Paying for Health Care Abroad

cat143

I am one of the many people seeking medical treatment in Europe because of a 3.5 year wait for treatment in the UK. I have to pay for the treatment when I arrive. Does anyone know the best/ most secure/cheapest way to make the payment?  Thanks Cat

Sandtree

cat143 said:

I am one of the many people seeking medical treatment in Europe because of a 3.5 year wait for treatment in the UK. I have to pay for the treatment when I arrive. Does anyone know the best/ most secure/cheapest way to make the payment?  Thanks Cat

Depends what payment methods the other side accepts, generally the cheapest/most secure way would be paying by a credit card that doesnt charge foreign currency fees but that depends if they accept credit cards (or cards in general)

eDicky

cat143 said:

I have to pay for the treatment when I arrive.

What are the means of payment accepted by the treatment provider..?

Brie

It may also depend on where you are getting treatment.  Some places may be easier to pay to than others.

NoodleDoodleMan

 I don't wish to intrude on the nature of confidential personal health issues - but have you considered going private in the UK ?

That might be a better alternative ?

Just a thought.

Sandtree

NoodleDoodleMan said:

 I don't wish to intrude on the nature of confidential personal health issues - but have you considered going private in the UK ?

That might be a better alternative ?

But massively more expensive than eastern european private medical care, but relatively cheap compared to most of the world.

NoodleDoodleMan

My concern, (God forbid it would happen to anybody), is what happens if the treatment is not succesful, or there are complications ?

I would want to know if travel insurance would cover the eventuality of additional medical care - which I doubt in such a case.

Happy to be corrected of course.

Alan_Bowen

Travel insurance specifically excludes travel for medical treatment purposes, so you need to buy a very different and more expensive policy. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Alan_Bowen said:

Travel insurance specifically excludes travel for medical treatment purposes, so you need to buy a very different and more expensive policy. 

Thanks for the clarification.

I'm sure everybody realises the potential nightmare scenario to be confined for essential treatment in a foreign hospital without medical insurance.