FAQ & Links


Frequently Asked Questions

Guatemala City

1.  How can the prices for quality medical care vary so greatly between different countries? 

Answer:  Compare the Guatemalan and American doctors.  Both studied at prestigious universities and earned advanced degrees.  They perform the same procedure with the same care and skill, and work in modern world-class facilities.  The American doctor, however, has to pay huge insurance premiums, staggering licensing and permitting fees, inflated rent and union – approved labor rates.  If these added expenses are ten times more than what the Guatemalan doctor pays, then he will have to increase his fees to the patient at the same rate. 

2.  Exactly how much help can I expect from Guatemala Medical Travel and how much will it cost?

Answer:  Most importantly, we advocate on your behalf to determine the finest quality care and negotiate the best price for you.  Medical-related activities such as accompanying you to the doctor’s office and hospital, translating and filling out paperwork and taking notes for future reference, are all paid by the doctor.  GMT will also keep a detailed statement of account and medical journal for you, and help with transfer of funds for timely payments.  The patient will pay separately for tourist activities or secretarial services. 

3.  If we encounter complications during the surgery, can I take legal action against the doctor?

Answer:  No. The concept of malpractice lawsuits is unique only to America, and is not acceptable business practice in other countries.  Even with the most common surgical procedures, there are certain risks that your doctor will discuss with you.  Unlike the US, your doctor guarantees satisfaction and will do everything, within reason, to correct any unforeseen complications.  This follow-up may include accepting all related costs including hospital fees, recovery and transportation.

4.  If these doctors speak English and were educated at American universities, why didn't they stay here?

Unicar Surgeons Answer:  That’s a very personal decision, but US Homeland Security requirements make it exceedingly difficult for foreigners to live and work legally in America.  And, in the Latin culture family ties are very important, so the doctors may prefer to remain closer to their extended family environment.  Guatemalan doctors work very hard to earn their credentials out of a deep devotion to keeping people healthy by utilizing the latest technological advances.  Perhaps many of them would rather continue their practice in a country where it is most appreciated, without the burden of government and legal interference, than to join America's failing bureaucratic medical system.

5.  Lori, have you had personal experience before using doctors in other countries?

Answer:  Thankfully, I’ve always been very healthy and not needed to visit many doctors.  After a knee injury in Turkey in 1998, a local orthopedist made a “house call” to my room at the Istanbul Intercontinental, and provided excellent treatment and painkillers for about $50.  On two separate visits to Thailand, in 2000 and 2003, I had dental check-ups with x-rays and cleaning for about $17. 

I wanted to get all my inoculations and malaria pills before my first trip to India, but I found only a few clinics in Washington and New York that offered the full series, and for $500.  I waited to get to London, England and bought all the shots and pills for $5 at the local national health clinic.

With Family:  Twenty years ago, my father was travelling to Mexico regularly for his annual chelation treatments.  Chelation therapy has been used in Germany since the 1930’s as a highly effective and low-cost blood filtering system.  It is still not approved in the US because the patent on EDTA expired years ago, so the pharmaceutical companies can’t make a profit on it.

 With Friends:  My dear friend David from Key West went to four local doctors trying to get treatment for his terrible stomach pains.  After seven months, the doctors prescribed him high doses morphine and oxycontin, and he was down to 110 lbs.  They never diagnosed his cancer because he had no health insurance and they would lose money treating him.  In desperation, David flew to Eastern Europe where he received immediate surgery and excellent medical care.  He died in Prague, nine months later, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 37.

6.  Is it safe to travel to Guatemala?

Answer: Travelers to Guatemala should take the same precautions they would when visiting any large city.  A good Guatemala travel guide will give the traveler valuable insights regarding local customs and tourist information.  If patients follow our recommendations throughout the journey, they will likely be as safe as they are in their home town.  

 

Links

Our Providers

Cabeza y Cuello Dr Michel Nuyens, Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist
Cardio Care Cardiology Group Cardiology care
CEDAF Audiology Audiology, hearing loss, balance, cochlear implants
Centro Procrea Dr Emilio Novales Aguirre, Gynecology and In-Vitro Fertilization
Centro Visual G y G Ophthalmological Specialists
Cirugía Global Christian Galvez, Cardiac Surgeon
Clinicas de la Cruz General and cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontics
Clinicas Ovalle General dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics, implants
Dental Care Guatemala Dr. Julio Donado of Dental Care Guatemala
Hope International State-of-the-art Cancer Treatment Center
Hospital Centro Medico All major specialties represented. 
Hospital Herrera-Llerandi Dr. Guillermo Claverie, orthopedist of Herrera-Llerandi
Maxillofacial Centre Dr Luis Ramirez, Maxillofacial Surgeon, Antigua
Medi Center Cancer Treatments, Anti-Aging and Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine.
Nova Aesthetics Dr. Stefan Preuss Sterkel, Plastic Surgery and Hair Transplant Center
Unidental Global Dental Specialists
Yoga Antigua Reduce stress, breathe freely, gain strength, flexibility, and peace of mind. 

Medical Procedures

MedLinePlus.gov Health information from the US National Library of Medicine
Medical Marijuana Therapy Research on Clinical Applications For Cannabis (Medical Marijuana Therapy) A Review of the Recent Scientific Literature, 2000 — 2011

Medical Tourism

Deliotte Health Solutions Medical Tourism, 2009 Report.
Health Tourism Magazine Medical Tourism Association publication.
Hospitalist Information about medical tourism’s growing popularity.
Int'l Med Travel Journal Why do you need a medical tourism facilitator?
Medical Tourism Magazine Excellent articles about medical tourism. 
Patients Beyond Borders Excellent information on Medical Tourism.

Professional Affiliations

American Chamber of Commerce American Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala
AGEXPORT The Association of Guatemala Exporters
INGUAT Guatemala National Institute of Tourism
U.S. Embassy in Guatemala U.S. Embassy in Guatemala

Travel & Accommodations

Antigua Plaza Spanish Language School
Around Antigua Maps, weather, travel tips and news
Aventuras Vacacionales Sailing and Diving in Guatemala and Belize.
Casa Dulcita Four bedroom furnished home in central Antigua.
Clarion Suites Premium downtown hotel with the patient’s comfort in mind.
DennysBeach.com Hotel & Resort in Lago Izabal.
George’s Travel Club Amazing Guatemala tours with George Sansoucy.
Grand Tikal Futura Hotel  Luxury accommodations with low-cost medical tourism packages.
Trip Advisor / Antigua Good hotel and restaurant info

Patients

Captain Victoria Impallomeni Charter boat captain and wilderness guide from Key West.  Cataract and Retina Surgery, Sept. 2010.
Mia Howe Real Estate Broker and waterfront specialist in the Florida Keys.  Dental Care, March 2010.
John Van Zwieten  Corporate Executive Growth Specialist from Santa Cruz, CA.  Physical Exams, March 2011.
Judy Sadlier  Casa Dulcita vacation home in Antigua, Guatemala.  Physical Exams, May 2011.
Mary Waggener Owner, La Pena de Sol Latino Restaurant.  Dermatology procedure, June 2011.
Sam Rodgers    Retired, Sailing blog of “Sandbar Sam” on the Rio Dulce on-line newsletter.   Dental Surgery, May 2011.
Murrell Weissinger Real Estate Broker from St. Augustin, Fl.  Cosmetic surgery September 2011.