Medical travel: A practical guide

With the high cost of health care in the country, more and more individuals have taken the bold step of crossing borders to obtain medical care through medical travel companies, like Steven Lash’s Satori World Medical and Derek McMinn’s WorldMed Assist, which have paved the way for less waiting time for medical procedures and sophisticated facilities at a fraction of the cost, causing more individuals to opt for foreign medical service.

However, there are some important aspects to consider before deciding to take on the journey of medical travel. This article lists down some practical guidelines. Included in the list are as follows:

• Sealing the deal in writing. Going out of the country to undergo a medical procedure exposes individuals at various risks, which is why before leaving the country, medical travelers have to see the details of the offer in black and white. Understanding every aspect of the travel, from accommodation to the procedure itself, is vital to have a broad perspective if ever patients stumble into something unfavorable.

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• Reputation check. A medical travel company’s expertise can substantiate the decision making. But leaving every bit of decision to the company has its downside because the company’s referrals may just be those that are affiliated to it (e.g., doctors and hospitals). Clients have to do their own research to see the bigger picture and find specialists and hospitals that really cater to their needs.

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• Price check. Just because foreigners are charged a price they think is affordable doesn’t mean that it’s the right price for a particular treatment. Checking on local websites for the going rate of services and professional fees helps in negotiating on price without sacrificing the quality of service.

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The task of making medical travel less complex and more successful is a daunting process to begin with. Doing research and getting as much help from others’ experience somehow abates the anxiety in going through the process.  

This Twitter page contains links to more practical tips in undergoing medical travel.

Radiofrequency energy: Can mobile phones cause cancer?

A lot of people are getting concerned about whether mobile phone radiation can cause cancer, especially now that 85 percent of Americans aged 18 and above own cellular phones.

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The National Cancer Institute states that cellular phones release radiofrequency energy, a form of radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues of the body nearest to where the phone is held. However, this radiation is non-ionizing, which many studies say does not cause cancer. The only biological effect of non-ionizing radiation is that it heats up the tissues it affects, but there is not enough radiofrequency energy in a cellular phone to increase body temperature to levels that can be measured.

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Despite limited evidence from multiple studies, expert organizations, like the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the American Cancer Society, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, still conclude that cellular phone radiation is possibly carcinogenic and believe that more research on this topic is needed.

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Although the evidence regarding whether or not cellular phone radiation can cause cancer may be inconclusive, it is better to be safe than sorry. Men’s Health says that in order to reduce the risk of cellular radiation exposure, mobile phones must be held at least 10 millimeters—the width of a pencil—away from the body at all times. Using a hands-free device, like a Bluetooth-capable headset, is even better.

Satori World Medical’s official blog provides more news and tips on health and fitness.

Medical travel dos and don’ts

If you do not have medical insurance, are under insured, or do not have enough money for proper medical care, you are a prime candidate for medical travel.

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However, before going right ahead and calling your preferred medical travel service provider, it is important that you know what you are getting into. Here are some medical travel dos and don’ts:

• Do research carefully. Although there are a lot of hospitals in medical travel destinations that can perform the medical procedure you need, not all of them are accredited by the Joint Commission International. To make things easier, get a list of hospitals that your medical travel service provider is currently working with.

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• Don’t rely on just company websites. Websites are marketing tools; they are just there to advertise. Look for patient testimonials or reviews as these can be more effective in determining if a particular medical travel service is right for you.

• Do talk to a real person who represents the medical travel provider. Medical travel company founders and CEOs, like Steven Lash and David Boucher, only employ professionals who have extensive experience in the medical travel business and can guide you through every single process.

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• Do address your second thoughts. If you have second thoughts about the qualifications of the doctor who was assigned to do your procedure, don’t be afraid to contact your medical travel provider as they are there to provide you with the best medical travel experience possible.

Medical travel is a very enjoyable experience, especially if you take the right steps to ensure that you are getting the best service possible.

If you are interested in medical travel, this website is a great resource for tools that can help you find the best medical travel experience catered to your specific needs.

