by Denise

What do you think would be your first thought if you were told you needed knee surgery, a hip replacement, or reconstructive plastic surgery as a result of a mastectomy?  You’re right, in most cases, the first question, spoken or not, is “How much is this going to cost?”

Unfortunately, large numbers of individuals in the United States don’t have  health insurance plans that help cover the costs of major surgeries. Finding options for cosmetic plastic surgery, cancer treatment, skin treatments, and orthopedic surgery may lead consumers to foreign medical destinations that provide excellent though more affordable medical care and procedures.

Increasing numbers of individuals around the world are traveling to foreign destinations for affordable healthcare. Health and wellness tourism has taken hold in the 21st century as a viable, effective, and affordable option for medical care in a variety of fields, from obesity and weight loss treatments to stem cell treatments and technologies.

Gone are the days when medical travelers scoffed at cheaper surgical procedures found only in third world countries. Today, world-class, state-of-the-art and high-tech facilities, surgeons and physicians are found throughout the world, in Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and South Africa, the Middle East, and Central Europe.

The future of health and wellness technologies is indeed borderless, and offers citizens from countries throughout the globe access to the best, the most experienced, and innovative technological treatments, procedures and surgeries.

PlacidWay is a major medical provider for such services, providing consumer information and resources and access to the best for your care.

Tags: affordable medical care, cancer treatment, central Europe, cheaper surgical procedures, Cosmetic plastic surgery, costa rica, foreign medical destinations, health and wellness, health and wellness technologies, health insurance, hip replacement, knee surgery, mastectomy, medical care, medical provider, Mexico, obesity, obesity and weight loss, obesity and weight loss treatments, options of plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, PlacidWay, plastic surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery, skin treatments, South Korea, stem cell technologies, stem cell treatments, surgeries, weight loss
Posted in Argentina Medical Tourism, Costa Rica Medical Tourism, Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Mexico Medical Tourism, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad, South America Medical Tourism, Stem Cell Therapy, Thailand Medical Tourism, weight loss programs | No Comments »

by Denise

Hip resurfacing and hip relacement are orthopedic procedures. Hip resurfacing replaces the surface of the hip joint, but one that removes less bone tissue than traditional hip replacement procedures. Because this procedure removes less bone, it also promotes faster healing and recuperation. In most cases, hip resurfacing involves the head of the femur, or thighbone. Sometimes, it also involves both the hip socket as well as the head of the femur.

 

Hip resurfacing procedures in the United States are extremely costly and may amount to $55,000-$60,000, for one hip! The same procedure in  India costs around $8,500. Medical tourists traveling to Thailand, Singapore, and South America for the same treatments may anticipate spending 1/6^th the amount charged in the United States for such procedures.

 

Hip replacement treatments and procedures are often suggested due to damage caused by osteoarthritis or injuries that limit a person’s range of motion, mobility, and comfort.  Different types of procedures or treatments are recommended depending upon the need of an individual patient. Today’s hip replacement surgeries tend to minimally invasive surgical procedures that are often recommended after bone scans, MRIs, x-rays and ultrasound determine the extent of damage to bones in hip joints.

 

Hip replacement surgical procedures may cost up to $43,000 in the United States.  In Singapore and Thailand however, medical tourist patients may benefit from hip replacement surgical procedures that cost about $12,000. In India, the cost can range from about $9,000-$10,000.

 

Tags: bone scan, bone tissue, hip joint, hip joints, hip replacement, hip replacement abroad, hip replacement procedures, hip replacement surgical procedures, hip replacement treatments, hip resurfacing, hip resurfacing abroad, hip resurfacing procedures, hip surgery, Hip Surgery Abroad, Medical Tourism, medical tourist patients, Medical tourists, minimally invasive surgery, MRI, orthopedic, orthopedic procedures, orthopedic surgery, osteoarthritis, range of motion, Singapore, south america, surgical procedures, thailand
Posted in Hip Surgery Abroad, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad, Thailand Medical Tourism | 1 Comment »

by Denise

According to the University of Delaware, medical tourism as a health care product will continue to grow in the new decade. While some believe that medical care abroad is inferior, the reality is that hospitals and clinics that specifically cater to medical tourists are among the best in the world, with accreditation, certification, and staff, physicians and surgeons trained in major medical centers and universities throughout the United States and Europe.

