Comparing quotations in USD: keep the basis consistent
Record the original currency, conversion date and included services so that a dollar comparison remains understandable when a quote or travel plan changes.
Using one currency makes figures easier to read, but it does not make two treatment proposals equivalent. Before converting anything, check the work described in each quotation. Keep the original documents so that a rounded USD figure can always be traced back to its source.
Write down how each figure was obtained
- The provider’s original amount and currency.
- The quotation date and any stated validity period.
- The conversion rate and the date you used it.
- Any payment or conversion charge included in your own estimate.
- The treatment items and visits represented by that amount.
Treat the website’s reference conversions as a snapshot
The published comparison cards identify their sources and explain the currency snapshot used for those examples. They are not a live exchange-rate feed or your payment provider’s rate. When building a personal budget, use a consistent conversion method for your own quotations and record it with the calculation.
Avoid mixing different bases
A figure before reimbursement should not be compared with another figure after reimbursement without making the distinction clear. Likewise, a treatment-only amount should not be placed beside a total that already includes accommodation. If a provider’s document is unclear, ask for clarification before filling the gap yourself.
Revisit the comparison when an input changes
A changed treatment proposal, extra visit or revised travel estimate can change the total independently of the exchange rate. Update the underlying notes first, then the calculator. Keep the result labelled as an estimate based on the figures you entered, rather than a promise of a particular saving.
