Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who can or must make Health Tourism?

There is no impediment for anyone traveling without barriers in terms of medical and legal to get his/her treatment performed safely in another country by contacting the expert and experienced health care provider in the field. In addition, the transfer and the treatment of the patient is provided by Aircraft Ambulance organization made for patients that are unfit to fly in normal conditions.

 

Do I need to undergo any tests before travelling abroad for the purpose of health tourism?

As noted above, you will need certain pre-operative examinations to be performed before the operation you will undergo. You may need to undergo simple tests such as blood test and electrocardiogram or more in-depth analysis such as thorax (chest) x-ray, ultrasound, gastroscopy with other examinations as well as a psychologist assessment depending on your age, your health status and the type of procedure you will undergo.

Ideally, you should have your tests performed before starting your health tourism trip. Thus, you will allow your physician abroad to be exactly sure that you are eligible for surgery. It can be an emotionally devastating experience to find out that you are not an appropriate candidate for surgery for hip replacement (prosthesis) operation you planned to undergo after traveling to the other side of the world. However, it is a fact that many patients, who choose medical tourism, prefer the hospital abroad, where they will undergo the surgery, for having the pre-operative examinations performed because it is easier and less costly.

 

Should I make arrangements my physician in my own country to ensure the undertaking of my improved care when I return?

Ideally, it will be to your advantage to make these arrangements; however, unfortunately, it is not possible in every case as health tourism is a sector that is not welcomed by some physicians. As noted previously, to provide your physician being an active participant in your medical tourism process is the best possible way to make him/her to contribute to your care requirements after you return to your country

 

What should I have to take with me while starting my Health Tourism Travel?

What you need to take with you depends on your destination (the weather there), the place where you will stay and a variety of other issues that will be said in a regular travel or holiday. However, things that you should necessarily take with you while traveling for surgical purposes include:

• Your medical information and / or laboratory tests
• The copies / originals of all medical reports and details of drug use
• CD copies of all kinds of screening such as MRI / CT / ECHO
• All kinds of referral reports taken from your doctor
• Passport
• Your glasses / contact lenses materials
• Phone cards allowing international calls, Credit Cards
• Contact information of your friends, your family, hotels, physicians, embassies and airline companies

 

Should I take my medical records?

The much information you take about your disease history (your medical history), the better. Please note that you will be meeting a new physician, who has little information about your discomfort other than the information you told or you have sent. The scope of the information required to take with you depends on your discomfort and the procedure that you will undergo. Therefore, you can consult your primary physician and physician abroad in this regard; take their advices and learn the requirements.

 

When should I start a medical trip?

Turkey is located in the temperate climate zone. Therefore, can get health services in Turkey for four seasons. Also, if you want the latest information about the weather in Istanbul, you can find out instantly by clicking on our link "weather".

 

Should I take a companion with me for my health tourism travel?

Yes, if you have such an opportunity you should definitely go your travel with a companion. The spiritual and physical support provided by a family member or a friend will increase your morale in an amazing level and even possibly will contribute to speed up your recuperation process. While not to have a companion with you would be objectionable and imprudent in the more invasive procedures such as you heart surgery, hip and knee replacements (prostheses).

Assistance is provided at various levels in the most of the hospitals abroad depending on your surgery and your specific needs due to your condition. Also, the presence of a companion is not an essential requirement for every type of the procedures, and in certain cases you may suffice yourself unaccompanied depending on the level of independent action. Always consult to the relevant contact in the hospital or health tourism agent regarding what kind of assistance is provided to you and if it is necessary to have someone to accompany you or not before and after the surgery. Take a companion with you in case there is any doubt.

 

Can I take my kids?

You can take, but it would be more appropriate not to take. Because, you will already find yourself under enough stress without your children that you need to look after and take care of. Of course, if your wife is coming with you and also your children are at a reasonable age of decent or knowing where and how to behave, you can also consider this option. The country you are traveling and the available activity types will also play a role in your decision. Please consider that a hospital room is not the playground and you will need to find a variety of ways to entertain your children. Again, please consult the relevant contact in the hospital you preferred for the recommendations in this regard.

 

Arrival to the country you will be treated

Most of the hospitals abroad and health tourism agents will either include the cost of your transportation and airport pick-up to the cost of the procedure you will undergo, or at least directs you to the correct channel so that you can do it yourself. In most cases, you either directly go to the hospital for tests and / or physician consultation or to the hotel.