Cheaper and better: Why more people are opting for medical travel

Medical travel is not a new concept. In fact, in ancient times, people from all over the world would travel to Egypt to have their diseases cured, as Ancient Egypt back then was the center of advancement and the medical prowess of their healers were known all over the world. Today, people opt for medical travel because it is cheaper and better.

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Medical procedures done overseas are, on average, 40 to 80 percent cheaper than those done in the US. Medical travel proponents, like Steven Lash and Fernando Kuehnel, believe that the affordability of medical travel is what draws most people to it, especially those who do not have or could not afford medical insurance.

These travelers have a combined spending amounting to millions of dollars, making medical travel a very lucrative industry. In addition, the Medical Tourism Association Patient Survey found the following:

• Seventy percent of the patients rated their medical care as excellent, with more and more hospitals getting accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the same organization that accredits well-known US hospitals, like the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Mayo Clinic.

• Eighty-five percent said that they received more personalized care in medical travel hospitals, which offer greater precision and effectiveness than traditional medicine offered in the US.

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• Eighty-six percent said that they would opt for medical travel again if they get a chance to, proving that medical travel is a better experience for many people.

As health care in the US gets more and more expensive, more medical destinations are expected to offer more affordable and more personalized high-quality health care, making global health care not just a dream but a reality.

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If you are interested in medical travel, this website provides more information and tools that can help you find the medical care you need.

Medical travel: Saving money for elective surgery

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Elective surgery is defined by Joseph Devine as a procedure with the purpose of correcting a condition that’s not life-threatening. Although many consider this as non-essential and optional, an elective procedure is also done for important medical reasons, like the removal of cataract or knee replacement. Whatever the case may be, elective procedures leave consumers few options as far as expenses are concerned. Brad Tuttle notes that when money is tight, it only makes sense that less consumers choose to undergo elective surgeries as they have to pay out of pocket.

Enter the world of medical travel, where the likes of Steven Lash of Satori World Medical, Derek McMinn of WorldMed Assist, and Paata Ratiani of MedNet Georgia open a string of affordable opportunities overseas.

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No matter what type of procedure, medical travel is a money saver. From facial augmentation to hip replacement, significant savings are a sure fire when the procedure is done in the right global destinations, such as Canada, Mexico, and Thailand. Additionally, planning and getting the right hospital and doctor are crucial to enjoy the quality of service that all patients deserve, no matter where they are in the world. To save a lot on elective surgery without sacrificing quality, medical travel is the answer.

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Visit this Facebook page to know more medical travel options.

Crossing borders for health: Trends on medical travel for 2013

Throughout the years, medical travel has stretched from one geographical point to another, reaching more countries from various continents. News about improvements on medical travel in a certain country grace news pages every so often, such as Poland’s health tourism market prediction indicating a probability of a 15 percent growth for 2013.

With the seemingly incessant boom of the industry, more people become open to the idea of crossing borders for health care, and more medical professionals and health institutions show interest in providing global care to patients.

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Medical travel pacesetters, like Satori World Medical, Med Retreat, and Planet Hospital, brought a wide array of health care options to US patients through affiliate programs and various institutions worldwide. With the success of such global networking, more institutions traipsed the path of medical travel by acquiring certifications and accreditations like those bequeathed by the Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA), one of the bodies that provide medical travel certifications around the globe. And it won’t be different this year, as more institutions will be joining the bandwagon, notes the organization.

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From enhanced precautionary measures for public safety in health care destinations to more aggressive promotional activities on medical travel, which may also include taking the topic to the big screen – with the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) as the prime example shared by MTQUA – a lot is said to be in store for medical travel this year and in the years to come.

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San Diego-based Satori World Medical arranges medical treatment for patients suffering from various conditions through its International Centers of Excellence. Its website provides a complete list of medical procedures offered by its affiliates.

Life in another country: Where to retire

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More Americans than ever before are considering retiring overseas. Their reason: They don't have enough money to sustain their standard of living in their own country when they decide to retire. Opting to live abroad gives retirees the opportunity of improving their standard of living, if they choose the right destinations.

