Should I pay a deposit upfront?
Most international programs request a deposit (10–25% of total) to secure dates and allocate resources. This is standard practice and not a red flag in itself.
What matters:
• Deposit refund policy (full refund 30+ days out is reasonable; sliding scale within 30 days is reasonable; no refund is restrictive).
• Where the deposit goes (hospital account, escrow, coordinator's account — escrow or hospital direct is preferred).
• What it secures (specific dates, specific surgeon, specific facility).
• What happens if surgery is cancelled for medical reasons (most policies refund fully in this case).
Get the deposit terms in writing. Programs that demand 50%+ deposits or require non-refundable deposits with no medical-cancellation exception are exceptions and warrant careful evaluation.
Jibu hili ni taarifa ya jumla, si ushauri wa kitabibu. Daktari wako anapaswa kuthibitisha kinachohusu hali yako.