Intermediary organizations in health tourism represent, in a sense, the first steps in health tourism, because many patients around the world enter the countries they will travel to through these organizations.
When patients decide to leave their own country to receive treatment and a higher quality of service, they need certain kinds of support beyond the medical matters before, during and after treatment. For a person who has reached this stage and will travel far from home, perhaps the most important thing is establishing an environment of trust. There should be no worry or fear in the person's mind. This is exactly where intermediary organizations come into play.
The influence of intermediary organizations on the patient's decision can also be seen in tourists' travel-related visits. If you operate in health tourism, you can easily see that your potential patients want a single point of contact through which all their procedures can be followed. In hospitals, this may appear as a case manager or a patient care coordinator.
What Services Do Intermediary Organizations Provide in Health Tourism?
Health tourism intermediary organizations act as a bridge between patients and the healthcare institutions that offer services suited to their needs. They cooperate with hospitals or clinics appropriate to the person's needs. This ensures, for example, that someone who wants to come to Turkey for treatment can access good healthcare in the city they will travel to.
These organizations make the travel arrangements for patients and their companions. This includes stages such as treatment costs, flights, accommodation, visa procedures and local transportation. Having professional hands involved, especially in treatment costs, ensures transparency and keeps the patient from forming unrealistic expectations. Organizing patients' medical histories and other required documents can also be included here.
Beyond that, most international patients may struggle with the local language spoken in the destination they choose for health tourism. For this reason, intermediary organizations make it possible to overcome this obstacle as well by offering language translation or local guidance services. Given all these services and the evident importance of the matter, one should be careful when choosing an intermediary organization and work with a reliable, reputable one. In addition, those considering traveling to another country for health tourism should carefully evaluate their treatment options and the costs.
What Are the Legal Responsibilities of a Health Tourism Intermediary Organization?
Health tourism intermediary organizations also have certain responsibilities they must fulfill while carrying out their work. On this subject there is the Regulation on International Health Tourism and Tourist Health. The following items are important for these intermediaries:
- The duty to inform
- Selection of partner institutions
- Agreements and contracts
- Monitoring and support
- Medical errors and complications
Intermediary organizations are obliged to provide patients with honest and complete information about the details, costs, risks and procedures of the healthcare services. This allows people engaging in health tourism to make their decisions in an informed way. Careful evaluation must also be made regarding the hospitals and clinics people choose for treatment. Working with institutions that provide quality healthcare services is the responsibility of the intermediary organizations.
Drawing up written agreements and contracts between intermediary organizations and patients, and safeguarding their confidentiality, clarifies the legal responsibilities. These cover various documents, payment terms, cancellation policies and other important matters. In addition, these intermediaries must regularly follow patients' treatment processes and provide the necessary support. Organizing post-treatment care and follow-up completely is also a legal responsibility.
Legal responsibilities can vary by country and region, so health tourism intermediary organizations must pay attention to the applicable laws and regulations in conducting their business. It is also important to obtain professional advice and, if necessary, additional legal counsel.
What Is the International Health Tourism Intermediary Organization Authorization Certificate?
The international health tourism intermediary organization authorization certificate is an official permit required for an organization offering health tourism services to operate legally. This permit establishes the organization's authority to provide health tourism services and its legal status.
The first step to obtaining it is establishing a health tourism intermediary organization and preparing its business plan. The business plan explains in detail the organization's goals, business model, financial projections and activities. It should also include a strategy for how the health tourism services will be delivered.
Next, the organization's legal structure must be determined. They are usually registered as a company or an association. Registration procedures may vary depending on local laws and regulations. Registration is initiated by applying to the local chamber of commerce or a similar authority. Once the necessary licenses and permits, and everything required regarding promotion and marketing, are complete, an application is made to the local health authorities to obtain the certificate. The procedures and requirements here can vary from country to country, so the relevant Ministry of Health or other competent authorities are contacted.
In conclusion, a successful health tourism intermediary organization has a positive impact first and foremost on the patient and on all other stakeholders within health tourism. Knowing every step of this field from A to Z, Emre Recep Beşkardeş recognized the need in one of the healthcare sector's vital arteries and founded the New Health Media Health Agency in 2015. To book an appointment right away and get support from him and his team, please use the contact details.
