Common Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Answers to the questions we hear most from Canadians considering medical travel. Don't see yours? Reach out and we'll answer it directly.
Answers to the questions we hear most from Canadians considering medical travel. Don't see yours? Reach out and we'll answer it directly.
When done through a qualified facilitator working with JCI-accredited hospitals, medical travel has a strong safety record. JCI accreditation means the hospital meets rigorous international standards for quality and patient safety - the same standard applied to top hospitals around the world. We work only with JCI-accredited facilities, and we never book travel for a client who hasn't been medically cleared by the receiving hospital first.
We facilitate both elective procedures - hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery, bariatric surgery, spinal procedures - and medical necessity cases including cardiac care, oncology second opinions, complex diagnostics, and specialist access. Contact us to discuss your specific situation and we'll tell you honestly whether we can help.
Costs vary by procedure and destination. We provide complete transparent pricing, covering the procedure, flights, accommodation, and ground transport, before you commit to anything. There are no hidden fees and no surprises.
No. All of our partner hospitals have dedicated English-speaking international patient coordinators. We also prepare you in advance with everything you need to communicate effectively during your stay, and we remain available as a point of contact throughout.
Absolutely - and we strongly recommend it. We coordinate travel and accommodation for companions as part of our service. Having a family member or trusted friend present provides comfort, practical support, and peace of mind for everyone. We factor companion needs into every trip we plan.
Yes. Meridian Care Group holds a Consumer Protection BC Travel Agent Licence (No. 89974), we are bonded, and client travel funds are held in a dedicated trust account until the service is delivered. Our founder, Patrick Fillion, is a Certified Medical Tourism Professional (CMTP). You can ask us for our licence number and verify it directly with Consumer Protection BC.
You do, guided by your own physician. Meridian Care Group is a non-clinical facilitator: we coordinate and advise, but we never practise medicine or make the clinical decision for you. Your own doctor stays in the loop, and the destination hospital's specialists review your records and must medically clear you before any surgery is booked.
Yes. A date is only offered after the hospital has reviewed and accepted your case. It is a real, confirmed appointment with the surgical team, not a tentative hold. Nothing is booked and no travel is arranged until your case is medically accepted.
We never mark up the medical care. You pay the hospital directly, exactly what the hospital quotes. Our own fee is a disclosed document and coordination fee. Travel is arranged and quoted as a single all-in figure, and mandatory medical travel insurance is arranged separately. You receive a clear written estimate before you commit to anything, with no hidden fees.
Every patient carries mandatory specialized medical travel insurance that covers complications and medical evacuation, which we help you arrange. This is a specialized product, not ordinary travel or credit-card coverage. Throughout your stay we remain in contact with the hospital team, and if anything unexpected arises we are reachable and coordinating on your behalf.
You return home with complete post-operative documentation, records, imaging, and the surgeon's notes, so your Canadian healthcare team can continue your care seamlessly. We help coordinate that handover so nothing falls through the cracks.
We work with JCI-accredited partner hospitals in India, Turkey, Vietnam, South Korea, and Costa Rica, each vetted by us in person. JCI accreditation is the same international quality and safety standard applied to leading hospitals worldwide. We match you to the destination that best fits your procedure, budget, and comfort.
We have emergency protocols in place for every trip. We maintain contact with the hospital team throughout your stay and remain reachable should anything unexpected arise. We also provide full guidance on travel insurance before departure. And when you return, your complete post-operative documentation ensures your local healthcare team can continue your care seamlessly.
Every engagement starts with a free, no-obligation consultation by phone or video. We'll answer every question you have, honestly, and without pressure.
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