While lower costs and shorter waiting times attract international patients, Luxembourg’s Patientevertriedung warns of significant, often underestimated, risks in medical tourism. Georges Clees highlights that ‘all-inclusive’ packages frequently lack transparent details for post-treatment complications.
Patient Vulnerabilities
Luxembourg doctors are not obliged to provide follow-up care for foreign procedures, leaving international patients vulnerable to substantial extra costs and complex legal issues. Georges Clees emphasizes: “We see people who come back after something has gone wrong and don’t know how to fix it. They go to a dentist here and are told that there is nothing to be done. Then, they’re left with the problem and have to travel back abroad, this time without a package, to try to resolve it.”
Essential Due Diligence
The Patientevertriedung advocates for strengthening domestic healthcare via revised reimbursement policies for more affordable treatments in Luxembourg. For individuals considering cross-border healthcare, thorough research is crucial. The patients’ rights association advises investigating quality of care, explicit follow-up agreements, and understanding legal rights in the chosen healthcare destination.
Read the full article here: https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/patients-rights-association-warns-of-trending-medical-tourism-1388842134