Surrogacy in Thailand

July 25, 2011

You have a dream of having a child before you get too old, but you find out that your insurance will not offer coverage for surrogacy. Coverage for surrogacy is tough to get in the United States. Most companies will not cover for this type of fertility. Moreover, you discover that you simply cannot acquire funding for surrogacy. There is an alternative solution. You can find ethical surrogacy in Thailand. In Asia, there are only two countries that offer surrogacy, India and Thailand, and Thailand is the best choice.

The major appeal in looking outside of the United States for fertility treatment is that one can easily cut the cost in half. However, even with moving the surrogacy process to Asia, there are still only a handful of countries that actually endorse and offered active surrogacy programs. The two best choices are Thailand and India. The primary reason Thailand is the best choice is because of the Thai ethics committee that oversees each fertility program. The superior level of care and attention increases the overall success rates and makes the process much more pleasant and comfortable for both couples and surrogates. The Thai ethics committee helps to carefully screen potential surrogates, both physically and mentally. A surrogate must endure several interviews and medical tests to identify diseases and drug abuse. Even the surrogates family is evaluated for stability and support during the pregnancy.

Even couples are screened by the Thai ethics committees. Only couples that have serious health issues or suffer from infertility are allowed to use a surrogate. Couples must also be screened by doctors and have their health records reviewed by the committee. The level of scrutiny is so high that it can take 7 to 14 days for the committee to reach a decision on whether or not the couple is even accepted into the surrogacy program. India does not have the same high level of scrutiny or the ethics committee to help ensure the success of each surrogacy attempt. In Thailand, the fertility clinics and hospitals also help to build a warm and comfortable relationship between the surrogate mother and the couple. Couples are encouraged to be with a surrogate mother as she goes through the process, including attending sonograms and other important events in the surrogacy process. All of this helps to build a positive and memorable experience for both couples and surrogates alike. It is no wonder more and more couples are deciding to choose Thailand for their surrogacy.

Contact Antonio Frattaroli at MedCareLink. His company offers free advice on surrogacy in Thailand. Antonio Frattaroli and MedCareLink will assist you in helping you to fullfil your dreams of holding your baby in your arms. Call him tool free at 1.888.832.832.2089 or at 1.949.783.6827.

Antonio Frattaroli
Owner & CEO, medcarelink.com

 

 

Why Thailand is the Best Place for Surrogacy

July 5, 2011

Thailand is a great place for couples that are seeking surrogacy. There are many reasons why one should consider Thailand to fulfill their surrogacy quest. Among these are:

Ethics
Most of the fertility hospitals in Thailand have an Ethics Committee which oversees fertility treatment for their hospital or clinic. This well respected committee ensures that couples receive a high quality service while maintaining ethical standards regarding egg donors and surrogate mothers. Only patients that have medical problems that preclude them from carrying their own child may be approved to use a surrogate mother. The Ethics Committee also ensures the welfare of the surrogate mother, both medically and financially.

Good Infrastructure
Thailand has some of the most well developed infrastructure in Asia. Navigating a city as large as Bangkok is an easy task for any medical tourist. The Taxis are mostly all new and have air condition. They even come in colorful colors that range from pink, red, orange, baby blue, and yellow! Most of the drivers can speak some English. The Skytrain is also an easy form of transportation that connects travelers to most attractions in the city. It is inexpensive to ride on and the signs are in English and Thai. The highways are well maintained, are mostly 4 lanes, and surprisingly “pot hole” free. There is also subway system that connects travelers to and from Bangkok.

Highly Skilled Doctors
Most of the fertility doctors in Thailand that work in private hospitals and are all highly skilled, board certified, and many were educated in the U.S., the UK, or Australia. They continue to advance their education by participating in training and leaning conferences the West. Most doctors in Thailand have gained advanced skills in specialized areas of fertility and are some of the most renowned ferity doctors in the world.

JCI Accredited Medical Facilities
Hospitals in Thailand have been forward thinking and have been very proactive in seeking international standards. There are currently 15 hospitals in Thailand that are JCI Accredited. JCI stands for Joint Commission International and is the same organization that provides accreditation to hospitals in the U.S.

Thai People and Thai Culture
Known as the “Land of Smiles”, the Thai people are among the warmest, friendliest, and good natured people in the world. Known best for their hospitality and treatment of international visitors, it is no surprise that the “Kingdom of Siam” is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized. The Thai culture is beautiful too. As 95% of all Thais are devout Buddhists, the gentle nature they have is unlike any other. A short drive around the city, and one can see the beautiful golden Buddhist temples and see pictures of their beloved King and Queen. The mixture of these two foundations have given the Thai people “that something different” not found anywhere in the world. It is no wonder why Thailand receives more tourists per year than any country in Asia. Once is never enough. When you travel to Thailand, you will undoubtedly return over and over again because of the compelling Thai people and their beautiful culture.