A mere decade ago, medical tourism was a hardly recognized term while today, nearly 250,000 individuals from the Middle East visit Singapore while 1/2 million international travelers and patients will visit India for medical care, up from 150,000 in 2002.

Baby boomers, those individuals born between 1946 and 1964, will be in the forefront of change in healthcare delivery. According to studies and research performed by the University of Delaware, 220 million boomers in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada will be seeking affordable, high quality, effective and efficient medical care abroad by 2015.

Southeast Asia continues to be a leader in providing excellent and affordable medical care, but the Middle East, Central Europe, and Latin American countries are close behind. India medical facilities are known for orthopedic care such as knee or hip replacement, cardiac care such as open heart surgery and pediatric heart surgery, as well as cancer therapies including bone marrow transplant. Indian clinics and hospital facilities are outfitted with high-tech and state of the art medical diagnostic and electronic equipment, and its pharmaceutical companies meet requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Medical tourism has grown into a respected, viable and logical solution to patients abroad seeking affordable procedures while maintaining high standards of quality and care.

Tags: affordable medical care, affordable procedures, bone marrow transplant, cancer therapies, cardiac care, Central Europe medical care, foreign medical facilities, health care, health care delivery, health care product, healthcare, hip and knee replacement, hip replacement, India, Indian clinics, Indian hospital facilities, indian hospitals, knee replacement, Latin American medical care, medical care abroad, medical care in India, medical care in Singapore, medical facilities, Medical Tourism, Medical tourists, middle east, open heart surgery, orthopedic care, pediatric heart surgery, pediatric surgery, Singapore, Southeast Asia medical care
Posted in Affordable Heart Surgery, Health Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad | No Comments »

by Denise

How much are you worth?

 

And since when should money be a deciding factor on whether or not a person receives the medical care or drugs he or she needs to survive?

 

For example, depending on the type of procedure or surgery that is performed, cardiac surgeries have widely differing price ranges. However, they are among the most expensive surgical procedures performed in the United States. Coronary bypass surgery can cost up to $20,000 for one bypass, more if additional bypasses are required. A heart transplant can cost over  $150,000!

 

Highly acclaimed facilities and cardiac surgeons can be found in Jordan, Thailand and Singapore for a fraction of the costs in the U.S. For example, an angioplasty balloon procedure in the U.S. can cost up to $57,000, while in India, the cost hovers around $11,000 and in Thailand the same procedure costs about $13,000.

 

Laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure in the United States costs roughly (and a minimum) of $30,000. In India, the cost averages about $16,500. In Mexico and South American destinations, costs may average between $9,800 and $13,000. 

 

Liposuction costs and treatments are defined by the area where fat is located and the anatomical focus. To put it quite simply, larger areas cost more. For example, the cost of liposuction to the lower abdomen costs around $2,000 in the United States. Liposuction to the outer thighs may cost $1,600 each. Medical tourists may benefit through cosmetic surgery procedures centers in Argentina, where charges costs are less, generally under $3,000, which in many cases includes lodging. Liposuction in India costs one tenth of what it costs in the United States.

 

Tags: angioplasty, angioplasty baloon, cardiac care, cardiac surgeons, cardiac surgeries, cardiac surgery, coronary artery bypass, coronary bypass, cosmetic surgery, cosmetic surgery procedures, cosmetic surgery procedures centers in Argentina, gastric bypass, gastric bypass procedure, health care, health care abroad, heart transplant, India, jordan, laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure, laparoscopic surgery, Liposuction, Liposuction costs, liposuction treatment, lipousction in India, lower abdominal liposuction, medical care, Medical Tourism, Medical tourists, Mexico, outer thigh liposuction, quality medical care, Singapore, South American destinations, surgical procedures, thailand
Posted in Affordable Heart Surgery, Argentina Medical Tourism, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Gastric Bypass Surgery Latin America, Health Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Jordan Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Mexico Medical Tourism, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, South America Medical Tourism, cosmetic surgery in Mexico | No Comments »

by Denise

These days, with everyone tightening their belts, dental care issues (unless painful and immediate) generally get relegated to the bottom of the ‘to-do’ list. Unfortunately, dental and oral care is essential not only for fresh breath and white teeth, but to prevent gum or oral conditions like gingivitis, which may lead not only to jaw infection and bone loss, but also to systemic infection that may travel to the brain, lungs and other body organs.

