1. Plan ahead.
Have Injury, Will Travel
Should you go overseas for cheap surgery?Look at least six months out, which is probably how long it will take to get all your ducks in a row.
2. Consider a medical travel agency.
A good broker can arrange everything from preoperative consultations to postsurgy physical therapy. It can also help arrange follow-up appointments in the U.S..
3. Look for accredited hospitals.inspects hospitals for high standards of care and lists facilities that specialize in procedures. Some might do only 50 knee replacements a year; you want the one that does 5,000.
4. Extend the trip.
Airplanes are a great place to pick up infections. Ask your surgeon when it鈥檚 OK to fly home, and don鈥檛 fly until at least three days after surgery. If you choose to spend two weeks on the beach afterward, tell your boss it鈥檚 doctor鈥檚 orders.
5. Buddy up.
Bringing a friend along adds to the cost, but a trusted ally can calm nerves, offer moral support, and, in the rare event that com-plications arise, be there to negotiate care and make alternate travel arrangements.
6. Seek Help
Medical travel agencies to help plan鈥攁nd get you through鈥攜our surgery abroad: