Babies on the Way : Fertility Treatment Options for the 21st Century

Infertility is a subject that many couples don’t want to discuss, but it’s an issue that millions of couples around the world deal with on a daily basis. The causes of infertility are numerous, from lack of ovulation to low sperm counts in men. Infertility is not just a woman’s problem, but because of basic anatomy and physiology, women’s ‘plumbing’ so to speak, is more complex and therefore apt to contribute more difficulties to conception than males.

Increase Your Chances of Conception
However, there’s hope on the horizon – new techniques and options in infertility are available not only in the U.S. but also around the world. Common treatments today include:

• IVF (in vitro fertilization)
• OI (Ovulation induction)
• Clomid treatments
• AI (artificial insemination)
• ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
• IUI (intrauterine insemination)
• Alternative Medicines

Whether you’re in your twenties or your forties, couples are finding new techniques to help their dreams of parenthood come true. Most fertility treatments help to increase the development of eggs within the ovary, which help to promote the chances of one of those eggs being fertilized by a sperm. For women who don’t have regular monthly cycles to those who just can seem to conceive due to ovulation difficulties, fertility treatments can help.

Treatments with drugs or medications are usually the first step, in an effort to try and stimulate and induce ovulation. These types of drugs are designed for women who have been diagnosed with ovulation difficulties and offers about an 80% success rate. Women who experience difficulties with follicle development, and thereby ovulation problems, may benefit from ovulation induction therapies, where hormones are given to stimulate follicle and egg development.

Intrauterine insemination is generally the next step in the infertility treatment process, also known as artificial insemination. Women experiencing fallopian tube defects or damage, as well as those with poor egg quality often benefit from this type of therapy. At this point, treatments can become quite expensive. Next often comes in vitro fertilization. This involves placement of an already fertilized egg into the woman’s uterus for implantation.

What Do Fertility Treatments Cost?
The cost of fertility treatments prohibit many couples from seeking treatments, but these days, many foreign destinations offer fertility programs that are affordable and effective. Fertility treatments in the United States may cost anywhere between $300 and $800 per treatment for intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures, with couples required to undergo multiple treatments. Costs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) may cost between $8,000 and $10,000 with each attempt.

However, medical travelers to foreign destinations such as Mexico, South America, India, and Thailand can save thousands, up to 75% of costs in the U.S. Popular destinations that treat infertility such as:

• Almater Hospital in Mexicali, Mexico
• Superior A.R.T. in Bangkok, Thailand
• Roshni Poly Clinic, India
• Jordan Hospital in Amman, Jordan
• Medical Sense Group in Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey
• Angels Abroad, Guatemala

In the United States alone, more than 5 million couples deal with infertility issues every year. Fortunately, many of these couples have been helped through advancements in technology, both at home and abroad.

Lower costs in foreign destinations are not due to sub-standard care or training – quite the opposite. Lower costs are enjoyed because other countries don’t have to deal with the rising and often prohibitive costs of medical malpractice insurance that is rampant within the healthcare industry in the United States. Therefore, medical providers in other countries are able to perform such treatments, procedures and surgeries at huge savings to their patients.

Reap the Benefits of Fertilization Technology
Whether you decide to travel to Mexico, South America, or Asia for fertility treatments and procedures, chances are you’re going to be more than pleased with the results. Take a second honeymoon and take care of business while you’re there. Take the opportunity to create that family you long for, and without putting yourself in debt for the rest of your life. Medical travel is the wave of the future for millions of couples around the world – so check it out and find a facility that can offer a realization to your dreams.

Health Tourism Portal Expands Global Provider Partnerships

PlacidWay, a health & wellness tourism web portal, recently expanded its number of partnerships with healthcare providers abroad, following a company directive to increase its offerings to health tourism consumers. Previously, the site has attracted partnerships from healthcare providers in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Argentina, Panama, South Africa and Poland. Recent additions include providers based in Brazil, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala, Singapore, Norway, South Korea, Hungary, United States, and Croatia.