 

While a visit to the dentist is not among the list of top 10 things that most people like to do, it is sometimes necessary for good oral health. Whether the reason for a visit to a dentist is for cosmetic or traditional, dental procedures such as implants, bridges, or dentures, techniques and methods offer a wide range of choices for dental needs in locations such as Turkey, Croatia, Singapore and Italy, just to name a few.

 

When looking for a dentist in places like Alfieri Dentista in Parma, Italy, or Dental Implants Croatia, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, or Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry in Mexico, it is important to make sure they are certified. Certification is offered through standards of the American Dental Association or other accredited dental association sub-specialty certification. Other countries typically require membership or certification through Dental Colleges. For example, in India, a dentist should be certified through the Dental Council of India. In Singapore, a dentist should be registered with the College of Dental Surgeons. Take the time to ask or find out about certification requirements any country you’re interested in.

Tags: accredited dental association, Alfieri Dentista, American Dental Association, bone loss, bridges, Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry, certification, certification requirements, College of Dental Surgerons, cosmetic dentistry, croatia, dental care, dental care abroad, dental care issues, dental colleges, Dental Council of India, Dental Implants Croatia, dental needs, dental procedures, dentist, dentures, Dubrovnik, gingivitis, gum conditions, implants, italy, jaw infection, Mexico, oral care, oral conditions, oral health, parma, Singapore, systemic infection, teeth, turkey
Posted in Croatian Medical Tourism, Dental Tourism Abroad, Dental Vacations Europe, Health Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Accreditations, Medical Tourism Singapore, Medical Tourism Turkey, Mexico Medical Tourism | No Comments »

by Denise

 

LASIK eye surgery is an outpatient procedure, with minimum complications. The procedure is a highly technical and effective technique that is able to eliminate significant visual impairment.  Both eyes can be done at the same time, although most surgeons require at least a few days in between. The procedure is relatively painless, and local anesthetic drops are used with a mild form of sedation. Some patients feel a need to sensation for a day or two afterward. LASIK eye surgery also replaces the use of scalpels in such a sensitive area of the body, reducing the number of complications that result from more traditional surgical procedures.

 

In the United States, LASIK eye surgery can run anywhere between $500-$1000 per eye. In most cases, vision insurance does not cover the procedure in the United States, although some vision care insurance companies are starting to add it to their policies.

 

However, international travelers may find great savings in cost for eye/Lasik care abroad, by searching for the best eye surgeons in Thailand, or for popular eye surgery hospitals in Costa Rica, or even the best eye care in Poland to the most affordable eye hospitals in Singapore, while still obtaining excellence and quality by visiting such destinations as the Ahalia Foundation Eye Hospital in Kerala, India or the Acibadem Healthcare Group in Istanbul, Turkey.

 

Corrective eye surgery is available for international medical travelers from Serbia to the Philippines, and from South Africa to Jordan and Guatemala. PlacidWay, an increasingly popular and resource for medical tourism, offers detailed profiles on such facilities, their treatments, costs and qualifications.

 

Tags: Acibadem Healthcare Group, affordable eye hospitals in Singapore, Ahalia Foundation Eye Hospital, best eye care in Poland, best eye surgeons in Thailand, corrective eye surgery, eye care, eye care abroad, eye care facilities, eye clinics, eye hospitals, eye surgery, eye surgery hospitals in Costa Rica, eye/Lasik care, eye/Lasik care abroad, guatemala, India, international medical tevelers, Istanbul, jordan, Kerala, LASIK, Lasik care abroad, LASIK eye care, lasik eye surgery, Medical Tourism, medical tourism resource, Philippines, PlacidWay, Serbia, south africa, turkey, vision care, vision insurance, visual impairment
Posted in Costa Rica Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Medical Tourism Turkey, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism | No Comments »

by Denise

Asian Medical tourism is growing exponentially in recent years, and is expected to blossom even more in the coming decade. Individuals from around the world, especially in the United States and Western Europe, disappointed and discouraged by healthcare options, rising healthcare costs, and long wait times, increasingly look beyond borders for excellent, qualified an accredited medical care.

