Trust Center

Our vetting standard

Anyone can put a JCI badge on a website. Accreditation is where our checks begin. This page describes the standard every partner must meet before we refer a patient. Bello is building its partner network city by city, and we only refer patients to partners who meet it.

Before referral, we ask hospitals and surgeons for evidence that they meet our standard for your specific procedure.

This page describes our vetting standard. Once you're matched, ask your coordinator which documents are available.

A bright, modern hospital reception and waiting area

Vetting standard

Our vetting standard

Accreditation is a credential. Vetting is our own work on top of it.

See the exact criteria

Required before referral

  • Hospital accreditation certificate and expiry date
  • Surgeon board certification and licence number
  • Years in the specialty and annual case volume
  • Complication and revision history for the procedure
  • Malpractice insurance in force
Read the full Trust Center

What we require of a hospital

Accreditation is a credential. Before referral, we require hospitals to meet our written vetting standard.

See the exact criteria
  • We require accreditation confirmation with the accrediting body and an expiry-date check before referral.
  • Before we refer patients to a hospital, we require a site visit and a meeting with the surgical team.
  • We ask for surgeon board certification, years in the specialty, and annual case volume in writing before referral.
  • Our standard is follow-up check-ins with patients after their procedure and regular partner review.
See our destination standards

The standard, in four moves

Documentary checks and direct conversations work together. Neither replaces the other.

An illustrative physician greeting in a bright consultation room
Accreditation, verified at the source
We confirm JCI or national accreditation directly with the accrediting body and check the expiry date — not a badge scraped off a website.
A site visit
Before we refer patients to a hospital, we require a visit to its operating theatres, wards and recovery floors, and a meeting with the surgical team.
  • In September 2026, Bello's founder visited hospitals and dental clinics in Bangkok in person.
  • In September 2026, Bello's founder visited healthcare providers in Manila in person.
  • Bello has met with hair transplant clinics in Istanbul by video call.
  • A Bello site visit to Taipei is planned for November 2026.
Surgeon credentials and case volume
Board certification, years in the specialty, and annual case volume for your specific procedure — requested from the hospital in writing and checked before a surgeon joins the network.
Ongoing review
Our standard is follow-up check-ins with each patient after their procedure, and regular review of every partner. Partners that fall short are not offered.

What we verify, and where it comes from

Before we refer patients to a partner, we ask for the items below. Once you're matched, ask your coordinator which documents are available.

  • Hospital accreditation certificate and expiry date

    Confirmed with JCI or the national accrediting body directly

    At onboarding, then annually

  • Surgeon board certification and licence number

    National medical council register, checked by licence number

    At onboarding, then annually

  • Years in the specialty and annual case volume

    Written statement from the hospital's medical director

    At onboarding, then annually

  • Complication and revision history for the procedure

    Requested in writing from the hospital's quality office

    At onboarding, then annually

  • Malpractice insurance in force

    Certificate of coverage naming the surgeon

    Annually

  • Operating theatre, ward, and recovery floor walkthrough

    In-person visit by a Bello coordinator

    At onboarding, then every 18 months

  • Anaesthesia team credentials and ICU escalation path

    Department roster plus the hospital's written escalation protocol

    At onboarding, then annually

  • English-language clinical capability

    We confirm with ward and surgical staff during the required site visit before referral

    Each visit

  • Patient outcomes at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months

    Bello check-ins with patients after their procedure (our standard)

    Our standard: continuous check-ins and regular partner review

Extra criteria, by procedure

Criteria we look for in partners for these procedures.

