One of the most common sources of anxiety for patients considering care abroad is not knowing what the process looks like. What happens first? Who do I talk to? What if something changes? What happens after I fly home?

This article answers all of those questions — in the order they arise.

Stage one: First contact — no commitment required

1
Case understanding

You share your situation — existing records, a description of your condition, or simply questions. This can begin with Jason anonymously, before you speak with anyone on the coordination team. No personal information is required at this stage. No obligation is created.

2
Case review and specialist matching — within 24 hours

Your case is reviewed by the coordination team. Based on your condition, history, and requirements, you are matched to the right specialist and institution. This is not a default referral to a partner hospital. It is a case-specific match. If an online consultation with a specialist is appropriate before any travel is considered, it is arranged at this stage.

Stage two: Planning — on your timeline

3
Treatment plan and clarity

You receive a clear treatment plan — procedure, timeline, and complete cost breakdown — in writing, before any commitment is made. No decisions are required before this stage. The plan is yours to review, discuss, and take time with.

4
Your timing, not ours

If you decide to move forward, everything proceeds on your timeline. There is no pressure to commit quickly. Patients sometimes take weeks or months between receiving a treatment plan and deciding to proceed. That is normal — and expected.

5
Travel and coordination activation

Once you share your travel plan, coordination begins in full. Hotel, transfers, hospital appointments, and pre-operative requirements are organized before you board your flight. You arrive in Istanbul knowing exactly where to go and what to expect on each day of your stay.

Stage three: Treatment — supported throughout

6
Arrival and treatment

You are met at the airport, transferred to your hotel, and supported through each stage of the treatment process. Your coordinator is available throughout your stay — not just at check-in and discharge. Pre-operative appointments, hospital admission, and recovery are all managed as part of the program.

7
Post-discharge check before you fly home

A follow-up consultation is arranged before your return flight. Wound checks, medication instructions, and dietary or activity guidance are provided in person — not in a discharge sheet handed to you at the door.

Stage four: After you return home

8
Post-return follow-up — structured, not assumed

The process does not end when you board the flight home. Follow-up is structured into the program: check-ins at defined intervals, blood work coordination where relevant, and a clear point of contact if any concern arises after you return. This is the stage where most coordination services stop — and where the difference between a referral service and a coordination program is most visible.

Who is responsible at each stage

Understanding accountability is as important as understanding the process itself. Here is a clear breakdown:

  • JZ Vitalis is responsible for the coordination process — case review, matching, logistics, communication, and post-return follow-up.
  • The treating institution is responsible for the clinical delivery of your care — the procedure, in-hospital recovery, and medical decisions during treatment.
  • You are responsible for providing accurate medical history, following pre- and post-procedure instructions, and communicating clearly when something changes.
  • Your U.S.-based physician plays a role in pre-travel preparation and post-return monitoring. We provide documentation that enables your home provider to understand what was done and provide appropriate follow-up care.
The clearest sign of a well-structured coordination process: you can answer this question at every stage — "If something happens right now, who do I contact, and what will they do?"
A flat fee changes the accountability structure Because JZ Vitalis charges a fixed coordination fee and receives no commissions from providers, our financial incentive is aligned with your outcome — not with the volume of procedures we refer or the providers we recommend. That structure matters. It means every recommendation is made on the basis of your case.

Want to understand what this looks like for your specific situation?

Jason can walk you through the coordination process in the context of your condition, your timeline, and your questions — privately, before you speak with anyone on the team.

No personal information required to begin.