Thailand: A Great Place for Medical Care

During my two years living in Thailand, I constantly was amazed by the quality of medical care… and the price.

A visit to the Emergency Room, complete with a checkup and medicine, cost me less than $50.

When my buddy George had a terrible motorcycle accident in Cambodia, he was airlifted to a hospital in Bangkok.

Now, I’m happy to introduce Andrew: who will tell us more about how awesome medical care is in Thailand.

Take it away, Andrew…

Going under the surgeon’s knife or the dentist’s drill can be a daunting experience, especially in a foreign, unknown land.

It is an experience, however, that more and more people are choosing to take.

Whether it be for plastic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation and tummy tuck or dental treatments like implants and veneers, the quest for better quality, more affordable medical care is driving over 7 million people worldwide beyond their home borders each year.

. . .

As a world-class vacation destination, Thailand is currently the epicenter of medical tourism.

Of the 13 million tourists that visited the country in 2013, it is estimated that 2.5 million traveled for medical care.

With good reason – what better way to ease yourself back to full health than on the pristine beaches of Phuket or at the health spas of Chiang Mai?

Here’s 3 tips to ensure that you have the best possible medical tourism experience in Thailand:

Do your research!

Whilst levels of expertise and technology are now almost on a par with much of the western world, there is still the odd clinic or two that will look to fleece tourists and offer poor service.

Do as much thorough research as you can on your clinic, hospital, surgeon or doctor before making a decision. Seek out patients reviews, scour forums and use a bit of gut feeling.

Using a facilitator like Medigo will also reduce the risk factor – clinics are thoroughly assessed for quality and are often internationally accredited.

Tip 2: Take a break!

Combining medical treatment with a vacation can prove to be the perfect combination in a country such as Thailand. Leaving plenty of time in your schedule for switching off is vital.

With many cosmetic surgery and dentistry procedures completed in just one visit and recovery times shortening with the use of advanced techniques, there is plenty of opportunity to explore Thailand’s rich offerings.

You can even simultaneously combine treatment and downtime at centers like the Tao Garden Health Spa and Resort.

Tip 3: Shop around!

Medical care in Thailand in general is considerably more affordable than in the U.S or Australia. But, there are still differences in price from clinic to clinic.

Again, here it pays off to put the effort in beforehand and build a broad picture of all your available options.

Price transparency in healthcare is far better in Thailand than in the United States, making the task of finding the best deal much easier.

Have you ever received medical care while abroad?