Planning a medical trip soon? Or perhaps you’re curious about what medical trips entail? Let us explain. The term “medical” in this context refers to more than just vacationing; it involves undergoing a specific treatment while traveling. This could range from dental work to something as simple as Botox, or even surgeries that might be unaffordable in your home country. This concept is known as Medical Tourism, though both terms are used interchangeably.
So, how do you plan one? Planning such trips can be complex and usually takes a few months to organize everything on your checklist. This includes deciding where to fly, arranging accommodation and flights, checking the weather, and exploring leisure activities.
Planning a medical trip can be exhausting, especially when seeking treatment abroad due to challenges in your home country. We understand you may have many questions about safety, the local environment, hospital infrastructure, and, most importantly, the qualifications and trustworthiness of the doctors. These concerns are valid, but we have answers to each one.
In today’s blog, we will provide you with five tips to ensure a successful and safe medical trip. Additionally, we’ll offer a checklist to help you plan the best trip possible, combining both medical needs and leisure activities.
Five medical trip tips!
- Utilize social media to research doctors’ profiles. Begin by identifying the procedure you want, whether it’s a basic dental check-up or something more complex. Start your search on LinkedIn to find various professionals, then visit their websites and other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok. Look for reviews and compile a list of different professionals. Afterward, create a list of pros and cons to determine which doctors meet your criteria and preferences.
- Once you have a shortlist, start contacting the doctors and arrange online meetings. Prepare a list of questions to help you choose the right one. Ask about everything, especially prices, and inquire about their flexibility with dates and payments.
- After selecting your surgeon or dentist, it’s time to plan your trip abroad. Some medical offices offer trip coordination services, but not all do. If they don’t, we recommend using a VPN to search for flights. If you’re traveling to Mexico, Vivaaerobus is an affordable option, while Aeromexico offers a more luxurious experience.
- Use Google Maps to locate your doctor’s office and find nearby hotels. For medical trips, we recommend opting for a hotel over Airbnb to ensure you have access to assistance if needed.
- Book refundable flights and hotel rooms. It’s worth the extra cost for peace of mind. Once that’s covered, you can look for leisure activities. Consider contacting a travel agency online to help plan your itinerary. Ensure the activities are safe and don’t require strenuous effort, especially if you’re undergoing a significant procedure. For getting around the city, apps like Uber are preferable.
Medical trip checklist:
| Initial research: Procedure + Research professionals | Yes/No |
| Initial research: Create a list of potential doctors + pros and cons | Yes/No |
| Narrow down options: Contact the professionals – Arrange online consultations and ask questions | Yes/No |
| Trip planning: Choose your professional and start the travel arrangements | Yes/No |
| Trip planning: Check if your company offers the services | Yes/No |
| Trip planning:Use VPN for research flights | Yes/No |
| Trip planning: Choose airlines and book a refundable flight | Yes/No |
| Trip planning: Use Google maps to find doctor’s office and nearby hotels | Yes/No |
| Trip planning: Book refundable hotel rooms | Yes/No |
| Finalize details: Confirm appointments | Yes/No |
| Finalize details: Make sure to have all medical records and documents | Yes/No |
| Packing: Pack medical essentials and prescriptions | Yes/No |
| Packing: Include comfortable clothing and items needed for the recovery | Yes/No |
| Packing: Bring all necessary travel documents (passport, visa, insurance, etc) | Yes/No |
| While abroad: Plan safe and suitable leisure activities. | Yes/No |
| While abroad: Contact a travel agency for itinerary assistance if needed. | Yes/No |
| While abroad: Use apps like Uber for transportation within the city. | Yes/No |
| Post-Procedure Care: Follow all post-procedure instructions from your doctor. | Yes/No |
| Post-Procedure Care: Attend all follow-up appointments. | Yes/No |
| Post-Procedure Care: Ensure you have access to medical assistance if needed. | Yes/No |
Consider these tips for your next medical trip abroad, or share them with someone who might benefit. If this seems overwhelming due to your busy schedule, WMA can handle all the coordination and doctor search for you. Based in Monterrey, we extend our services throughout Mexico, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Cancun. We’re here to help. Visit our website for more information.
