In this BuildMyBod Health podcast, we talk to the President of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), Renee-Marie Stephano. She was first exposed to medical tourism while working for a company in 2004 that provided destination healthcare. From there, she saw a need to better connect consumers and healthcare providers in other countries. Thus, the birth of the trade organization, the Medical Tourism Association!
She discusses the importance of accreditation for facilities and providers alike in other countries. While they don’t get involved in the actual care of the patient, they do assist the consumer in finding the best fit for their needs. They encourage the potential patient to find a board certified doctor that received their US or European certification regardless of what country they’re practicing in now.
The conversation gets a little heated during the discussion regarding follow up care for the patient when they return to their country of origin. Dr. Kaplan and Renee disagree on the extent of the problem patients have when a complication occurs upon their return home. A healthy disagreement makes for a better, more entertaining conversation!
While many stakeholders in the US are fearful of medical tourism for financial and safety reasons, the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) is trying to connect consumers to accredited healthcare facilities and providers throughout the world. In other words, medical tourism is here to stay…and while it may have been the wild west in the past, the MTA is bringing civility to the industry.
Read Dr. Kaplan’s article on lead generation for medical tourism websites that was published on the MTA site here. And of course, listen to the podcast below featuring Renee-Marie Stephano, President of the Medical Tourism Association.
Medical Tourism with Renee-Marie Stephano on the BuildMyBod Health Podcast
If you’re considering medical tourism for cosmetic surgery, you can check pricing from Dr. Kaplan as part of your decision-making process by clicking here. San Francisco is a great destination and we can assist in all of your scheduling and rooming needs. For more information on the Medical Tourism Association, click here.
Click here for the original blog post written by Dr. Jonathan Kaplan for BuildMyBod.
