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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We thank you for visiting us!

SPHERA International organizes a program that combines many types of health care and travel in Brazil, with the collaboration of physicians, hospitals and travel agencies.

We are waiting for you to provide our services and satisfy all your needs with our total attention.

If you have any doubt or need some additional support, do not hesitate to contact us through our website, e-mail or by telephone +55 (11) 5507-3332.

1st Step: CONTACT

Your first contact with SPHERA shall be visiting our website or e-mail
To log into your account you will get an exclusive username and password assuring you safety and confidentiality.
Or you can call our Customer Service Department at +55 11 5507-3332 and speak with one of our agents Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 5:30PM.
A personal representative will be assigned to you and further communication will be through the same person, who can answer your initial questions with reference to medical procedures, tourism and the full scope of our services.

2nd Step: PROCEDURE INFORMATION

After processing your initial information re medical procedures and extent of our services, you shall be required to fill out a specific form with relevant information for the chosen procedure and services. With this in hand a program shall be elaborated to best fit your needs.
The choice surgeons we offer are qualified, certified and registered medical doctors. They are registered with their respective specialist associations. We only work with select top surgeons with very successful private practice and have a very high standard of ethics, and will not perform procedures if they feel that you could be compromised in any way.
The medical treatments and services available to you are among the very best in the world.

3rd Step: PERSONAL CONTACT

As soon as all required information is received, you will be personally contacted, when additional data will be gathered to complement your medical chart and clarify any possible remaining matter. These extensive initial steps are essential so that we have all the relevant information necessary to elaborate a program that best fits your medical procedures and services needs. And allow us to prepare a cost estimate including all your medical, travel and, if it is the case, tourism requirements.
Please, remember that accurate information is very important for both the patient and the physician; all medical questions are forwarded to him.
Your medical history with any additional medical information required is essential for the initial evaluation.
• Remember that the final decision is yours. We offer you options and ample time to choose carefully. Please, ask questions using email or phone so you can make an educated choice.
Some aspects to be analyzed:
• RELATED TO SURGEON: qualification; doctor registration; specialization; affiliation in specialist association
• RELATED TO HOSPITAL / CLINICS:
o Facilities: quality of rooms, staff (nursing 24 hours), operation room, ICU
o Registration (certification)

4th Step: COST ESTIMATE

At this stage, we will send you the estimate (medical procedures, travel and tourism, if it is involved) for your approval.
The prices shown in the estimate are in US$ (American dollars) for foreign visitors and in R$ (reais) for local ones.
All reservations of airplane tickets, hotels and services will only be done after the receival of a non refundable deposit, as specified in the estimate.

THE AGREED UPON COST SPECIFIED IN THE ESTIMATE INCLUDES:
• Hotel accommodation (as previously approved)
• “Personal Consultant” to welcome you at the airport, accompany you at doctor appointments, during the surgical procedure and at your departure
• All medical procedures (as in estimate)
• Regular meals planned by the hospital nutritionist
• Doctors appointments (as specified in estimate)
• Necessary clinical exams for the agreed upon procedure
• All expenses related with the surgery: doctors fee, anesthetics, nursing requirements and private room (as approved in the estimate)

OPTIONAL – AIR TICKETS
Domestic and international air tickets, at your choice, may be included in your estimate, as our travel consultant has all the professional means to make the reservations and purchase the same for you at a very competitive price. Our associate travel consultant Shilton Consultoria em Viagens (Rua Almirante Pereira Guimarães, 369 – Pacaembu – São Paulo – SP, phone 55 (11) 3872-2969, email: shilton@shilton.com.br) is responsible for all travel, transport, tourism and hotel reservations. For more information click here.

THE ESTIMATE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Additional expenses (not specified in the estimate)
• Transport for personal outings (when not previously contracted)
• Tourism options and medical procedures, when not specified and agreed upon in estimate
• Special meals (other than those by the hospital’s nutritionist orientation)
• Tips
• Extras in hotels (to be paid directly by the patient at departure)
• Extras in hospital (to be paid directly by the patient at departure)
• Doctor appointments with different professionals other than the one chosen by the client, without SPHERA agreement
• If additional medical consultations and clinical exams are required for contracted upon procedure (in case it was not predicted, detected or informed in your medical information forms)
• Travel insurance
• Medical insurance for unforeseen events (as you would normally take for any kind of vacation or business trip)

GENERAL TERMS
• The approved estimateed cost can be modified after the initial consultation and exams with the local physician in charge of the procedure. This eventual alteration shall be fully demonstrated and discussed with the client who must agree and approve any change.
• Any other treatment, procedure and/or complications, should require a separate authorization from Sphera and surcharge will be imposed.
• Patient incurred expenses that were not included in the approved estimate shall be paid by the patient and guaranteed, if necessary, with a valid international credit card.
• Any other medical or hospital expense that may occur due to an emergency procedure and is necessary for the patient’s safety shall be charged (discuss this with your physician).

