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Why Patients Are Turning to Medical Tourism

Statistics, Benefits, and Risks

Planning Ahead

Frequently asked questions.

Medical tourism is a term that refers to traveling to another country to get a medical or dental procedure. In some instances, medical tourists travel abroad seeking alternative treatments that are not approved in the United States.

Medical tourism is successful for millions of people each year, and it is on the rise for a variety of reasons, including increasing healthcare costs in the United States, lack of health insurance, specialist-driven procedures, high-quality facilities, and the opportunity to travel before or after a medical procedure.

According to a New York Times article from January 2021, pent-up demand for nonessential surgeries, as well as the fact that many Americans lost their health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic led to a surge in medical tourism once other countries re-opened.

However, there are specific risks that come with traveling overseas for surgery. If you're thinking of pursuing a medical procedure in another country, here's what to know about the benefits and the risks.

Medical Tourism Benefits

The most common procedures Americans go abroad for include dental care, cosmetic procedures , fertility treatments, organ transplants , and cancer treatment.

This is not to be confused with having an unplanned procedure in a foreign country due to an unexpected illness or injury.

Among the reasons a person might choose to go abroad for a medical procedure are:

Lower Costs

Medical tourists can save anywhere from 25% to 90% in medical bills, depending on the procedure they get and the country they travel to. There are several factors that play into this:

• The cost of diagnostic testing and medications is particularly expensive in the United States.
• The cost of pre- and post-procedure labor is often dramatically lower overseas. This includes labor costs for nurses , aides, surgeons , pharmacists, physical therapists , and more.
• High cost of malpractice insurance—the insurance that protects medical professionals against lawsuits—in the United States.
• Hospital stays cost far less in many overseas countries compared to the United States. In other words, quality care, hospital meals, and rehabilitation are far more affordable abroad for many people.

For someone who doesn't have insurance , or someone having a procedure that is not covered by insurance , the difference can be enormous.

Popular Countries for Medical Tourism

Dominican Republic

South Korea

Culture and Language

Many immigrants prefer to have treatments and procedures done in their country of origin—a sensible decision, considering just how much language barriers alone can affect the quality of their care.

Furthermore, at least 25% of immigrants and noncitizen residents in the United States are uninsured, compared to 9% of American citizens. Children with at least one noncitizen parent are also more likely to be uninsured.

Practicalities aside, many people choose to have their procedure done in their country of origin simply because it allows them to be close to family, friends, and caretakers who can assist them through their recovery .

Insurance Incentives

Some insurance companies have started promoting medical tourism. The reason behind this is simple: savings for the insured means savings for the insurance provider and vice versa.

Several insurance providers, including Aetna have programs specifically geared at promoting safe medical tourism. Some insurance providers even offer financial incentives for medical tourism, like discounts on medical bills .

That said, many insurance companies will not pay for surgery performed outside of the country unless it is an emergency.

Luxury and Privacy

Medical tourism is a lucrative business for many countries, and much of the money brought in by medical tourists is reinvested into the local economy and health infrastructure.

The effect of this is apparent in the spa-like luxury that some foreign hospitals offer, providing medical tourists the opportunity to be pampered during their stay for a fraction of the cost they would pay at home.

Some facilities offer hospital rooms that are more like a hotel suite than a traditional hospital room. Other hospitals offer one-on-one private nursing care, which is far more generous and attentive than the staffing ratios that most hospitals allow.

Medical tourists who seek that added layer of privacy can find it abroad. Many can return home from their "vacation" without anyone knowing they had a procedure at all.

Vacation in a Foreign Country

Medical tourists often take advantage of their stay in a foreign country to travel for pleasure by scheduling a vacation before or after their procedure.

This is an especially inexpensive way to travel to a foreign country, especially if their insurance provider is paying for the flight and the cost of staying is low. 

While it seems logical to recover on a beach or in a chalet by the mountains, keep in mind that it's important not to jeopardize your recovery.

Swimming isn't recommended until your incisions are completely closed. You may not feel up to doing much more than napping in the days following your procedure, either.

Don't let your vacation disrupt your recovery. Any time you have a procedure done, especially a surgery, it's important to listen to your body, take your medications as directed, and follow your doctor's recommendations closely.

Bypassing Rules and Regulations

Some travelers seek surgery abroad to bypass rules that are set in place by their own government, insurance company , or hospital. These rules are typically in place to protect the patient from harm, so getting around them isn't always the best idea.

For example, a patient may be told that their weight is too low to qualify for weight loss surgery . A surgeon in a foreign country may have a different standard for who qualifies for weight loss surgery, so the patient may qualify overseas for the procedure they want.

Talented Surgeons

Surgeons in certain countries are known for their talent in a specific area of surgery. For example, Brazilian surgeons are often touted for their strong plastic surgery skills .

