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The rising cost of surgery is prompting rnore and more Australians to head overseas for a wide range of medical procedures, writes Bonnie Vaughan
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to keep up with
increasing demand and private healthcare
costs are seen as
makes arrangements for more than 8oo clients a year, confirms that
immediate treatment
by internationally-
trained surgeons at a fraction of the price. lndeed, with the rise of overseas'medicities', comprising state-ofthe-art hospitals, full post-operative care facilities and hotel accommodation all on one site, many in the
country that even middleclass people can't afford treatment," she explains.
"You also have people who are under-insured or uninsured - and even those with private health insurance find that certain procedures aren't covered or that they've reached their rebate limit for the year." Then there are public
plummeting quality of life issues prompt many of her clients to sign up. Italia also points out that even ifyou have private health insurance, it may be a month or two before you'll get booked in for
surgery. "We could have you on a plane the next day and in surgery two
days later," she says. Italia adds that many top overseas hospitals
WHICH
ARE THE TOP
DESTINATIONS
FOR AUSTRALIANS?
offer both state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology that are not available here in Australia.
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47
surgery costing $33,34o in Australia is just $93oo in India, $rr,ooo in Thailand and $16,5oo in Singapore.
wwwjointcommission
international.org. You should check for national accreditation as well, and make sure the doctor's credentials are up to par.
Although overseas medical costs are not covered by Australian private health
insurance, Italia says that
even factoring in flights,
and remain in contact each step of the way. Some may also provide recovery apartments staffed by registered nurses.
Choose a facilitator
with
IS
A SPECIAL
While Medhekar says this is a subject ofdebate rather than fact, she advises that it's crucial to investigate the public hygiene standards of the country you choose. "In Singapore, for instance, it's world standard," she says.
Likewise, choose a
still
VISA REQUIRED?
considerable.
Yes
and
if a fitend
WHE\] CONS]DER]NG
MEDJCAL TRAVEL, WIJER,E S ]'IIE BEST
PLACB TC START?
Unless you have a particular
or fb.rrrrly member accompanes you you'll need a medica1 escort Vlsa as well
'Some countnes have rrtroduced
medrca-lvrsas on
hospital that caters to significant numbers of international patients. Thailand's Bumrungrad International Hospital, for example, offers detailed information about its health and safety practices
on the website.
recommendation from a friend, Medhekar suggests that you choose your destination country and go online to find out which hospitals specialise in treating foreign patients. Examine their websites and make an online
appointment with one of their doctors. Another option is to find a reputable medical travel facilitator (see right).
follow-up care through Sk1pe, where the patient can talk directly with their doctor online."
Patients can purchase medical travel insurance
Ifyou
choose to deal
directly with a hospital, the first thing you need to look for is accreditation
by the Joint Commission
International (JCI),
that will provide coverage both in the destination country and back home in Australia in case there are any post-operative complications. Look for a policy that will also cover the flight, accommodation and treatment should you need to return.
In addition, be wary of dodry agencies. "You hear about people having botch jobs in Thailand and the reason is because they're not going to accredited facilities," warns Italia. "If you're already saving 40 Io 70 per cent, don't go for the super-cheap option because you will run into trouble." The upshot, says Italia, is that people need to be aware that medical travel is not a holiday. "It's surgery and it should
be taken seriously, so do
!
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your research."
WIIAT SIIOULD
YCU BEWARE OF?
Some health experts warn that Australians who travel overseas are risking exposure to superbugs.
For more information on what you need to know about medicai travel, on ]-n l_ho lnternational Medrcal Travel Journal website at ww-wimtj com.
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developed chronic morning sickness when I got pregnant at 20. lwas also diagnosed with Crohn's
disease six years ago. Because of all
this, I was vomiting 20 to 30 times a day for 16 years and it ruined my teeth completely. And my teeth were making me sicker. Last year, once my Crohn's disease was under control, my doctor told me that I should get my teeth fixed.
My dentist referred me to
a
dental clinic, it was decided ld have the extractions done under general anaesthetic at Paolo Memorial Hospital.They took a cast of my mouth for my temporary dentures, I went back the next day to try them out and get some adjustments, and returned the following day for the final dentures. ln Australia, with all the fittings and adjustments and different appointments, the dentures alone would have taken six to eight weeks. I went back the next morning for the extractions and implants.The procedure went really well and was done in a couple of hours. I was taken to a VIP suite and was looked after by two nurses who stayed in the room with me the whole time. The hospital was so clean and beautiful and modern - it was fantastic. The next day I was back in the recovery apartment, in no
pain whatsoever. The whole package, including airfare, accommodation, the
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A Simply Wize product, the wise choice, Available in the health food sections of
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couldn't afford this, but I couldn't live with these disgusting teeth. So got online and found Global Health Travel.They went through all the options with me and gathered quotes from two dental clinics. After doing my own research, decided which one was right for
I
me. Within a couple of weeks I was on a plane to Bangkok. The dentist met me at the airport
and took me to Global Health Travel's recovery apartments, where their staff met me, gave me a mobile phone and settled me in. At the
dental work and hospital fees, cost 529,000. I went straight back to work when I got home and l'm perfectly fine. And the health benefits l've gained since having
my teeth out are amazingj' O