Attention to the needs of both sides of the health tourism coin—consumers and healthcare providers—has been a differentiator for the web portal. “Our partnership with PlacidWay has resulted in an increased interest in our facility by health tourists” said Dr. Ismael Naypa of Yanhee International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. “PlacidWay has worked with us to ensure that we had all the knowledge, resources and tools needed to attract new clients.”

As healthcare providers around the world realize the advantages of marketing on a global basis, they have turned to PlacidWay to establish their brand and gain greater visibility. “We recently identified health tourism as a key strategy for expanding our client base” said Abhik Moitra of Artemis Health Institute in India. “By partnering with PlacidWay, we have stepped out into the world arena and have become more competitively and prominently marketed.”

Health tourism is a centuries-old industry that has recently experienced explosive growth, and one that continues to grow as rising healthcare costs, overburdened public healthcare systems, increased interest in alternative/holistic medicine and less expensive procedures abroad prompt health and wellness seekers to travel beyond their backyard for more affordable options.

“PlacidWay has become a leading authority in the field of health tourism through its vision, commitment to service and determination to be the most complete resource possible” said Pramod Goel, President of PlacidWay. “We offer world class healthcare providers in exotic destinations, a formidable knowledge and information base, quick response turnaround and a one-stop approach to booking a health tourism experience.”

For more information on PlacidWay, go to www.placidway.com.

Changes in Attitude: More Insurance Companies Approving Medical Care Abroad

Over a half million Americans travel abroad for surgery on a yearly basis. Escalating health care costs in the United States, as well as difficulty in receiving medical care due to rules and regulations by HMOs, has prompted frustrated Americans to seek health care elsewhere. It is a well-known fact that foreign destinations often offer medical procedures identical to those in the United States for a fraction of the cost.
 
The reduction in cost is not attributable to any lack of quality, education or retraining. As a matter of fact, many foreign destinations use state-of-the-art equipment and procedures not currently in use in the United States. In addition, many foreign health care providers do not experience the burden of carrying large amounts of malpractice insurance that is now required in the U.S., and which drives up health care costs. Medical tourists have saved nearly $20 billion dollars in health care treatments, procedures and surgeries in the past year by traveling abroad for their medical needs.

For example, heart bypass surgery in the United States may cost an individual over $130,000. The same procedure costs under $7,000 in India or $35,000 in Korea. Likewise, a hysterectomy in the United States may cost between $20,000 and $30,000, while the same procedure in Costa Rica costs less than $5,000.

In many cases, foreign medical destinations are not only luxurious, but include the latest state-of-the-art technology and equipment available in various fields of practice. It is common for medical care contracted through a medical tourism provider to also include 24-hour observation and care as well as private nursing and private room facilities.

Not to mention the fact that individuals who travel abroad for medical care are also able to enjoy a bit of vacation time in unique or exotic locations such as Thailand, Singapore, India, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and more.

Changing Opinions on Quality Health Care
The old saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them”, seems to be holding true for many major medical and health insurance providers in the United States. Because finances are at the bottom of individual decisions to travel abroad for medical care, American health care providers are finally paying attention.

For example, CIGNA, a large carrier in the United States, is considering offering reimbursement for hip and knee surgeries in foreign destinations. Other insurance companies and their subsidiaries, such as Companion Global Healthcare Inc., of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, is beginning to offer international care as an option available in their basic health insurance plans. Indeed, many healthcare service providers are expecting and anticipating that medical tourism will be standard in the healthcare field by 2015.

Read complete article at PlacidWay.com

Dental Implants Details

Dental Implant Procedures Overview
Healthy teeth, bones, and smiles are not just important for social needs, but for overall mouth, and body health. Dental implants meet the needs of tooth loss through the insertion of artificial tooth replacements. While generally categorized as cosmetic dentistry, it is also known as prosthetic or artificial replacement dentistry.

Dental implants are one of the most common dental procedures performed not only in the United States but also around the world. Dental implants replace teeth lost due to trauma, gum disease, tooth decay, and imperfections of the root canal.

