Bottom line up front: True savings = (domestic self-pay quote) minus (procedure cost abroad + flights + lodging + any financing cost avoided) — not the marketing percentage on a landing page.
The worksheet
| Line item | Domestic (self-pay) | Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure cost | Get a written cash-pay quote | Itemized clinic quote |
| Flights | $0 | Round-trip fare |
| Lodging | $0 (you're home) | Nights × rate |
| Companion travel (if applicable) | $0 | Flight + lodging share |
| Financing cost (if financed) | Add if applicable | Usually $0 (self-pay) |
| Total | Sum above | Sum above |
Why this matters more than the percentage
A "70% savings" headline on a short, low-complexity procedure and the same headline on a three-week recovery procedure represent very different real-dollar outcomes once travel and lodging are added. Run your specific numbers — see colombiamedical.co for procedure-specific typical ranges to plug into this worksheet.
The Takeaway
Get an actual written domestic cash-pay quote before you start comparing — hospitals are required to provide one on request, and it's the number your abroad comparison should be measured against.