 Are the procedures safe?
The facilities in Minsk are state of the art, with the latest Swiss equipment and technology. It is accredited by the Belarusian Ministry of Health and the European Union Accreditation Authority. Healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals are licensed, certified, highly trained and experienced. Their credentials will be made available in English by request. We strongly encourage you to inquire about your specific procedure: how many of these procedures were performed by your prospective doctor? What are the success and morbidity rates and how they compare to those in the US? (Page 44, PBB).
While making a decision on the safety of a procedure performed abroad, please consider your safety in a US hospital. The renowned report "To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System", issued by the US Institute of Medicine in 2000, stated that between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths result annually from preventable medical errors during hospitalization. The report ranked deaths due to preventable hospital error as the nation's eighth-leading cause of death and inevitably concluded that "healthcare. (In the US) is not as safe as it should be" (Institute of Medicine, 2000). Isn't that something to contemplate? Safety records in Belarus compare favorably to those in the U.S.
Medical tourism is a viable option to delaying necessary medical care due to financial considerations.
Will I be able to communicate with my medical providers and tourism coordinators in English?
We will ensure that English-speaking professionals are always at your disposal.
Will I really save money?
The answer is "Yes". The whole purpose of your relationship with us is to save money! The great disparity between medical costs in the US and abroad allows us to make much needed services affordable. Your savings will depend on your treatment and your travel and lifestyle preferences. "A good rule of thumb is "the $6,000 rule": if your US specialist quotes you a price of $6,000 or more for a treatment, chances are good that one or more foreign countries can offer you the same procedure and quality for less, even including your travel and lodging expenses. If your quote is less than $6,000 you're probably better of having your treatment at home."(J. Woodman, 2007.) You can expect to save from 30% to 80% on procedures performed abroad.
Will I be required to pay upfront?
Unlike in the US hospitals abroad require payment upfront from foreign patients to avoid delays in rendering medical care and eliminate administrative costs associated with billing and collection.
Do I get a refund if I change my mind?
Yes, if you decide not to undergo medical procedure or postpone it, we will refund most of your money. We are dedicated to your complete satisfaction.
What are the risks?
As you are already well aware, most of the medical procedures have their inherent risks. We can promise you that your experience in Belarus will not expose you to any additional ones. Just like you would in the United States you will be provided with the complete array of alternatives and essential information to help you make an informed decision.
What about follow-up care?
Your physician abroad will make sure that there are no immediate complications following your procedure. You will be advised to stay in country until your risk of complications is reduced to the extent that you are ready to get on the plane home.
It always a good practice to inform your local physician about you plans to travel abroad to receive medical treatment. We would advise you to touch base with your doctor's office upon your return, both as a courtesy and for practical reasons. You might need to refill your prescription or get a few weeks of physical therapy.
I am not familiar with my host country, should I be concerned?
Obviously, you are a little apprehensive. International travel can be somewhat overwhelming, but it is exciting and enlightening at the same time. In our host countries you won't have to be concerned about exotic diseases or contaminated water, enormous cultural or religious dissimilarities or environmental and political distress.
We will guide you through the entire experience, from immigration and customs assistance to transportation, interpreters and accommodations arrangements. Local SlavMed representative will be available to you at any time to address your needs.
Can I sue if something goes wrong?
The US is known as the most litigious nation. Nearly all other countries are completely different in this regard. Even though they have established channels of legal recourse, the dissimilarities make legal action unreasonable. If legal route is your main consideration, medical tourism may not be exactly what you are looking for.
I prefer to travel with a companion, can I do that?
Traveling with a companion for medical procedures is very smart wise thing to do. We actually encourage you to bring along a family member or a friend. Your overall costs of the trip will not increase significantly, but you will always have someone at your beck and call. We will certainly make necessary arrangements for your traveling companion.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
We will help you make your travel arrangements. One of our concierge service representatives will meet you at the airport. Transportation and accommodations for the duration of your trip have already been prearranged.
Passport and Visa Requirements?
A passport and visa are required. Travelers must obtain a visa in order to visit or transit through Belarus. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Belarus are required to register with the local office of visas and registration (OVIR) within three working days after arrival. A valid visa is necessary to depart Belarus. Generally, the visa issued by a Belarusian Embassy or Consulate is valid for entry and exit. It is helpful to make a photocopy of your visa in the event of loss, but note that a copy of your visa will not be sufficient for leaving the country, as Belarusian border officials always ask for the original. Visit the Embassy of Belarus web site at http://belarusembassy.org for the most current visa information or contact the Embassy of Belarus at 1619 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009, tel. 202-986-1606, fax: 202-986-1805, consul@belarusembassy.org.
Vaccinations?
There are no required vaccinations for traveling to Eastern European countries. However, the following vaccines may be recommended for your trip: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus-Diphtheria, Measles.
Medical Insurance?
Belarus requires all foreign nationals (other than accredited diplomats) entering the country to purchase medical insurance at the port-of-entry, regardless of any other insurance they might have. Costs for this insurance will vary according to the length of stay. (Subject to change, current information puts costs at $1.00 for a one-or two-day stay, $15.00 for a stay up to 30-31 days, and $85.00 for a stay of one year).
It may be helpful to know?
Travelers entering Belarus by air with more than 50 kilograms of luggage (110 pounds) will be charged 2 Euros per kilogram in excess of that limit. The fee must be paid in dollars or Euros. Travelers should declare all electrical and electronic equipment or devices upon entry; failure to do so will require the traveler to pay up to 30 percent customs duty on these items upon departure. Travelers should complete two customs declarations at the time of entry and should retain one copy and produce it at the time of exit in order to prove that items were not acquired while in Belarus. In accordance with current customs regulations, foreigners may enter Belarus with up to $10,000 and exit the country with up to $ 3,000 without submitting a written declaration. |