If you wish, you can perform your transfer process from the airport to your hotel or hospital through INCA HEALTH.

 

Stay process in the hospital / clinic

How can I keep in touch with my friends and my family in my own country? The opportunity to be able to maintain contact with family members and friends is one of the most important few things for a foreign patient except a positive operative result. Fortunately, thanks to the dizzying advances in telecommunications technology, it is not difficult at all.

To start with:

• In your country, you can buy prepaid phone cards
• You can buy phone cards at the destination you are abroad
• You can take a mobile phone with international roaming feature with you
• The hospital abroad or health tourism agent can provide you a prepaid mobile phone
• You can send and receive e-mail using your laptop or computer of the hospital, or you can talk to anyone you wish using the phone services on the internet such as Skype.
• In some hospitals, foreigner patients are even offered the opportunity to make free international phone calls.

 

Do I need to make an additional payment for one of my relatives to accompany me overnight in my room in the hospital?

 The companions are allowed to stay for accompanying overnight free in most of the hospitals abroad. However, please consult your health care provider for the details such as meals are included free or not.

 

Will there be internet access or TV in the hospital I will stay?

How a room should I expect to stay in? This will depend on the hospital abroad that you will stay in. As I mentioned in the previous section, a comprehensive range of services are offered at the hospitals in popular medical tourism destinations in order to attract patients coming with health tourism; thus, you can expect to stay in a more beautiful and comfortable room than you are used to in your own country. As general; you will have the opportunity to choose among several room type options (in different price ranges) including common-use rooms, spacious private rooms, suites and luxury suites. This room options will include a part or all of the following ease and comfort elements:

• Electronically adjustable beds
• Computerized personal nurse calling system
• Lighting of the room and the TV remote control and controls next to the bed
• Customized cable television
• Visitor couch
• Private phone available for domestic and international calls
• Customized controlled room air-conditioning system
• Free first-class bathroom ease and comfort elements
• Customized medicine cabinets

 

Is it risky to participate in "tourism" activities before or after the operation?

You will likely want to recognize and see the culture and attractions of the country you are traveling either you are traveling alone or with a companion. In this case, plan your trip to have a few days time to visit around before undergoing your procedure, which constitutes the main cause for you to make health tourism. Most of the hospitals abroad and health tourism agents can assist you for tour arrangements. While the postoperative touristic activities will depend on the country you are traveling for health tourism, the type of procedure you will undergo and the recommendations of your physician.

As a matter of fact, some health tourism destinations are clearly more appropriate for tourist activities than the others. These countries have the necessary infrastructure, services and experience for your pleasant and safe journey regardless of being a patient making health tourism or not. In cases that you have had relatively "light" procedures such as laparoscopic hernia surgery or eyelid lift, you can probably join some light sightseeing tours after a rest period of several days. However, you must get the approval of your physician before participating in any activities after surgery, no matter what procedure you had.

 

What kind of a care service will be offered after the surgery?

Health tourism process is very similar to health care services you are used to in your country in many aspects. If the procedure you will undergo is a procedure that requires inpatient treatment, you can expect to be taken to your room to spend the healing process and to be kept under observation by the hospital's nursing staff. You will receive services at our hospitals with JCI accreditation, which is the worldwide available international quality standard, complying with the requirements required quality standards.

Even an abroad unit, which is created specifically for foreign patients and in which care services is given by staff that has experience in dealing with patients coming with health tourism speaking the language of many countries including mainly English, Arabic, Russian, German, is located within all the hospital.

 

What kind of a process will be in question if I will need blood transfusion?

The risk of needing a blood transfusion is always in question regardless of where you are performed your surgery. Although this risk is very low with minimally invasive procedures, the possibility of the need for blood transfusion increases as the invasiveness level of the procedure increases. This point is especially in question in terms of health tourism procedures such as open heart surgery or joint replacement (prosthesis) surgery.

You should consult with the hospital that you prefer about what kind of measures are implemented to ensure a clean blood and what kind of viruses are scanned whether you are at high risk for the need of blood transfusion or not. Today, scanning is performed for the following viruses in most of the blood banks: HIV-1 and HIV-2 (the virus that causes AIDS), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV-I and HTLV-II), ALT (liver enzyme levels) and syphilis.

 

What kind of a healing care is provided after my operation in abroad?

