Medical Travel and Complications Insurance, commonly known as medical tourism insurance, is not the same as travel insurance. Many Americans, however, are still unaware of the benefits of Travel Insurance and Medical Tourism Insurance, as well as what is covered and what is not.

What Does Travel Insurance Involve?

Travel insurance is meant to cover unexpected events that occur when traveling, whether for pleasure or work. Should a covered incident occur, travel insurance can assist reduce the financial stress of unexpected financial obligations. Trip cancellation or interruption, suitcase or credit card theft, and unanticipated medical expenses while traveling abroad are all examples of these situations. It’s vital to realize that normal travel insurance only covers unexpected medical bills or emergencies for our purposes. Most travel insurance policies feature an exclusion if you are traveling for medical treatment. What’s the difference between Medical Travel and Complications Insurance? It’s all about greater exposure and travel purpose.

Insurance for Medical Tourism

Hundreds of thousands of Americans travel abroad for medical tourism, which is defined as receiving medical care or treatment in a foreign country. Unlike the type of medical emergency or accident that may trigger Travel Insurance, the procedures involved in medical tourism are meticulously planned in advance. Patients do this for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons include paying less for procedures, undergoing treatments or medical procedures that have not yet been approved in their home country, and receiving care from a provider who shares the traveler’s culture and/or language.

Medical travel insurance is not the same as health insurance.

This is critical. If a person travels to another country solely for the purpose of receiving medical care, neither Travel Insurance, Health Insurance, nor Medical Travel Insurance will cover the cost of the procedure. Most patients who choose medical tourism must self-pay for their procedures, and they frequently do so because healthcare costs are lower in other countries. However, some state-funded health insurance plans in various countries are beginning to recognize the value of allowing insureds to travel for cost savings or access to care, and will occasionally pay for a procedure performed abroad. Certain procedures performed outside of the United States can save between 50% and 80% of the cost of the same procedure performed in the United States.

What Does Medical Tourism Insurance Cover?

Individual Medical Tourism Insurance covers complications that may occur during the patient’s procedure or recovery. With all of the advantages of medical tourism, there are some risks, as with any procedure. While the benefits outweigh the risks for those seeking less expensive medical care, the informed patient will still want the added protection of Medical Travel and Complications Insurance. In the event of complications, this insurance covers any financial hardship incurred while abroad or while recuperating at home. It is a must-have for anyone thinking about traveling to another country for medical treatment.

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There are insurance companies in the United Kingdom, as in almost every developed country, that provide all types of health insurance coverage. However, we will be discussing medical tourism for United Kingdom citizens.

Citizens in the United Kingdom, for example, have access to a government-funded system known as the National Health Service, or NHS. There are also public or government-funded health insurance plans in other parts of the United Kingdom. In most of these territories, you can purchase a private plan to improve your options when it comes to medical care. Private insurance can also be paid for by an employer or purchased on an individual basis.

What is covered by a public or private medical insurance policy, on the other hand, varies. Whether the insurer is private or public, coverage for interventions considered luxury or cosmetic, as well as bariatric surgery, is frequently limited.

Some types of surgeries or procedures may be limited if the insurance company is state-owned or public, which means it is dependent on the country’s government to fund the benefits that cover illnesses and injuries. They typically do not pay for procedures unless they are medically necessary or necessary to intervene and prevent further illness.

Insurance companies typically exclude coverage for cosmetology-related surgical interventions, such as permanent eyebrow and eye alignment, nasal and chin corrections, Botox, skin resurfacing, and other dermatological skin treatments, as well as all types of bariatric surgery. Some plans may include coverage for bariatric procedures, but it may be limited or insufficient.

Many women from the United Kingdom travel to the United States to undergo various medical procedures that can be life-saving, as well as other types of interventions that are more cosmetic in nature. The male medical tourism market has also been growing, with an increasing number of men traveling for cosmetic procedures or treatments that are not affordable or easily obtained in the UK.

Some cosmetic or aesthetic procedures, such as breast reduction or nasal realignment, may be more important and necessary than a beauty enhancing procedure. However, in the United Kingdom, obtaining treatment that is not medically necessary can be difficult and expensive.

On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who want cosmetic and aesthetic enhancements such as breast augmentation, face lifts, liposuction, eye lifts, Botox, tummy tucks, rhinoplasty, and other body restoration or improvement. In addition, a large number of people travel from the United Kingdom, particularly England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, to receive fertility treatments.

People travel from all over Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, in search of lower-cost medical care or a center of excellence. This has resulted in an increase in medical tourism in the United States. Travel, when combined with a medical tourism vacation, allows people to visit other countries. Many patients seek orthodontic and endodontic treatments, as well as dental implants, bridges, crowns, dentures, and other mouth restoration procedures, when it comes to dental interventions.