Quality Service at an Affordable Price
One can expect to save around 40% to 50% on surrogacy in Thailand compared to that of the U.S. However, this should not be the most deciding factor in travelling to Thailand for surrogacy. The quality and level of service is paramount and far exceeds the service one would receive in a place like India. Additionally, the level of sophistication and quality of care is above most developed nations’ standards. Many fertility hospitals and clinics in Thailand look more like spas than hospitals. Thus, removing the anxiety that comes with this emotional decision to do surrogacy.

So with all of these advantages, why not consider Thailand your choice for surrogacy?

Antonio Frattaroli
Owner & CEO, medcarelink.com


 

 

Medical Tourism in Thailand

April 29, 2011

When we think of the words “Tourism” and “Medical”, one cannot help but think what a paradox this must be. How could tourism and medical be linked together? When we think of tourism, we dream up images in our minds of warm sunny weather, sandy beaches, and lots of rest and relaxation away from the daily grind of life. When we conjure up images of medical, we often think of cold hospitals, lousy food, unfriendly hospital staff, and the fear of helplessness. People typically do not blend vacations and medical together. However, medical tourism is a real phenomenon. In fact, it has become one of the fastest growing fields of the tourism industry. Additionally, with the problems the U.S. is facing with its healthcare reform, medical tourism is becoming more and more a known alternative solution to medical treatment. Insurance companies, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, have programs that offer coverage for medical procedures done abroad. They see how medical tourism is a win-win situation for all parties involved because of the low cost, high quality treatment found in countries such as Thailand.

One could not speak of medical tourism without discussing Thailand. In July 1997, the Thai government chose to no longer peg its currency to the U.S. Dollar and decided to float it, which at that time was 25 Baht per $1 U.S. Dollar. A major financial meltdown ensued, which also affected most of Asia. The Thai Baht plummeted and by the end of the year, dropped to an all-time low of 48 Baht per $1 U.S. Dollar. Businesses and government leaders had to find a way out of the financial crises and they did so by capitalizing on Thailand’s excellent medical infrastructure to attract international patients first by nearby countries such as Japan, Korea, and China and later from Europe and the U.S. Thailand’s medical tourism industry is now so robust and mature that over 1.5 million international patients traveled to Thailand last year alone to seek medical treatment. Out of this number, Americans were the largest group followed by Europeans.

The reasons Thailand has become a leader in the medical tourism is low cost treatment, the many high quality medical facilities that cater to international patients, and the highly developed tourism industry. Thailand’s medical tourism industry is driven largely by the private hospitals where doctors earn much more than in public hospitals. There are currently 15 hospitals in Thailand that are JCI accredited. JCI stands for Joint Commission International and is a nongovernmental organization that provides hospitals worldwide with accreditation. They are the international standard. Bumrungrad International Hospital is at the center of Thailand’s medical tourism. Bumrungrad has over a million square feet and sits at the heart of Bangkok. It looks more like a shopping mall than a hospital. Virtually every major language is spoken or translated there and even assistance with travel arrangements can be found within the hospital. Bumrungrad has set the standard in quality and quantity in contemporary healthcare throughout Asia and the world. Other hospitals that are just as impressive include the Dusit Medical Group that owns and operates 17 hospitals throughout Thailand.

Thailand brings in an estimated 1 billion U.S. Dollars from medical tourism yearly. There are currently over 1,000 doctors that are dedicated solely to international patients. The Thai government also has ambitious plans to increase revenues from medical tourism by 10 folds by 2014. Therefore, patients from around the world will have access to even more high quality medical resources than ever before.

The infrastructure in Thailand is also one of the many reasons why Thailand has experienced such growth in medical tourism. Unlike India, Thailand’s infrastructure is advanced and getting around a city as large as Bangkok is easy for anyone. Whether you jump on the Skytrain or ride in a Taxi, you will have the comfort knowing you will reach your destination without a hassle (unless you get stuck in traffic!)

One cannot speak of Thailand without talking about the beautiful Thai people and their culture. Known as the “Land of Smiles”, this phrase can never be overused. It has been said that the Thais have a smile for every emotion. From the time you exit the plane at the airport until the time you board to return home, you will see and feel this naturally occurring warmness that permeates their environment. The Thai people are warm and friendly and have a way to make one feel comfortable in any setting. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that had never been colonized. Their instinctively good will and exceptional diplomacy skills kept countries like Japan and the UK at bay. That is why Thailand’s formal name is “The Kingdom of Siam”.

With all of these advantages, why not make Thailand your destination for your medical treatment?

Antonio Frattaroli
Owner & CEO, medcarelink.com