Medical Tourism

Passport? Check!

Camera? Check!

Paperback books for post-surgery reading???

Most people return from their vacations abroad with a memory card full of digital prints and a few quirky souvenirs. Others come back with a dazzling set of beautifully capped teeth or newfound mobility from hip resurfacing surgery – and a wallet that’s much less empty than if they’d had the same procedures done at home.

Medical tourism (traveling across international borders to obtain medical treatment) is one of the fastest growing travel industries. Currently a $20 billion market, it’s expected to reach or top $100 billion by 2012!

Here are a few common questions and concerns:

Traveling to a foreign country can be a frightening experience under the best of circumstances. Why would someone choose to fly halfway around the world to have a hernia repaired or lap band surgery performed?

According to a 2008 McKinsey and Company report, 40% of medical travelers go abroad for advanced technology, while 32% are looking for better healthcare. Faster medical service is what 15% of travelers seek, while only 9% have lower costs as their primary focus. The majority of those seeking healthcare through medical tourism do not have traditional health insurance or the procedure they require is excluded from their health plan.

Surgery requires extensive pre and postoperative attention, as well as highly skilled practitioners. How can I be sure I am getting the best doctors and nurses to handle my medical care?

By using internationally accredited hospitals through JCI (Joint Commission International), you are assured the organization meets the highest international benchmarks for quality measurement and patient safety. In Thailand, for example, there are seven JCI-accredited hospitals and many physicians are board certified in the US as well. Also, the nursing schools in Thailand require four years of training and one third of those graduating go on to earn a masters or doctorate degree.

What types of procedures can be done abroad? And where?

The most common services medical tourism provides are cosmetic, dental, orthopedic and cardiovascular. Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, Costa Rica, India, and Singapore are popular destinations for medical procedures as well as tourist travel, but over 44 countries offer medical procedures as a national industry.

How much can I save?

Savings vary from procedure to procedure and country to country, but patients report paying 25% to 90% less than quotes from insurers including hospital stays, surgery, anesthesiology and post-operative physical therapy if required. Additionally, some portions of the medical trip may be tax deductible. Some traditional health insurers realize the tremendous cost savings of medical tourism and offer to modify existing plans to include the option of traveling abroad for similar services.

Click for more information on Medical Tourism Destinations.

Click for more information on Medical Tourism Procedures.