Question

Regarding medical tourism, getting surgery overseas what (as a healthcare professional) would you recommend to a family member considering these services?

Answer 1

medical tourism is not as uncommon as you may think. Patients Beyond Borders, which produces guides for medical tourists, estimates that approximately 1.9 million Americans will travel outside the United States for more affordable medical care this year.

If you’re looking for less expensive options, here is our guide on how to get it done overseas.

When people travel to another country to receive medical care, that’s what’s referred to as medical tourism. Often they find that the medical procedures they need can be done overseas at a fraction of the cost they would incur in the US.

The monetary savings can be huge for those traveling overseas for medical procedures, even after you factor in costs of travel. According to Patients Beyond Borders, you can see an average savings anywhere from 20-80% if you travel outside the US for a comparable medical procedure:

• Brazil: 20-30%
• Costa Rica: 45-65%
• India: 65-90%
• Malaysia: 65-80%
• Mexico: 40-65%
• Singapore: 25-40%
• South Korea: 30-45%
• Taiwan: 40-55%
• Thailand: 50-75%
• Turkey: 50-65%

There are popular countries who have many characteristics that support quality healthcare institutions, such as:

• Sizeable investments in the healthcare infrastructure (government and/or private funding)
• Transparency and commitment to accreditation and patient outcomes
• Political transparency and social stability
• Strong tourism infrastructure
• Reputation for clinical excellence
• History of healthcare innovations and achievements
• Availability of internationally trained, experienced medical staff

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  •Cost savings is one of the predominant factors that has made medical tourism a lucrative option for patients from countries with expensive medical care. Some complex medical surgeries such as organ transplants and cardiac surgeries have extremely steep prices. Patients don't have to break their accounts to furnish their medical expenses when they choose medical tourism. They are able to pay travel, medical treatment and accommodation expenses in emerging medical tourism destinations for a lesser price than how much the treatment alone would cost in home countries, while receiving quality medical care at many health tourism destinations.
  • Medical tourism gives patients access to instant medical care with a short to zero waiting period. Medical tourism serves as a timely and effective solution to patients whose health condition requires immediate attention, and who aren't able to receive such medical care in domestic hospitals.
  • There are over 600 JCI-accredited medical facilities worldwide. These hospitals give patients access to high standards of medical care which may otherwise not be available in their home countries.
  • Healthcare facilities who have tied up with medical tourism agencies offer post-op care for visiting medical tourists. Patients receive utmost attention and care at these facilities, helping them recover in a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Medical tourism or a medical vacation gives patients a chance to explore a new destination and a new culture. In fact, medical tourism agencies offer well-rounded health vacation packages that let medical tourists receive first-class medical care while sightseeing tourist hotspots or relaxing on the beach in the destination.