Here are the top two countries which are the most ideal retirement locations, as listed on Forbes.com:

Ecuador

The number of expats in Ecuador is growing. Whether in scenic valleys or in cosmopolitan areas, Ecuador supersedes notions. The country is also home to premier hospitals, clinics, and well-trained physicians. Even travel executives and practitioners, like Steven Lash of Satori World Medical and Derek McMinn of WorldMed Assist, would agree that the residents in this country can take advantage of its Social Security healthcare system for low monthly premiums. Out-of-pocket expenses for medical travel services are also a fraction of what people would pay in the States.

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Panama

Next to Ecuador, Panama is also welcoming to foreign retirees. Apart from the comfort, the beaches, and the cloud forests, the country is full of friendly people. Many foreign retirees would say that their lives have become better than they were before and that their only regret is that they didn’t go sooner. Most of them are now enjoying a slow-paced lifestyle, which retirement is all about—slowing down and reaping all the benefits the world has to offer.

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Other world beaters include:

• Costa Rica

• Uruguay

• Malta

• Malaysia

• Mexico

• Colombia

• Spain

• Thailand

This Twitter page shares updates on health care and medical travel options.

DVT Prevention: Preventing the silent killer

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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a very dangerous and silent killer that can occur in people of any age. It is, however, more prevalent in adults over 60 years old.

What is DVT?

DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body. Although DVT can occur in any part of the body, it usually affects the large veins in the legs and thighs.

The clot that breaks off and moves through the bloodstream is called an embolism. This embolism can get then stuck in other parts of the body, like the brain, lungs, and heart, which can cause severe damage. Blood clots can form when blood flow in the veins slows down due to factors such as but not limited to the following:

• Obesity

• Family history of blood clots

• Sitting for long periods of time

• Cancer

• Smoking

• Taking birth control pills or estrogen

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What can be done to prevent DVT?

DVT can be prevented by lifestyle changes, which include quitting smoking, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. People at risk for DVT may also use graduated elastic compression stockings and pneumatic compression boots, both of which prevent blood clots in the lower extremities. In addition, they may take pharmacological solutions, like heparin and warfarin.

Health complications arising from unhealthy lifestyles can drive up healthcare costs, and although medical travel advocates, like Steven Lash and Ronald M. Johnson, make overseas high-quality health care affordable through medical travel services, preventing illnesses by means of a lifestyle change is still recommended for most people.

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Satori World Medical’s website contains more information on how medical travel can help you get high-quality health care at a fraction of the cost.

Stretching dollars abroad: Why Americans are retiring in foreign lands

Over the years, an estimated half a million Americans (and counting) have been compelled to retire abroad. While some move overseas to get the most out of their retirement funds, others relocate to live more comfortably.

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This is what Omaha, Nebraska, native Dan Prescher did. He now enjoys his retirement dream in a town in Cotacachi, Ecuador, where he and his wife thrive in a community overlooking the Andes Mountains. All year round, they eat fresh fruits and vegetables and spend time off work going to hot springs and dining in local restaurants. To top it all off, they take advantage of low-cost living and enjoy great food at reasonable prices. They don’t have a car, but they can take a bus ride on a date night for just 25 cents. They have no plans of returning to the US.

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Just like thousands of other Americans, the Preschers opt to move in a foreign land basically because of money or the lack of it. “Every now and then, [my wife and I] think it would be nice to have a place in the states, so we run the numbers,” explains Prescher. “But because of the high taxes, medical costs and insurance, we just can’t figure out a way to live as affordably as we do here. The cost of living is half of what it would be in the US.”

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Meanwhile, medical expense is one of the most compelling reasons for retirees to migrate since healthcare costs have significantly increased without signs of dwindling. Medical travel executives and practitioners, like Steven Lash of Satori World Medical, Derek McMinn of WorldMed Assist, and Paata Ratiani of MedNet Georgia, would agree that a retiree needs an estimated $240,000 to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, which would be too much for an average American retiree.

This Twitter page share updates about health care and medical travel matters.