Medical tourism is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the NHS, but figures show that private health insurance may be a cheaper and safer option for UK patients

2.65 million Britons have recently been or are planning to go abroad for medical treatment. The most common elective surgery procedures for such patients include hip replacements, knee replacements and cataract removal.

Most medical tourists go abroad to avoid paying for treatment not available on the NHS. However, if they previously had private medical cover they could have had these procedures done at no extra cost in the UK.

Without medical insurance, paying for a hip replacement privately in the UK can cost as much as £10,000.

Abroad, the procedure itself will cost patients upwards of £3,000. However, the costs of having surgery abroad can add thousands onto this price should any complications arise.

The possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding or developing deep vein thrombosis, chances of which are greatly increased by long-haul flights.

Specific complications of hip replacement can include infection, joint dislocation, hip fracture, unstable joints and nerve damage.

Last year, five patients died in NHS hospitals from NDM-1, a new superbug which is thought to have been imported by British health tourists who had surgery in India and in Pakistan.

In addition, on return to the UK, the NHS would not treat minor problems or long term problems related to the surgery.

An alternative option to medical tourism is to compare health insurance quotes. The average health insurance premium for a 30 year old is around £30 a month, a total of  only £360 a year.

An average health insurance premium for a 65 year old is around £70 a month, totalling £840 a year, perhaps lower with a discount scheme.

People with private medical insurance would receive a hip replacement operatio,  without extra cost, in a private hospital of their choice, with a consultant of their choice, also.

Any complications would be fully covered, and they will be treated in a private room with excellent facilities. That £840 could also pay for cancer drugs too expensive for use on the NHS.

Dr Richard Theo, of health insurance comparison site ActiveQuote.com, said: “India, one of the most popular destinations for medical tourists, has 6 physicians, 13 nurses, and 9 hospital beds for every 10,000 patients.

“In contrast, the UK has 27 physicians, 103 nurses and 34 hospital beds for every 10,000 patients. Health conscious patients should compare medical insurance quotes and take advantage of our excellent private healthcare system”.

FACTFILE:

ActiveQuote Health Ltd is a health insurance broker, fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) number 501109 as a health insurance intermediary.

ActiveQuote offer free advice on private medical cover in the UK.

enquiry@health.activequote.com
Tel: 0800 862 0373