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In previous articles, our specialists highlighted the main reasons why foreign patients seek treatment abroad. Today, MediGlobus experts have prepared an overview of the medical tourism features in the most popular areas. We will tell you about which medical services are available in different countries, compare the price policy and discuss everything to which the medical tourist needs to pay attention to.
MEDICAL TOURISM IN ISRAEL
Israel – one of the most popular destination of medical tourism in patients from abroad. Israeli medicine is considered among the most successful in the world. Latest technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases are available here. Majority of Israeli medical centers belong to the state while only few clinics are private.
Every year, Israel accepts large number of foreign patients, 70% of whom are cancer patients. Israeli clinics are also popular among patients of cardiosurgical, oncohematological, orthopedic and neurosurgical fields.
For citizens of many countries there is a visa-free regime or the smooth workup for an accelerated process of obtaining visa, which greatly simplifies the visit for treatment. Despite the simplicity of the visa process, the Israeli immigration on airport is one of the most difficult as it shows one of the highest percentages of entry refusal.
There are large number of hospitals, but the patients often needs to use the services of intermediaries as the international departments of clinics are not able to quickly and efficiently process all incoming applications for treatment. A qualified intermediary takes care of absolutely all issues related to the organization of treatment and patient’s visit, provides logistical services to the patient and his family members, guarantees the shortest possible response time from the hospital and appointment for diagnosis or treatment.
LEVEL OF PRICES IN ISRAEL
The price policy of Israel is in a rather expensive segment, the more difficult the treatment and the more famous the doctor, the more the cost of treatment and the specialist’s fee.
According to the price list for medical services, Israel competes with some medical institutions in Germany, Switzerland, Spain and the United States.
FEATURES OF ISRAELI MEDICINE
Features of the proposed medical services in Israel are the possible visit of the leading Israeli doctors in case of a complex and emergency situation.
To a greater extent this applies to situations when decision for transporting a complex patient to Israel for further treatment is taken. Doctors fly only in really serious cases – all the costs associated with the doctor’s trip are paid by the patient.
Denial of treatment to a patient may be in a situation where earlier episodes of ineffective treatment have been done or a protocol of chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been started.
A particular feature of this area is the efficiency – the answer of a doctor or clinic in some can be obtained within several hours.
Israeli clinics require a safety deposit in case of emergency assistance in the event:
- If the patient’s condition was found to be severe or critical;
- Patients with large, complexly located tumors;
- Pediatric oncological and oncohematological diseases.
MEDICAL TOURISM IN GERMANY
Germany is an appropriate destination not only for patients from the developing countries, but also for patients from other EU countries. Local clinics show the highest level of the quality of medical services.
Annually this country receives about 400 thousand foreigners for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment.
Germany has a multitude of diverse multi-specialty and highly specialized hospitals of private and state ownership.
Largest medical networks clinics located practically in all large cities are functioning here.
PRICE LEVEL IN GERMANY
In general, comparing with the price policy of Western European countries, Germany ranks second in terms of the high cost of medical services. In spite of this, the cost of treatment in German clinics may in some cases be lower than in Israel.
Patients come to Germany with absolutely different needs – from preventive examination (check-up) to complex surgical interventions. Most often this country is chosen by:
- Patients with oncological tumors;
- Patients who require surgical intervention on the spinal cord and brain;
- Patients with ophthalmologic pathology, gynecological and urological diseases;
- Patients with diseases in the field of orthopedics.
All other necessary services are provided, but usually paid separately from the cost of medical services (the services of an interpreter on hourly basis and transfer to and from the clinic).
FEATURES OF GERMAN TREATMENT
Consideration of the patient’s treatment in Germany can take from few days to a week, depending on the hospital. In large university hospitals, the application deadline is the longest. In some situations, the patient will need to translate documents into German.
The patient must be prepared to pay the deposit amount if an invitation letter from the receiving clinic is required. Prepayment will also be required by the hospitals in case of booking a check-up program (if there is an open visa or visa-free entry).
In the cases of children diagnosed with complex oncological, oncohematological, cardiosurgical and neurosurgical pathologies, a safety deposit may be required at the clinic’s cash desk.
