"International medical tourism” is one of the fastest growing industries of the past decade, with an estimated 100,000 Britons traveling abroad annually for cosmetic and elective surgery and dental treatments; a trend that is predicted to accelerate.

However as standard travel insurance policies do not cover these consumers, people who chose to have treatment abroad did so with no or very limited cover should anything go wrong.  This ‘cover gap’ is a real concern for many consumers with 31% of people worrying about complications if they travelled abroad for cosmetic, dental or elective surgery.

To provide these consumers with peace of mind, PJ Hayman, the leading specialist travel insurance provider, is launching “Free Spirit Travel for Treatment Insurance”, which is the only policy in the UK to specifically cover medical costs arising from complications occurring whilst abroad following treatment.

Free Spirit Travel for Treatment provides:
- Cover for more than 150 cosmetic surgery, dentistry and elective procedures
- Specific cover for complications occurring whilst abroad at least 48 hours and up to 31 days after treatment
- Emergency Medical Expenses, Repatriation and Cancellation cover
- Cover against financial failure of travel/accommodation provider
- Medical Emergency Helpline – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Available to UK nationals resident in the EEA up to age 74

Peter Hayman, director of PJ Hayman, said: “International Medical Tourism is a specialist yet fast growing travel market, and we are delighted to be the first company to offer comprehensive insurance cover to UK consumers seeking treatment abroad.

“PJ Hayman is already a leading travel insurance provider and one of the largest offering specialist cover for those travelling with pre-existing medical conditions. We see offering cover to those travelling for treatment abroad as a natural extension of our expertise in this area.

“It is vital that anyone considering treatment abroad ensures that they have full insurance cover and is aware that standard travel insurance schemes do not provide this. While there are some specific policies that will provide some protection for additional travel/accommodation costs they do not cover medical costs arising from complications; without full cover there is a risk of incurring large medical bills and increased expenses.”