Q: What is the most important thing to check when choosing a hospital abroad?
A: Independent verification of international accreditation. JCI (Joint Commission International) is the gold standard. Always verify accreditation directly on the accreditor's website — never rely solely on what the hospital claims. A hospital that is truly accredited will have no problem with you verifying this independently.
Q: Is a hospital with international accreditation always safe?
A: International accreditation is the best starting point for safety, but it's not a guarantee. Accreditation means the hospital meets rigorous standards at the time of inspection, but quality can vary over time. You should also: check patient reviews and outcomes data, evaluate surgeon credentials separately, assess international patient services, and review infection rates.
Q: Should I choose a hospital based on price?
A: Never. Price should be your last consideration, after quality, safety, and surgeon expertise. Extremely low prices are often a red flag — they may indicate cost-cutting on staff qualifications, equipment, sterilization, or post-operative care. Compare all-inclusive quotes (not just the headline price) from multiple accredited hospitals, and be suspicious of quotes that are dramatically lower than others.
Q: What does "all-inclusive pricing" typically include?
A: All-inclusive medical tourism packages should include: surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, hospital room charges, operating theater fees, implant/prosthesis costs (if applicable), pre-operative tests, post-operative medications during your hospital stay, nursing care, and meals. What's typically not included: flights, accommodation outside the hospital, companion expenses, extended stay beyond the package days, and post-discharge medications.
Q: How many hospitals should I compare before deciding?
A: We recommend comparing at least 3–4 hospitals across 2–3 countries. SurgeryPlanet provides you with treatment plans and quotes from multiple accredited hospitals to facilitate this comparison. Evaluate each on: accreditation, surgeon expertise, international patient services, cost transparency, and patient reviews. Don't rush this decision — it's the most important one you'll make.
Q: What are the biggest red flags when evaluating a hospital?
A: Walk away if you encounter: (1) refusal to share accreditation details or surgeon credentials, (2) prices dramatically below market rates, (3) pressure to pay quickly or into a personal account, (4) no international patient coordinator, (5) unwillingness to provide a detailed treatment plan, (6) poor communication or unresponsiveness, (7) fake or expired accreditations, (8) no system for managing complications. Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is.