Medical Tourism Magazine recently sat down with the team at Smith Medical Direct Specialty Care, one of the newest members of the Better by MTA platform. Known for its transparent pricing and high-quality outpatient surgical care, Smith Medical is revolutionizing access to specialty procedures—especially for international patients seeking faster treatment without compromising quality.
In this exclusive Q&A, they share insights about their services, patient experiences, and their view on the evolving landscape of medical travel. Here's what they had to say:
Company Description. What do you do and how has your experience in the healthcare industry been?
Smith Medical Direct Specialty Care is a state-of-the-art, physician-owned surgical center dedicated to providing premier outpatient care at a transparent and affordable price. We specialize in cash-pay, direct care services that eliminate the red tape of traditional insurance-based models, allowing patients to receive high-quality surgical procedures—often at 40–60% less than hospital costs—with no surprise billing.
Our experienced team works closely with top-tier surgeons across multiple specialties to offer comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs. From orthopedics and podiatry to spine, ENT, and general surgery, our all-inclusive pricing model covers the surgeon, anesthesia, facility fees, and implants, ensuring patients know exactly what to expect before surgery.
With decades of combined experience in the healthcare industry, our leadership and staff understand the frustrations patients face navigating traditional systems. That's why we’ve built a model focused on transparency, quality, and efficiency—getting patients into surgery faster, coordinating every detail through a dedicated patient care coordinator, and following through with post-op care at no additional cost. Our goal is simple: to restore confidence in healthcare by delivering exceptional care with compassion, clarity, and cost certainty.
How many international patients do you receive per year?
At Smith Medical Direct Specialty Care, we currently receive approximately 100–150 international patients annually, with the majority coming from Canada due to long wait times for procedures such as joint replacements. These patients choose us for our fast scheduling (often within two weeks), transparent all-inclusive pricing, and exceptional quality of care.
While our current international patient volume is steadily growing, our facility’s capacity to treat international patients is exponentially greater. With a highly efficient care model, dedicated patient coordination, and experienced surgical teams, we are well-equipped to scale and accommodate significantly more patients without compromising the personalized attention and quality outcomes we’re known for.
What regions or countries do patients come from?
Our international patients primarily come from Canada, especially provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, where long wait times for surgeries like joint replacements are common. We’ve also received inquiries from patients in Mexico, the Caribbean, and even as far as Europe who are seeking affordable, high-quality surgical care without the delays or complexity of their home healthcare systems.
Do you have any patient stories you would want to include in the article?
Yes—one of our recent patients from Canada had been waiting over three years for a hip replacement. She came to Smith Medical and was able to schedule surgery within two weeks. Her recovery went smoothly, and she was walking unassisted in just a few weeks. She told us, “Coming here gave me my life back—without the wait, without the stress, and with total clarity on the cost.”
Another patient recently called us having had his spinal surgery rejected for coverage by insurance. We had him scheduled for surgery within a week and at a cost that was less than what he would have paid if he had gone through his insurance. The day he came into surgery he was in so much pain, the minute he walked in the door, he laid flat on the floor. When he woke up from his surgery, he experienced immediate relief from his pain and told us we gave him his life back. He was able to walk out of our surgery center unassisted.
Stories like these are common and reflect the kind of impact we strive to make for every patient.
How do you see the future of medical travel?
We believe the future of medical travel is bright and growing rapidly. As patients become more educated and empowered, they are seeking options outside their local healthcare systems that offer better access, faster treatment, and transparent pricing. With rising insurance deductibles and long delays in public health systems, medical travel is evolving from a niche solution to a mainstream choice for quality care. Smith Medical is excited to be part of that transformation.
What is something unique that you as a healthcare provider do?
What sets us apart is our all-inclusive, upfront pricing model paired with high-touch patient coordination. We eliminate the confusion and surprise billing commonly associated with surgery. From pre-op to post-op, every patient is guided by a dedicated care coordinator who ensures they feel informed and supported at every step. Our model blends world-class care with concierge-level service and financial transparency.
What services do you offer to medical travelers?
For medical travelers, we offer a seamless experience including:
- Pre-surgery consultations via phone or video
- Coordinated scheduling to align with travel plans
- Personalized support from a dedicated patient care coordinator
- Assistance with local lodging recommendations
- Transparent, all-in-one pricing that includes surgeon, facility, anesthesia, and post-op visit
- Fast-track scheduling, often within two weeks
What medical procedures do you offer?
Our center specializes in outpatient surgical procedures across several domains, including:
- Orthopedics: knee arthroscopy, partial joint replacements, foot and ankle surgery
- Spine: minimally invasive decompressions and fusions
- ENT: sinus surgeries, tonsillectomies
- General Surgery: hernia repairs, gallbladder removals
- Podiatry: bunion, hammertoe corrections, plantar fascia release
You can see all procedures that are offered at Smith Medical at: https://smithdirectcare.com/procedures/
Why do you think Better by MTA is so great for the industry?
Better by MTA is a powerful platform because it brings clarity, credibility, and connectivity to the world of medical travel. It helps patients find trusted providers with confidence and offers healthcare facilities like ours a chance to showcase our commitment to safety, quality, and service. By setting industry standards and offering transparency, MTA builds trust—and that’s essential for patients considering care across borders.
You can learn more about Smith Medical Direct Specialty Care by clicking here.
