heva - Care Without Borders

Ultimate Planning Guide:

Successful medical tourism requires 90 days of preparation including research, booking, and logistics planning. This comprehensive checklist covers every step from initial research to 30-day post-surgery follow-up, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Medical tourism success depends on thorough planning and preparation in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. According to the Medical Tourism Association, patients who follow comprehensive planning checklists in coordination with their healthcare team report 85% higher satisfaction rates and significantly fewer complications compared to those who plan hastily.

This ultimate medical tourism checklist provides a detailed timeline from 90 days before travel to 30 days after surgery. We cover every essential step to ensure your international medical journey is safe, successful, and stress-free.

What should you do 90-60 days before your medical tourism trip?

Research and initial planning (90-75 days before)

✅ Research Phase Considerations

Work with your healthcare provider to research procedure options and understand what's involved
Consider comparing costs between destinations with guidance from your medical team
Review patient testimonials from multiple sources while consulting with healthcare professionals
Work with your doctor to identify 3-5 potential providers in your chosen destination
Research travel requirements in consultation with travel and medical advisors
Review your current health insurance coverage for international care with your insurer
Consult with your primary care doctor about the procedure and your candidacy for international care

Provider selection and verification (75-60 days before)

✅ Provider Verification Considerations

Work with your healthcare team to verify surgeon board certifications independently
Research facility accreditations (JCI, AAAASF, local health ministry) with medical guidance
Request and review surgeon credentials and training history in consultation with your doctor
Consider asking for patient references and speaking with previous patients
Discuss scheduling virtual consultations with top 2-3 providers with your healthcare team
Request detailed cost estimates including all fees for review with medical and financial advisors
Research medical malpractice insurance and legal protections with professional guidance
Discuss emergency protocols and complication management procedures with healthcare professionals

What preparations are needed 60-30 days before travel?

Booking and logistics (60-45 days before)

✅ Booking Phase Considerations

Work with your healthcare team to select your surgeon and facility based on research
Consider booking procedure dates and confirming all details in writing with medical guidance
Discuss with insurance professionals about purchasing medical tourism insurance
Consider booking flights with flexible change options in case of medical changes
Research accommodation options near medical facility with provider recommendations
Discuss with your employer and healthcare team about arranging adequate recovery time
Consult with financial advisors about applying for financing if needed
Work with your local doctor to schedule pre-operative testing as recommended

Medical preparation (45-30 days before)

✅ Medical Preparation Considerations

Discuss with your healthcare provider about completing pre-operative testing as recommended
Review medical clearance requirements with your primary care doctor
Consult with both your surgeon and primary care physician about all current medications
Seek guidance from your doctor about smoking cessation timeline recommendations
Discuss any pre-surgery diet or exercise recommendations with your healthcare team
Work with your doctor to arrange appropriate medications for travel and recovery
Request copies of all medical records and test results from your healthcare providers
Coordinate follow-up care arrangements with local physicians in consultation with your surgeon

What final preparations are needed 30 days before departure?

Travel documents and logistics (30-14 days before)

✅ Documentation Considerations

Verify passport validity requirements with travel advisors
Research any required visas or travel authorizations for your destination
Consult with your healthcare provider about recommended travel vaccinations
Work with your medical team to organize all medical records in accessible formats
Develop emergency contact list with guidance from healthcare and travel professionals
Confirm all bookings with providers and travel advisors
Research ground transportation options at destination
Consider notifying financial institutions of travel plans

Final preparations (14-1 days before)

✅ Final Week Considerations

Organize medical documents, insurance cards, and emergency contacts as advised by your healthcare team
Prepare recovery supplies as recommended by your surgeon (compression garments, medications, etc.)
Confirm final payment arrangements with provider and financial advisors
Consider downloading offline maps and translation apps for communication
Arrange personal care (pet care, house sitting, mail hold) as needed
Pack comfortable, loose-fitting clothing as recommended for recovery
Confirm transportation arrangements at destination
Consider final confirmation calls with all providers and your healthcare team

What should you focus on during your medical tourism trip?

