The Complete Idiot's Guide to Medical Tourism
Authors: Patrick Marsek - Managing Director of MedRetreat
Frances Sharpe - Professional Writer
If you’re looking for safe, affordable medical
care provided in an exotic locale, this book
is for you!
This book is an easy-to-read,
comprehensive guide to the fast-growing
phenomenon of medical tourism —
voyaging abroad in search of high-quality,
low-cost medical care. The information
in this book is based on years of experience
helping people just like you find the quality
medical care they want overseas.
What you’ll find is a book that’s chock full of
the tools you’ll need to plan a safe and
successful health tourism voyage of your own.
As featured on WVON Radio Chicago
As seen on Extra TV
Order the Complete Idiot's Guide to Medical Tourism
A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHORS
Dear Reader,
No doubt, you’ve noticed that healthcare costs in the U.S. are spiraling out of control. Everyday on TV, in newspapers, or in magazines, you can find stories about real people who can’t afford the medical treatment they need or the elective procedures they want. If you fall into this category, you might be able to benefit from medical travel, the act of traveling to an exotic foreign country for high-quality, affordable healthcare.
Never heard of medical travel or medical tourism before picking up this book? You’re not alone. Most people we come across aren’t familiar with the term. If you have heard of it, you might be vaguely aware of the concept but aren’t really sure what’s involved in the process. Or, you may have heard about medical travel but are fearful about the safety of having surgery in a foreign country.
Because so many people are either unaware of the concept or unsure about it, we decided to write this comprehensive guide to medical travel. We want to introduce medical tourism to those of you who are new to the idea, we want to demystify the process for you, and we want to show you the steps you can take to ensure a safe procedure overseas.
The more you know about medical travel and what it takes to coordinate a successful overseas healthcare excursion, the sooner you’ll realize if medical travel is right for you. If it is, this book can help you get on the road to better health, an improved appearance, or both.
Wishing you a happy and healthy day,
Patrick & Frances
Contents at a Glance
Part 1: What is Medical Tourism?
Chapter 1: Medical Tourism At a Glance
A look at the ABC’s of medical tourism, why it’s becoming so popular, and the top destinations for medical tourists. Plus, a peek into the future of medical tourism and why it’s expected to explode in coming years.
Chapter 2: Slashing the High Cost of Healthcare
Check out average procedure costs in the U.S. and abroad to see how much money you can save by going overseas for medical treatment and discover why healthcare in foreign countries is so much cheaper than in the U.S.
Chapter 3: Is It Safe?
Learn why healthcare overseas can be just as safe as going to your local hospital.
Chapter 4: Cosmetic Procedures and Popular Destinations
Facelifts, liposuction, tummy tucks, and more — what you need to know about the top plastic surgery procedures for medical tourists and where to go for them.
Chapter 5: Medical Procedures and Popular Destinations
Why more and more medical tourists are hitting the road for things like hip replacement, spinal surgery, and cardiac procedures, and where they’re having it done.
Chapter 6: Dental Procedures and Popular Destinations
Learn the nuts and bolts about dental work and the top countries offering smile makeovers.
Chapter 7: Are You a Good Candidate for Medical Travel?
Find out if you’ve got what it takes to be a medical tourist.
Part 2: Planning Your Healthcare Adventure
Chapter 8: Do Your Homework
The key elements you need to consider before you start planning your overseas medical excursion.
Chapter 9: RX for Choosing Physicians
Discover the most important things to look for when choosing an overseas doctor.
Chapter 10: Hospital Hints
An Rx for finding the best foreign hospital for your needs.
Chapter 11: Should You Hire a Medical Travel Agency?
An introduction to international healthcare facilitators, a new breed of professionals who can help you with some or all of the planning process.
Part 3: Dollars and Sense: Paying for Your Healthcare Journey
Chapter 12: Treatment Costs
A breakdown of all the fees associated with medical treatment abroad and a handy budget worksheet to help you figure out your procedure costs.
Chapter 13: The Price of Travel
A quick guide to the various travel expenses you’ll need to include in your overall budget and a worksheet for tallying those costs.
Chapter 14: What About Insurance?
The A-to-Z of medical travel and insurance, including pilot programs that cover medical travel and a look at why more insurers may be covering it in the future. Plus, a look at some types of ancillary insurance you may want to purchase for your trip.
Chapter 15: The Many Ways to Pay
Creative ways to come up with the dough for your healthcare excursion.
Chapter 16: Tax Talk
Dos and don’ts about deducting medical travel expenses from your tax returns.
Chapter 17: More Money Matters
Insider tips to help you get the most for your money when traveling overseas for medical treatment.
Part 4: Globetrotting
Chapter 18: Pre-op Checklist
The steps you absolutely must take to ensure your health before you go abroad for treatment.
Chapter 19: Trip Basics
Need-to-know info that will help you hit the road like a seasoned travel pro.
Chapter 20: What To Take With You
The must-have items you can’t do without on a healthcare voyage and a packing guide for medical tourists. Plus, the pros and cons of bringing a caregiving travel companion with you.
Chapter 21: Post-op Tips
Strategies and advice to help make your post-op recovery overseas as painless and as pleasant as possible.
Chapter 22: Recovering At Home
Easy ways to make your homecoming more enjoyable and tips on getting back into the groove of your everyday activities.
Appendixes
Appendix A: Destination Countries
An insider’s look at some of the most popular medical tourism destinations and what they have to offer.
Appendix B: Medicalese Made Easy
Definitions of the terms you need to know.
Appendix C: Medical Tourism Directory
A list of resources for information on medical travel, general health information, travel, and more.
Appendix D: Medications to Avoid Before Surgery
An extensive list of medications that you should stop taking before having a surgical procedure.
Order the Complete Idiot's Guide to Medical Tourism
Release Date March 3, 2009
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Alpha (March 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159257808X
ISBN-13: 978-1592578085