Health Insurance for Medical Tourism: Secure Your Health While Traveling Abroad

Medical tourism is a trip across the border for medical treatment. This can be done either for better medical facilities or due to lower costs. It may also be recommended by friends or family or, in other cases, unavailability of treatment that you want to take in your home country.

The demand for medical tourism is rising day by day with the process of globalisation in healthcare. Many people generally go abroad for different treatments related to cancer, fertility issues, heart surgery, transplantation of any organ or tissue, and much more.

Today, numerous private health insurance providers cover these services through medical tourism. They, by and large, pay for pre-procedure costs for travelling to post-medical care costs. This article, therefore, looks at the benefits, coverage options, best health insurance companies, their plans on medical tourism, and highly comprehensive guidance on how to choose a medical insurance tourism plan.

What is Medical Tourism Health Insurance?

Medical tourism health insurance is a type of health insurance that covers all expenditure occurring for medical treatment in other countries. It generally covers all the treatment expenses in different countries, including travel, ambulance, surgery, medicines, post-hospitalization procedures, doctor fees, diagnosis test, etc. It usually offers additional coverage to standard health insurance.

Key Benefits and Coverage Options

• Affordable Coverage: This medical tourism insurance can cover cost-saving treatment options in other countries. Mainly, it benefits those critical treatments or processes which are also partly elective operations and cosmetic surgeries.
• Access to High-Quality Care: Medical tourism insurance allows people to get world-class facilities from highly professional experts belonging to this field. In this way, we get access to the finest treatments which may not be available in our own country.
• Comprehensive Coverage These policies usually include pre-travel consultation, the treatment itself, post-treatment care, and, when required, emergency medical care. Some insurers also cover travel-related expenses, and some even provide coverage for cancellations of a trip.
• Flexibility: It provides ultimate freedom of choice of a preferred destination and healthcare provider within its network. It gives all possible flexibility for treatment. 

Coverage Options are as follows

• Pre-Travel Consultations: It provides pre-travel consultations. It helps to get the appropriate treatment procedure that best suits your health conditions. 
• Medical Procedures: It provides comprehensive coverage for the medical procedures that shall be performed abroad. It covers surgeries, diagnostics, and rehabilitation; it also covers all treatment-related costs arising under the policy.
• Post-Treatment Care: The best part is that it also provides post-treatment expenses to facilitate smooth recovery, which may be more costly abroad. 
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: This medical tourism insurance even facilitates sufficient cover in case of emergencies. 
• Travel-Related Benefits: Some insurers' policies provide extra travel expense coverage. They even cover cancellations of trips related to medical treatment. 

Common Medical Procedures in Medical Tourism 

Medical Tourism is gaining immense fame with the procession of globalisation. It offers many benefits and coverage during various medical situations and also provides great coverage for smooth procedures. Let's have a glimpse of the normal Medical Procedures under Medical Tourism-

1. Cardiovascular Surgery: 

Cardiovascular surgery, including bypass and valve replacement, is one of the most common procedures among medical tourists. Countries such as Germany and America have been doing great work on heart surgeries.

2. Fertility Treatments: 

Many go abroad seeking fertility treatment, such as IVF, as it is relatively cheaper and has high success rates. Spain and the Czech Republic are famous for their fertility treatments.

3. Neurological Surgery: 

The procedure comprises different types of neurological surgeries, including tumour removals and spinal fusions.

4. Cancer Treatment:

Advanced cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, is frequently sought by patients when going abroad.

5. Organ Transplant: 

Patients often go abroad due to the long waiting list for organ transplantation. 

6. Cosmetic Surgery: 

In medical tourism, cosmetic surgeries starting from liposuction, breast augmentation, to rhinoplasty are in most demand. Countries like Thailand, South Korea, and Turkey offer high-quality services at affordable rates. However, please note that health insurance generally doesn't cover cosmetic surgery.

Cost Comparison: Treatment Abroad vs. Treatment at Home 

Refer to the table below to check for medical expenses in India versus the US:

Any of these medical processes or services are relatively cost-effective in India. However, if you want to pursue good quality treatment abroad, then you can get cost-effective procedures by taking up medical tourism insurance (except for cosmetic surgery in most cases). 

Best Health Insurance Companies and Plans Offering Medical Tourism Insurance

Many health insurance companies provide various plans for medical tourism. All of them offer different benefits and coverages to get the best treatment at an affordable price.

Some of the most common health insurance companies and their respective health insurance plans are as mentioned below.

How to Choose the Best Medical Tourism Insurance Plan

There are a few aspects which you should consider, when trying to find the best medical tourism insurance plan according to your medical conditions-

1. Compare Coverage Options:

While selecting medical tourism insurance, its comparison with others is very important. Ideally, it should provide a cover ranging from 50,000 to 2,000,000 US dollars depending upon the duration of your stay. Also check whether it covers emergency medical evacuation, repatriation services, and network hospitals or healthcare centres.

2. Determine Your Needs:

While selecting medical tourism insurance, determining your needs is quite important. You should check the coverage for your treatment.

3. Understand Policy Terms:

Look into policy terms such as deductibles, co-payments, and coverage limits. These will guide you on how to choose the best medical tourism for you. 

4. Research Insurance Providers:

When it comes to selecting medical insurance, be sure to consider well-known providers in order to be sure of their reputation. You can investigate whether they are licensed and make sure to check reviews. 

5. Consider Additional Benefits:

Always opt for medical insurance that will also include trip cancellation, baggage loss protection, and access to a medical assistant hotline at any time of the day or night.

6. Premium charges:

Lastly, check the premium charges. Look for one that can best suit your budget with good coverages.

If you are still sceptical regarding choosing the best Medical Tourism Insurance Plan, then please reach an InsuranceDekho relationship manager via email on support@insurancedekho.com or on call at +91-755 1196 989. 

Conclusion

Globalisation has increased the demand for medical tourism insurance. Quite often, many people seek treatments abroad, and the medical tourism insurance helps them seek treatments with no financial burden. Various plans are offered by different health insurance companies to cover the treatment cost abroad. So, on opting for an insurance plan, consider running a check on what it covers, the list of network hospitals, payable premiums, and reviews. 

FAQs 

Ques 1. Why should I consider medical tourism?

Ans. It provides cost-saving opportunities concerning treatment procedures. It helps people combine high-quality healthcare with travel experiences. 

Ques 2. Does my existing health insurance already cover medical tourism?

Ans. Most of the standard health insurance policies do not provide coverage for treatments in another country. To find health insurance that covers medical tourism, it is necessary to go through the policy terms and conditions provided under the existing insurance plan.

Ques 3. How does medical tourism insurance work in terms of payment?

Ans. The payment terms may differ depending on various providers, with some requiring an advance deposit, while others do not require any pre-payment, and you only pay when being discharged. 

Ques 4. Is Medical Tourism Safe?

Ans. Yes, medical tourism is safe. However, it would be better if you chose some reliable agencies that have established relationships with accredited medical facilities for safe procedures.