Surgical Travels’s Operation Procedures

We've developed a comprehensive program to best guarantee a safe and pleasurable Overseas Medical Experience. Please take the time to review this important information

The following information has been assembled to give you an overview of our medical travel process. Based on our experience, we have developed a very comprehensive program that requires your understanding and cooperation. This process normally takes between 30-45 days before your are able to depart your home town, so, we must work diligently to accomplish all the necessary tasks before you begin your travels. Some programs can be arranged in a shorter time frame, but please understand there are a lot of important details that need to be coordinated. This outline is very comprehensive, and might seem somewhat overwhelming. However once you get started, you will be assigned a Procedural Assistant who will guide you every step of the way.  

Well over a MILLION patients a year opt to have their medical or surgical procedures performed outside of their home country. Many go overseas to obtain state-of-the-art procedures that they cannot receive at home. Others choose to travel so they can recuperate in an exotic land, and many insurance providers are forgoing deductibles and co-pays as an incentive. In the end, patients and providers are enticed by the fact that typical overseas procedures save 60 - 70% of the cost including travel and leisure time to recuperate. We recognize each of these as great reasons, however we have built this company based on reputation. We believe we are providing a service that requires your trust and confidence, and we do not take that trust lightly. We promise to honor your decision to organize your procedure with Surgical Travels, and ask only for your complete cooperation Your safety, the outcome of the procedure, and successful recovery will always be our primary concern.

Planning for your Procedure(s)

Making your initial contact with Surgical Travels

You have either found us online, through our advertising, or a referral from an insurance provider or friend, and we’re glad you did. On your first call, we will discuss our services, answer any initial questions you may have, and decide together if an overseas medical or surgical procedure is right for you. No two patient situation are identical, and we all need to have the assurances that we can reach an outcome that will meet or exceed your expectations. This may involve many phone conversations, some of which may be conference calls with your regular physician, who may or may not be familiar with overseas medical or surgical procedures. You or your physician may also want to speak with our on-staff medical professional to further assure that we are all on the same page. Whatever it takes, there is never any money or commitment involved until we are all comfortable and ready to proceed to the next step.

Your own private area on our site. 

Your second step is setting a user names and password within a “restricted and secure” area of our Internet site. Here you will find our Online Membership Application Form. This 4 page form will provide us the basics to get started. This will advise your physician of any potential risks or conditions that may be necessary to know in conjunction with your procedures(s), and it is up to you to be accurate… remember we ONLY want to be in a position to provide the finest care for you. Your Procedural Associate is always available at (toll free) 1-877-866-8558, to assist you with the details. 

Identifying our role and protecting our business
We will overnight you a packet of forms and releases that we must have completed, signed, notarized, and returned. Within these forms is a description of the services that you can expect from us, and a disclosure of our role as your facilitator. Global Surgical Network is not a medical services, and our only role is to receive medical information from you and/or your physician, and serve as a custodian of that information until you have selected a medical facility and physician of your choosing, and authorized us to release the information to that entity. We do NOT provide medical information or advice, and are acting strictly as your agent to coordinate a travel itinerary around the medical procedures that you request.

Review your medical procedure requirements
Your PROCEDURAL ASSOCIATE will have many conversations with you to understand your medical needs, and we will want to speak with your home physician in order to assure him/her that a successful outcome is our only concern. It is very important that you identify exactly what you are seeking at this time. Changes to your desired treatment plan could potentially complicate matters, and especially with cosmetic procedures, there is often “something else to do while you are there”. We must do our best to identify your exact needs and move forward accordingly.

Provide transcripts, MRI, x-rays, photos, etc.
For nearly every medical or surgical procedures, your International Physician will need to see your transcripts, MRIs, x-rays, photos, etc. In order to better facilitate this process, we will need to receive digital copies of these documents. If you do not have this information in digital format, we have partnered with a company that can duplicate and digitize your records so that we can easily transfer them to your overseas physician. To ensure your total privacy, this process is handled completely in that secured area of our Internet site. 

Expectations Form Submission and Potential Travel Dates
Your PROCEDURAL ASSOCIATE will send you an email that asks for your expectations of the end result in receiving your procedure(s). Please provide this information so the surgeon can determine if the end result can be achieved. We want to make certain that your expectations are in line with what we can achieve for you. Also, at the bottom of the form will be a request for possible travel dates. Please list two options for travel dates. This is important in the scheduling process, as from the moment you arrive at your destination, you are “on schedule” to have your procedure performed, your recuperation completed, and we want you to return “exactly” on schedule. 

Choosing your arrival and recuperation hotels or resorts
You will receive an email that provides information about choosing a hotel while overseas. We ask for this information very early in the process so we can include the costs in your quotation. We have made special arrangements with spectacular world class hotels that (very much) enjoy working with us, and want your business. All are 4 & 5-star facilities that will not let either of us down.

Passport/Visa Acquisition
If you and your travel companion do not already possess passports your PROCEDURAL ASSOCIATE will assist you in acquiring them.

Receive a price quotation for the procedure(s) and accommodations
During this process, you will receive a price quotation for the procedure(s), accommodations, probably more information than you’ll need about your stay in that host county. Remember, Medical Tourism is a thriving business, and everyone along the way will want you to be completely satisfied. Our reputation is paramount to our success. 