Common Dental Implant Types
Dental implants generally fall into one of two basic categories. Endosteal implants are attached directly to bone to provide an anchor for artificial teeth within jawbone structures. A Subperiosteal implant is a metal framework that fits over the jawbone to help provide anchors for artificial teeth in the event that bone support structures are damaged or inadequate.

Common types of dental implants are composed of different materials and procedures.  However, the most common type of dental implant is called a root-form titanium dental implant. This is a type of endosteal implant that is placed directly into the jawbone structure. Artificial teeth are attached to this structure with nails, screws, or cones. This type of procedure is recommended for those with minimal to moderate tooth loss.

Other types of implants, such as sub-periosteal, plate-form, and ramus-frame are also commonly used for a multitude of artificial teeth insertion procedures. Such implants are used to help correct and provide tooth placement, chewing ability, and of course, an attractive smile. A sub-periosteal implant is generally used on patients who don’t have enough bone left in the jaw to support a root form implant. Sub-periosteal implants are placed over the jaw and not in it. 

Learn more about getting Dental Implants Abroad at PlacidWay.com

Go Safari or Taj Mahal with Global Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic Surgery Abroad
The trend for international medical procedures, treatments and surgeries abroad are expanding among the American and British healthcare markets. Medical tourism has provided an avenue for Canadians, Britons, and Americans fed up with the high costs of healthcare services to travel cross-border and exotic destinations to reduce medical costs and wait times.

According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 47 million Americans had no medical insurance as of 2005. Statistics in Britain and Canada are alarming as well.  Global healthcare has become a very viable option and alternative to address those seeking orthopedic treatments and surgeries.

Why Go?
Orthopedic surgeries are a specialty that deals specifically with the correction and repair of injuries to bones and their associated muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The rising cost of surgical procedures, especially those involving orthopedics, prevents many from receiving necessary and often life-changing treatments and surgeries. 

More than 500,000 Americans traveled outside of the country in 2007.  The National Coalition on Health Care determined that orthopedic surgical procedures comprised the bulk of those numbers.

Norway, South Africa, Thailand, India, and Panama are becoming popular tourist destinations for those wishing to undergo various orthopedic surgeries, including but not limited to:
• Partial knee replacement
• Total knee replacement
• Total hip replacement
• Hip resurfacing
• Shoulder joint replacement
• Anterior cruciate ligament repair

Wait times for orthopedic surgeries in the United States and Britain can last months. Overseas and abroad, wait times are decreased because there is less “red tape” between health care professionals and medical insurance providers to deal with.

Dollars and Sense
World-class medical services, state-of-the-art facilities, and certified and accredited physicians and surgeons are available in many countries around the world to address the specific needs of not only those wishing to undergo surgical procedures, but wanting to combine such services with recuperation and recovery in an exotic location.  Websites such as PlacidWay.com provide extensive resources to help one choose procedure and location of orthopedic treatments.

Hip replacement surgical procedures in the United States can cost up to $43,000. Cost for the same procedures in Thailand or Singapore run roughly $12,000, and $9,000 in India. In South Africa, the cost is approximately $10,700.

Knee replacement surgeries in the United States run up to $40,000 apiece! The same procedure in India will cost $8,500, and roughly $10,000 in Thailand, and $13,000 in Singapore. In South Africa, the same procedure will cost roughly $12,600.

Cautions and Security
When combining medical procedures with exotic travel and vacation destinations, it is suggested that consumers deal with reputable companies specializing in such business. As always, consumers are responsible for doing their homework, researching options, and checking on source reliability.

Medical tourism is here to stay, and as with anything else, there are pros and cons in this field. One thing that medical travelers should be advised is that any orthopedic surgical procedure requires ample recuperation, sanitation, and rehabilitative therapies. When searching for a facility to meet specific needs, consumers should find out and understand both pre-and post-op requirements and expectations.

