The Process
How it works.
From your first conversation to safely home and into recovery, here is exactly what working with Meridian Care Group looks like, step by step. Everything is handled. You focus on your health.
From your first conversation to safely home and into recovery, here is exactly what working with Meridian Care Group looks like, step by step. Everything is handled. You focus on your health.
We start with a relaxed, no-obligation conversation by phone or video, wherever you are in Canada. We learn about your procedure, your health history, your timeline, and your concerns. We listen before we say anything.
We will give you an honest assessment of whether medical travel makes sense for your specific situation. If it doesn't, we will tell you directly. We would rather lose a client than send someone abroad who isn't a good candidate.
Once you decide to move forward, we help gather and organize your medical records and transmit them securely to our partner hospitals for review. The hospital's medical team confirms you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure before anything is booked.
This step protects you. We never book travel for a client who has not been medically cleared by the receiving facility. No exceptions.
We present you with 2–3 vetted hospital options matched to your specific procedure, health profile, and destination preferences - with full transparent all-in pricing. Procedure costs, surgeon fees, hospital stay, our facilitation fee. No hidden costs, no surprises discovered later.
Every hospital we work with holds JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation - the same international standard applied to leading Canadian hospitals recognized globally for quality and patient safety.
Once you have chosen your hospital, we arrange everything: flights from Victoria or Vancouver, accommodation near the hospital, ground transport at origin and destination, pre-operative appointment scheduling, and a detailed travel itinerary with everything you need to know before you leave.
We also coordinate companion travel for a family member or support person - and we strongly recommend you bring someone. We prepare you thoroughly for the trip - what to pack, what to expect, how to communicate with the hospital team, and what the post-operative period will look like before you return home.
We have concierge service set up with our hospital partners. The moment you land, you are met by a dedicated coordinator from the hospital's international patient team. This is one assigned person who becomes your single point of contact for your entire stay, like a personal concierge who is there for you from the start.
Your coordinator handles your airport pickup and check-in, guides you through your appointments, and stays reachable throughout your visit. Meridian Care Group stays connected in the background the whole time, so you are never navigating a foreign hospital on your own.
Return travel is coordinated with your recovery needs in mind, appropriate seating, support at the airport, and a smooth transition home. Before you leave the hospital, we ensure you have complete post-operative documentation for your local healthcare providers.
We check in with you during your recovery at home and remain available for questions. Our relationship doesn't end when you board the plane home - we stay in touch until you are well.
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. As a general guide, most clients save 50–70% compared to U.S. private surgery rates - even after including flights, accommodation, ground transport, and our facilitation fee. We provide complete transparent pricing 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.
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 - ensuring you are covered for medical eventualities during international travel. 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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