Considering the continuing rise of healthcare costs in the United States every year, it's no surprise that people are flocking to other countries to get medical treatment. Philippines medical tourism continues to be a hot topic among those seeking treatment outside the United States.
Contrary to popular belief, hospitals in Philippines provide excellent medical treatment, mainly due to the consistent talented healthcare workforce that the country produces. Those that are considering Philippines medical tourism should take a close look at what facility options are available to them when seeking medical treatment. Hospitals in Philippines come in two main categories: public and private.
Here are a few helpful hints that will make your Philippines medical tourism trip much easier:
Before departing on your trip, do some diligent research on what facility you will use for your treatment. Most likely, you will not need to travel outside of the metro Manila area, as there are over thirty five hospitals in the Manila area alone.
While public hospitals may be cheaper than private hospitals in the Philippines, medical treatment is still extremely cheap compared to the United States. For example, a simple ultrasound in the United States could run you upwards of $1500, but in the Philippines, an ultrasound would only cost you $20.
Because of the higher quality of facilities, it may be better to get your treatment taken care of at a private hospital. However, public hospitals in metro Manila will most likely be better equipped than hospitals in the provinces.
Once you have narrowed down your choices of hospitals in Philippines for your healthcare needs, do some research by calling and asking questions about the facilities, wait times, and if you need to make an appointment. This will alleviate any unwanted problems once you arrive.
While healthcare is cheap in the Philippines, it's best for you to call ahead to get a feel of how much money you will be spending. If you have a friend that speaks Tagalog, ask them for assistance when calling; misinformation over the phone because of the language barrier may get you a price quote for the wrong treatment.
Remember, not only will you be paying for your procedure but will also incur all the costs associated with traveling. Airfare, hotel rooms, food, ground transportation, and miscellaneous sightseeing expenses, if necessary, must be taken into account.
Taking into account the total amount of money you may spend on receiving medical treatments in the Philippines, it is still a fraction of what you would pay in the U.S., which is why the Philippines is an excellent medical tourism alternative.