Category Archives: Health/Medical/Wellness Marketing And Management

Top 10 Reasons Why Medical Tourism is Popular

Medical Tourism dates back to the times when wealthy Europeans and Asians would travel within their continent or to other continents to seek health related treatments. But, of late, the trend has been popularized by Americans, Canadians, British and others who travel to far-off countries in search for low-cost high quality health care or for care that’s not readily available in their country.

Following are the top 10 reasons why people travel to far-flung developing countries for medical care:

1.Incredible Savings: The top on the list is savings. Depending upon your destination country and the cost of the procedure back home, expect to save at least 50%.

For example: A cardiac bypass surgery is estimated at well over 0,000 in the US. But in India, at a 5-star type hospital, you can have the same surgery for only ,000. That’s 90% savings even after you have paid for your travel, accommodation and vacation for yourself and a companion.

2.No Wait-Lists: Access to immediate service is what attracts those from countries that have public health care system towards medical tourism. A case at hand is that of a Canadian who suffered from chronic back pain for 16 years and was given medication to deal with it for all those years. Tired of the system and of the worsening pain, she went to India to get her spinal surgery. She now tells everyone how she got her life back by going to India.

3.Excellent Quality: To demonstrate their commitment to quality many international providers choose to be accredited by organizations such as JCI, JCAHO and ISO or by their local accrediting organizations. Read testimonials by medical tourists who vouch for the high quality treatment they have received overseas.

4.World-Class Facilities: International providers offer luxurious accommodation, private spacious rooms, and access to hospitality services 24 x 7. The facilities are immaculate and there are no infections that we so often hear about being present in UK hospitals.

5.Access to Latest Technology: The technology and equipments used by them are the latest and the greatest. It’s not uncommon to see surgeons working with billion dollar robotic machines in operating rooms.

6.Surgeon Expertise: Most surgeons catering to international patients have either been educated or have received professional training at top schools in the US, UK or in other countries in Europe. They have colleagues in the US, UK and elsewhere, so it should not come as a surprise if they know your local surgeon at home.

7.Personalized Service: Most medical traveleres vouch for the genuine and excellent service that they receive from surgeons, nurses and other medical staff alike. The staff to patient ratio is low making high level of personal care possible.

8.Longer Hospital Stay: One of the advantages of medical travel is you get to stay in the hospital for long without incurring hefty room charges. You can have a longer hospital stay than possible in your local hospital back home under the supervision of your surgeon and physical therapist.

9.Great Convenience: Given the ease of international travel combined with low airfares, your life-changing surgery is just a flight away. Another convenience that you get is not having to leave the comforts of your home until the surgery is due. You can research all you want on the Internet about hospitals and surgeons, share your medical records online with them, book and plan your itinerary on the web, etc.

10.Travel Opportunities: While the primary motivation for most customers is affordable surgery, the opportunity to visit exotic destinations is an additional draw for some. You can choose to have a relaxing recovery in a resort setting or if your surgeon allows you can even enjoy outdoor tourist attractions.

You can learn more about the growing trend of medical tourism, international healthcare facilities and surgeons and the details of the medical tourism process by logging on to http://www.healthbase.com. Healthbase.com is a medical tourism facilitator committed to providing low-cost high quality medical travel services to the global medical consumer.

I saved a lot of money by getting dental work done in Mexico

I was having a tooth ache in one tooth, had two teeth that had a big piece broken off, and several cavities. Like a lot of people, I knew I had  a lot of dental problems, but had hesitated to get my teeth fixed because I was afraid of what it might cost.  Finally, with the throbbing pain in my right jaw, I had to do something, So, I went to a local dentist, with a very nicely decorated office. He was very nice, and very professional, and certainly seemed to know his business.  However, after the evaluation, and he told me what it would cost to fix me up, I just about gagged! I was going to need 2 root canals with crowns, a third crown by itself, and 11 cavities filled. The total? ,350.  That was more money than I had paid for my car!

I have worked for years in telecommunications as a cable guy.  In other words, I bust my buns as a blue collar worker.  I make pretty good money, but I appreciate the value of it. My dental insurance was a joke.  There was a maximum yearly benefit of only ,500, and that wasn’t enough to pay to fix even one tooth. I thought, there has to be a better way.  Out of curiosity, I decided to check out what a dentist in Mexico might charge.  I didn’t even know if I could find any websites for one, but I did find several.  Some didn’t bother to list any prices, so I skipped over those.  Some of them didn’t have a US phone number, and I was afraid of what a long distance call to Mexico might cost. Some had some young girl of a receptionist who spoke broken English.  But I finally found someone who answered me in perfect English, and who was able to answer all of my questions. 

The guy from Mexico listened to what I had to say, and then told me some good news. To do all the work that my dentist in Denver wanted to charge me nearly ,500 for, in Mexico the dentist would only charge me 00.  I was elated! To be sure of the quality of their work, I asked for some referrals, which they were glad to give.  I called them all and everyone had only good things to say about their experience.  Evidently, these dentists do so much work, they have gotten really good at it.  It seems there are thousands and thousands of Americans each year who go to Mexico.  The place I found is in Tijuana, and that seems to be some kind of dental capitol because of the easy access from San Diego and Los Angeles, CA. 

