Treatment abroad - countries, hospitals and prices

Many patients choose health tourism only in case the medicine in their country cannot help. There are other reasons requiring the help of foreign hospitals and doctors such as:

Impossibility of accurate diagnostics. The precise diagnosis is the key to successful recovery. It is a widespread phenomenon when diagnostics is carried out in hospitals abroad, and the prescribed treatment is conducted at the patient's place of residence, under the supervision of foreign doctors.

Prescribed therapy has no effect. The reasons may be an incorrect diagnosis, an ineffective method of the prescribed treatment, counterfeit medications, low level of qualification of local doctors.

Rapidly developing illness and urgency of complex treatment. In these cases, the treatment of the disease requires state-of-the-art surgery methods like robotic surgery or new methods that are not yet available in the patient's country.

Prescription of radical treatment, for example, resection, removal, amputation of organs. In 40% of cases, it is possible to select less invasive methods in order to preserve the organ. However, even if the decision to remove is confirmed in foreign clinics, the risk for the operation itself will be much lower, and the subsequent recovery process after the surgery will be easier and shorter.

The best hospitals in the world rely on a strong scientific base of their universities and medical research centers. Therefore, the qualifications of medical staff, doctors and their experience in treating complex cases are many times higher, which ultimately affects the result.

The first thing to consider when choosing a country for medical tourism is the diagnosis and the necessary type of medical intervention. There are general medical centers, such as the General Clinic in Singapore or Massachusetts General Hospital, USA. These centers are usually suitable for all patients who do not require special cutting-edge treatments.

However, given the fact that 70% of patients who choose medical tourism have non-standard diagnoses and complex situations, the best solution would be to select a specialized foreign hospital and search for a doctor who has enough expertise to provide the correct diagnostics and therapy for the disease. This approach will definitely lead to recovery.

The UNICLINICSⓇ team has a strong medical competence in the selection of highly specialized treatment solutions. In our database, there are more than 900 hospitals in 11 countries and 45,397 proven doctors in total. The search time of the best option usually ranges from 1 to 72 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.

Here you can find the exact prices on medical travels. This cost already includes all necessary expenses for inpatients ㅡ the ward for the entire period of stay, food, the cost of all drugs and supplies, the services of the attending physicians and medical staff.


It needs to be mentioned that the cost of individual procedures and tests abroad might be more expensive, but the cost of the entire treatment cycle abroad is often cheaper. This is due to the fact that the best hospitals in the world have a large flow of foreign patients and have learnt how to optimize the cost. The second reason is the 95% success rate of treatment in specialized countries and significantly shorter treatment periods. For example, in the CIS, therapy can last for months, which entails daily fixed costs. Original medications certified by the European Commission and less invasive surgery methods are used in clinics abroad. As a result, all these factors reduces the cost of treatment, because its duration and terms of recovery are shortened.

When the appointment is made and the professor is already familiar with the anamnesis, it is time to plan other aspects of the medical travel:

Flight. If the patient is transportable, can move independently and has experience in air travelling, then no problems should arise. In any other case, it is necessary to describe the situation in detail when booking flight tickets and to request additional assistance from the board crew and airport staff. It would not be superfluous to call the airline and discuss all the details over the phone.

Accompanying person. If the patient is a child under 18, an elderly person or requires assistance in everyday life, it is strongly recommended to undergo treatment abroad accompanied by someone. As a rule, it is a relative and (or) a close friend. The accompanying person will be the main contact for solving service issues and provide support, because any stay in the hospital, especially abroad, is a stressful situation for the patient.

Transfer from airport. If you have not booked services and want to independently organize the whole process, you should take care of the transfer in advance, look through the costs and order a car suitable for the patient's needs.

Accommodation. Outpatient patients (coming for diagnostics and (or) consultations with doctors) need to book a hotel or rent a flat. You should choose a hotel near the hospital and make reservations in advance. For inpatients, it is necessary to stay in the clinic, however, it is worth deciding in advance where the accompanying person will stay. There are options for staying at the hotel or with the patient in a 2-bed ward.

Language barrier and professional medical terminology. Even if you are proficient in languages, it is recommended to use the services of professional medical interpreters, since they usually have medical education and use complex terminology. You must book in advance the interpreter's services. This person will accompany you during your medical travel and coordinate all the details.

Necessary things, toiletries. Some foreign hospitals, especially in Singapore and Switzerland, provide an all-inclusive package for their patients. The wards have everything you need for a comfortable stay ㅡ shower, bathrobe, towels, slippers, cosmetics, hair dryer etc. It is necessary to clarify what will be provided in your ward. Anyway, it is recommended to take everything you need for the entire period of your medical travel with you.