You will spend a large part of your recovery period in hospital depending on the preferred hospital and / or the surgical package or, more probably, you will be transferred to a hotel or healing care facility to spend the rest of the time you will stay in the hospital. This is reasonable, because the cost of a night you spent in the hospital will be two or three times higher than the cost of a night spent in a hotel or healing care facility. Also, studies indicate that risk of infection or contracting a disease is increased in patients staying in a hospital for a long time. As a result, it would be wise to leave the hospital if your physician says it is OK you leave.

 

Will I pay the cost of the stay in the hotel after surgery?

This matter depends on the hospital abroad your preferred or the scope of health tourism procedure package you purchased through the health tourism agent. It will be useful to learn whether there is an option to reduce your total cost by purchasing your accommodation except the package by consulting relevant people and investigating, even your package includes accommodations after surgery.

 

Is rehabilitation therapy included in my health tourism procedure package?

This matter also depends on your preferred hospital. Orthopedic procedures such as hip and knee replacement (prosthesis) require comprehensive rehabilitation therapy; therefore, please learn whether rehabilitation therapy is included in the scope of your procedure package or not by consulting this subject.

 

What kind of a process will be in question if a complication occurs while I am abroad?

If a complication occurs within the health tourism, your hospital abroad and physician will make arrangements to take the necessary measures in line. Thus, it is important to have a list of people you can contact in the hospital while you are spending the healing process in your hotel. Some of the complications within the health tourism are quite small and may be at a level that can be corrected with a short visit of a physician or nurse. While some other complications may require your hospitalization again.

 

Additional (Hidden) Costs

None of us like being confronted with unexpected expenses when buying a house or while eating at a restaurant. So, What kind of possible additional (hidden) costs are in question that should not be overlooked when planning your health tourism trip in a complex process such as health tourism, which has many aspects and extents? (You have to predict some possible additional (hidden) costs, which may overshadow your experience, in advance)

• Unexpected Complications: We do not like to think to experience such a situation, but the possibility to encounter an unexpected complication is in question after any procedure that you undergo in any hospital. It is important here that you understand the potential risks and complications related to the procedure, to reduce these risks in cases where it is possible and to know what is envisaged in the policy for such a situation by the relevant hospital or clinic.

 

• The prolongation of hospitalization: In some cases, your recovery may take longer time than expected. There will be no difference whether this situation is arising out of a complication or a special case for your physiology, because you will pay the cost of the additional care service finally.

 

• Additional medication or treatment at the hospital: Your physician may find to use additional medications, which are not normally included in the fixed price for the relevant procedures, necessary before, during or after the procedure you will undergo. In normal frame, additional fees are requested from you in such cases. However, it will be appropriate to consult your health care provider or your medical tourism agent in abroad about the details in any case.
  
  
• Medications: The hospital or clinic provides you the medications you will use when you leave the hospital in general. This usually consists of analgesics and antibiotics; also include anticoagulant medications or medication protocol specific for the surgery you underwent in some cases. The costs related to the medications in question are included in the surgery price in some cases, while it is outside the scope of the surgery price in some cases; therefore, do not forget to read the first part written in small print carefully.
  
  
• Additional costs specific for the hotels, healing care facilities and transportation services: Costs that will arise when your bed linens in the hotel get dirty or you need additional transportation services or additional meal are additional (hidden) expense items that should be considered in this context. Although some surgical packages also cover accommodation, food and transportation services, it is important to consult these issues with your health care services provider in abroad or, if necessary, to obtain first-hand information about policy of the facility related to these issues by directly contacting to the hotel you will be staying. Facilities and institutions that have experience in working with patients within the health tourism tend to show more flexible policy application on these issues.
  
  
• Health tourism agents or hospitals offering incorrect price forecasts: Although it is a rare case, such a possibility is also in question and it is not possible to anticipate this and be prepared in advance. However, you can minimize your chance of being confronted with such a situation by giving the information about your discomfort and your general health status in the correct format. The legal rights you will have and ways of remedies you can apply for will supply commitment to the laws of the country you will be. However, probably the relevant hospital and health tourism agent, most likely, will exert their utmost efforts to resolve the situation in order to ensure your satisfaction, because a such case will have negative consequences in terms of the reputation of the relevant hospital and health tourism agent, and of course in terms of health tourism in general.
  
