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Planning Pointers

Dos and Don'ts for the Smart Health Traveler

Do Insist on English   As much as many of us would like to have a better command of another language, the time to brush up on your Spanish is most definitely not when negotiating that new set of porcelain-on-titanium crowns in Costa Rica! As you begin your research into a medical trip, consider the language barrier as an early warning sign in your screening process. If a clinic, physician, or health travel service that claims to serve international patients doesn’t have a good grasp of English, then politely apologize for your lack of language skills and move on. There are plenty of English-speaking options in the global healthcare arena, and establishing a comfortable, reliable rapport with your key contacts is paramount to your success as a health traveler.

Don’t Schedule Your Trip Too Tightly   Most veteran health travelers admit that one of their biggest surprises was the efficiency of medical service they received while abroad. Staff-to-patient ratios are generally lower than in US cities, and the level of personal commitment is often better. Yet, it’s best not to plan your trip with military precision. A missed consultation or an unanticipated extra two days of recovery overseas can mean rescheduling that nonrefundable $1,300 airfare, with penalties. More important, scheduling a little leeway lets everyone breathe more easily and gives you the flexibility of adapting seamlessly when things don’t go precisely as planned.

A good rule of thumb is to add one more day for every five days you’ve already scheduled for consultation, treatment, and recovery. If you’re planning a facelift and tummy tuck, consultation and surgery might require three days, with a recommended recovery of ten days (totaling 13 days). Thus, you should add two or three more days to your travel schedule to allow for weather-related delays, missed appointments, additional tests, and other unexpected events.

Do Learn a Little about Your Destination   Once you’ve settled on your health travel destination, spend a little time getting to know something about the country you’re visiting. You’ll find a little knowledge goes a long way: the locals will differentiate you from less caring travelers and express sincere appreciation for your interest. Do buy or borrow a couple of travel guides, learn a little history, and practice a few basic phrases (such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and excuse me). When in-country, pick up an English-language newspaper, which will get you up to speed on current events, happenings around town, and local gossip.

— Excerpted from Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Travel