The medical center may refuse to start treatment based on certain examinations performed outside the EU. Patients will have to fill out consent to the processing of personal and medical information.
In some cases, it is almost impossible to promptly book treatment in a large university hospital without the assistance of a local agency.
MEDICAL TOURISM IN SOUTH KOREA
The clinics of Korea are one of the most high-tech in the world, here they use the most modern and innovative tactics in the treatment. Annually, over 600,000 patients come here alone for the purpose of plastic and aesthetic procedures.
Since medicine in Korea is very developed, patients come here almost for all medical areas. The most popular among foreigners are orthopedic doctors, neurosurgeons, oncologists, as well as specialists in dental, maxillofacial, surgical areas. In addition, Korea is in the TOP-3 world leaders in the field of plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine.
Hospitals provide all necessary medical services. However, interpreter services are not available in every clinic and in some cases are provided by partner companies. Transfer services are chargeable.
PRICE LEVEL IN SOUTH KOREA
The cost of medical services is average and largely depends on the level of the clinic and doctor, as well as the complexity of the medical case.
RECEPTION OF FOREIGN PATIENTS IN SOUTH KOREA
Before hospitalization and coming to the country it is necessary to fill a lot of documents for arranging a visit. For citizens of some countries, questions may arise on entering the country (Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan). Hospitals may refuse to issue an invitation.
In some cases, it may be necessary to prepay treatment expenses to the clinic before arrival. The processing of documents takes about 2 days.
MEDICAL TOURISM IN TURKEY
Turkey has already established itself on the leading positions in the popularity ranking among medical tourists.
Annually about 600 000 foreigners come to Turkish clinics and the number continues to grow.
Turkey has implemented a visa-free regime for many countries.
This country officially cooperates with the state structures of many neighbouring countries.
There are functioning branches of some of the leading medical centers of the US, providing the treatment and diagnosis on to the American standard.
Foreign patients come to Turkey for treatment in the following areas:
- Oncology and oncohematology;
- Neurosurgery;
- Cardiology and cardiovascular surgery;
- Orthopedics;
- Reproductology;
- Ophthalmology;
- Plastic surgery.
Turkey is known for its five-star service, which extends to medical tourism. The patient will receive a warm welcome, free-of-charge comfortable transfers, help with picking up and accommodation booking, and be provided with an interpreter.
PRICE LEVEL IN TURKEY
Pricing policy in the health sector is accessible to patients with different budget options.
FEATURES OF MEDICAL TOURISM IN TURKEY
Here іs a number of facts about Turkish medicine. Due to well-established work, each of the items is observed in all clinics, which patients mark in their reviews:
- Quick processing of patient records;
- Efficiency in the admission of urgent patients, including air ambulance;
- Modern structure of clinics and updated equipment every 4 years;
- Comfortable patient care;
- No need for advance payment;
- Exclusively original preparations from the manufacturer (according to the legislation, they don’t use generic medicines).
MEDICAL TOURISM IN INDIA
For several years, India has won the trust of foreigners – patients from developing countries, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and even the African continent come here for treatment.
In addition, there is a large number of well-known pharmacological enterprises that produce generic drugs – they are all synthesized after detailed studies of the original medicines.
Their action is no different from the prototypes, but the cost is much lower.
Most often patients come here with the need for neurosurgical operations, as well as for the treatment of oncology and diseases of the reproductive system.
India is also popular for the treatment of viral diseases, for example, hepatitis C.
PRICE LEVEL IN INDIA
The popularity of Indian clinics is explained not only by the high level of medicine, but also by one of the lowest prices for treatment. Prices in India are among the most affordable in the world.
FEATURES OF THE INDIAN MEDICINE
India took a special place in world medicine due to transplantology. Here, large number of organ transplants are carried out from both related donors and using the cadaver of an unrelated compatible donor. Many countries of the Eastern Europe and the Middle East at the state level send their citizens there for organ transplantation.
But there are also some nuances. India is a poor country, outside the hospitals (which are equipped with the latest technology), the situation may be unusual for an European.
For more detailed information about finding out diagnostics and treatment in certain country, contact the MediGlobus experts.