The quality of US doctors and advanced techniques used in cosmetic and conventional surgery are cutting-edge, and they go hand in hand with the most recent scientific advances and discoveries, as well as the introduction of new products. However, receiving medical treatment in the United States may be much less expensive for a patient from the United Kingdom. Even with airfare and lodging, a patient can receive medical treatment for a fraction of the cost.

When it comes to dealing with the current pandemic, the US is among the first to have fully implemented vaccination programs, including safe treatment and the administration of COVID 19 vaccines. Furthermore, if a person who came to the United States for medical treatment becomes infected with the virus, they will be treated promptly and effectively before being allowed to return home.

People from the United Kingdom, as well as other medical tourists, who wish to take advantage of medical programs in the United States, have access to services that are part of the medical tourism process, such as, but not limited to, the following:

Consultation

The consultation is the first step in the relationship between the patient and the treating doctor. This includes the disease’s diagnosis, a recommended treatment plan, or approval for an elective procedure. If necessary, they can be referred to a specialist. They will discuss the financial aspects of the treatment, the estimated length of hospitalization, and the possibility of recovery time periods.

Intervention

In the case of a surgical intervention, the results of all the rigorous examinations that the patient has undergone will be considered. To determine the best medical intervention for the specific patient, the receiving medical care provider will want to review the patient’s medical history.

Treatment Center

The patient will be given a number of options, such as hospitals, private clinics, or rehabilitation centers, and will be able to select the one that best meets their economic and personal needs.

For all of the aforementioned reasons, many people are willing to travel to the United States in order to receive medical care from highly qualified personnel in the knowledge that they will be well taken care of.

Between getting a check-up, having a surgical intervention, or receiving a needed medical procedure that would be too expensive or unavailable in the UK, cosmetology, cosmetic, and bariatric surgeries, the United States stands out as one of the top countries that receive medical tourists from all over the world. Houston, Texas, Baltimore, Maryland, Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida are among the top destinations in the United States.

Citizens of the United Kingdom who are traveling for medical care should review their travel insurance policy, as most of them have an exclusion for medical care. They should investigate whether medical complications coverage for a medical tourist is available to cover them while they are outside of their home country in the event of unexpected additional medical expenses. They may also want to enlist the help of an experienced medical tourism facilitator to help with the procedure details. With all of the advancements in care, treatment availability, and specialized medical professionals, medical tourism to the United States from the United Kingdom is still on the rise. Despite the fact that medical tourism destinations in Europe are easier to reach and may take less time to reach for UK citizens.

You might also be interested in: Why choose medical tourism for your cosmetic surgery?

“Thank you for your reply and support through all of this. I will look to your company when I eventually am able to have the surgery done. I wish you and your company all the best as you wade through all of the changes. I predict there will be many Canadians looking to the US for surgery as the waiting lists were long prior to Covid, now they will be unmanageable. All the spending due to Covid will also impact this due to the system we have.  I work in healthcare so understand how important this type of insurance is and am very grateful that it is available.  I wish more Canadians knew it existed. Thank you and all the best. “

Regards,
Donna

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) Program for Medical Travel Services and Custom Assurance Placements, Ltd. (CAP) have announced a strategic partnership to raise awareness about innovative insurance products designed specifically for the medical travel industry.

Click here to read full article.

Getting medical procedures done is already stressful enough under normal circumstances. No matter how well you know your doctor or how many times you’ve gone over the plan, it’s still normal to feel some nerves before undergoing your treatment or surgery. Imagine, then, how much more stressful and nerve-wracking it might be to have medical work performed in a foreign country where you know no one. That’s why it’s a smart idea to take a travel companion with you on your medical travel journey. Here are three benefits to bringing a travel companion on your medical tourism trip. 

Feel More at Ease 

As we’ve already mentioned, traveling alone to undergo medical procedures in a foreign country can be daunting, especially if you’re not a very experienced traveler. Going with a companion will not only put you at ease during the travel process but also when you go to the hospital. The staff at your hospital or medical facility may or may not speak English. This is not a reason to worry since you will likely work with a translator. However it will surely ease your mind to have a constant companion who knows you and speaks your language. 

Explore and Convalesce Together

One of the many benefits of engaging in medical tourism is the tourism aspect! There are many beautiful countries where medical tourism thrives, such as Mexico, Thailand, and more. As you recover from your procedure, you can enjoy the relaxing opportunities that a foreign country has to offer. Many medical facilities and hospitals that cater to international patients may have suggestions for patients who wish to explore during their convalescence. Your travel companion will undoubtedly make your experience only more pleasant. 

Have Someone to Watch Out for You 

With every medical procedure, there come risks. When you’re in a foreign country, these risks can seem even larger. If you experience a complication with your medical work either during the procedure or during recovery, you will want someone you trust there to help you deal with it. In the worst case scenario, you will again want someone who knows you to take care of handling everything. This is a big reason why a travel companion is essential to have when you undergo medical tourism. 

If you need complications insurance for your medical travel and insurance for your travel companion, you can turn to us. 

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