  
• Additional treatment requirements of the patients within the health tourism arising due to not adopting an outspoken attitude about their disease history: Some people prefer not to share all of the information about their disease history clearly for various reasons. This is a big mistake and may lead to the physician to have to prescribe additional medications or perform additional treatments, to postpone surgery or to the emergence of potentially dangerous complications during or after the surgery. The status of a health tourism patient hiding that he/she as hypertension and leading to the additional medication prescription or performing additional tests recommendation of the physician consequently may be given as a typical example for this. Also, the status of a patient, who did not report that she/he previously had an operation and giving rise to encounter difficulties or complications during the surgical procedure can be expressed as another example. The patient is likely to face additional costs that are not included in the scope of the surgery package in the normal frame in both cases.

• Pre-operative examinations: are tests and examinations that must be performed by the hospital and the physician in order to determine and confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the relevant procedure. As its name suggests, these examination should be performed before the operation, even a part of them should be performed before travelling the hospital abroad; their costs are included in your surgery price in most cases. However, there may be additional examinations needed outside the scope of the surgery price that had been offered in terms of some health tourism patients, because of their disease history or their chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to contact directly with your physician and hospital contact person in order to get information about which tests are included in the offered surgery price.

Please always get a detailed list including various expenses you might need to pay (including potential expenses) from the hospital contact or your health tourism agent in order to reduce the probability of facing unpleasant surprises. As mentioned earlier, your surgery may be an element within the scope of a package and therefore you may not be able to demand a breakdown of the expenses that are listed. However, it is your right to know what exact amount your costs would probably occur and will you need to make any additional payments before, during or after the surgery.

 

What kind of personal items and objects can I buy in the hospital?

You may expect the opportunity to access a pharmacy and / or a store that you can buy other personal items such as toiletries and shampoo, soap, toothpaste in most of the hospitals abroad.

 

What kind of food will I encounter in abroad?

Do roasted grasshoppers and crispy larvae more extreme for your tastes? Do not worry. A variety of menu options including vegetarian and more exotic local cuisine that appeal to Western taste are served in most of the hotels and hospitals abroad. In cases that you do not like certain types of food or you are allergic to them, ensure the hospital corresponding contact or health tourism agent to be aware of the situation and to make the necessary arrangements by talking with them.

 

What are the risks regarding the flight after the surgery?

As noted above, the main risks for the flights after the surgery are deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. For more information, please see the section entitled as "What kind of risks are in question in terms of health tourism?" in the above.

 

Do I need to fly in business class or first class after the surgery?

It might be wise to purchase your ticket first class or business class depending on the surgery you underwent. This matter is valid in cases that you need to be comfortable and need extra space; especially when you undergo orthopedic procedures such as hip and knee replacement (prostheses), heart surgery or neuro-surgery operations.

 

Should I request a wheelchair for my return journey?

Within the health tourism, in case you have underwent a procedure that restricts your movement skills, such as those mentioned above, please do not hesitate to request a wheelchair through the airline or hospital or agent. You can be sure that you will be glad you have such a decision at the end.

 

What should I do if I encounter complications after returning to my country?

The ideal case would be that you made a healing care protocol with your physician before you start the surgery journey. Healing care options are offered in some hospitals abroad. In cases that you traveled as part of a health tourism program organized in the eye of your insurance company or your employer, the first person you should call is your own primary physician. In case your physician needs more information about your situation, he/she will make the necessary calls with your physician abroad. In cases that you have made the arrangements for your trip within the health tourism by yourself or through an agent and you do not have a primary physician in your country it will be appropriate to gen in contact with your physician and your hospital abroad in order to get the necessary recommendations to about what to do (this recommendation is valid for the complications that do not pose life-threatening complications; please request emergency care by admitting to the health care providers in your area as soon as possible in cases where there is a risk of death).

 

Can I talk to service providers abroad after returning to my country?

Many service providers abroad will follow your condition periodically to check and confirm that your health is good or not. At the same time, a corresponding contact is assigned to assist you regarding your questions or concerns. This person may be an official from the hospital's foreign patients offices and even your physician involved in your treatment.

 

How much budget should I allocate?

You must take treatment costs, accommodation, and estimated cost of flights for the patient and his/her companion into account. The prices vary depending on many factors including the experience level of the hospital and the physician, their accreditation and exchange rate. Food expenses, miscellaneous expenses and any hotel or tourism expense are not included in the amount specified.

