/countries may
not treat same-sex couples or those over a certain age.

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Medical tourism: 10 tips before you book | The Times http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/travel/news/article2808370.ece

10. Finally, as Keith Pollard of Treatment Abroad says: “Going abroad for treatment may
not be for you. Cost and speed are not the only issues so only go if you feel completely
comfortable.”

Need to know

Treatment Abroad: www.treatmentabroad.com

JCI accreditation: www.jointcommissioninternational.org

International Medical Travel Journal: www.imtj.com

Association of Leading Hungarian Dental Clinics: www.hungariandentalclinics.co.uk

Cyprus Health Service Promotion Board: www.cyhealthservices.com

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