5th Step: AGREEMENT

After approving the budget and your formal “agreement” on all conditions (in the budget page), you just need to be prepared to your trip: passport, visa, travel insurance and so on.

All the needed documents for a legal arrival in the country, as well as the contract of travel and health insurance or of any other nature, will be under your own and exclusive responsibility.

For the Brazilian Consulate list, click here.

The down payment (non refundable) of the estimate approved by the patient, refers to:
• initial physician’s consultation;
• the hotel first day;
• reservation rate for the tourism package (if existent), and
• administrative expenses.

Before departing to Brazil the following payments should be done:
• airfare;
• hotel rates;
• local transportation.

Hospital and medical charges, laboratory exams, balance of tourism package and other approved expenses may be paid in full in Brazil before initiating all procedures.
Payments can be made through bank order, credit card or cash.

6th Step: PLAN TICKETS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS

You will receive the plane tickets and hotel reservation vouchers at an agreed designated location. You shall be informed of your itinerary, and given names and telephones for you local Brazilian contacts.
Upon your arrival in Brazil you will be personally greeted at the airport by a SPHERA representative.

7th Step: MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

After the final decision on your trip, your appointments and exams will be scheduled by SPHERA. We will optimize your time, so you can enjoy it in the best possible way.
Any medical or surgical information that is provided through our web site and service is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, your surgeon will give you the ultimate medical advice on any matter pertaining your case, and his advice should always be taken in consideration.

8th Step: BRAZILIAN STAY

Our staff will be pleased to provide you with all the information and assistance you need, (either medical or leisure related) arrange time for your relaxation, care for your well-being, safety, and convenience, including all that is related to logistics (airport, hotel, consultations, exams, hospital, sightseeing).
It is important you read the procedure consent and have all your questions answered. You should thoroughly understand the risks and limitations of any surgery and you and your surgeon should agree about the anticipated results of your procedure. The surgeon you have selected will answer all the questions to your satisfaction. The details regarding the recuperation period (post procedure) shall be discussed with you.

9th Step: MEDICAL PROCEDURE

To start your medical procedure, an appointment will be scheduled, as your physician has to:
• Establish the physician-patient relationship;
• Be sure that your general health condition is appropriate for the procedure;
• Clarify any doubts and establish your preferences;
• Explain treatment details.
By the way, hospitals in Brazil allow you to have a full time companion in your room during your stay.
All the procedures and instructions that you must follow during your recovery will be explained by your physician before you leave the hospital. As needed, a new consultation will be scheduled in order to confirm your medical release and before you are allowed to travel.
If the medical procedure you underwent is covered by your local health plan, SPHERA shall supply all the necessary documentation so you can require reimbursement upon your return home.

Ask yourself:
• Have you asked questions, raised your concerns?
• Has your communication been open and frank?
• Do you have realistic expectations?
We require you stay in the city of surgery for post operative consultation for the length of time determined by the physician.
You should ask any question you have about your selected procedure. It is your responsibility to make sure that all relevant questions have been asked and answered before you make your final decision to have your procedure.

10th Step: TOURISM

Before your arrival in Brazil, SPHERA will already have taken care of details for your trip. Now, will be the right moment to just enjoy the best that this wonderful country can offer.
Brazil has gained international travel recognition because of its unforgettable scenery, cultural diversity, countless leisure activity choices, first class cuisine and very friendly people.
A Latin American leader in business tourism, Brazil offers modern airports, excellent infrastructure, hotels and internationally rated resorts. And best of all, due to the favorable exchange rate, your dollar goes a long way unlike the few other countries with similar leisure possibilities.

11th Step: RETURN HOME

At the day of your departure you will be accompanied to the airport by a SPHERA representative.
You will be given all the medical reports and exam results related to the procedure you went through so that, if necessary, you can follow it up with your local doctor.

12th Step: FOLLOW UP

Once back in your country, you can contact your Brazilian physician directly by phone or e-mail. If necessary, this can be arranged with the physician during your stay, so you will go back home safely and certain that you have received the best available service and support.

When you are back at home, we would like you to keep in touch and inform us of your progress, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

FOR YOUR SATISTACTION – RETURN TO BRAZIL

If you decide to return for other procedures and/or tourism, we shall be very pleased to extend you special discounts for repeat clients and their families.

Disclaimer

This disclaimer clarifies Sphera Internacional’s role as marketing liaison to Medical Tourism and its accredited medical providers in the country. Our role is to offer you the different medical packages and leisure options in order to customize a package tailored to your specifications.
Your healthcare choices are ultimately your responsibility. Your medical provider of choice assumes any and all medical responsibility and accountability pertaining to the medical procedure that they would perform on you as their patient. You will need to make sure that you fully understand the procedure as explained by your doctor and aware of the risks involved in your type of treatment and take full ownership, agree to, and understand that the final decision is yours.