Getting treatment abroad
Many countries have reciprocal arrangements for the provision of emergency and planned medical care.
If you are considering going for a consultation abroad, discuss your plans with your doctor and private insurance company before you make any medical or travel arrangements. They will advise you on your options. Types of things to consider would be,
- whether you would be eligible for reimbursement of any costs and if so precisely how much;
- the conditions under which you will be treated abroad;
- any programme of after-care or follow-up treatment you might require upon your return to your country.
In most cases you will need to provide your chosen treatment centre with a payment guarantee from your insurer or national insurance scheme, or if this is not possible, you would be billed directly and you could attempt to recoup some of your costs once you return home. (In the US, the health insurance code for laser treatment of eye floaters is 67031. Doctors should have no reason to charge you before laser treatment of floaters if you are participating with an insurance company.)
If you choose to go abroad for healthcare, it is strongly advisable to insure yourself against unforeseen problems such as medical complications, transport home, loss of possessions, etc.
Bear in mind that after treatment, you may not be fully fit for some time and so you may need to make certain special arrangements for your trip home and recovery period. Pre-treatment checklist.