Whether you want to safari in Africa or explore the jungles of Thailand or experience breath taking beauty of Taj Mahal, medical tourists must allow ample time for recovery when venturing to such exotic locations. Ask plenty of questions, and make sure that answers are obtained before making arrangements to travel.

Well-known universities and hospitals in the United States, Britain and Canada abroad often train orthopedic surgeons. Training in the latest techniques and methods of orthopedic surgical procedures have thrust many International surgeons to the top of their fields.

Are They Qualified?
When seeking the professional services of any physician or facility, consumers need to be aware. Physicians should, of course, have a medical license as well as board-certified credentials in their area of expertise. Board certifications ensure that physicians and surgeons have met qualification requirements to practice in their field.

Belonging to a professional membership, organization, or association is not enough to assure that an individual or facility is licensed or credentialed. They do however, standardize quality and hold to certain requirements that must be met by members.  Physicians and surgeons are certified by boards of specialists in the area they want to practice in.

Consumers are responsible for researching and understanding the different titles and certifications as well as requirements in countries abroad to ensure that they meet standards for quality care and expertise. Referring to professional organizations or to the Placidway.com references will help guide consumers to locate the best-qualified professionals in the field.

 

Click here to learn more about Orthopedic Surgeries Abroad.

Going Global For Cosmetic Surgery

There are many advantages to going global for cosmetic surgery. Exotic locations in Thailand, Argentina, and Brazil beckon to thousands hoping not only to save money on cosmetic surgical procedures, but also to take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities to visit foreign destinations. 

Cost comparisons between surgical procedures performed in the United States and the United Kingdom with those that can be found in Brazil, Africa, Argentina and Thailand are proving increasingly attractive to young and old alike when it comes to choosing cosmetic surgery.

Why Travel for Your Cosmetic Surgery?
Whether you’re looking to reshape your nose or take care of that face-lift without anyone knowing what you’re up to, traveling for cosmetic surgery is on the rise. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, trends for traveling for cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures are on the rise. The top five cosmetic procedures performed in the United States and around the world today are:

• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction
• Nose reshaping
• Eyelid surgery
• Tummy tucks

 

Over $12 billion have been spent on cosmetic procedures from the year 2000 to 2007 in the United States alone, a nearly 60% increase in a mere six years. From facelifts to breast lifts to Botox injections and reconstructive procedures, the cosmetic surgery industry is booming, with price tags to match.

The majority of cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States are not covered by health or medical insurance. Unless cosmetic plastic surgery or procedures are necessary due to injury and trauma, they are considered elective procedures and must be paid through individual out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost Considerations
Breast augmentation in the United States can run $8,000 as compared to the under $4,000 charged in India, and the $3,000 charged in Costa Rica.

Liposuction in the United States can cost $13,500, as compared to the $2,700 charged in Bolivia, or $4,800 charged in India.

A facelift can cost $15,000 in the United States. Facelift procedures performed in Costa Rica can cost just under $3,000, and about $4,500 in India.

Countries like South Africa, Thailand, and Hong Kong, as well as India are increasing their global advertising campaigns in comparative surgical prices as medical tourism brings more visitors from the United States and the United Kingdom than ever before.

Do’s and Don’ts Of Surgery Abroad
However, there are many things that global travelers need to know about medical tourism. Is it safe? Can medical facilities in exotic locations in Thailand, Singapore, and Brazil offer safe and comparable skill levels in cosmetic surgical procedures and training? The answer is yes.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests that any global travelers seeking cosmetic surgical procedures abroad ensure that the expertise and certification of the physicians they are considering. Several online services are available as resources, including The ASPS Member Surgeon Abroad Program and websites like Placidway.com reference sections, which profile multiple physicians and facilities worldwide.

Individuals should also realize that medical qualification standards may differ from those in the United States, but growing numbers of doctors practicing outside of the United States and Britain are Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
Appealing prices and exotic locales combine the best of vacation destinations with affordable financing for a wide range of cosmetic surgical procedures. In all cases, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons urges patients to research the cosmetic procedure they intend to undergo, but the location as well as qualifications of physicians and staff to meet the needs during consultations, procedures, and recuperation periods following surgery.  Placidway.com is one of those sites where patients can research on finest cosmetic surgeons around the world.

