Do you need insurance for medical travel?
It isn't legally required, but travel medical insurance is strongly recommended for anyone traveling to Turkey for a procedure.
The types of coverage to look for
- Trip cancellation or interruption: pays back non-refundable costs if you have to cancel or cut the trip short for illness, a family emergency or another covered reason.
- Emergency medical cover: for unexpected emergencies during the trip (not your planned procedure, but things like a broken ankle or a heart problem).
- Medical evacuation: emergency medical transport back to the US if needed, which can be very expensive without insurance.
- Baggage loss or delay: lost luggage and essentials if your bags are delayed.
What insurance does not cover
Standard travel insurance doesn't cover your planned procedure in Turkey; that's between you and the clinic. Insurance covers unexpected events during your trip.
Many policies also exclude complications from elective surgery abroad — check for medical-tourism complication coverage.
What I'd do
- Buy comprehensive travel medical insurance before you leave
- Ask the clinic, in writing, how complications are handled and who pays
- Keep all medical records and receipts from the trip
- Keep your insurance card and emergency number with you at all times
Want a written plan for your case?
Send 3 photos (front, top and back, in daylight). I reply in the evenings, Eastern time, always within 24 hours.
- Sapphire FUE
- $2,900
- DHI, no-shave option
- $3,400
Both include 3 nights at Hilton or Hampton by Hilton, VIP transfers, an interpreter, medications and kit, and 12 months of follow-up with me.
- Deposit to book
- $0
Not ready yet? Get my checklist: 10 questions to ask any clinic in Turkey, mine included.