When I planned my trip, the guy from the dentist office in Tijuana helped me figure out where to stay, and how to get to the border from the Airport.  Hotels were only per night, with tax, and getting around with a taxi only cost 4 or 5 bucks. My expenses were not amounting to too much, and since the dental work itself was so cheap, I decided to do something extra, that I would have never had the money to do back in Denver.  My front teeth have always been so ugly, I decided to have crowns placed on the 4 front teeth on the top and on the bottom.  The truth is, I could have gotten by without it, but I was feeling pretty good about the price.  I don’t mind spending money if I get good value. I The 8 extra crowns cost me only 00.  In the Denver, I would have paid 0 each. So, I paid a total of 00, ½ of what my dentist in Denver was originally going to charge me, but instead of only 3 crowns, I got 11.  I am still excited about this! Just think about it, I got almost ,000 worth of dental work done in Mexico for only 00. 

Many people have asked me about the dangers of going into Mexico. I admit, I was a little nervous about going to Tijuana because you here a lot of things on the news, but the idea of saving so much money gave me the motivation. However, once I got there, it was a piece of cake.  I loved it there! I found this to be quite calm, and didn’t feel at all intimidated.  As a cable dude, I have had to work in East Denver in the “bad part of town”, doing disconnects and repossessing people’s cable boxes when they didn’t pay their bill.   There have been a few times I had to call the police in order to do my job because people were threatening me.  I have been inside crack houses, and filthy apartment complexes, and seen prostitutes openly soliciting people, and drug dealers and punks carrying guns.  Believe me when I say Tijuana, at least in the business area where the dental clinics are, is harmless by comparison. And I know that Denver is nothing compared to parts of L.A. or Chicago, or NYC.  I honestly have not seen any of the so called violence in Tijuana.  I am sure stuff happens, but stuff happens everywhere else too. I think if you go out looking for trouble you will find it, but if you behave yourself and go where respectable people go you’ll be fine. 

To sum this up, I wanted to get this out there to help others to know that there is a real and viable alternative available for dental work. It may not make sense for minor things, but if all you need is one root canal and crown, you will save 00, and that is a whole lot more than my entire trip cost me. No wonder dental tourism has become such a growing craze! 

The dentist that I recommend is Sam Dental in Tijuana, Mexico, located just South of San Diego, CA. For more information go to: http://www.GoodSamDental.org They are extremely honest, very capable, have very low prices, and they guarantee their work. The will also help facilitate your trip by helping with transportation needs, and hotel reservations.

About the author: Jim C. has lived in South America for many years, and traveled extensively in Mexico. He speaks Spanish fluently, and is and expert in cross-cultural communications. In other words, he knows his way around!

Laparoscopic Endometriosis treatment in India with health care medical tourism

India is a true destination for laparoscopic Endometriosis surgery. Medical tourism can be broadly defined as the pro vision of ‘cost effective’ private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment. The process of health care tourism is jointly facilitated by the corporate sector involved in medical and health care as well as the tourism industry both private and public. India has the best qualified professionals in each and every field and this fact has now been realized the world over. Regarding Medical Facilities India has the most competent doctors and world class Medical Facilities for laparoscopic Endometriosis surgery.

Laparoscopy is the most common procedure used to diagnose and remove mild to moderate Endometriosis. In stead of using a large abdominal incision, the surgeon inserts a lighted viewing instrument called a laparoscope through a small incision. If the surgeon needs better access, he or she makes 1 or 2 more small incisions for inserting other surgical instruments. You will be advised not to eat or drink for at least 8 hours before a laparoscopy. Laparoscopy Endometriosis is usually done under general anesthesia, al though you can re main a wake if you have local or spinal anesthetic. A gynecologist or surgeon performs the procedure. For a laparoscopy, the abdomen is inflated with gas (carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide). The gas, which is injected with a needle, pushes the abdominal wall a way from the organs so that the surgeon can see them clearly. The surgeon then inserts a laparoscope through a small incision and examines the internal organs.

Health care centers of Delhi, Jaipur and Kerala have most advanced equipments and surgeons for the treatment of laparoscopic Endometriosis in India. A combination of many factors has lead to the recent increase in popularity of medical tourism. Exorbitant costs of health care and medical facilities in advanced countries, ease and afford ability of inter nation al travel, favor able currency exchange rates in the global economy, rapidly improving technology and high standards of medical care in the developing countries have all contributed their share to this rapid development of medical tourism. Medical tourism has become a common form of vacationing. Medical tourism mixes leisure, fun and relaxation to get her with well ness and health care. For more information about laparoscopic Endometriosis in India, please log on to: www.indialaparoscopysurgerysite.com or mail your queries at info@indialaparoscopysurgerysite.com , +91-9579129423

South Korea Aims to Develop its Medical Tourism Industry

After gaining its economy on semiconductors, ships and steel, South Korea is now pushing its surgeons’ skills in the beauty business to carve out a new position. This is boosted by active government support, boom in cosmetic surgery and a pool of experienced surgeons. The country is looking forward to surpass Singapore, Thailand and India to become Asia’s new medical tourism hub. As per our new research on the sector called “Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)”, the medical tourism market in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 30% during 2010-2012.