The following questions may (and should) be asked of any plastic or cosmetic surgeon:

• Are you an ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) member?
• Has the American Board of Plastic Surgery or another International board or association certified you?
• Do you have hospital privileges?
• How many procedures of this type have you performed?
• Is the surgical facility accredited?

While cost is a major selling point in the growing field of cosmetic surgery tourism, and patients are able to combine the cost of surgical packages with vacation packages for less than the cost of the surgical procedure in the United States, patients must take a common sense approach when seeking the services of any position, whether at home or abroad.

Passports for Global Health Care

Cross-Border Medical Tourism
Cross-border medical tourism has become increasingly popular within the United States in the past few years.  The trend for regional travel for elective surgeries and procedures has shown a definite increase in not only the Americas, but in Western Europe, Australia and throughout Asia. As a matter of fact, over 500,000 Americans travel out of the country every year, not only to Mexico and South America, but also to various destinations in order to procure affordable, quality health care for critical care and medical procedures as well.

What It Is?
Cross-border medical tourism is a term that defines crossing another country’s borders to obtain medical treatment. In various regions throughout the world, growing numbers of natives are not only packing their bags for a vacation, but also to undergo medical procedures at the same time. The fact that such medical services in other countries can cost 10 to 90% less than it does in the United States is a mitigating factor for this influx of medical tourists.

Medical practitioners and associations within the United States are perfectly aware of this growing trend. Indeed, many health carriers and insurance companies are now offering out of country procedure coverage.

Everything from cosmetic surgery to dental needs, to hip replacement surgeries are available in countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Malaysia, Hungary and Thailand. Many of the facilities found in those countries are regulated and accredited by medical Association accrediting boards in the United States.

Why It’s Happening?
The rising cost of health care, insurance, and demand has forced many natives to seek help across borders. As such, more and more Americans are traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Costa Rica for cosmetic and dental procedures. Natives from Australia and New Zealand travel to Singapore and Thailand to save on orthopedic and dental procedures as well. Even Western Europeans from England, France and Germany are traveling to Hungary and Poland for premium vision and dental care procedures, as well as the most common elective surgical procedures like cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Why this growing trend in cross-border medical travel? Most often, it’s finances.

The attraction of saving money is what propels most medical travelers to cross borders or travel across the ocean when seeking treatments. For example:
• One quarter of uninsured citizens will travel abroad for medical care if savings of $1,000 to $2,500 can be realized.  Medical tourist tends to travel regionally to seek such savings.
• Nearly 40% of uninsured citizens will travel abroad for care if those savings amounted to $10,000 or more.  Medical Tourist will travel beyond regional boundaries for best healthcare options and prices.

Wouldn’t you?

International Medical Facilities and Standards
State-of-the-art facilities, high standards in training and expertise, as well as Board certification from United States providers sets many at ease.  Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism surgical procedures include Mexico, Thailand, Singapore and India.

Medical technology as well as quality and standards of care in most countries around the world are on a level with those expected and demanded within the United States. The International Division of the Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals and facilities within the United States, also accredits facilities internationally. Many physicians who practice in European and Asian hospitals and medical centers have been trained and board-certified within the United States.

Comparison Shopping
The cost of procedures around the world drastically differs.  For example, bypass surgery in the United States can cost up to $35,000. The same procedure provided in India costs $6,000.

Transplant procedures in the United States and Britain can cost up to $200,000.

Types of Procedures Available
Mexico is a popular destination for cosmetic surgeries and dental care as well as lower pharmaceuticals costs. Uninsured Americans, as well as those who are willing to pay in cash find it hard to turn away from deals with our southern neighbor. Many United States-based hospital corporations own medical hospitals not only in Mexico City, but along the United States border, as well in South American destinations such as Panama, Costa Rica and Argentina.

