What is Medical Tourism
Medical tourism is traveling abroad for diagnostics, treatment, or rehabilitation. It is chosen by patients who want access to modern technologies, highly qualified doctors, and specialized programs that may be unavailable or limited in their own country.
This format combines medical services with the possibility of comfortable arrangements: accommodation near the clinic, interpreter support, as well as leisure and cultural activities. Medical tourism includes both high-tech surgeries and preventive or restorative programs.
Popular Cities and Regions
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Moscow — leading federal centers and university hospitals.
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Saint Petersburg — major scientific and educational institutions in healthcare.
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Kazan — modern medical cluster with high-tech centers.
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Vladivostok — regional clinics with access to advanced treatment methods.
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Resort regions — sanatoriums and rehabilitation centers.
Advantages of Russian Clinics
Modern Equipment
Many Russian clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology used in leading global centers. This includes diagnostics (MRI, PET-CT, expert-level laboratories) and surgical treatment (robot-assisted surgeries, endoscopic and minimally invasive methods). This makes it possible to detect diseases at early stages and perform procedures with minimal invasiveness and faster recovery.
Experienced Doctors
The Russian medical school has a long history and a strong scientific foundation. Doctors are trained in leading universities, complete advanced training in Europe and Asia, publish research, and develop new treatment methods. Many specialists are members of international associations and have extensive experience working with foreign patients.
Affordable Prices
The cost of diagnostics and surgeries in Russia is significantly lower than in Europe or the USA, while maintaining the same level of quality. This makes treatment especially attractive: for example, complex surgical procedures may cost 2–3 times less than abroad. Patients receive a full range of services — from diagnostics to rehabilitation.
Approximate Price Examples:
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Total knee replacement — about $3,450 in Russia, compared to $16,400 in Germany and $50,000 in the USA.
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Coronary artery bypass surgery — about $7,050 in Russia, compared to $24,500 in Germany and $144,000 in the USA.
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IVF — about $2,800 in Russia, compared to $6,000 in Germany and $12,000 in the USA.
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Dental implants — from $500 per unit in Russia (often with lifetime warranty), compared to $3,000–4,500 in the USA.
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Abdominal liposuction (minimally invasive body contouring) — from $1,000 in Russia, compared to $3,500–7,000 in Europe and the USA.
Personalized Approach
Each patient receives a tailored plan: doctors take into account health condition, medical history, lifestyle, and even psychological comfort. For international patients, a coordinator is often assigned to assist at every stage — from document translation to medical appointments. This format helps patients feel confident and comfortable in a new country.
How to Organize Your Trip
Main Steps
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Choose a clinic and specialist, research their reputation.
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Prepare medical reports and test results.
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Translate documents into Russian if required.
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Obtain a visa.
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Book accommodation and transport.
Preparation Timeline
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Choosing a clinic and doctor — 1–2 weeks.
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Collecting and translating documents — 1–3 weeks.
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Visa processing — 2–4 weeks.
Checklist
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Select a medical center and specialist.
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Prepare documents.
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Obtain a visa.
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Arrange accommodation and transport.
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Coordinator services.
Preparing Documents
It is very important to prepare everything in advance: medical reports, test results, and doctors’ conclusions.
Documents must be translated and certified so that specialists can assess medical history and provide optimal treatment.
How to Choose a Clinic
Key Criteria
- Doctor qualifications
Pay attention to education, years of experience, scientific publications, and specialization. Many Russian doctors undergo internships in Europe and the USA and participate in international conferences. - Modern equipment
High-quality diagnostics and safe surgeries are impossible without advanced technology. Major Russian centers use the latest MRI and CT systems, robotic surgical tools, and laser or endoscopic equipment. - Experience with international patients
If a clinic regularly treats foreign patients, it usually has English-speaking staff, interpreters, and an understanding of medical tourism specifics. - International accreditations
Recognized certifications (such as JCI or ISO) confirm that the clinic meets global standards of quality and safety.
How to Check Reliability
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Review accreditations and licenses (available on the clinic’s official website or upon request).
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Read patient reviews, especially from international patients.
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Pay attention to achievements (awards, participation in research, innovative programs).
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Have an online consultation in advance to assess professionalism and ask questions.
Visa and Required Documents
For medical travel to Russia, a private visa is usually issued based on an official invitation from the clinic. This document confirms the purpose of the visit and allows the patient to stay for the entire treatment period.
Typically required:
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Completed application form.
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Passport valid for at least 6 months.
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Invitation from the medical center.
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Proof of purpose of visit (treatment plan or consultation).
MARUS: Patient Support in Russia
Preparing for treatment abroad is not only about choosing a doctor and clinic but also about solving many organizational issues. Patients need to collect medical documents, arrange visas, plan the trip, book accommodation, and make sure the right specialist is chosen. MARUS takes care of these tasks, providing full support from the first consultation to the completion of treatment.
What MARUS Does for Patients
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Clinic coordination: contacting centers, clarifying treatment costs and timelines, selecting the right doctor.
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Document preparation and translation: translating medical records, tests, and reports into Russian per clinic requirements.
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Consultation organization: online meetings with doctors before arrival and in-person visits upon arrival.
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Transport and accommodation: assistance with visas, tickets, airport transfers, and booking hotels or apartments near clinics.
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Support during treatment: accompaniment at appointments, translation help, solving daily issues, and staying in contact.
Financial Issues and Travel Arrangements
Payment Methods
In Russian clinics, treatment is usually paid in cash, as foreign bank cards are not accepted. International bank transfers can also be difficult.
For convenience, MARUS accepts payments via an international service in any currency and transfers funds directly to the clinic — ensuring safe and transparent transactions.
Insurance
Even with careful planning, it’s important to account for unforeseen circumstances. For medical trips abroad, two types of insurance are recommended:
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Travel insurance — covers emergency care for sudden illness or injury during the trip, including patient transportation if necessary.
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Special medical insurance — specifically for planned treatment abroad. Coverage should be confirmed with the insurer and may include surgeries, consultations, tests, and other services not covered by standard travel insurance.
Accommodation
In major cities with leading clinics (Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk), patients have a wide choice of housing:
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Hotels of different categories.
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Short-term rental apartments.
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Specialized residences for patients near clinics.
Booking can be done independently via online services, but usually coordinators or clinics arrange it. Many clinics cooperate with partner hotels offering discounted rates. MARUS provides options tailored to needs: near the clinic, family apartments, or patient residences.
Transport and Assistance
Organizing the trip is not limited to flights. Patients often require convenient transfers and support:
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Airport pickup and clinic transfer.
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Daily transport for appointments and procedures.
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Optional sightseeing tours and cultural programs for recovery in a comfortable setting.
Transport can be arranged independently (taxi, car rental), but coordinators usually handle this — from airport transfers to support at medical procedures.
Medical Tourism in Russia with MARUS
Organizing treatment abroad always involves many questions — from choosing a clinic to managing everyday details. But medical tourism in Russia shows that everything can be arranged comfortably: modern equipment, experienced doctors, and affordable prices ensure effective and safe treatment. And all organizational matters — documents, accommodation, and transport — can be entrusted to professionals. With MARUS, every detail of your trip will be carefully arranged so you can focus solely on recovery.