If you are about to embark on medical travel, it is important to get an exact breakdown of not just your treatment expenses, but how much the entire trip is going to cost. The excitement of finding the healthcare you want at an affordable price can sometimes be outweighed by the cost of travel and the daily expenses involved. For some people price takes 2nd place to the treatment itself, but for those who need to budget wisely, RevaHealth.com can guide you through the obvious and not so obvious costs of overseas medical care.

TREATMENT COSTS

Check with your Healthcare Provider to ensure you have a complete audit of their charges covering your stay before, during and after your treatment. In case of dispute and for your own records, get the details in writing (or email). The price should include the basic surgery or procedure plus all the extras involved: anaesthetics, room fees, meals, prescriptions, nursing services, follow up visits, etc.  If there is any cost you don’t understand, contact your Provider for an explanation.

PASSPORT AND VISAS

An up-to date passport will save you time and money straightaway. If you don’t have a passport or need to get it renewed, contact your local passport office to find how long it will take. Depending on where you travel too, you may also need to budget for a visa. Get in touch with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to travel to and find out what the visa requirements for citizens of your country are. Vaccinations are advised and even required for certain countries too, so check with your local doctor if you think you need to be inoculated.

ACCOMODATION DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT

If you are not staying in a hospital or treatment clinic, then accommodation as close as possible to your Healthcare Provider is the most sensible option.  Get an idea from the Healthcare Provider how long your treatment will take and budget your costs accordingly. If you are undergoing serious surgery, you should allow at least a week after leaving hospital to fully regain your strength, before heading home. Whatever procedure you are undergoing, the doctors or dentist will want to check your progress, so always allow a few days stay after treatment.

COMPANION COSTS

Having a friend or family member travel with you makes sense for all sorts of reasons.  It’s good to have someone with you to support you through every stage of your treatment. As well as being someone to share your concerns with, a companion can provide good company on what should be a holiday as well as a health trip. Your companion costs need to be factored in to your overall budget, so discuss with him or her how you can double up together and save money on your trip.

Before committing to medical travel, make sure that you are in possession of all the facts and possibilities. Take your time, fill out the following budget calculator and then decide.

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This information is intended as a guide only. Always consult with a trusted qualified medical practitioner before considering any potential treatment.