Essential documents for a medical tourism trip

A trip overseas for medical treatment must be well planned. Here, we offer some advice for those of you planning to take treatment in Lima, Peru.

What documents do I need to bring for my medical tourism trip? Do I need any special documentation? For people who have not traveled much, crossing a border to obtain medical treatment poses additional concerns. In this article we are going to help you to carry the proper documentation in your trip of medical tourism.

The statistics of patients traveling for medical tourism increases daily and for many of these patients, it could be their first trip abroad. The first thing we are going to recommend is that you make a list of the documents that you must carry and have it on hand to be able to add any other ideas that may arise during the planning of your trip.

An example list of required documents is as follows:

  • Prescription medications and letter from your doctor (in case of travelling for surgeries)
  • Photocopies of passport and other documents.
  • Travel insurance or other insurance policies deemed necessary
  • Some cash
  • Valid passport: All trips to foreign countries require the use of a passport, so make sure you check yours is valid or apply for a new one now as this process can take longer than expected. Depending on your country of origin, your passport may be valid for 5 to 10 years, but Peru requires those who enter to have a valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months after you trip.
  • Visas for Peru: Your visa is issued at the airport once you land in Lima, with a simple stamp in your passport. Tourists are permitted to stay in Lima for up to six months in any one year period.
  • Medication reports and letter from your doctor: This will only be necessary if you have any health conditions that require you to carry your medicines on board the plane. The doctor’s letter will only be necessary if you have any physical problem that may cause concern to the immigration authorities, so the doctor must state that you are able to travel.
  • Photocopies of documents: We recommend that you take at least two photocopies of each of the important documents and keep them in different place to the originals. This will serve you in case you have any emergency with the loss or theft of documents (we really do not want that to happen, so it is best to be prepared!).
  • Travel insurance, medical insurance and other policies: We seriosuly recommend taking out a good travel insurance policy which are generally reasonably priced and well worth the small investment. If you have purchased travel insurance, take a copy of the policy with you so that you make the claims, if you need to. This applies to all types of insurance that you think you should use.
  • Cash: It is always prudent to carry some cash with you to solve small problems along the way. Peru accepts US Dollar bills in most places such as supermarkets, shops, and most definitely in the clinics where you will be attended. Credit and debit cards are also widely accepted as you would expect.
  • Hotels & Accommodation: Lima has many options for accommodation including a wide range of hotels from five star luxury to budget hostals, mostly in the popular Miraflores district. Other options include Homestay and also AirBnB rentals. Of course, this all depends on your needs, budget and desires for your trip. Making your reservations at least 1 month in advance is important so that you get the appointment days and times you want. If we can help with your reservations, then please drop us a line.

If you have other specific questions or concerns, please get in touch with us through our contact form. We’ll be happy to help you in this exciting adventure of medical tourism.

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