The Asia Medical Tourism and Wellness Congress, most commonly known as GLOW, is meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May 2010, to host an expo and congress on the personal wellness and medical tourism industry that focuses on facilities, providers, treatments, technologies and opportunities in Southeast Asia.

The GLOW 2010 Asia Medical Tourism and Wellness Congress will discuss, among other itinerary items, workplace wellness, medical tourism, spa and wellness facilities, treatments and procedures, among the fastest growing fields in the medical tourism industry. The focus is on health and wellness in the workplace or corporate environment that extends far beyond individual or market consumerism in locations throughout Southeast Asia, including popular medical tourism destinations such as Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, in major metropolitan areas in Southeast China.

The GLOW exhibition will specifically target health care related industries hospitals, spa and wellness associations and operators, outbound tour operators, and international insurance providers.

Improving wellness programs in corporate environments, sustaining spa and wellness businesses during economic crisis as well as cost budgeting approaches to tracking medical tourism marketing activities are just a few of the topics that will be discussed at the upcoming conference.

Tags: accredited mecial care, Asia Medical Tourism and Wellness Congress, Asian Medical tourism, corporate wellness, GLOW, GLOW exhibition, health and wellness, health care, health expo, healthcare options, international insurance providers, Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, medical care, Medical Tourism, medical tourism destinations, medical tourism industry, medical tourism marketing, personal wellness, popular medical tourism destinations, rising healthcare costs, Singapore, South Korea, Southeast Asia, spa, spa and wellness associations, spa and wellness facilities, spa business, tour operators, wellness and medical tourism, wellness in the workplace, wellness industry, wellness programs, workplace wellness
Posted in Health Tourism, Medical Spas, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Thailand Medical Tourism | 3 Comments »

by Denise

Why are so many people venturing abroad for their medical care? Why are expatriates returning to their homelands for medical care and treatment? Rising healthcare costs, uncertainty regarding Health Care reforms, and long wait times as well as limited options when it comes to techniques, methods and procedures to treat a wide variety of medical conditions that range from obesity and bariatric surgery to breast augmentation to sports training and rehabilitation, prompts individuals from around the world to travel abroad for their health care needs.

Expatriates from Japan, Thailand, Korea, and China are traveling to world-class facilities such as South Korea’s Wooridul Spine Care Hospital, while Albanians, Russians, Armenians, Georgians and those from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan are traveling to facilities in Croatia and Turkey.  North Americans are traveling to Mexico and South America in ever increasing numbers to receive affordable and quality cosmetic and plastic surgeon procedures, weight loss treatments, obesity and bariatric surgery treatments and dental care.

Citizens from France, England, Germany, Norway and Sweden are traveling to central European countries such as Poland, and Hungary for affordable medical care while South Africans increasingly travel to destinations such as India, Malaysia and Singapore for superlative, available, effective and affordable medical treatment.

This growing trend in International Medical Care, promoted by the Medical Tourism Board and Ministries of Health as well as medical tourism portals such as PlacidWay offer international patients a true choice in their healthcare options. Affordability, availability, quality, and effective care is available in medical fields from stem cell research and development to the latest in cardiac surgical procedures.

Tags: affordable cosmetic surgery, affordable medical care, affordable medical treatment, Albanians, bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery treatments, Breast augmentation, cardiac surgical procedures, China, cosmetic and plastic surgeon procedures, cosmetic surgery, croatia, dental care, effective care, expatriots, expats, health care, health care needs, health care reform, healthcare costs, hungary, India, international medical care, international medical destinations, Japan, Korea, medical conditions, medical destinations, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Board, medical tourism portals, Mexico, Ministries of Health, obesity, obesity and bariatric surgery, PlacisWay, plastic surgeon, poland, rehabilitation, Singapore, south america, sports training, stem cell research, thailand, turkey, weight loss, weight loss treatments, Wooridul Spine Care Hospital
Posted in Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Croatian Medical Tourism, Dental Tourism Abroad, Drug Addiction Therapy Abroad, Hungary Medical Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Medical Tourism Turkey, Mexico Medical Tourism, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Rehab Centers Abroad, South America Medical Tourism, Thailand Medical Tourism | 2 Comments »

by Denise

The rising cost of health care, insurance, and demand has forced many natives to seek help across borders. As such, more and more Americans are traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Guatemala for cosmetic and dental procedures. Natives from Australia and New Zealand travel to Singapore and Thailand to save on orthopedic and dental procedures as well. Even Western Europeans from England, France and Germany are traveling to Hungary and Poland for premium vision and dental care procedures, as well as the most common elective surgical procedures like cosmetic and plastic surgery.

