Bottom line up front: This glossary covers the recurring terms across this site and the broader network — bookmark it as a quick reference.
- Self-Pay
- Paying for care directly, without insurance billing — the default model for most healthcare abroad.
- JCI Accreditation
- Joint Commission International's Gold Seal certification, evaluating hospitals against international patient-safety standards.
- Habilitación
- A mandatory baseline operating license for healthcare facilities, used in Colombia and similar systems.
- Board Certification
- Formal credentialing by a recognized medical specialty board, distinct from a general medical license.
- Informed Consent
- A patient's right to understand a procedure, its risks, and alternatives before agreeing to it.
- Continuity of Care
- The degree to which international treatment coordinates with a patient's existing domestic healthcare.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance
- A specialized insurance product covering emergency transport to a higher level of care.
- Fit-to-Fly
- The medically cleared timeline before flying is considered safe after a procedure.
- Recovery House
- A model of post-surgical lodging offering nursing care, meals, and monitoring outside the hospital.
- International Patient Coordinator
- A dedicated facility staff member managing logistics and communication for international patients.
- Itemized Quote
- A line-item cost breakdown distinguishing what's included in a procedure price from what's billed separately.
- Dual Pricing
- The common, legal practice of charging international patients a different rate than local patients.
- National Accreditation
- A country-specific quality certification layer, often distinct from and complementary to JCI.
- Telemedicine Consultation
- A virtual, video-based consultation used for pre-op evaluation or post-op follow-up.
- Medical Tourism Facilitator
- A third party coordinating logistics between a patient and clinic, typically compensated via commission.
For procedure-specific terminology beyond this general list, see colombiacosmeticsurgery.com, colombianivf.com, and colombiadentist.co.
Most Worth Knowing
Of these, self-pay, JCI accreditation, and board certification are the three concepts worth understanding most thoroughly before making any decision — they underpin nearly everything else covered on this site.