US Citizen traveling to Canada for breast augmentation. Question about insurance abroad.

Question

I'm traveling to Canada from the US for a breast augmentation and I was curious if there was any travelers insurance I should look into just in case there is an emergency or complication. I love the work my doctor has done and he is an accredited doctor worth the travel but I am one of those people who needs to have all of their bases covered

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Medical tourism has becoming increasingly popular in recent years; patients 
have been flying out of the U.S. for plastic surgery, lured by lower prices. 
However, a parallel trend has also appeared: plastic surgeons in the United 
States are finding themselves treating an increasing number of patients who 
plastic surgery abroad, correcting complications and errors. A survey by the 
American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that 80% of the responding doctors 
had treated American medical tourists for complications including infection, 
contour abnormalities, and hematoma.
Medical tourists are often led to believe that they will receive the same 
quality of care for a lower price in a foreign clinic. But while it is true that 
the cost of plastic surgery in some foreign countries is lower, this is often 
because the quality of care and surgery is compromised. Such patients also seem 
to neglect the possibility of complications and the need for a follow-up 
visit. A number of patients have died in Dominican Republic for example following cosmetic procedures. In addition to the risks posed by sub-standard medical care abroad, medical 
tourists must consider the risks of injections and implants in other countries. 
The recent crisis with French breast implant maker Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) 
exemplifies this problem. PIP used industrial- rather than medical-grade 
silicone on their implants in an effort to reduce costs, a measure which 
probably increased the danger of rupture. PIP implants have not been used in the 
United States since 2000. Removal of these implants has been recommended by the 
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
It is often the case that medical tourists end up spending more 
money because they have to pay to treat complications from their overseas 
surgery.

Adam Tattelbaum, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. It is really your insurance carrier that will best be able to answer your question about coverage and benefits at home and abroad.Do be careful though, 10% of your surgery is the surgery itself and 90 % is the follow up care. Do be sure you have the resources to travel back and forth to canada if there are any issues in the postoperative period.Good luck.

John M. Trupiano, MD, FACS · Answer

Make sure you are seeing a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Be sure to stay long enough for proper follow up care and have made arrangements at home.  You’ll have to see what hospital privileges the surgeon has and call to see if your insurance is accepted there.  Typically breast augmentation is not covered by insurance.  Narcotics prescriptions will not be able to be called in, they must be written and must be filled near home.  Always do your research before having surgery abroad

Daniel Sherick, MD · Answer

There is a common thread you can see running through the answers given by all the Plastic Surgeons.  As a group, we are much more comfortable operating on patients that we can be available for in the post operative period.  It makes it much easier to give patient's post operative advice about making sure the recovery goes smoothly and uneventfully, which is always the goal after an operation. If you have the time and means to travel back and forth to your surgeon in Canada, or stay there for at least 2 weeks, this may make sense for you, particularly if you have already established a relationship with this physician.  However, if there are complications and you are far from this plastic surgeon, you will have to seek aid from your local plastic surgeons.  That will likely incur more expense, and you may not have the luxury of time to pick the local surgeon you want.  All "Food for Thought."  Good luck with your decisions.

Millicent Odunze Geers, MD, MPH · Answer

There are many plastic surgeons in the US who do this procedure and do it well. You could avoid this insurance issue altogether. You mentioned you've already had work done by this surgeo. You should direct this question to him as he may best know the answer to your question. His staff helping you with this issue should be included in the fee you've paid him.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

Travel insurance would cover any change in plans resulting from a complication. However, it would not cover later consequences of the procedure. Your health insurance also will not pay for medical services resulting from cosmetic surgery.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

You can find medical insurance for travelling, but it may not cover any complications from cosmetic procedures. Please read all the fine details before buying the insurance. However, there are probably excellent physicians in your area. Should you need follow up care or have any complications, it would be best to have your surgeon close to home.

US Citizen traveling to Canada for breast augmentation. Question about insurance abroad.

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