Costa Rica is renowned for its natural beauty, eco-friendly environment and the exhilarating preservation of natural land. Home to the world’s greatest coffee, exciting volcanoes and hospitable locals, Costa Rica has also gained immense popularity in having one of the world’s finest health care systems.

Above 80% of the medical professionals working in Costa Rica are American or European trained, committed to providing international standard of health care to all their patients. Not only the doctors and medical staff themselves, but also the Government of Costa Rica is actively involved in promoting the health care system of the country and highlighting Costa Rica’s name as one of the finest medical tourism destinations.

Hospitals at Costa Rica are committed to providing top most quality care provided according to international recommendations. For this purpose, many nonprofit bodies promoted by the government are operating to keep a check and balance on the functioning of these hospitals. Of these agencies, The International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQUA), American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) and the Joint commission International (JCI) are working diligently to provide international standard guidelines to be followed by these hospitals.

A majority of the patients traveling to Costa Rica for affordable, quality, up to date health care services belong to either America or Canada. At hospitals like Clinical Biblica, patients receiving orthopedic surgeries could save up to $80,000, saving a large sum of money without compromising on the quality of medical services provided. For more information about affordable, top quality Dental, Aesthetic and General Surgery information, please contact Passport Medical, North America’s number one medical tourism facilitators.

Medical Tourism is amongst the most rapidly expanding businesses globally. With an escalating cost of healthcare in developed nations combined with an increasing number of uninsured individuals, the option to travel abroad for healthcare that is significantly less expensive is an alluring concept. However, there has been some deliberation that medical tourism agencies quote exaggerated figures when providing data on the total amount of money saved.

Patients who are not covered by insurance policies have to pay out of their own pockets for medical care.  To avoid substantial financial burden, many tend to seek more affordable alternatives. Numerous insurance agencies have also adopted policies on sending patients abroad for various procedures. The question that arises in these situations is how financially favorable is medical tourism? Critics of the industry tend to question the massive savings, claiming costs for airfare, hotels, and food, negate any savings on procedures.

In reality, most patients still end up paying considerably more for medical treatment in the United States than they would for the procedure combined with the cost of travel somewhere like Costa Rica or India. For example, a hip surgery in America averages $40-60,000; the same surgery in Costa Rica or India will cost 75% less. Even when all the additional expenses are added, the savings are still as much as 70%.   To top it all off, the patient also gets to enjoy a vacation to a beautiful destination while saving money.  It’s no wonder many believe this to be too good to be true, but the fact is that medical tourism is a very realistic option.

Reliable medical tourism agencies help patients acquire safe, affordable and standardized healthcare at greatly discounted prices. For more information about affordable treatment alternatives abroad, please contact Passport Medical, America’s leading medical tourism facilitators.

As costs of healthcare continue to rise, more and more Americans are being drawn to the significantly lower prices of healthcare abroad.  However, many worry that healthcare received in other countries will be of lower quality than what they would receive at home, and not up to North American standards.

This is where an accreditation system such as the JCI can give potential medical tourists some peace of mind. The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a subdivision of America’s Joint Commission, an accreditation system which sets the highest standards in healthcare. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the JCI works to ensure that a standardized system of healthcare provision exists worldwide.

JCI accreditation is a voluntary route taken up by many hospitals who want to guarantee delivery of international standards of healthcare. Over 90% of the hospitals in America are accredited by the JC and hospitals all over the world are now working diligently to attain JCI accreditation as well. Recognition with the JCI shows the devotion of a hospital in providing international standard of healthcare services to its patients, and provides assurance that the healthcare offered at these hospitals will be of the highest quality.

To prevent medical travelers from receiving substandard medical services, agencies like Passport Medical help guide patients to the many JCI accredited hospitals in countries worldwide. For more information about treatments at JCI accredited hospitals contact Passport Medical, America’s leading medical tourism facilitator.

Costa Rica attracts thousands of travelers from North America every year for the purpose of medical treatment. Already distinguished for its natural beauty and gorgeous milieu, it also has an outstanding healthcare system that is ranked above the U.S by the World Health Organization. With several JCI accredited hospitals and the world’s finest medical staff available round the clock, medical tourists from all over the world—especially North America—are visiting Costa Rica to receive safe and efficient medical treatment at very affordable prices.

