Health Traveler
Definite Guide to Medical Tourism

Enjoy a Booming Medical Tourism Scene in the Philippines

Medical tourism in the Philippines has been on the rise in the past five years. Since the Philippine Congress formed the Medical Tourism Bureau in 2006, tourists have been coming to the Philippines to get aesthetic medical procedures performed at much lower costs than you will find in developed nations. Filipino ex-patriots may also take advantage of the services when they return home to visit family.

Philippine dentists and doctors do go through medical education and training, and many of them receive their educations overseas in more developed nations. Some common procedures medical tourists receive when visiting the Philippines can include dental work, cosmetic surgery, weight loss surgery, fertility treatments, eye surgery, dermatology, stem cell therapy or other aesthetic procedures. Some of these medical procedures may not be available where they currently live due to the laws and regulations restricting medical practices in other countries.

The savings of receiving medical procedures in the Philippines can be immense. According to ExperiencePhilippines.org, a coronary artery bypass surgery costing $133,000 in the United States may be performed for $17,500 in the Philippines. This extreme savings is a viable option for individuals with poor health insurance, or uninsured people paying entirely out of pocket. Individuals receiving cosmetic surgeries, such as face lifts, may be able to save 71 percent off the standard cost in the United States by receiving a similar surgery in the Philippines.

But, medical procedures often aren't the only thing medical tourists enjoy when visiting the Philippines. It is not uncommon for foreigners to turn the trip into a sort of vacation, enjoying Filipino culture and seeing the sights. The Philippines is home to nearly 100 million people, and it is the world's largest producer of coconuts, according to Lonely Planet. It is also the third-largest producer of bananas. The Philippines is a tropical location with thousands of miles of coastline. It is a chain of islands set in the waters of southeast Asia and is comprised of more than 7,100 different islands. Although its economy is rooted heavily in agriculture, it also beat the rest of the Asian continent by constructing the first university in the early 17th century.

The currency of the Philippines is the Philippine Peso, but if you come with American money you may be able to use that currency with certain businesses -- this is because the American dollar is easily recognizable and highly valued, particularly in contract to the Philippine Peso.

The Philippines is not as urbanized as nearby countries like Thailand, Singapore, India and China. It also does not draw as much tourism, which can make visits to this country feel more authentic than what you might experience in countries and locales catering heavily to foreign tourists. The numerous coastal miles of the Philippines are line with coral reefs that provide excellent opportunities for snorkeling and SCUBA diving. The reefs have also caused many shipwrecks over the years, and some of the well-preserved resting places of sunken ships can still be visited by diving or snorkeling.

White-sand beaches sprawl out beneath palm tree canopies in many places along the Philippine coast, making it easy to find a place to relax. American money can go a long way toward paying for a few days at a luxury resort replete with restaurants, bars and excellent tropical weather. History buffs and nature afficionados may prefer to move farther inland and see the more rustic and natural sights of the country, such as the beautiful Chocolate Hills of Bohol. You can go hiking and camping or take bus tours through these regions to enjoy the unique landscape the Philippines has to offer.

Tourists interested in shopping and other urban amenities may enjoy a trip to Manilla, the nation's capital. In addition to numerous hospitals found throughout the capital city, Manilla is home to many of the country's best shopping malls. These may feature everything from posh, upscale specialty stores to humble produce and craft stands lining the streets. These shopping centers let you bounce back and forth between a metropolitan atmosphere and a street market experience where you will see sights, and taste foods, you have maybe never encountered in your own country.

Although many people in the Philippines do speak English, many of them may have limited abilities, and while many urban areas are likely to have English-speaking residents, in rural areas you may struggle to find people who can speak with you fluently. Filipino is the most common language, but because the Philippines was once populated with as many as 175 different languages, there is always a chance you will encounter someone with whom you have no way of communicating. Bring a Filipino-English dictionary and talk with locals about regions that cater well to English speakers.

Visas are rarely an obstacle for visitors to the Philippines. Many foreigners are issued 21-day visas immediately after they unboard the airplane after arriving in the country. However, visitors to the country should book flights in advance -- many Filipino ex-pats visit their families around Christmas, New Years and the Lunar New Year in late January or early February can also be one of heavy traffic in the country.