 

Why this growing trend in cross-border medical travel?

 

Everything from cosmetic surgery to dental needs, to hip replacement surgeries are available in countries like Argentina, Singapore, India, Hungary and Thailand. Many of the facilities found in those countries are regulated and accredited by Medical Association accrediting boards in the United States.

 

The cost of procedures around the world drastically differs.  For example, bypass surgery in the United States can cost up to $35,000.  The same procedure provided in India costs $6,000.

 

Transplant procedures in the United States and Britain can cost up to $200,000.

 

Orthopedic surgery abroad, cancer treatment abroad, obesity/bariatric surgery abroad and procedures involving cosmetic and plastic surgery abroad are just a few of the procedures and treatments available today that promotes quality care at affordable prices. Explore your options. Don’t think that you have to receive treatment at your local hospital. Your medical care can be found in high quality and state of the art destinations around the world. Nowadays, the world is literally your oyster.

Tags: Argnetina, Australia, Brazil, Cancer Treatment Abroad, Chile, cosmetic and plastic surgery, cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery, cost of procedures, cross-border medical travel, dental, dental care procedures, dental procedures, Health Tourism, hip replacement surgeries, hungary, India, Malaysia, Medical Association accrediting boards, Medical Tourism, Mexico, New Zealand, obesity/bariatric surgery abroad, orthopedic, orthopedic procedures, orthopedic surgry abroad, poland, Singapore, thailand, transplant procedures, vision care
Posted in Argentina Medical Tourism, Brazil Medical Tourism, Cancer Treatment Abroad, Cosmetic Surgery Abroad, Dental Tourism Abroad, Hungary Medical Tourism, India Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore, Obesity | Bariatric Surgery Abroad, Orthopedics Surgery Abroad | 4 Comments »

by Denise

Singapore is a land of rivers, islands and gorgeous beaches that draws visitors from around the world. A mild climate, delicious cuisine, and thousands of years of history, steeped in thousand-year-old culture and traditions beckon world travelers who have only heard about the wonders and scenic beauty of this smallest country in Asia. Long the hub of trade between the Orient and the rest of the world, Singapore has a long history of being a leader in finance, electronics, IT development, and medical technology.

 

Singapore has earned a reputation of being one of the hottest medical tourist destinations in Asia. High quality medical care and facilities await those arriving from around the world to benefit from Singapore’s expert physicians and surgeons in the fields of dentistry, cardiac and orthopedic surgeries and organ transplant programs.

 

Nine JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals in Singapore provide excellent service and quality for nearly all medical and health needs, at a tenth of costs paid for equal medical care in the U.S. Thousands of international travelers visit health centers in Singapore every year to benefit from low-cost surgical procedures and high-quality care and facilities. Medical treatments in Singapore offer superlative results.

 

Enjoy the benefits of heart care or organ transplant surgery in excellent hospitals in Singapore. Some of the best surgeons in Singapore offer affordable surgery and affordable heart surgery in a multitude of fields, including but not limited to fertility treatments, heart care, organ transplants, Ayurveda, and cancer treatment abroad.

 

For example, the National Heart Centre in Singapore is a world-class and highly acclaimed surgical center that offers diagnostic, therapeutic and rehab services for heart and lung transplant patients. The National Cancer Centre in Singapore offers clinical and research programs for international travelers.

Tags: accredited hospitals in Singapore, best surgeons in Singapore, Cancer Treatment Abroad, cardiac, HCI, health centers in Singapore, heart care, heart surgery, heart surgery in singapore, heart transplant, hospitals in Singapore, Joint Commission International, medical tourism in Singapore, medical treatment in singapore, medical treatments in Singapore, National Heart Centre, organ transplant surgery, Singapore
Posted in Affordable Heart Surgery, Cancer Treatment Abroad, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourism Singapore | No Comments »