Aesthetic & Body
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Minimum 200 body-contouring cases a year for the operating surgeon
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Implant or device make, model, and lot traceable and warrantied in writing
  • We ask for the overnight nursing ratio on the surgical ward and confirm it before referral
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Written revision policy, including who pays and within what window
Facial
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Surgeon's rhinoplasty or facial case log reviewed, including revision cases
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Before-and-after series from the surgeon's own patients, not the hospital's stock library
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Cartilage or graft sourcing protocol documented
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Photographic follow-up at 6 weeks and 6 months built into the plan
Non-Invasive & Longevity
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Device authenticity and service records checked against the manufacturer
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Injectables sourced through licensed distributors with lot tracking
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Treating clinician's licence and supervising physician confirmed
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Written aftercare and adverse-reaction protocol
Orthopedic & Function
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: 300+ documented cases per surgeon, verified against hospital registries
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Implant brand and registry traceability confirmed
  • We ask for an in-house physiotherapy team and review the rehabilitation schedule before referral
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: DVT and infection prophylaxis protocol obtained in writing
Gender-Affirming & Intimate Care
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Surgeon's gender-affirming case volume and technique confirmed in writing
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Multidisciplinary team, including psychological support, verified
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Long-term follow-up and dilation or aftercare protocol documented
  • We confirm ward privacy and staff training during the required visit before referral
Vision & Preventive Health
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Diagnostic equipment calibration records reviewed
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Surgeon's refractive case volume and enhancement rate requested in writing
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Screening pathway and referral protocol for abnormal findings confirmed
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Same-week follow-up availability verified before you fly
Metabolic & Weight Loss
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Bariatric case volume and 30-day readmission rate requested in writing
  • We ask for ICU availability and confirm the escalation path before referral
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Dietitian and long-term follow-up programme reviewed
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Pre-operative workup requirements documented before booking
Vascular
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Duplex ultrasound performed and read in-house by a credentialed sonographer
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Surgeon's endovenous case volume confirmed in writing
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Recurrence follow-up at 6 months included in the plan
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Anticoagulation and travel-clearance protocol documented
Mommy Makeover Packages
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Combined operating time and safe total-anaesthesia window confirmed by the anaesthesia lead
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Single-session suitability reviewed case by case, not sold as a fixed bundle
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Overnight nursing and inpatient stay length confirmed for the combination, not the single procedure
  • Before referral, we ask for evidence of: Staged-alternative plan documented in case the surgeon judges one session unsafe

Questions we hear

Credentials, follow-up, and what if

The three things patients ask before they trust a surgeon abroad — and the answers we can put in writing.

How do you verify a surgeon's credentials?
Before referral, we require board certification and licence verification against the national medical council register. We ask for years in the specialty, annual case volume in writing, and a current malpractice insurance certificate. Our standard is annual re-checking. Once you're matched, ask your coordinator which documents are available.
What is JCI accreditation, actually?
Joint Commission International is the most widely recognized global standard for hospital quality and patient safety — it audits a hospital against more than 1,200 specific standards covering infection control, medication management, staff credentialing, and facility safety, and hospitals are re-audited every three years to keep the accreditation current. It was updated in 2025 with a new framework called the SAFER Matrix, which prioritizes the risks that matter most rather than a flat checklist. JCI accreditation reflects a hospital's systems and processes — it's not a guarantee about any individual outcome, which is exactly why we also verify surgeon-specific credentials and case volume on top of it, not instead of it.
Can I see the actual credentials before I commit?
Before referral, we ask for the hospital's accreditation certificate, the surgeon's licence and board certification, case-volume statement, and malpractice insurance certificate. Once you're matched, ask your coordinator which documents are available before you commit.
Is anesthesia safe at your partner hospitals?
Anesthesia safety standards are part of JCI accreditation. Before referral, we require written anesthesiologist qualifications and the hospital's escalation protocol. Once you're matched, ask your coordinator which documents are available; your hospital can discuss anesthesia risks for your case.
What's the follow-up timeline after my procedure?
Our standard is follow-up check-ins with each patient after their procedure and regular partner review. Your hospital sets your clinical follow-up plan; your coordinator helps with scheduling and communication after you return home.
How long is recovery?
It depends on the procedure, which is exactly why we don't give a single number here. Your itinerary is built around the initial recovery window — typically several days of nursing care before you're cleared to fly home — but full recovery for some procedures continues for weeks or months after you're back, the same as it would if you'd had surgery at home. Your surgeon gives you a procedure-specific recovery timeline during consultation, and your coordinator builds your trip length around it, not the other way around.
What happens if my outcome differs from what we discussed?
Before referral, we ask for a written revision policy explaining eligibility, costs, and timing for the procedure. If your outcome differs from what was discussed, your coordinator helps you raise the concern with your hospital and understand the policy. Your hospital determines whether further treatment is clinically appropriate.
What happens if something goes wrong after I'm already home?
Our standard includes check-ins after your procedure. If you need care once you're home, contact your regular physician; seek urgent medical care for urgent symptoms. Request your surgical records directly from your hospital. Ask your coordinator about available coverage and review the insurer's terms before booking.
Do I need a visa?
Depends on your passport and destination — many nationalities can enter Thailand and several of our other destinations visa-free for stays under our typical trip length, but requirements vary by country and change periodically. Your coordinator confirms your specific requirement during booking; don't book flights before that's settled.
Can I bring someone with me?
You can request a companion stay in your private residence and discuss attendance at hospital appointments with your hospital. Let your coordinator know during planning so accommodation and itinerary options can be discussed.
What if I don't speak the local language?
Your coordinator helps with local-language questions and arranging language support for admission and appointments. Before referral, we ask hospitals about interpreter support for clinical conversations. Discuss your language needs with your coordinator during planning.

