Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In this section we have collected the most frequently asked questions from our customers – with detailed answers to them. If you still have not found the answer to your question, please refer to our managers, and we will be happy to help you!
- How much time does the application process take?
After receiving all the necessary documents from you, we translate them into German. After that, we send a request to the most suitable clinics to get an offer of the treatment and preliminary costs. Depending on the availability of the clinic and professor processing of your application lasts from 2 to 4 working days.
- What documents are necessary to apply for the treatment at the clinic?
We need to receive your current medical history and images (X-ray, MRI, etc.), as well as all the documents that objectively reflect the status of the patient (laboratory test results, medical history, information about the medications that the patient is taking, etc.) The more relevant documentation we obtain from you, the more accurate our doctors will be able to make recommendations for the treatment. Please use our request process. Relevant information about your disease and complaints should not be older than 3 years.
- What format should the images be?
You can use the following options:
– The fastest and the easiest way is to use our request form, and upload your pictures to our server.
If the files exceed a size of 100 MB, please use one of the following options:
– You can use WeTransfer.com and send your documentation to our e-mail: info (at) junisa.de or o.koethmann (at) junisa.de
– You can also upload the documents to your own FTP server and send us the link of the file.
- I have all the medical documents in English (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian) language, do I need to translate the documents into German?
Almost all the doctors in Germany, Switzerland and Austria speak English and can study your documents in English. As for the other languages, our professional translators will translate your medical release documents and other documents into German. Processing the request and providing suggestions for the treatment are still free of charge for you.
- What clinics do you work with?
We cooperate with more than 100 medical institutions, including world-famous university hospitals, such as Charité in Berlin, University Hospital of Heidelberg, University Hospital Großhadern in Munich, Rechts der Isar Munich, as well as specialized private clinics and medical practices. When selecting a clinic, we are guided by the following factors: first of all, the patient’s wishes, the nature of his illness, the availability of experienced professionals, as well as our long-term experience combining all this information.
- What is the difference between a university hospital and private clinic?
This issue is very complex, but we will try to explain the difference between these institutions.
The advantage of university hospitals lies in their direct participation in modern scientific research. University hospitals´ professors devote a lot of time to the research, and are, therefore, the pioneers in the use of new technologies or the introduction of new medicines.
Private clinics in most cases are on the same level with large university hospitals, having the staff with the highest qualifications, specialized in specific medical fields.
In most cases, private clinics have narrow specialization that allows them to reach the world level in this particular field. As a rule, small institutions are more flexible in terms of time, so that patients do not have long waiting hours, which, unfortunately, is not always possible to guarantee at the university hospital. Most private clinics are located in picturesque surroundings. Many of the private medical institutions are owned by skillful professors who gained long term experience in university hospitals.
Our task is to evaluate, based on your previous medical history and the actual diagnosis, which hospital and/or which doctor are the most appropriate and arrange your stay there.
- Can you help me and my accompanying person with the visa? What kind of visa can you arrange?
Visa support is one of our services.
We provide direct visa support to our patients and their accompanying persons who receive visa at the German consulate in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and St. Petersburg. Our representative will meet with you, take your package of documents and take care of your visa application. If you want to apply for a visa by yourself, we will provide you with an invitation from the clinic.
For visa from other CIS countries or Arabic nations, please contact our staff to receive further information. We do arrange visa at nearly all major cities. The application processes differ, depending on the procedures established by the Embassy closest to your home town. Just let us know and we will gladly take you through the process.
With our help, you can get a medical visa within 3 working days minimum time.
- What is included in the provisional calculation?
In case of inpatient treatment, together with a plan of treatment the patient receives preliminary calculation of all the planned procedures, medicines, medical fees, surgery and hospital stay from the clinic. Depending on your medical condition the calculation may be very rough, as we have to include a risk surcharge regarding possible complications and risks (antibiotic treatment or extension of stay in the hospital for a few days). In our experience, the final amount is normally cheaper than the first estimations. Of course, if the final costs of medical treatment, or the final amount of interpreter hours is lower than expected, the difference will be returned to you through bank transfer.
- How can I make the payment at the clinic or at Junisa?
Inpatient treatment:
Before being finally admitted to treatment at the chosen hospital you will get a preliminary calculation, which, in most cases, is expected to be fully paid in advance. Payment can usually be made:
by bank transfer
in cash upon your arrival
by credit card
Outpatient treatment:
For outpatient treatment it is sometimes necessary to make a deposit. After the examination you get a final calculation. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that you pay all medical bills directly at the clinic. It ensures full transparency, as you can see how much money and for what you pay. Of course, we will help you to make the payment on the spot or quickly translate the information specified in the bill.
Payment for Junisa services:
Additional Junisa services, such as interpreter hours, airport transfer, organizational fees, etc. is paid separately from the treatment costs. Once the clinic has given their approval, we will kindly ask you to deposit a part of the service costs in advance. As a standard we ask for 30 – 50% of the expected amount in advance. After the treatment we make a final clearing and you receive a final bill with the actual number of hours of interpreter work and other services consumed. We will refund you the difference if there was done less work than provided in the cost estimate.
Payment can be made:
- by bank transfer
- in cash upon your arrival
- by credit card
- Some information about the preliminary diagnostic testing
At almost all hospitals, especially at the university hospitals, all preliminary diagnostic tests (such as surveys, ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, etc.) are carried out by either assistant doctors or highly qualified nurses (blood sampling and other tests). The head of department later on will examine the patient or talk about the results of the previously done tests. Recommendations and questions will be answered by the professor in person.
- What do I need to bring to the hospital on the admission day?
You need to bring comfortable clothes, slippers, personal hygiene items and, if desired, bathrobe, everything else will be provided by the clinic.
- Can you help me with getting a sick leave?
We offer our patients translation of all the documents and statements from the hospital, with apostille if required. Such translations are legal on the territory of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Saudi-Arabia and other countries, and is recognized by most of the institutions.
- What is included in your organization costs?
Our organizational services include personalized search and selection of a clinic or a doctor who specializes in the disease the patient is coping with. We are in correspondence with the clinic, arrange the date of consultation and all subsequent appointments with your doctor as soon as possible and at most suitable time for you. We also conduct the organization of hospital treatment and support of the patient during the hospital stay; telephone conversations with the clinic and the patient, the organization of all the additional wishes of the patient, such as ticket booking, selection and booking of the hotel, excursions, shopping tours and transfers etc.
- Do I need an interpreter if I speak German or English?
For us it is very important that the communication between you and your doctor will be held correctly. Based on your description there will be taken decisions related to your life and health. Therefore, we strongly recommend our patients to use the services of our experienced medical interpreters. Even if your level of a foreign language is very high, it is extremely important to pass the information to your doctor correctly in order to avoid misunderstandings and to make the best treatment plan.
- What should I do if the treatment abroad is extended and my visa is expiring?
If your treatment is extended and you need to stay abroad longer than planned, we’ll take care of the visa extension on the spot. If you are staying as an inpatient at a hospital in that moment, our assistant will organize everything necessary to extend your visa.
- Can your doctors confirm or prove wrong the diagnosis made by the doctor at home based on medical documents delivered to him?
Every doctor is responsible for the supplied or confirmed diagnosis administered by her or him, and for all consequences that this decision entails, therefore, in most cases, European doctors at exhibiting a diagnosis from abroad, prescription medications or surgical treatment rely only on a survey and a far-reaching medical examination done by them or in the clinics of their countries.