Medical tourism is a term that refers to traveling to another country to get a medical or dental procedure. In some cases, medical tourists also seek alternative treatments that are not approved or available in their home country. Medical tourism is a growing phenomenon that offers many benefits for patients, such as lower costs, shorter waiting times, better quality of care, and the opportunity to combine health and travel.

Lower Costs

One of the main reasons why people choose to go abroad for medical procedures is the significant savings they can achieve. Depending on the procedure and the destination, medical tourists can save anywhere from 25% to 90% in medical bills compared to the prices in their home country. For example, a heart bypass surgery that costs $130,000 in the United States can be done for $10,000 in India¹. A dental implant that costs $4,000 in Canada can be done for $1,000 in Mexico ². These savings are possible because of several factors, such as:

• The cost of diagnostic testing and medications is much lower in many countries than in the United States or Canada.
• The cost of labor for medical professionals, such as nurses, surgeons, pharmacists, and physical therapists, is much lower in many countries than in the United States or Canada.
• The cost of malpractice insurance, which protects medical professionals against lawsuits, is much lower or nonexistent in many countries than in the United States or Canada.
• The cost of hospital stays, which includes room charges, meals, and rehabilitation services, is much lower in many countries than in the United States or Canada.

For patients who do not have insurance or who have procedures that are not covered by insurance, the difference in cost can be enormous. Even for patients who have insurance, traveling abroad can help them avoid high deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance fees.

Shorter Waiting Times

Another reason why people choose to go abroad for medical procedures is the shorter waiting times they can experience. In some countries, such as Canada or the United Kingdom, patients may have to wait for months or even years to get elective surgeries or treatments. This can cause unnecessary suffering, anxiety, and complications for patients who need timely care. By traveling abroad, patients can access immediate or faster care without being placed on a waiting list. For example, a hip replacement surgery that has a waiting time of 12 months in Canada can be done within a week in India². A cataract surgery that has a waiting time of 18 months in the United Kingdom can be done within a day in Turkey².

Better Quality of Care

Another reason why people choose to go abroad for medical procedures is the better quality of care they can receive. Many countries that offer medical tourism have world-class facilities, equipment, and technology that meet or exceed international standards. Many doctors and surgeons who work in these facilities are trained or certified in the United States, Canada, or Europe and have extensive experience and expertise in their fields. Many facilities also have accreditation from reputable organizations such as Joint Commission International (JCI), which ensures that they follow strict safety and quality protocols. Furthermore, many facilities offer personalized and attentive care for their patients, such as providing translators, concierges, chauffeurs, and aftercare services.

Opportunity to Combine Health and Travel

Another reason why people choose to go abroad for medical procedures is the opportunity to combine health and travel. Traveling to another country can be an enriching and enjoyable experience that exposes patients to different cultures, cuisines, landscapes, and attractions. Many patients also find that traveling helps them relax and recover faster from their procedures. Some patients even plan their trips around their procedures, such as having a vacation before or after their surgery or treatment. Some of the most popular destinations for medical tourism include Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Turkey, India, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, South Korea¹, and Thailand¹.

Conclusion

Medical tourism is a phenomenon that offers many benefits for patients who need or want medical procedures that are too expensive, too delayed, or too unavailable in their home country. By traveling abroad, patients can save money and time, receive better quality care, and enjoy a memorable travel experience. However, medical tourism also comes with certain risks and challenges that patients should be aware of and prepare for before making their decision. These include potential complications, infections, communication barriers, legal issues, ethical issues, and cultural differences. Therefore, patients should do their research carefully and consult with their doctors before choosing a destination and a facility for their medical tourism.