Reminder for a patient – a trip to Germany for treatment
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Medical tourism is widespread in Germany. This country is attractive for patients from all over the world, because everyone can receive medical care here for the same price and of the same quality as a German citizen can. There is no need to wait very long for treatment and the prices for healthcare services here are more affordable than in other highly developed countries.
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Benefits of treatment and diagnostics in Germany
Highly qualified doctors work in German clinics. The equipment of the healthcare institutions here is far ahead of other developed countries’. German doctors use the latest techniques during their treatment of patients, as a rule, such techniques are not even available in other developing countries.
Other advantages of German medicine include:
- affordable prices;
- rapid medical care;
- high quality of medical care;
- high level of patient comfort.
Main stages of organizing treatment in Germany
Visit the online portal Booking Health
You should start by making your choice from the selection of medical programs available, namely, diagnostic, treatment, or rehabilitation. You can do this on the Booking Health website. Here, you will find hundreds of German clinics and the current prices of the medical programs.
In order to make the right choice, you should consider the following aspects:
- quality of medical care and services in the clinic;
- statistical rates regarding the treatment of a certain group of diseases;
- costs of the medical program.
All the information on the Booking Health website is very straightforward. Even a person without a medical education will be able to easily understand the descriptions of the diseases and find the best specialists for their treatment. You can book a diagnostic or treatment program in your chosen clinic right here, online.
You can always send a free request to our doctors if you need any additional help. Please, fill in the online application form on the website and our specialist will contact you the same day. You can discuss all the peculiarities of a disease or the important aspects of choosing a clinic. After that, our specialist will help you to select the optimal medical program for both price and quality.
You may need to scan your medical documents in order to send them to Germany in electronic form. A special medical document management system E-doc is used for this purpose. E-doc protects the confidentiality of your data and allows German doctors to study the information quickly and comfortably.
Elaboration of a preliminary diagnostic or treatment program
The development of an individual diagnostic or treatment program begins with a doctor's consultation. During the communication, the doctor determines a preliminary diagnosis and recommends the necessary examinations. But, you should understand that such a diagnosis is not a final one. Concomitant diseases or peculiarities of the main pathology can be detected during the course of the careful examination. This would require additional diagnostic or therapeutic measures.
Solving other organizational issues
1. Visa
Germany is a member of the European Union, so citizens of the European Union don’t need a visa for receiving help in German hospitals. Citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein have the same right as well. In addition, citizens of the United States, Canada, Israel, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand can also enter Germany without a visa and stay here for up to three months. Usually, such a period of time is enough for a medical program to be completed.
One more option to avoid applying for a visa, is to visit family members. Otherwise, you will need one. In most cases, it is better to get a Schengen visa. This allows you to stay in the country for 90 days within 6 months and go to nearby countries.
The necessary items for the embassy documents include the following:
- application for the visa;
- cheque for the payment of the visa fee;
- photo (3.5 cm x 4 cm);
- medical insurance;
- passport with a sufficient period of validity – 3 months or more after the end of the trip;
- photocopy of the citizen’s passport.
2. Accompanying person
An accompanying person needs the same documents as the patient does. It should be indicated in the invitation from the medical institution that the patient is going to come with a companion.
You can book a hotel for your relative or friend. Also, in most healthcare institutions it is possible to book an attendant’s place in a ward with the patient. Of course, if necessary, the employee of Booking Health will help you to book a hotel room within walking distance of the clinic where the patient is going to receive treatment.
While the patient is undertaking their recommended medical program, there are several ways for the accompanying person to spend time:
- go on an excursion, groups sometimes gather at the clinic’s reception;
- have a walk around the city;
- undergo a preventive examination (check-up).
A basic check-up in Germany only takes a few hours. It allows you to reveal pathological processes at their early stages and, if necessary, to change your lifestyle or undergo treatment. If your companion wants to go through diagnostics, you should inform the coordinator of Booking Health in advance, in order to book such a program.
3. Flight and accommodation
Germany has good transport connections with many countries. Depending on the distance, patients can travel here by car, train, bus, or by airplane. It is beyond all doubt that airlines will save your time the most. The time it takes for a flight to get to Berlin from some other cities of the European Union is:
- Paris – 1 hour 50 minutes;
- London – 2 hours;
- Rim – 2 hours;
- Riga – 1 hour 40 minutes;
- Amsterdam – 1 hour 30 minutes.
The help of the Booking Health company is not limited to solely medical issues. We will also help you with the following tasks:
- pick you up from the airport by car and take you to the hotel;
- take you from the hotel to the clinic on the appointed day;
- when your medical program is complete, we will take you back to the airport.
4. The interpreter
The Booking Health company provides all patients with qualified interpreters, who will accompany you to the clinic for easy communication with medical staff and the treating physician. We will also provide you with a specialized translation of your medical documentation from German into your native language.
5. What should you take with you?
- The results of medical examinations, medical reports, and other medical documents. These are necessary according to the opinion of the Booking Health coordinator.
- Documents for traveling abroad, the invitation from the clinic, the necessary amount of money, and the confirmation of the hotel reservation.
- Medicines or medical devices. Perhaps you are already receiving treatment. In this case, you should not interrupt it until the doctors in Germany select a new therapy scheme for you.
Please, be sure to check your tickets before departure. Pay special attention to the departure date and time.
6. How much money should you take?
When planning your budget, you should focus on an average amount of €45 for each day of your stay in Germany. This will be quite enough for your trip. Besides, during inpatient programs you don’t need to pay additionally for accommodation and meals.
Prices in different cities of Germany:
- average bill in a cafe is €10-€20;
- average bill in a restaurant is €25-€35;
- public transport fare is €3;
- bus pass for a month is €80;
- taxi services around the city are €10-€25.
7. Things to check before leaving the hospital
Carefully inspect the ward to check you haven’t left anything, such as:
- personal belongings;
- medical documents;
- personal documents;
- medicines;
- medical devices;
- airplane tickets.
Please, be sure to check your tickets before departure. Pay special attention to the departure date and time.
Choose treatment abroad and you will for sure get the best results!
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
IMTJ – International Medical Travel Journal
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