Cosmetic surgery as well as plastic surgery is a reason why many Americans travel regionally to Argentina, Brazil, and Columbia. As a matter of fact, Argentina and Brazil are known for advanced treatments in these areas.

One of the most popular procedures that draws Americans to other countries, especially India and Thailand, are orthopedic procedures such as partial hip and knee replacement surgical treatments. Hospitals in Asian countries generally charge half the price of the same surgical procedures in the United States and many countries in Europe.

Cardiac surgeries such as heart valve replacement and bypass procedures cost Americans well over $200,000. It is not difficult to wonder why a cardiac patient would be interested in traveling to India or Singapore, where the same procedure costs about $10,000.

Critical Impact
The growing trend in global healthcare is certain to bring about changes within the American healthcare system, but Americans are not holding their breath in the hope for a rapid change. It will take years to revamp the medical coverage and health insurance system in the United States, as well as tackling current malpractice insurance necessities.

However, as long as the cost of medical care in the United States continues to rise, more people will be traveling internationally to receive quality health care.

For additional information, please visit www.placidway.com

Smart Global Healthcare Choices

Superlative and affordable medical care is drawing more and more people from around the world to seek medical treatments abroad.  Why not, when medical bills, transportation and lodging cost less than the deductibles and fees for surgical and hospitalization care in your own country.

As we all know, the cost of medical procedures is rising at a dramatic rate within the United States.  Medical malpractice insurance for physicians and surgeons has driven medical costs for consumers through the roof.  So, it’s not surprising that Americans are fighting back, and in an unusual way.  A growing trend called medical tourism finds more Americans seeking medical help outside of the country.  Now, if you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you have at least heard of the concept, though Europeans and Asians have been practicing medical tourism for decades.

Traveling to another country to have a wide variety of procedures done has grown increasingly popular as costs for procedures continue to cause financial hardship and strain on Americans.  If you haven’t really seriously considered traveling to another country to have your procedure done, you should.  Traveling outside of national borders saves patients thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on various surgeries and medical procedures.  In some cases, choosing to have surgery abroad costs about a tenth of what you’d pay for the same procedure in the U.S.

However, the low cost of these procedures in other countries is not due to a lack of expertise or training, nor facility equipment, but because of the different ways these countries or private practices run their health services departments.  International private healthcare systems have price transparencies that are not overburdened by malpractice insurance and pressures from third party payers such as health insurance companies.

People believe that going outside of the United States for surgeries is risky business, but did you know that many of the most technologically advanced medical centers are located outside of the United States?  The growing trend of attracting international patients around the world has evened the playing field, so to speak, and patients around the world have more choices when it comes to choosing surgeons and physicians to treat them and their conditions.  Especially in the medical field, borders are dissolving.

In addition to lower costs, the concept of medical tourism also offers patients a wider selection of techniques and experiences than many local health care services do.  Surgical and medical facilities outside of the United States, including those in Asia, e.g., India, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, and North American cross border countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Latin America; and Eastern Block/European countries such as Hungary, Norway, Poland, are increasingly luring medical tourists with the best trained physicians, higher service standards and yes, the opportunity to save money.

For example a heart surgery requiring the replacement of one or more heart valves costs around $200,000 in the United States.  The same procedure is performed for under $15,000 in India or Malaysia – that cost includes the services of a highly skilled and trained heart specialist, transportation and accommodation fees and a few extra days to enjoy the sites of your planned vacation as well.

Other procedures follow suit.  Facelifts can cost $20,000 in the U.S. but are available in other global destinations for around $2500.  Dental bridges costs around $5500 in the US but cost only around $200 in India.  The list goes on.

Orthopedic surgery is a procedure that is gaining popularity among baby boomers for treatment abroad.  Hip or elbow replacement surgery is common for those who have suffered from arthritis or other forms of bone and joint damage.  Hip or elbow joint replacement involves removing damaged bone tissue and replacing it with a ball-type joint made of a special metal alloy.  Hip resurfacing is not a replacement of the hip joint, but a type of surgery that allows most of the original hip joint to be saved.  In this procedure, performed not only in the United States but around the world, the surface of the head of the femur, the part of the upper thighbone that fits into the hip socket, is covered with a plastic shell – type covering.  Hip resurfacing is usually suggested for active patients less than 55 years of age. 