INCA HEALTH allows you to reach the best treatment services at the most affordable prices.

Please contact us for getting the best price information regarding your medical procedures that you will undergo.

 

How many days of trip should I plan for?

Your duration of stay in Turkey will vary according to your treatment. You can contact us and learn how many days of trip you should plan before planning your trip.

 

Visa / Entrance Conditions

Citizens od many countries are able to enter to Turkey without a visa, but the citizens of countries that Turkey require visa application must obtain tourist visas to enter. A sticker for 90 days can be purchased for twenty dollars in cash from the entry point. You should also carry a passport with you (valid for the period of 6 months from the entry).

If you wish, you can make your visa process via INCA HEALTH.

 

Hotel and flight reservation

• Hotels: Accommodation cost per night per person is around 15-40 $ in a hostel or guesthouse for tourists with a limited budget. It is 20-30 $ in most places in Istanbul, and the prices are in the range of 15-20 $ in other regions. The price for a double room accommodation start at 61 $ per night in a 3-star hotel. However, if you prefer luxury accommodation, you will be satisfied with the opportunities in Turkey. It is possible for you to stay in an exclusive 5-star hotel, a former palace converted into a hotel, an accommodation facility and even in a hotel converted from an old dungeon by paying a fee from 178 $ to 562 $ per night! In addition, many luxury villas are also available (including beachfront villas).
• Where should I stay before and after the surgery (hotel / healing care facility)? :

A list of accommodation options suitable the patient's, who will be performed surgical procedure, needs that are also referred as healing care facility is offered in some cases in many hospitals abroad and some clinics. While hospitals with adequate and well foreign patients program can make your accommodation arrangements for you.

Ask yourself the following questions when deciding on accommodation:

• Is the amenities, facilities and services convenient in terms of your health and healing at an optimal level? : These amenities, facilities and services may include disabled friendly amenities and facilities such as limited or 24-hour nursing assistance, the access to special diet, disabled shower, raised toilet seat, horizontal and vertical grab bars and large areas than can allow to navigate by wheelchair depending on your discomfort. Impeccable hygiene and health conditions should be considered at the highest priority.
• How far is the hotel or healing care facility from the hospital? : You must have the opportunity to reach the hospital as soon as possible if a complication arises. Please consult hospital corresponding contact or health tourism agent about what kind of emergency plans are available for such cases. In some health tourism destinations, "interesting", with the mildest expression, traffic and driving conditions are in question; thus, you must learn how long will it conceivably take you to reach from your hospital to hospital and from the hospital to your hotel. At the same time, your hotel should be located in a convenient area to rest and relax or just to wander around.

 

The option of staying in facilities called healing care facility is offered to health tourism patients in some countries. These are usually facilities, which are operated on all-inclusive basis, that specifically serve the patients underwent a surgical procedure located in the mountains in some cases or on the beach. Costa Rica is the leader in this healing care concept, and attracting a large number of plastic surgery and dental health tourism patients for many years. In recent years, health tourism patients undergoing more invasive procedures also has begun to demand and research this option

This facility type (healing care facility) is attractive in terms of health tourism patients, who prefer personalized care services and to have the opportunity to socialize with other people in similar situations with them. Do you bear the consequences of an unpleasant face-lift operation you underwent two days ago? Who cares; you are sharing the same table with three people, who appear as bad as you, in front of you. Not drawing attention in the crowd and sharing experiences of patients, advices they give to each other and companionship relationship formed thanks to the chats poses an irresistible for patients for patients undergoing aesthetic surgery operations with understandable reasons.

You can ask whether these facilities are also a good option for health tourism patients that have undergone more invasive procedures such as total knee replacement (prosthesis). The answer to this question depends on the location and characteristics of the facility. Some healing care facilities are located in mountainous areas, offer a limited wheelchair access opportunity and require health tourism patients to go up and down the stairs. While these restrictions are not present in some of the other facilities and these can also be an excellent choice for health tourism patients undergoing more invasive procedures.

Please consider that the hotels are not structured thinking of health tourism patients and personalized care and attention that you can find in a healing care facility will not be offered when making a selection between a normal hotel and a healing care facility. On the other hand, some health tourism patients and family members evaluate the isolated situation and location of the healing care facilities from the "external" world as a drawback factor.

If you wish, you can perform these services via INCA HEALTH.