The growth in the South Korean medical tourism industry has been well-supported by the government efforts and initiatives. For example, in February 2009, the government has reserved 5% of the total hospital beds for foreign patients. It is mainly due to quality services provided to foreigners visiting the country for treatment and to ensure that there is enough space for domestic patients also. Besides, in an effort to increase the share of private sector in the medical tourism industry, the government has allowed State-licensed clinics and hospitals to directly seek foreign patients as part of South Korea’s efforts to become Asia’s new medical tourism hub. 

Moreover, the government’s green signal to seek foreign patients seems extremely beneficial for the industry, considering the sustainable increase in the number of foreign patients. According to another research report “Emerging Medical Tourism in South Korea”, South Korea received 25,000 foreign patients in 2008, an increase of 56% from 16,000 in 2007. The country received a large number of international patients from China, Japan and the Southeast Asian countries. 

“Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)” provides statistical and in-depth analysis of the Asian medical tourism industry. The report also highlights various key players in the industry and this will give clients a clear picture of the Asian medical tourism market. This will help them in taking smart decisions while making investments in the market.

Moving ahead, the report discusses about the medical tourism industry in the Asian countries. We have found that countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and Philippines are also emerging as hot spots for medical tourism. In this regard, the report provides complete information about medical tourism industry in these countries as well. It also highlights various key market trends, which are growing in line with the overall industry growth.

For FREE SAMPLE of this report visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM105.htm

Check DISCOUNTED REPORTS on: http://www.rncos.com/

PlacidWay Expands into Mexico Medical Tourism Market with MCMX

06/07/10 Denver, CO: PlacidWay, a Colorado based medical tourism company, has expanded its operations into the Mexico Medical Tourism market after forming a strategic alliance with MCMX S. A. de C.V. (MCMX), business consultants specializing in health tourism and assisted living in Mexico. Joint efforts by PlacidWay and MCMX will focus on increasing information and awareness of Mexico as a unique destination and provide strategic and tactical solutions to healthcare providers in Mexico that meet the needs of international travelers.

PlacidWay is excited to form this partnership, designed to further educate medical tourists and consumers about the availability of choices when it comes to health care centers in Mexico. Mexico’s rapidly growing medical tourism market offers increasing numbers of accredited healthcare facilities adhering to international health care quality standards and offering American trained and certified doctors and surgeons.

Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. offers a logical choice for North Americans seeking affordable health care coupled with some of the best vacation spots in the world. Attractive beaches and easy access between countries prompts increased cross-border traffic into Mexico. Consumers seeking high quality yet affordable medical treatment find solutions and medical service providers in Mexico to ease their burden of rising healthcare costs, wait times, and accessibility to treatments and therapies in the United States.

“We’re happy to join our efforts with MCMX, as they’re the right partner to execute our long-term strategies and visions to provide access to global health care,” says Pramod Goel, CEO and Founder of PlacidWay. “Working together, our goal is to increase awareness of Mexico as a destination offering world-class medical care, facilities, doctors and surgeons. Providing affordable medical solutions to consumers is our mission.”

Mexico isn’t just convenient for Americans or Canadians seeking less expensive health care procedures but is a growing medical tourism, assisted living and retirement destination for millions around the globe, including a growing number of Baby Boomers. Accredited hospitals, American board certified doctors and surgeons and cutting edge equipment and technology have increased the number of individuals entering Mexico for high quality health care at affordable prices. Offering treatment, therapies and procedures in dental or cosmetic surgery, stem cell therapies to chronic disease or cardiac care treatment, the trend of traveling across borders into Mexico is rising. Accessible healthcare, superior customer service and satisfaction, affordability and excellence in care drives increasing numbers of individuals to choose Mexico as their premier healthcare destination.

“We’re excited about our strategic alliance with PlacidWay, a definite market leader in the medical tourism sector,” says Hector Xavier Martinez, President & CEO of MCMX, a leading business consulting company specializing in health tourism and assisted living in Mexico. “We intend to put Mexico and Latin America at the top of the medical tourism and assisted living destination market. The alliance will allow us to offer comprehensive medical tourism solutions to our stakeholders, including medical providers, governmental agencies and consumers seeking affordable healthcare.”

PlacidWay Mexico operations will have offices in Hermosillo, Sonora and Tijuana, Baja California in Mexico. The PlacidWay Mexico operations will provide medical tourism and assisted living support for local, regional and national level entities engaged in medical tourism and assisted living programs. For additional information, please visit www.placidway.com and www.placidsolutions.com