Arrival and pre-surgery (Days 1-2)

✅ Arrival Considerations

Consider confirming arrival with patient coordinator as planned
Check into accommodation and familiarize yourself with area
Attend pre-operative consultation and final evaluation as scheduled
Review and sign all consent forms carefully with full understanding
Discuss any final questions about the procedure with your surgeon
Follow all pre-surgery instructions as provided by your medical team
Confirm surgery time and arrival instructions with your healthcare providers
Exchange contact information with medical team for ongoing communication

Surgery and immediate recovery (Days 3-7)

✅ Surgery Week Considerations

Work with your healthcare team to follow all post-operative instructions
Take medications exactly as prescribed by your medical team
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments as recommended by your surgeon
Consider documenting recovery progress as advised by your healthcare team
Maintain communication with patient coordinator and medical team
Follow activity restrictions and wound care instructions provided by your surgeon
Monitor for warning signs as discussed with your healthcare team
Discuss travel home timing with your surgeon before departure

What should you do when returning home?

Immediate return home (Days 1-7 after return)

✅ Return Home Considerations

Consider scheduling follow-up appointment with local physician as recommended
Work with your healthcare team to obtain any prescription medications needed for continued recovery
Continue following post-operative instructions as provided by your medical team
Consider maintaining communication with international surgical team as advised
Monitor recovery progress and document any concerns in consultation with your healthcare provider
Discuss with your surgeon about beginning gentle activities when appropriate
Work with insurance professionals to submit claims for covered expenses
Follow your healthcare team's guidance about rest and healing

Extended recovery (1-4 weeks after return)

✅ Extended Recovery Considerations

Consider attending scheduled virtual follow-up with international surgeon as recommended
Discuss with your healthcare team about gradually increasing activity levels as appropriate
Work with your doctor to monitor healing progress and document changes
Consult with your medical team about addressing any concerns promptly
Follow your surgeon's guidance about returning to normal daily activities
Continue taking prescribed medications as directed by your healthcare provider
Follow your healthcare team's recommendations for maintaining healthy diet and lifestyle
Discuss with your surgeon about planning for any needed follow-up procedures

Long-term follow-up (1-6 months after return)

✅ Long-term Follow-up Considerations

Discuss with your healthcare provider about scheduling regular check-ups
Consider maintaining communication with international surgical team as recommended
Work with your doctor to monitor long-term results and any changes
Consult with healthcare professionals about addressing any concerns or complications
Consider sharing your experience through reviews if comfortable
Discuss with your surgeon about planning for any revision procedures if needed
Follow your healthcare team's guidance about maintaining healthy lifestyle to preserve results
Work with your medical team to keep all medical records organized for future reference

What essential documents do you need for medical tourism?

Travel documents

Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond travel date
Visa (if required): Check requirements for your destination
Travel insurance documents: Policy numbers and contact information
Flight confirmations: Itinerary with all flight details
Accommodation confirmations: Hotel or recovery facility bookings
Emergency contacts: List of important phone numbers

Medical documents

Medical history: Complete health history and current conditions
Current medications: List of all medications and dosages
Allergies and reactions: Known allergies and adverse reactions
Pre-operative test results: Blood work, imaging, cardiac clearance
Insurance information: Health insurance cards and policy details
Emergency medical information: Blood type, emergency contacts, medical conditions

Financial documents

Payment confirmations: Receipts for procedure deposits and payments
Credit cards: Multiple cards with international access
Banking information: Account details for international access
Travel budget: Detailed budget for all expenses
Insurance claim forms: Pre-filled forms for easier claims submission

What should you pack for medical tourism?