Whereas in the United States, insurance companies might only cover cosmetic procedures if it is medically necessary, cosmetic surgery is often free or low-cost in Brazil's public hospitals—giving cosmetic surgeons there ample practice.

Thailand is reported to be the primary medical tourism destination for individuals seeking gender reassignment . It is often easier to qualify for surgery and the cost is significantly reduced. Surgeons are performing the procedures frequently, and as a result, many have become quite specialized in them.

It is often surprising to many medical tourists that their physician was trained in the United States. Not all physicians are, of course, but a surprisingly high percentage of them working in surgery abroad are trained in English-speaking medical schools and residency programs and then return to their home country. These physicians often speak multiple languages and may be board certified in their home country and a foreign country, such as the United States.

Medical tourism isn’t limited to countries outside of the United States, either. Many people travel to the United States for medical care due to the country's cutting-edge technology, prescription medication supply, and the general safety of healthcare.

Medical Tourism Risks

The financial and practical benefits of medical tourism are well known, and you may even know someone who had a great experience. Nonetheless, the downsides of medical tourism can be just as great if not greater. Sometimes, they can even be deadly.

If you are considering a trip abroad for your procedure, you should know that medical tourism isn't entirely without obstacle and risks. These include:

Poorly Trained Surgeons

In any country—the United States included—there will be good surgeons and bad. And just as there are great surgeons abroad, there are also some surgeons who are less talented, less trained, and less experienced.

Regardless of what procedure you are getting or where, you should always do some preliminary research into the surgeon or physician who will be treating you as well as the hospital you will be treated at.

In the United States, it is fairly easy to obtain information about malpractice lawsuits , sanctions by medical boards, and other disciplinary actions against a physician.

Performing this research from afar can be challenging, especially if you don't speak the local language. Yet countless people take the risk anyway, without knowing whether the physicians who will treat them are reputable.

A physician should be trained in the specific area of medicine that is appropriate for your procedure. For example, you should not be having plastic surgery from a surgeon who was trained to be a heart doctor. It isn’t good enough to be a physician, the physician must be trained in the specialty .

Prior to agreeing to surgery, you should also know your surgeon’s credentials : where they studied, where they trained, and in what specialty(s) they are board-certified. Do not rely on testimonials from previous patients; these are easily made up for a website and even if they are correct, one good surgery doesn’t mean they will all be successful.

Quality of Staff

Nurses are a very important part of healthcare, and the care they provide can mean the difference between a great outcome and a terrible one.

A well-trained nurse can identify a potential problem and fix it before it truly becomes an issue. A poorly trained nurse may not identify a problem until it is too late. The quality of the nursing staff will have a direct impact on your care.

Once again, it's important to research the hospital staff where you will be having your procedure done. Read the reviews but don't trust them blindly. If you can, seek out a recommendation from someone who can vouch for the medical staff where you will be going.

Quality of the Facility

While researching healthcare facilities for your procedure, you want to learn not just about the quality of the facilities themselves, but about the country's healthcare system as a whole.

In some countries, there is a marked distinction between public hospitals and private hospitals. In Turkey, for example, private hospitals are considered on-par with hospitals in the states, while many locals will advise you to steer clear of public hospitals if you can.

You will also want to seek out facilities that are internationally accredited. In the United States, the Joint Commission evaluates hospitals and certifies those that provide safe, quality care. The international division does the same for hospitals outside the United States.

Once you have a few options for potential facilities, you can start to investigate specifics. For one, you should find as many pictures and reviews of the facility as you can. Ask yourself whether the facility is state of the art or whether it seems dirty and outdated.

You will also need to find out if the facility has ICU level care available, in case something goes wrong. If not, there should be a major hospital nearby so that you can be transferred quickly.

To learn more about a healthcare facility, consider joining expat groups on social media for the city or country you will be traveling to. Ask the group for recommendations, or inquire about any positive or negative experiences they may have had at a particular facility.

Flying Home After Surgery

Any surgery comes with risks, including infection and blood clots . Flying home increases the risk of blood clots, especially on long-haul flights that are longer than four hours.

Try to avoid flying home in the days immediately after surgery; waiting a week will decrease the chances of developing a blood clot or another serious complication during the flight.

For longer flights, plan on getting up and walking up and down the aisles each hour to improve blood flow in your legs. You might also benefit from wearing compression socks with your doctor's approval.

If you are taking blood thinners or are at-risk of blood clots , be sure to talk to your doctor about how you can reduce your risk of blood clots after your procedure and while traveling.

Furthermore, you should know the symptoms of blood clots and stay alert.

Unplanned Illness

Any time you travel abroad, you run the risk of catching an illness that you have never been exposed to or that your body is not prepared to fight off. This is especially a concern when spending time in a foreign hospital.

If you have a sensitive stomach, you may also want to think long and hard about having surgery abroad. The food is often very different in foreign hospitals, and in some areas, there is a risk that even the water will be upsetting to your body.

