DIY Medical Tourism? – Buyer Beware!

Do it Yourself Medical Tourism? Have you really thought that through?

Ever considered that internet shopping for medical tourism solutions can actually be hazardous to your health?

What if you had access to the SAME tools used by an insurance company when sending their cases for treatment abroad?  This would surely improve your confidence in choices offered you online.

Americans are big on “do-it-yourself” (DIY) solutions.  DIY eliminates the “middle-man” and reduces the cost of the end product or service.

Internet shopping works well for DIY customers as it provides the shopper with many options and lots of information.

Nevertheless, the ultimate challenge of internet shopping is the unreasonable pre-requisite that one must be a subject expert on the product or service that one wants to purchase.

In other words, UNLESS I know EXACTLY what I need, I best NOT shop online.  Nowhere is that more true than when shopping for healthcare information and specifically, medical tourism solutions.

Risk Assessment

While the web is the world’s largest “Yellow Pages”, it is clear that most users are at an extreme disadvantage when it comes to “expert assembly” of the information provided online about healthcare, in general, and medical tourism issues in particular.

Simply stated, information is power, power is important (and somewhat seductive)…yet absent knowledge about applicability, and integrity of the searched information, it would be safe to say that one should not shop for procedures or treatments online with the same nonchalance that one would price-shop for a brand name jacket – or designer label shoes.

So, while you may be are ready, willing and able to shop for medical treatment abroad (a/k/a medical tourism)… consider that you may not be “qualified” to judge the information you receive.  It is a confusing world of options, glossy web sites, seductive destinations and brokers that will move heaven and earth to “book” your medical travel.

Since the “average” healthcare consumer lacks “decision support tools” that area generally available to insurance companies, there is a greater probability for errors in selecting providers and treatment destinations.  This situation may lead to heightened risk for consumers.  The risk diminishes any possible cost benefits.

Health Travel

STOP! Before you ask about the price, ask yourself the following questions:

1.  Do I have sufficient knowledge to qualify the information I am provided?

2.  Does the “medical tourism” agency have the knowledge and qualifications to provide me with information about solutions for my health problem?

3.  Does the “medical tourism” agency have the knowledge, qualifications and organizational infrastructure to manage my case?

4.  What “the heck” should I look for?

5.  Should I get my local doctor involved?

6.  What if…..

a)  I am sent to a poor quality hospital?

b)  I am treated by an unqualified physician, or surgeon?

c)  There are complications?

These questions reflect the most important and profound aspects of medical tourism.

What if the self-pay patient had access to the SAME decision support tools used by an insurance company when sending their cases for treatment abroad?

Now, with “My Medical Trip Advisor”©, you can have it “your way”.

“My Medical Trip Advisor”©

We launched MMTA as a decision support service for SELF PAY patients who are at a disadvantage when faced with confusing options about a medical issue that exceeds their knowledge base.  The bottom line is that the average healthcare consumer is not a medical professional.

It is no different than how I feel when I take my car to the mechanic…. I have NO CLUE what needs to be fixed, or if it was fixed.  This way, the patient can reach out to an experienced case manager to evaluate their DIY plan. Optionally, we can serve as “Plan B” and schedule the patient for treatment in one of our US quality centers of excellence.

We charge a modest fee because philosophically, I believe that “free advice is worth exactly what it cost”…. When one considers the cost of travel abroad for treatment, $199.00 cannot possibly be viewed as a barrier.

We partnered with Traveling4Health.com because it is a unique social media and responsible publishing platform for medical tourism information.

Since 2004, our team has coordinated numerous cases for private pay patients and insurance companies.  No other medical tourism company has the experience that comes with managing some 3,000 cases and $150,000,000 in international medical services.

So, next time, you consider DIY medical tourism…..Do your best, but also call us: +1-305-517-3873.

MMTA is brought to you by International-Triage, LLC and Traveling4Health.com, leading experts in international medical services, related online publishing and social media. Whatever your choice, or medical issue, we wish you happy, safe and healthy holiday season.

Read Shai Gold’s Blog “6 Tips on How to Pick a Medical Tourism Company.”