Your coordinator

One name, one number

Your coordinator is your single point of contact, reachable on WhatsApp, from your first message to your flight home.

Talk to a coordinator
  1. I.

    One person, start to finish

    Your coordinator is your single point of contact, from your first message to your flight home.

  2. II.

    Your guide, start to finish

    One coordinator from your first message to your flight home.

  3. III.

    WhatsApp, not a call center

    Your coordinator is reachable on WhatsApp throughout your trip.

  4. IV.

    In the room when it matters

    Your coordinator helps with hospital admission, pharmacy runs, and local-language questions.

Booking & payment

When you pay, and what's refundable

When do I pay, and is any of it refundable?
After you accept your quote, a Booking & Coordination Fee is due to confirm your procedure date and begin planning — this is shown as a clear line item on your invoice. The remaining balance is due on a set schedule before travel. If your plans change: 60+ days before your procedure date: full refund of your Booking & Coordination Fee, minus a small processing charge. 30–59 days before: 50% of your Booking & Coordination Fee is refundable. Under 30 days before: the Booking & Coordination Fee is non-refundable, since hospital scheduling and coordination work is already underway on your behalf. We'll always walk you through this with your coordinator before you commit to anything.

See where this falls in How Booking Works

What if I need to reschedule my procedure date?
Rescheduling is not a cancellation, and we treat it that way. Tell your coordinator as soon as you know, and we’ll work with the hospital to move your surgery date and re-plan the trip around it. 21+ days before your procedure date: you can move your date once at no charge. Your Booking & Coordination Fee transfers in full to the new date — nothing refundable becomes non-refundable. Under 21 days: your fee still transfers to the new date, but a coordination charge may apply to cover re-booking the surgeon, residence, and nursing. Your coordinator quotes it in writing before anything is charged. If you later cancel instead of traveling, the refund schedule above applies — measured from your original procedure date, not the rescheduled one, so a reschedule never shortens your refund window unfairly. Third-party costs already committed on your behalf (flights on non-refundable fares, for example) follow the airline or vendor’s own rules. We always flag those before booking them.

See where this falls in How Booking Works

If a surgeon or hospital can't meet this standard, we don't refer patients to them.

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For independent, cited research on medical tourism growth and safety — market size, accreditation, complication rates, and Bangkok-specific data — see our further reading.

Resources — what the research actually says