Medical tourism for orthopedic procedures is very common in Costa Rica. Doctors are dedicated towards providing efficient health care and many have been trained in the United States. Hospitals offer surgeries like knee and hip replacement, ligament reconstruction, as well as surgeries for meniscus tears and damaged cartilage. The procedures are done by the most competent surgeons and patient care is handled by a very helpful, courteous and caring medical staff.

Although the high-quality of medical care is certainly a draw, the main driving-factor behind medical tourism in Costa Rica is affordability. Medical tourists receive treatment at less than half the price when compared with the U.S, and with the guidance of medical tourism agencies like Passport Medical, quality healthcare provision is ensured.

For years, medical tourists have turned to Costa Rica for orthopedic, plastic and dental procedures and have returned home more than satisfied. For those desiring the highest quality medical care at an affordable price, Costa Rica is the destination of choice. For more details about Orthopedic and other medical procedures in Costa Rica, please contact Passport Medical, America’s leading Medical tourism agency.

A non-invasive surgery is any procedure which does not require penetration of the body by incision or other means.  Besides being psychologically less daunting, the benefits of non-invasive surgery include minimal recovery times and less risk of infection.   Also, these surgeries can often be performed without the use of general anesthetic—only local anesthetic is needed, or sometime no anesthetic at all.

Cyberknife is a fairly recent advancement in the field of non-invasive surgeries, having been approved by the FDA in 2001. By delivering a high-dose of radiation with extreme accuracy, Cyberknife is capable of painlessly treating precise locations in the body without affecting the surrounding tissue. The ability of the cyber knife to treat tumors anywhere in the body has revolutionized the treatment of cancer by providing an alternative to open surgery.  Cyberknife offers treatment to those who have surgically inoperable or complex tumors.

As state-of-the-art technology, Cyberknife systems are extremely expensive—hospitals pay up to 4 million dollars for one.   As a result, the cost of treatment in the U.S is high, ranging from $ 25000- $65000. For patients requiring a Cyberknife procedure but lacking the insurance, traveling to a country where the cost of treatment is less expensive is an excellent option.

Passport Medical, North America’s leading medical tourism agency, works in partnership with oversea facilities which offer Cyberknife treatment at prices drastically lower than in the United States. Turkey, one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe, has been offering Cyberknife radiosurgery to patients for over 4 years. The cost of treatment is less than half of what patients pay in the United States. Since the treatment is delivered through a machine, a standard of quality is ensured no matter where the procedure is received. Hospitals in Turkey provide the best possible patient care, delivered by a team of English speaking and internationally qualified doctors.  For further information about Cyberknife treatment, Please contact Passport Medical.

As an affordable alternative, many Americans are traveling to other countries for medical care. Treatment abroad is usually substantially cheaper than in the United States, and patients are often pleasantly surprised by the high-quality and cleanliness of hospitals.   With its scenic beauty and rich culture as well as inexpensive medical care, Mexico has become one of the top choices for medical tourists.

The savings on medical treatment in Mexico are significantly—for example, a knee replacement costs one third of what it would in the U.S, and weight-loss treatments such as a lap bands are available at half the price. Dental and cosmetic treatment can be as much as 75% off the cost in the United States. The amount saved on medical care is often so much that patients are able save thousands of dollars, even after paying for the expenses of travel.

Besides affordability, Mexico also has the benefit of proximity.  While other locations can be slightly less expensive then Mexico, patients may have to spend a fair amount of time in transit.  For the time-constrained medical tourist, Mexico is an excellent option as it is only a short flight away from the U.S, with flight times to Cancun only an hour and a half from Miami.

Medical tourists come to Mexico for bariatric, cosmetic, orthopedic and orthodontic surgeries every day, returning home satisfied with their treatment and relaxed from their vacation. As the leading medical tourism facilitator, Passport Medical ensures that patients have access to the best healthcare centers in Mexico, at the lowest possible prices. For more information regarding healthcare in Mexico, Please contact Passport Medical, America’s leading medical tourism agency.

