Medical Tourism Takes Flight for Both Doctors and Patients

U.S. surgeon accompanys Oregon couple to Port of Spain, Trinidad, for more affordable offshore surgical procedure

It is becoming more “open knowledge” that there are doctors worth traveling to – and that includes both domestic and international health travel.  

Did you also know that some of the most skilled doctors are willing to travel to perform surgeries in destinations that make those surgeries more affordable for their patients?   That’s a real game changer in the medical tourism industry because as important as cost can be, quality is the main consideration of medical tourists. 

Health Travel Emphasizes Quality Over Cost

Statistics show that only 9% of medical travellers are motivated to travel for lower cost medically necessary procedures.  The largest segment of people traveling for health (40%) are seeking the most advanced technology. (source The McKinsey Quarterly, Health Care 2008)

Frankly, I’m dubious about “statistics”.  And I’m not trying to “cherry pick” statistics to fit an agenda.  For example the McKinsey admits they do not include statistics on outpatient surgeries.  What? 

Most orthopedic surgeries are outpatient surgeries (just one example).  And orthopedic surgery is one of the most common health risks of our baby-boomer target market.  So really we’re breaking new ground here on meaningful statistics.  But the point that quality is more important than cost is valid.

Traveling4Health will be your portal for discovering what the real picture is – why people are willing to travel for surgical procedures; those that are medically necessary and discretionary. 

Are you looking for a “loophole” to escape being pigeon-holed by a health plan into accepting a lesser quality surgical outcome?  Looking for an alternative that won’t break the bank?

That “loophole” will be medical travel; whether out-of-state or our out of the country.  If you can live like you’re 30 rather than like you’re 70; and the cost is affordable; is that worth a little research?

If we can agree that it is worth the research, let’s talk about how you identify a “best doctor” and “best advanced technologies”.  It’s not rocket science, really!

It’s not my intention to market the doctor.  It’s my intention to demonstrate what to look for – how to find all your choices outside of the confines of a health care plan or crushing financial strain.

To illustrate the point, however, I’m highlighting a highly skilled surgeon – the specialist who pioneered the use of minimally invasive laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery in the United States.  Why?  Because prostate cancer is one of those health risks that, like orthopedics, is likely to be an issue for baby-boomers and affects quality life for both the patient and their loved ones. 

So let’s talk about Dr. Arnon Krongrad of the Krongrad Institute in Miami. 

How to Pick the Best Doctor

A tale tell sign of a superior doctor is whether their medical practice attracts clients from other states and other countries.  After all, medical travel is not new. It’s just that before the 1990s only the very wealthy had the resources to get top notch care – and they’ve always been willing to travel for it.  

Dr. Krongrad attracts literally thousands of medical travellers.  I use the term medical travel instead of medical tourism because the word “tourism” implies there’s a vacation involved, and that’s not the motive here. 

And so while the Krongrad Institute will use its corporate rates to get its patients into the Turnberry Isle Resort and other luxurious accommodations, it’s not the resort that’s the motivating factor: It’s the talented surgeon. 

“My last three patients were from Israel, Guatemala, and Oklahoma,” said Dr. Krongrad, “This morning we booked patients from Alaska and Virginia.  We bring patients from as far as New Zealand so we are experienced in supporting the surgical traveler. So for example we provide “VIP” and economy-minded packaged surgical services.  But at the end of the day, regardless of frills and amenities, what we want is very high surgical quality.  That is where we focus.” 

And – and this is really important – Krongrad has traveled and perform surgery where it will save the client money.  REALLY.  Here’s an article posted originally in the Miami Herald Business Section documenting that willingness: Oregon construction worker, Miami surgeon go to Trinidad.

Tip:  Ask a doctor for more than just a biography “flyer” or client testimonials on a marketing website.  You’re looking as much for what’s not listed, as what is listed.  Beyond the obvious education and credentials, what about published papers, awards and honors, patents, etc.? 

Dr. Krongrad co-authored the Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy, a white paper that has been used as a guide to train other physicians in a minimally invasive prostate surgery technique. 

If you do your research you can expect the best quality health care experience and get it.  As an example of a thorough biography.  Here’s a bio sketch of Dr. Krongrad.