A treatment journey does not begin with a destination, but with a medical problem for which better expertise, faster access or a different treatment option is available elsewhere.
Chicovery organises international medical pathways for patients who need to look beyond the care available locally. The destination is selected only after it is clear which medical expertise, treatment or intensity of care is required.
We therefore do not start by looking for a hospital in a particular country. We define the medical question, assess which options are relevant and investigate where the required expertise is actually available.
The medical question determines the treatment. The treatment determines the destination.
A treatment journey is particularly relevant when locally available care does not adequately address the medical question.
The patient has already seen several doctors or undergone multiple treatments or rehabilitation programmes, but symptoms or loss of function remain. An international assessment may provide access to a different specialist approach.
Some techniques, medicines or specialised treatment programmes are not offered in every country. A treatment journey can provide access to expertise that is not yet available, or is only minimally available, at home.
The treatment exists, but the waiting time is medically or practically unfavourable. If a suitable centre abroad can provide treatment significantly sooner, international care may be a serious alternative.
For some conditions, there are centres and medical teams that treat much larger patient volumes or have specialised for many years in one technique, condition or recovery programme.
Detailed information for each condition, treatment method, level of evidence and possible international treatment route is available on the Treatments page.
The aim is to reduce as much medical uncertainty as possible before travel is booked and to have the proposed pathway reviewed in advance.
The patient describes the diagnosis, current symptoms, treatment goals and previous care pathways. Relevant medical documents are collected.
Reports, imaging, laboratory results, medication, operations and previous treatments are brought together into a usable medical file.
Chicovery assesses which specialist expertise, treatment method and clinical setting best match the medical question.
The selected treatment team reviews the medical file before departure and indicates whether further diagnostics or treatment appear appropriate and medically responsible.
After medical assessment, the objective, possible treatment, required examinations, expected duration, conditions, risks and costs are documented as clearly as possible.
Once the pathway is accepted, support can be organised around scheduling, travel, accommodation, local guidance, communication and, where applicable, a companion.
The medical institution carries out the agreed diagnostic and treatment programme. Medical treatment remains the responsibility of the treating healthcare professionals and institution.
Results, discharge information and the follow-up plan are collected so that further treatment and checks after return can connect with the international pathway.
Chicovery does not organise trips where treatment possibilities are only explored after arrival. A treatment journey should have a medical reason, a reviewed medical file and a clear objective before departure.
Accommodation and practical support serve the medical programme. They are not the product around which the treatment is built.
The journey is part of the treatment pathway — not the other way around.
China has very large university hospitals, specialised treatment centres and medical disciplines with high patient volumes. In certain fields, it also has its own treatment techniques, medicines and integrated programmes.
That does not automatically make China the best destination. Chicovery considers China only when there is a clear medical reason for the individual patient to seek expertise or treatment there.
Only when there is demonstrably a relevant treatment option, specialist expertise or access advantage.
Chicovery is not built around a single country. If the relevant expertise is better available in Japan, South Korea, Morocco or another treatment region, the pathway should be adapted accordingly.
The same applies when a specialist method from abroad can be offered closer to Europe, or when travel is not medically necessary.
The country is not the product. Access to appropriate medical expertise is the product.
View destinationsNot every medical question requires international travel. In some situations, an initial assessment or even the entire pathway can be organised closer to home.
This avoids unnecessary burden and makes international expertise useful even when travel is undesirable or medically unnecessary.
International treatment should form part of a longer care pathway. That is why the period after returning home should already be considered before departure.
Where appropriate, ongoing medical follow-up can be connected to the patient’s existing care network.
Tell us about your diagnosis, symptoms and previous treatments. We do not begin with a travel proposal, but with the medical question.