Medical Tourism is a fascinating new trend that sees people leaving the UK to receive medical treatment overseas. Luxury service and period of recuperation in the sun are two of the factors that are encouraging an increasing number of Brits to have their elective surgery abroad. In 2006 50,000 Britons travelled abroad for low cost medical treatment. For people looking to have private surgery, travelling abroad can save a considerable amount of money. Consumers can save up to 80% by going abroad for surgery and these savings are often enough to finance a relaxing break. So what types of overseas medical treatment are available and how much does medical treatment abroad cost?

Treatment available

One company offers a service that provides treatment in a private hospital in Malta. The treatments available cover a wide variety of clinical and cosmetic surgery packages. Clinical packages include procedures in General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Urology, Gynaecology and Ophthalmology. The company offers total hip replacements, total knee replacements, TURP prostate surgery, Total Abdominal Hysterectomy surgery, Hernia operations, Varicose Vein removals as well as Cataract removal and lens implant surgery.

The cosmetic services on offer include nose reshaping, a tummy tuck, liposculpture, prominent ear correction, breast augmentation, face lifts, Botox treatment, endermologie, lip augmentation, dermal fillers and laser hair removal.

Private Dental treatment abroad has also become more popular. This is reputedly due to the rising costs of dentistry in the UK. Customers are heading to Europe for savings on crowns, bridges, dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.

Cost of treatment

The cost of treatment includes all clinical costs, including the cost of hospital and Doctors fees, as well as all the necessary drugs, x-rays and implants. It includes transfers from the airport and hotel accommodation before and after treatment. The cost also includes post-operative care including food and rehabilitation care. It also includes 7 days drugs supply on discharge from hospital care. A total hip replacement will cost around GBP6300 as does a total knee replacement. TURP prostate surgery will cost around GBP2700 with total abdominal Hysterectomy surgery costing GBP3525. Hernia operations cost GBP1900 for unilateral or GBP2670 for bilateral. Varicose Vein removals are either GBP1570 or GBP2620 depending on whether they are unilateral or bilateral.

Cosmetic treatments range between GBP4102 for a facelift, neck lift and 4 eyelids to GBP2489 for Breast Augmentation 9which includes the implants). Abdominoplasty and Liposculture will cost around GBP2876 and includes advice on diet and fitness.

Dental work is offered in a number of countries and there are websites that will help you compare prices to the British equivalent. Wisdom tooth extraction will cost you around GBP425 in the UK but a trip to have it done in Croatia can cost as little as GBP206. Having dental implants in Italy can save 50%. The typical price from a UK private dentist is GBP2000 whilst the same procedure done in Italy (including fees, travel and accommodation expenses) will cost around GBP931. A trip to Hungary for porcelain bonded crowns will cost you GBP570, 24% less than the GBP750 you expect to pay in the UK.

It’s hard not to be keenly aware that health care costs have skyrocketed - a week’s stay in the hospital for a few tests and treatment WITHOUT ANY PROCEDURES can cost $15,000 or more![1] So, it’s not surprising that an increasing number of people who need or want real treatment are looking elsewhere for a solution.

Where do they go? To places like India, Thailand, Panama, and Argentina. These countries have strongly emerging economies, and have correspondingly made significant investnment in their medical capabilities. That translates to quality care - second to none - at reasonable cost.

“Medical Tourism”, the name for the new practice of going overseas to receive medical treatment and perhaps get a bit of travel in on the side, is becoming a very popular option, for many.

It can make a lot of sense. Laparascopic, prostate, hernia repair, gastric banding, dental implantation, and other treatments can cost far less in say, India, than in the US - a tenth to a fifth as much. There is no delay in diagnostics and treatment, either. Diagnostics and tests are done in the same facility, the prognosis and treatment follow, immediately. Billing is easy, too - just a matter of presenting a credit card for the final bill, often determined by an up-front quote.

Of course, medical care is only as good as the doctors that perform it. There is excellent news on this front, as well. Doctors in India (again) are very active in the international medical community. Go to any major facility in the US, and you’re likely to see a large number of Indian doctors on the staff. Likewise, many Indian doctors are US trained. Doctors are constantly engaged in improving their skills, and in imparting those skills to others in the international medical community.

And, of course, the fact that you are in an exotic place, only adds to the enticement. The “tourism” aspect is a terrific adjunct - why not recover seeing the Taj Mahal, or Qtub Minar, or on the beaches of Goa? Why not, indeed. Facilities typically have arrangements to help you explore your new-found destination.

Medical treatment overseas may be just the ticket you’re looking for - if you don’t have health insurance or your insurance has determined that a wanted procedure is ‘elective’, or there are other impediments to your getting the treatment you want, it can be very much worth your while to investigate your “Medical Tourism” options.

As always, you should investigate your options and requirements as they apply to your situation. One place to do this is by participating in a forum we have set up for just such a purpose (see link in resource box.) The forum is free to all, you just need to join to participate. Treatment overseas adds one more choice to your set of options - an option that can greatly reduce costs, and give you the opportunity to explore another part of the world, while you’re at it!

[1] Source: personal experience.