Is Medical Tourism Affordable?
Quality medical care is a top priority for patients across Canada. Whether it is travelling to avoid prolonged wait times or seeking care from a specialist, it’s easy to see the benefits of medical tourism, but what about the cost?
Many prospective patients find the cost of travelling for medical procedures to be too high, but the reality is that it is becoming more accessible than ever. Medical tourism doesn’t just cover travel to another country; it can also include domestic visits to other provinces. Whether it’s going across the country or travelling to the United States and other popular medical tourism destinations, it’s possible to find high-quality care at an affordable cost.
Medical Care: Understanding the Costs
Some of the primary motivators for medical travel include avoiding long wait times and the high cost of private care in Canada. There are costs associated with travelling for medical care, but there are also costs associated with sitting on wait lists.
For those patients dealing with chronic illnesses, there is a chance that long wait times can cause conditions to worsen, making recovery more difficult and impacting mobility. Reduced physical ability makes it more difficult to work and can mean more time off and a long-term financial impact. Seeking medical care abroad can mean a quicker return to normal life, balancing out the costs of travel.
Travel & Accommodation: The most obvious costs for medical tourists are in the travel itself. Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism are hot spots for vacation travel as well. This is a major benefit to international patients due to accessible and affordable hotels and flexible flight options. Patients can often bundle flights and stays, making them more affordable.
Recovery Time: Patients must plan for any necessary recovery time following a procedure. More invasive procedures might mean patients need additional time to recover before boarding a flight and heading home. This recovery period could mean more time spent in a medical facility, or recovering in a hotel or short-term rental.
Recovery Tools: Certain medical procedures or surgeries might require additional tools in the recovery process. For example, extensive dental care might come along with having to wear corrective plates or using setting trays to protect results. This process will require purchasing and maintaining these devices.
Insurance Coverage: With the rise in popularity of medical tourism, more and more insurance providers are offering coverage for patients seeking medical care abroad. Patients should consult with their insurance provider and consider purchasing additional coverage that covers medical travel.
On-Going Care At Home: One big consideration for patients is the continuity of care at home. There is a good chance that patients will need to book additional treatments with their preferred medical professional at home after a treatment.
Treatments Worth Travelling For: Primary Drivers For Medical Tourism
It’s common for patients seeking surgical care to use medical tourism as a way of skipping long wait times in Canada. The average wait time for surgical care can range between 28 and 50 weeks. For anyone waiting on lumbar surgery or cervical spine surgery, this timeline can have a severe ripple effect. With quality of life on the line, more and more patients are choosing to travel instead of waiting.
Fertility treatments come with a high price tag and long wait lists. It’s common for prospective parents to travel between provinces or even jet off to other countries to start the process. Certain countries specialize in niche treatments, boasting state-of-the-art equipment, care and medical facilities.
Reputable and experienced medical tourism agencies guide patients through the process, breaking down costs and even offering referrals to leading specialists. Global medical tourism is complex, but agents simplify the process, making it more realistic and achievable.
