I am looking at traveling to DR or even to another state for my procedures. I am concerned about follow ups and aftercare once I get home . How is that managed ? Will my insurance cover ( not planning on it but just thinking .......an ER visit ? )
January 5, 2015
Answer: Hidden Costs of Medical Tourism Thank you for your question. While there are competent Plastic Surgeons outside the U.S. offering attractively priced vacation packages, there are often hidden considerations that an informed consumer must be aware of. It is very difficult for the average consumer to accurately the best surgeon for them when travelling. A lack of knowledge about credentialing bodies and standards that are not uniform is one issue. Standards of care can vary from country to country as well as regulatory oversight even though standards are well established. Travel in and of itself is a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis which can be a serious consideration when having more extensive body contouring procedures. Most complications after surgery such as infections, seromas, or healing problems tend to become an issue about two weeks after surgery. Most package programs do not keep their patients around beyond that point. This can lead to patients having to deal with complications without a trained Plastic Surgeon to care for them. You may be tempted to go to the ER or primary care physician so that your insurance will cover the costs of your complication, but that may not be in your best interests. Specialty training is important when managing complications of cosmetic surgery. Some insurance companies may also deny coverage for the complication because it stemmed from a cosmetic operation leaving you with a large hospital bill. All of these costs tend to add up making that great package deal not so attractive. Consider consulting with a couple of surgeons in your area until you find someone you have a good rapport with. Check their credentials and their experience delivering the kind of care you are seeking. Also consider purchasing insurance such as Cosmetassure which covers postop complications up to 30 days after a cosmetic procedure. The old adage "buyer beware" definitely applies in this case.
Helpful
January 5, 2015
Answer: Hidden Costs of Medical Tourism Thank you for your question. While there are competent Plastic Surgeons outside the U.S. offering attractively priced vacation packages, there are often hidden considerations that an informed consumer must be aware of. It is very difficult for the average consumer to accurately the best surgeon for them when travelling. A lack of knowledge about credentialing bodies and standards that are not uniform is one issue. Standards of care can vary from country to country as well as regulatory oversight even though standards are well established. Travel in and of itself is a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis which can be a serious consideration when having more extensive body contouring procedures. Most complications after surgery such as infections, seromas, or healing problems tend to become an issue about two weeks after surgery. Most package programs do not keep their patients around beyond that point. This can lead to patients having to deal with complications without a trained Plastic Surgeon to care for them. You may be tempted to go to the ER or primary care physician so that your insurance will cover the costs of your complication, but that may not be in your best interests. Specialty training is important when managing complications of cosmetic surgery. Some insurance companies may also deny coverage for the complication because it stemmed from a cosmetic operation leaving you with a large hospital bill. All of these costs tend to add up making that great package deal not so attractive. Consider consulting with a couple of surgeons in your area until you find someone you have a good rapport with. Check their credentials and their experience delivering the kind of care you are seeking. Also consider purchasing insurance such as Cosmetassure which covers postop complications up to 30 days after a cosmetic procedure. The old adage "buyer beware" definitely applies in this case.
Helpful
December 9, 2014
Answer: What is normal procedure for aftercare of surgery out of state/country? Thank you for your question. Traveling to other countries for plastic surgery can be risky. Please consult with board certified plastic surgeons in the US before leaving the country. You must do thorough research on the surgeon's websites.
Helpful
December 9, 2014
Answer: What is normal procedure for aftercare of surgery out of state/country? Thank you for your question. Traveling to other countries for plastic surgery can be risky. Please consult with board certified plastic surgeons in the US before leaving the country. You must do thorough research on the surgeon's websites.
Helpful