Passport Medical was recently featured in an issue of

Written by Passport Medical President Mark Semple, the article serves to answer many of the questions that arise about medical tourism. What exactly is the role of a medical tourism company? Are they necessary for a medical vacation? Often, people wonder how these companies are able to provide the service that they do without a mark-up in price.

The article in Medical Tourism Magazine provides insight into the above questions, as well as giving advice to prospective medical tourists.

Being obese is not just a physical state; it is a disease that greatly affects your overall health.   For those struggling with obesity, the fight to lose weight can be one of the toughest and most frustrating aspects of their life.  Fortunately, new medical -procedures have been developed to assist in the loss of excess body fat.

Just like any other surgical procedure, bariatric surgeries have a great impact on improving a patient’s quality of life. Obesity increases the patient’s risk of developing a number of serious ailments like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disease.  Postponing weight loss means putting oneself at greater risk for these very serious diseases.

Statistics show that nearly one third of America’s population is suffering from obesity. Similar numbers may be seen in Canada and other countries. With a third of a countries population suffering from a disease requiring surgical expertise, the wait time for these cases can be astronomical.  Similarly, with an ever diminishing insurance coverage, many Americans are reluctant to have these surgeries performed for fear of escalating costs of these necessary procedures.

For those struggling with their weight but unhappy about the substantial cost of surgery, medical tourism may be the answer. Countries all over the world are providing bariatric surgeries for a fraction of the price in America. Safe, affordable bariatric surgeries are made possible by traveling to accredited hospitals abroad. Passport Medical is America’s most acknowledged medical tourism agency. They have helped thousands of patients receive standardized quality health care worldwide, without the long-waits and large-costs of medical care at home.

Gamma knife technology is an incredible revolution in the field of non-invasive surgeries.  Developed by the combined efforts of neurosurgeons and radiobiologists in Sweden, the gamma knife uses extremely precise radiation therapy to target cancerous cells, with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.  This technique has proven to be incredibly beneficial for areas of the body that are not easily accessible by traditional surgery, in particular the brain.

Cancer is a very lethal disease and spreads rapidly throughout the body. The metastases of cancer are extremely dangerous and were once considered to be virtually untreatable when they reached the brain. The gamma knife has revolutionized the world of brain cancer treatment by providing an extremely effective alternative to open surgery.

Although less expensive than open surgery, gamma knife procedures are still extremely costly in the United States. This has led many American’s to seek this treatment abroad, in counties such as Taiwan. Taiwan is ranked first in healthcare in Asia and sixth in the world. It is not only home to some of the most modern and up-to-date facilities, but radiosurgery treatments are affordable and meet international standards.  For further details on gamma knife procedures in Taiwan please visit Passport Medical, America’s leading Medical Tourism Agency.

With many struggling in the financial recession, having medical insurance has never been so important. Unfortunately, the number of people who are uninsured in the US is staggering—over 45 million. Those uninsured and requiring medical treatment have three options:  pay out-of-pocket, get a loan and accumulate interest, or travel abroad and receive the same treatment as in the United States for a fraction of the price.

Medical Tourism—the process of traveling abroad to receive more affordable medical care—has come as a much needed alternative to overpriced healthcare in the U.S.  As healthcare prices continue to rise, many Americans are becoming more open to the idea of traveling abroad to receive medical treatment.

Those who visit hospitals overseas are often astounded by the high-quality of care they receive, and the advanced technology of facilities. Medical tourism not only offers affordable healthcare to the uninsured but the care provided meets international standards, often even exceeding healthcare in one’s own country. Taiwan, India, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico are just a few places offering medical treatment at par with European and US standards, for less than one third of the price. The cost of treatments in these countries including airfare and accommodation is still considerably less than the cost of treatment alone in the United States.

Medical tourism provides the uninsured with the healthcare they deserve, at a much more affordable price. For more information about affordable healthcare vacations contact Passport Medical, North America’s leading Medical Tourism agency.