Medical Tourism.....need recommendations (insurance, cost, centers)

[GayleTX]

A lot of US citizens are traveling to other countries for procedures that their insurance does not cover....in our case, in vitro fertilization. We have heard very good things about the services and quality of care but don't know where to start......

can someone recommend a medical tourism company or a reputable source of information that can help us make a decision about this and help coordinate the plan?

Thanks for your help........

[sponger42]

I cannot recommend a company, but I can recommend a country. I have had excellent basic medical service in Taiwan (ROC). I was very impressed with the speed, efficiency, cleanlieness, and professionalism of the hospitals and medical centers I visited.

My spouse also had both homeopathic and scientific treatments for minor ailments and dental work. While I don't much ken to the homeopathic stuff (herbs and whatnot) it certainly didn't hurt.

Taiwanese health care is state-sponsored and provided to all citizens for a nominal monthly fee (of pennies) but open to foreigners at significantly reduced cost from treatments in the USA.

I visited 3 times. Once for a skin condition, once for standard blood work, and once for travel consultations. For these minor issues, the consultation AND medications cost about USD 10 per visit. I don't know how that would scale up to invitro fertalization.

Taiwan itself is a firmly 1st-world country and Taipei is a class-B world metropolis, though it should be rated higher. The people are courteous if a bit reserved. The only more polite and professional culture I have met in the world would be the Japanese, but their culture is much more closed ( and country much more expensive ).

English speaking is a slight issue in Taiwan. Only the travel doctor I spoke to could speak fluent English. I think you could find a specialist who can speak English, but it is not widely understood on the street.

I highly recommend you get an English-speaking (or doctor who speaks a language you are fluent in) professional rather than try to do anything through a translator, no matter where you go for medical care.

Good Luck!

[sponger42]

Oh, so you know, the homeopathic stuff is included in the Taiwan Citizens Government-Provided Healthcare, but it is performed outside of the major hospitals in centers which specalize in herbal and traditional remedies.

[Chava61]

Israel has quality medical services and most educated people speak basic English there.