The Real Price Tag of Medical Travel

Discover the costs that not a lot of people consider when traveling abroad for medical purposes.

What Patients Should Budget For

One of the main reasons people consider medical travel is the potential to save money on treatment. But usually the advertised treatment price is only part of the total cost. Understanding the total cost in advance can help you avoid unexpected bills and create a more realistic medical travel budget.

Let’s dive into some costs that you should be considering before booking that treatment abroad.

Entry Requirements and Documentation

The very first thing medical travelers tend to overlook. Before you even book your flights, don’t forget to do research on the country that you want to travel to. Depending on your nationality, destination, and how long you need to stay, every country has its own policies and requirements.

Here are some things that may cost extra:

• Visa (medical visa requirements)
• Travel authorization
• Other entry documents and paperwork.

Transportation

Your treatment usually doesn’t include your flights and local transportation. Don’t forget that you will be undergoing medical treatments and in some cases won’t be able to drive yourself or use public transportation as you would in a normal travel vacation.

Depending on the destination, you may need to budget for:

• Round-trip airfare: Our tip is to always account for flight changes in case you need to stay longer for any unexpected follow-up appointments. Opt for flexible plane tickets.
• Checked baggage: Some procedures will require you to bring back medical supply that helps your recovery. Make sure to ask your provider so you can buy extra baggage in advance.
• Airport transfers: Some clinics include this in their medical packages but we recommend to book this beforehand.
• Local transportation: Depending on how complex some treatments are, you might need help with accessibility. This can include renting a car as well as a travel companion to help you get around hotels, pharmacies, and medical appointments.

Accomodation

You may need to stay abroad for several days or even weeks. Don’t just pick a hotel because of the price or the reviews. Always weigh the pros and cons for your personal situation.

Other costs can include:

• Hotel or apartment: Decide which would be more accessible to you during recovery. Similar to plane tickets, don’t forget to take into account some additional nights for prolonged recovery.
• A companion’s accommodation: If someone is coming with you for the treatment, you need to add their accommodation to your budget too.
• Meals and laundry: Whether it’s better to cook in an apartment or order room service, plan your meals and miscellaneous chores in advance as these things can add up.

Medical Tests and Consultations

Your initial treatment quote may not cover every medical expense. Communicate early on with your medical provider and ask for the complete breakdown of what’s included so you know what other extra expenses you need to cover.

Some additional costs you may be required to pay are:

• Blood tests
• Imaging
• Pre-operative examinations
• Specialist appointments

Follow-up Care

After the procedure is done, you still need to make sure you have a list of all the things you need for recovery. Ask your provider what you’ll need after treatment so you can include this to your budget and prepare before even flying to a different country.

These things could be the following:

• Medication
• Dressings and compression garments
• Recovery supplies
• Aftercare treatments with your local health provider once you arrive back in your country.

Final Thoughts

The cheapest advertised price isn’t always the cheapest overall option. Once you account for hidden costs of medical travel and leaving room for unexpected expenses, you can create a more realistic budget that suits your personal needs. This way, you can hopefully make a better-informed decision.