Buji guide to care abroad
Considering care abroad? Start with the plan, not the price.
A practical, independent-minded checklist for comparing planned medical, dental or cosmetic treatment in another country—before you commit or book a flight.
Updated 12 September 2026 · 10 minute read
The short answer
Good care abroad is a connected clinical and travel plan.
Care abroad means travelling to another country for planned treatment. People may consider it for access, expertise, timing or value. The destination matters, but the more useful questions are who assesses you, who treats you, what the written plan includes and who remains responsible after you return home.
Buji is not a clinic and does not replace a clinician’s judgement. We provide a managed booking, coordination and support service: bringing the clinical review, written plan, treatment arrangements, stay, transfers and aftercare into one care journey. The treating team remains responsible for clinical decisions and consent.
Before you book
Seven checks that make the whole decision clearer
- 01
Start with clinical suitability
Ask what information is needed to assess you, who reviews it, which alternatives have been considered and what could make treatment unsuitable. The final decision and consent belong with the treating clinician—not a salesperson or travel coordinator.
- 02
Know exactly who will treat you
Get the clinician’s name, qualifications, professional registration and role in each part of treatment. Check those details with the relevant regulator in the country where treatment will happen.
- 03
Get one complete written plan
The plan should name the proposed procedure, provider and facility; explain the sequence of appointments; and make clear which organisation is responsible for treatment, travel, accommodation, communication and follow-up.
- 04
Discuss risks and consent before travelling
You should have time to understand material risks, likely recovery, realistic limitations and alternatives before committing. For surgery, speak to the surgeon who will perform the procedure before giving consent.
- 05
Plan aftercare all the way home
Confirm how long you should remain near the treating team, when you may travel, what follow-up is included, who holds your records and whom you contact after returning home. Ask what happens if you need an examination or corrective treatment.
- 06
Compare the real total cost
Look beyond the procedure price. Include tests, medicines, accommodation, transfers, flights, a companion if needed, possible extra nights and the cost of returning. Ask what can change after assessment and what happens if you cancel.
- 07
Check travel and protection separately
Review current destination advice and entry requirements. Tell any insurer the purpose of the trip and your medical history, and read the exclusions. A guarantee, provider warranty and travel insurance are different things; get each set of terms in writing.
Reasons to pause
- Pressure to pay or travel quickly
- No named treating clinician
- A quote before a meaningful assessment
- Risks or alternatives are brushed aside
- Vague answers about who performs each step
- No written aftercare or complaints route
- Ordinary travel insurance presented as sufficient
- A guaranteed cosmetic or clinical result
What Buji brings together
Start with a conversation about what you are considering. Where a Buji pathway is available, we coordinate the information a clinical team needs, put the proposed treatment and inclusions into a written plan, organise the confirmed stay and local transfers, and give you one place to return to for support. Exact providers, protections, exclusions and prices are set out before a binding booking.
Care abroad questions
What should I check before booking treatment abroad?
Confirm who will assess and treat you, their qualifications and registration, the clinic or hospital, the proposed treatment and alternatives, known risks, the full cost, the aftercare plan, and who is responsible if something changes or goes wrong.
Does ordinary travel insurance cover planned treatment abroad?
Often it does not. Tell the insurer that you are travelling for planned treatment and obtain written confirmation of what is and is not covered, including complications, trip changes and emergency assistance.
Will an EHIC or GHIC cover planned treatment abroad?
No. An EHIC or GHIC is not cover for travelling abroad specifically to receive planned treatment. Separate rules apply to eligible NHS-funded treatment routes, which require the relevant approval before treatment.
Who should provide medical advice about whether treatment is right?
A suitably qualified clinician should assess your individual circumstances and explain the options, risks and alternatives. A coordinator can organise the journey, but should not replace the treating clinician’s judgement or consent process.
What should an aftercare plan include?
It should identify who to contact, expected follow-up, warning signs, what to do in an urgent situation, how records will be shared, how long support lasts, and what happens if you need further assessment or treatment after returning home.