Medical Tourism Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question to view the answer
Is IHT World, LLC a referral service or travel agency?
IHT World, LLC is not a referral service, travel agency or tour guide. IHT World helps you by providing essential information you need to find hospitals for top quality treatment abroad. We've done the research so we can provide you with what you need to make an informed decision about your health care options. We also assist you in many ways to help prevent any problems regarding travel to foreign countries. This includes the safe transfer of your medical records abroad. Contact IHT World
What Separates IHT World From Other Medical Tourism Agencies?
IHT World, LLC was founded by a health care professional, an American Registered Nurse who became extremely frustrated with the extraordinarily high cost of health care in the United States, compared to other countries. After discovering that superior quality health care can be obtained outside the United States, at a substantially lower price, IHT World was created as a means to save Americans thousands of dollars on their health care, while saving numerous Americans from bankruptcy. What's more, over time medical tourism can save employers hundreds of thousands and possibly even millions of dollars annually.
WARNING! Medical Tourism is a rapidly growing industry. Many people will start up a medical tourism business who have no formal education in the health care field. Because health care is entirely different from any other industry, it's extremely risky to work with someone who is not a health care professional. Therefore make sure your choice of a Medical Tourism company, such as IHT World, has the knowledge and credentials to help ensure that you make the best possible health care choices. Contact IHT World
What procedures, surgery, treatments, etc. are available?
Dental, Orthopedic, Cardiac, Gastric, Stem Cell, Cancer Treatments, Cosmetic, and more.
Almost any treatment, procedure or surgery is available through medical tourism. The only difference is price.
Even when you factor in travel costs, you can save thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars! Contact IHT World
How can countries around the world enjoy such advanced, high quality health care at so much lower prices than the U.S.?
You could write books on this very subject. Without boring you with so many details, a few reasons are as follows:
- Countries abroad benefit from government health care regulations that operate differently compared to the USA.
- Many countries have a cost of living that is much lower, which contributes to lower health care prices.
- In the U.S.A., medications are often marked up excessively while those exact same medications often cost a fraction of the price in other countries.
- It's a documented, objective fact that many countries give you health care services that are just as good, if not better, compared to American health care.
Do the doctors, nurses and hospital staff speak English?
Yes. In addition to checking accreditation, we also verify that the staff can speak fluent English. You may be interested to know that many doctors in foreign countries went to medical school in the United States. Contact IHT World
Isn't it true that America has the best, highest quality health care system in the world?
Americans are shocked when they discover that, although the United States has the most expensive health care system in the world, when it comes to health care results, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks the U.S. as 37th in the world. Other findings in the WHO report include:
- Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica and Cuba are rated highest among the Latin American nations – 22nd, 33rd, 36th and 39th in the world, respectively.
- Singapore is ranked 6th.
- In the Middle East and North Africa, many countries rank highly: Oman is in 8th place, Saudi Arabia is ranked 26th, United Arab Emirates 27th and Morocco, 29th. Click here for more.
Depending on your hospital choice location, you may use a credit card, cashier's check or wire your fees due. Contact IHT World
Are the qualifications of doctors & surgeons in other countries, similar to the USA?
Yes! One of the many stringent requirements for a hospital abroad to receive accreditation is that their professional staff (doctors, surgeons, nurses, etc.) must have received proper education and training, just as required here in the USA. Contact IHT World
Is it un-American to seek care in other countries?
Absolutely not! By keeping yourself healthy, you continue to be a productive citizen in the United States of America. Unfortunately health care is extraordinarily expensive in the United States. The single biggest reason why people go bankrupt in America is due to massive debt from medical expenses. IHT World believes that you should have the right to excellent health care without having to go into bankruptcy.
With this in mind, health care in the U.S.A. is based on the free market system. This means you are encouraged to shop around and get the best value for your money, just as you would for any other commodity or service.
Just as with anything else, if you shop around and discover excellent quality at a better price, eventually you are helping to bring down the cost for others. This is how the free market system works. There is nothing un-American about getting the quality health care, especially health care that you can afford. Contact IHT World
How much will everything cost?
This depends on the care that you will need. What's amazing is even when you add in travel costs for two, you still save thousands of dollars!
Click here for a list of sample price estimates for various procedures, compliments of the Medical Tourism Association. Contact IHT World
I need surgery but I'm short on cash...how can I pay for medical tourism?
Below are some ideas:
- Savings Account
- 401K Loan
- Credit Card
- Home Equity Loan
- Employer based health insurance
- Personal Loan
- Family & Friends
- Fundraisers
- Borrow from Life Insurance policy
Will my health care insurance pay for health care tourism?
That's possible because insurance companies are beginning to notice the savings resulting from medical tourism. However your insurance company may take several months (or longer) before giving you a yes or no answer. Contact IHT World
Why is it recommended to take a vacation after hospital discharge?
This is to ensure that you are healthy enough to endure extensive travel. One of the most common complications after surgery is a life threatening embolism.
A relaxing vacation after hospitalization will help reduce the risk of numerous complications. Due to the beautiful location of these hospitals, many people combine their medical treatment with a relaxing vacation. Contact IHT World
Are there safety risks in other countries?
No place in the world is 100% safe and risk free, including the United States. However common sense will tell you that some places are safer than others. We only work with areas that are considered as safe or safer, when compared to the USA. Contact IHT World
If something goes wrong, can I take legal action?
Of course, but remember that the laws in other countries may be different. You would be required to adhere to their laws. Contact IHT World
How will I receive follow up care after surgery or treatment?
Your follow up care will be no different than hospital care received in the USA.
As an inpatient in an American hospital, you would likely be assigned a hospitalist doctor. This is a doctor that works for the hospital who cares for you while you are an inpatient. After you are discharged from your local hospital, the hospitalist forwards your medical records to your doctor for follow up care.
Just like in the USA, the doctor abroad will send copy of all your medical records to your doctor(s) in the United States, who will administer needed follow up care. In addition the doctor abroad may contact your doctor to relay important details. Contact IHT World
Can I bring a travel companion?
Actually a travel companion is encouraged. Numerous hospital rooms overseas have an adjoining room or a separate bed in the room for a travel companion/family member to stay while you are a patient in the hospital. The extra bed or adjoining room is usually offered at very little to no extra charge. However you will be required to cover the additional cost of transportation, food, accommodations, etc. for that person.
What's amazing is even when you add in the extra fees for a travel companion, the total package is still less, when compared to prices in the United States! Contact IHT World