Medical supplies and medications

Current medications: Enough for entire trip plus extra days
Thermometer: For monitoring temperature during recovery
Blood pressure monitor: If you have hypertension
Compression garments: If recommended by surgeon
Wound care supplies: Bandages, antiseptic, gauze
Comfort items: Pillows, blankets, or items that aid recovery

Clothing and personal items

Loose-fitting clothes: Comfortable clothing that doesn't put pressure on surgical sites
Front-opening shirts: Easier to put on after surgery
Slip-on shoes: Avoid bending over to tie shoes
Comfortable sleepwear: Soft, non-restrictive pajamas
Personal hygiene items: Toothbrush, gentle soap, moisturizer
Entertainment: Books, tablets, or items for recovery downtime

Technology and communication

International phone plan: Activate international roaming or get local SIM
Translation apps: Download offline translation tools
Medical apps: Recovery tracking and medication reminder apps
Camera: For documenting recovery progress
Chargers and adapters: Power adapters for your destination
Backup communication: Alternative ways to contact family and medical team

How do you prepare for potential emergencies?

Emergency contact preparation

Surgeon's emergency number: 24/7 contact for your surgical team
Patient coordinator contact: Direct line to your support person
Local emergency services: Know emergency numbers for your destination
U.S. Embassy contact: Citizen services and emergency assistance
Insurance emergency line: 24/7 claims and authorization support
Family emergency contact: Designated family member for emergencies

Financial emergency preparation

Emergency fund: Extra $2,000-$5,000 for unexpected costs
Multiple payment methods: Cash, credit cards, and debit cards
Insurance pre-authorization: Understand emergency coverage procedures
Medical evacuation coverage: Know your evacuation insurance details
Family financial access: Ensure family can send money if needed

Communication emergency plan

Daily check-ins: Scheduled calls with family during recovery
Medical translator: Access to translation services if needed
Social media updates: Keep family informed through social platforms
Medical record sharing: Ability to share records with home doctors quickly
Power of attorney: Designate someone to make decisions if incapacitated

Common considerations to discuss with your healthcare team

Research timeline: Consider taking adequate time to thoroughly vet providers with healthcare guidance
Insurance consideration: Discuss appropriate medical coverage with insurance professionals
Recovery planning: Consider planning for recovery time as recommended by your surgeon
Communication clarity: Work with your healthcare team to ensure clear understanding
Red flag awareness: Discuss concerns with your healthcare team about providers and facilities
Emergency planning: Develop emergency plans in consultation with healthcare professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I start planning medical tourism?

Start planning at least 90 days before your desired surgery date. This allows time for thorough research, provider verification, medical clearance, and proper preparation. Complex procedures may require even longer planning periods.

What if I discover problems with my chosen provider late in the planning process?

Don't proceed if you discover serious red flags, even if you've made deposits. Your safety is more important than financial losses. Consider travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage to protect against these situations.

Can I modify this checklist for different types of procedures?

Yes, adjust the timeline based on procedure complexity. Minor procedures may require only 30-60 days of planning, while major surgeries might need 120+ days. Focus more heavily on sections relevant to your specific procedure type.

References

Disclaimers

Medical Disclaimer: This checklist provides general planning guidance for medical tourism. It is not medical advice and should not replace consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. heva is a healthcare coordination platform connecting patients with providers—we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All medical procedures carry risk; individual candidacy and treatment decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.

Planning Information: This checklist provides general guidance and may not cover all situations or destinations. Individual planning needs vary by procedure, destination, and personal circumstances. Verify all requirements with your specific providers and destination authorities.

Travel Information: Travel requirements, safety conditions, and procedures may change. Verify current travel advisories, entry requirements, and safety conditions before traveling. Consider travel insurance and research current conditions in your chosen destination.

International Healthcare: International healthcare involves additional considerations including travel, insurance, follow-up care, and regulatory differences. Patients should research all aspects and consult with healthcare professionals familiar with cross-border care before making travel and treatment decisions.

How Do I Prepare for Surgery Abroad? A Step-by-Step Guide