World-class medical facilities offer not only skilled surgeons for this type of procedure, but also physical therapists to aid in recovery as well as superior patient support capabilities until patient discharge.  Everyone demands excellent standards in healthcare, and global medical facilities are also being held to high American and western standards.  If you or a loved one is considering medical tourism, take the time to research the subject.

Medical tourism is the wave of the future, and may compel changes within American medical practices.  Until then, take advantage of the best the world has to offer in the way of skills, treatments, procedures and healthcare.  Make the most of the growing number of healthcare methods in the 21st century and take back control of your own healthcare.

PlacidWay is the health information portal that offers medical vacation planners all the information they need to make informed choices and decisions.  Finding information on affordable health centers from around the world, alternative treatments, and wellness programs has never been easier.

Making the right choices relies on knowledge, and PlacidWay offers that and so much more.  Visit PlacidWay.com at www.placidway.com for additional information on the topic of medical tourism or health vacation planning.

Do you see what I see?

LASIK is the safest and most accurate method to correct short-sight (Myopia), long-sight (Hyperopia), astigmatism (Cylindrical powers) and other corneal scarring disorders.  Essentially, the basis for all laser eye surgery is to reshape the cornea to the point that it changes the focal point of the eye.  During this procedure, the focal point is changed so that it focuses perfectly on the retina. 

LASIK procedures have been around since 1988.  The procedure has already gained wide acceptance worldwide with over 5 million people in USA and millions more worldwide have undergone LASIK surgery.

Contact lenses are often the chosen alternative to LASIK eye surgery, with many arguing they are safer and cheaper to use.  However, contact lenses require special care and maintenance, or they can seriously damage the eye.  As well, while contact lenses are cheaper in the short-term, they cost more in the long-term and contribute to the garbage waste of societies the world over.  Using contact lenses for five years will equal the cost of a LASIK treatment, which lasts for much longer. 

In terms of shelling out recurring costs like contact lenses or glasses, the possibility of a one-stop-fix-all solution like LASIK means that those who get the surgery will not have to buy another contact lens or eyeglasses ever again.  For many, the cost of the LASIK surgery is worth the price of never having to put in, nor take out, contact lenses again.

 

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Are you “Hungary” for a new smile?

Medical tourism is a growing trend among Americans, Canadians, and Europeans who are looking for medical procedures that cost less money and can be scheduled right away.  However, have you heard of dental tourism?  Dental Tourism involves traveling to another location to seek affordable dental care, dental treatment, surgery or dental procedures, which are normally expensive in one’s own country.  Flat world, disappearing borders, and the ease of travel today make dental tourism easily accessible and attractive from anywhere. 

While the exact statistics on dental tourism aren’t available, it is estimated that over one million people from around the world travel to get dental treatment such as cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, crowns, and root canals abroad.  There are a number of countries such as India, Thailand, Costa Rica, Hungary, Panama, South Africa, and Mexico that are marketing low cost, high quality dental services to medical tourists.  

Dental tourism is rapidly growing in the United States due to the fact that over 108 million Americans and 25 million American children lack dental insurance.  As children grow to be adults they may have a number of serious dental problems that need significant dental attention.  Poor dental care can lead to serious health problems.  The lack of dental insurance compels us to pay outrageously high dental bills from our pocket for even the simplest of procedures.  To address cost, availability, and quality, dental tourism is gaining momentum as low cost, high quality alternative. 

Even if you have medical or dental insurance and want a dental implant or any cosmetic dental procedure, you may find that your dental insurance at work does not cover high-priced dental implant or dental cosmetic services.  If you look at the fine print, you will find that most employers offer dental insurance that only offers routine dental coverage as part of a package of health benefits.

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