Questions and conversations with your overseas surgeon
In this segment of the process, you will be in contact with the actual surgeon(s) who will be performing your procedure. This is the time when your home physician will also develop a relationship (by conference call) with this (these) surgeons. We will coordinate the communication process via email in this stage. You may also speak directly with your surgeon further along in the process, should you so choose.

Planning for your trip

Tentatively Book Your Procedure(s)
We will request your preferred doctor's consultation and surgery date(s). Once we receive notice that these dates are available, we can move to tentatively book your air travel and hotel accommodations.

Tentatively Book your Air Travel 

When we KNOW we can work around your scheduled surgery dates, and have a course of recuperative requirements from your surgeon, we can book your flights to and from your host country. 

Tentatively Book your Hotel Room
We will start reserving your hotel rooms and land travel itinerary, and coordinate all of the details of your stay in this host destination. This is where we shine above all other Medical Tourism Companies by having over 20 years experience as 1st class Leisure Tour Operators. We will develop an itinerary for you that provides the best possible overall experience.

You’ll meet your host country Coordinator by phone and email
This is the person who will meet you at the airport when you arrive, take you to your hotel or medical facility, and basically be your on-call in country assistant, available 24/7 while you are there. You will also be provided with an International cell phone by Surgical Travels for your use the entire time you are away. This will keep you in contact with your family and friends back home, and give you constant communication with your host country coordinator. This is a great time to note that most of our host country coordinators are both licensed nurses AND licensed guides, and they will come to you with a “PRIVATE CAR AND DRIVER” that are available to you 24/7.

20% Deposit funds sent into Surgical Travels’s U.S. holding account
Once we receive your deposit at approximately 21 days prior to departure, we will start confirming all of your reservations. This is the time you also want to purchase Independent Travel Insurance to guarantee that if there are any changes in your schedule, your insurance will offset those costs. We have Insurance companies that we can recommend, but we do not sell trip insurance ourselves.

We have Financing Options Available

5-Days before your departure

We receive your payment / you receive your “5-Days To Departure Package”
Your payment must be wired today to our account, and you will be sent (by overnight express) your airline ticketing, Visa, and a day-to-day, hour-by-hour personalized itinerary accounting for nearly every minute of your trip. In addition, you will receive a customized booklet of vouchers, which represent the payments YOU will be making to everyone along the way. Vouchers are like pre-written Certified Checks to your suppliers. Unlike other Medical Tourism companies where you pre-pay and hope you receive the service, with Surgical Travels YOU determine when payment for your service should be made by signing and presenting each pre-determined (price and payment) guaranteed voucher. We attempt to make this trip as “all-inclusive” as possible, with everything pre-paid and every major expense represented by voucher. Every city where we arrange procedures is every bit as modern and technical as your home country, ATM machines are readily available, and all major credit cards are widely accepted.

Departure from your local airport
Say goodbye to your family and friends as you board your plane to begin your Surgical Travels program. Be sure to arrive at least 2 hours prior to your departure time and bring everything we have instructed you to bring in your 5-Days to Departure Package.

Arrival at destination airport and be greeted by your Host Country Coordinator (HCC) and Designated Driver
Your Host Country Coordinator will be your personal assistant throughout your stay. He/she is fluent in English and will be there to meet you at the airport upon arrival and take you back to the airport for departure. This person will accompany you to all your doctor’s appointments and medical treatments. You will be given an International cell phone upon your arrival so that you can contact your HCC at any time 24/7, as well as your friends and family back home. The hosts, cell phone, and personal car/driver that we provide are unique in this industry. We insist that you are treated like a VIP at all times while in this host country. 

Pre-Surgery consultation with medical team
Based on your pre-determined schedule, you will visit your physician’s office at least 24 hours prior to surgery. Here, the doctor will review your medical transcripts and conduct additional tests to ensure you are ready for your procedure.

Surgical procedure
Your procedure will be performed by the hospital we selected together as being the finest facility for your type of procedure, and your surgeon is the same one you spoke with before you left home. Nothing new here… no surprises… THIS is why you came, and everyone will work together to reach that successful outcome. Rest assured, if Surgical Travels put you there, you are in one of the finest medical facilities in the world, and the physicians you selected from our list are only the best. 

Post treatment recuperation
When the doctor is satisfied with your condition, you will be released from the hospital and driven back to your hotel to begin the recuperation process. During this time your main focus will be on recuperation, and as your health permits, that recuperation will be done while you are sightseeing. Upon authorization by your surgeon, your nurse/guide will make sure that you have a chance to visit and see some of the interesting attractions your destination offers. This is where our experience as International Tour Operators sets us apart from other Medical Tourism companies. As our guests you will be treated like VIPs from the moment you arrive until you depart for home.

Arriving back home

Final Release for your return home by your Surgeon 

This is the day you’ve been waiting for; the day of your departure as scheduled, HOWEVER, you have one more visit to make. The final decision is always left to your surgeon to release you from his care. We trust that will happen, however THIS is why we insisted that you purchased trip interruption insurance. Again, we hate surprises and trust you should be ready to come home, but in the rare situation that your surgeon wants more time… we’re here to make those changes, and your Trip Interruption Insurance will cover that expense.

Upon your return – it’s back to your home and your home physician with a remarkable experience to share.

Congratulations, and thank you for trusting Surgical Travels.