Having diarrhea or postoperative nausea and vomiting makes for a miserable recovery experience, especially if you do not have a friend or family member nearby who can help you through it.

Before you travel abroad, check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccines to travel to your destination or if there are any foreign illnesses you should be aware of. Picking up an illness abroad, particularly after your surgery, can potentially be life-threatening.

Language Barriers

If you are having surgery in a country where English is not the primary language, you will need to make preparations in order to be able to communicate with the staff.

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the staff speaks your primary language well. If not, then you will need to consider how you will make your wishes and needs known to the surgeon, the staff, and others you will meet.

Whether you are at home or abroad, remember to speak up and advocate for yourself to make sure your needs are met. If you don't speak the local language, download a language translation app on your smartphone and don't hesitate to use it to communicate your needs. Hiring a translator is another option.

A Word About Transplant Tourism

Transplant tourism is one area of medical tourism that is strongly discouraged by organ and tissue transplant professionals in multiple countries. Most international transplants are considered “black market” surgeries that are not only poor in quality, but ethically and morally wrong.

China, for example, the country that is believed to perform more international kidney transplants than any other country, is widely believed to take organs from political prisoners after their execution.

In India, living donors are often promised large sums of money for their kidney donation, only to find out they have been scammed and never receive payment. Selling an organ in India is illegal, as it is in most areas of the world, so there is little recourse for the donor.

Then there is the final outcome: how well the organ works after the surgery is complete. With black market transplants, less care is often taken with matching the donor and recipient, which leads to high levels of rejection and a greater risk of death. Furthermore, the new organ may not have been screened for diseases such as cytomegalovirus , tuberculosis , hepatitis B , and hepatitis C . It is often the new disease that leads to death, rather than the organ rejection itself.

Finally, transplant surgeons are often reluctant to care for a patient who intentionally circumvented the donor process in the United States and received their transplant from an unknown physician.

It is important to arrange your follow-up care prior to leaving your home country.

Many physicians and surgeons are hesitant to take care of a patient who received care outside the country, as they are often unfamiliar with medical tourism and have concerns about the quality of care overseas.

Arranging for follow-up care before you leave will make it easier to transition to care at home without the stress of trying to find a physician after surgery .

Just be sure to inform your follow-up care physician where you are having your procedure done. After you return, they will also want to know what prescription medications you were given, if any.

What are popular countries for medical tourism? 

Mexico, India, Costa Rica, Turkey, Singapore, Canada, and Thailand are among the many countries that are popular for medical tourism.

How safe is medical tourism?

Medical tourism is generally considered safe, but it's critical to research the quality of care, physician training, and surgical specialties of each country. There are several medical tourism organizations that specialize in evaluating popular destinations for this purpose.

What countries have free healthcare? 

Countries with free healthcare include England, Canada, Thailand, Mexico, India, Sweden, South Korea, Israel, and many others.

A Word From Verywell

If you are considering medical tourism, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor, and consider working with your insurance provider to arrange a trip that balances financial savings with safety. (Also, before you embark on a trip overseas for your procedure, make sure you are financially prepared for unexpected events and emergencies. Don't go abroad if you don't have enough money to get yourself home in a crisis.)

A medical tourism organization such as Patients Without Borders can help you evaluate the quality and trustworthiness of healthcare in various countries. Making sure a high level of care is readily available will lead to a safer, more relaxing experience.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Medical Tourism: Getting medical care in another country . Updated October 23, 2017.

University of the Incarnate Word. Center for Medical Tourism Research .

Patients Beyond Borders. Facts and figures .

Kaiser Family Foundation. Health coverage of immigrants . Published July 2021.

Paul DP 3rd, Barker T, Watts AL, Messinger A, Coustasse A. Insurance companies adapting to trends by adopting medical tourism . Health Care Manag (Frederick). 2017 Oct/Dec;36(4):326-333. doi: 10.1097/HCM.0000000000000179

Batista BN. State of plastic surgery in Brazil .  Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open . 2017 Dec;5(12):1627. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001627

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Global Health Now. Brazilians' risky right to beauty . Published May 2018.

Chokrungvaranont P, Selvaggi G, Jindarak S, et al. The development of sex reassignment surgery in Thailand: a social perspective .  Sci World J . 2014 Mar;2014(1):1-5. doi:10.1155/2014/182981

The Joint Commission. For consumers .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood clots and travel: what you need to know . Reviewed February 2021.

Hurley R. China harvested organs from political prisoners on substantial scale, says tribunal . BMJ . 2018 Dec;363(1):5250. doi:10.1136/bmj.k5250

Ambagtsheer F, Van Balen L. I'm not Sherlock Holmes: suspicions, secrecy, and silence of transplant professionals in the human organ trade . Euro J Criminol . 2019 Jan;17(6):764-783. doi:10.1177/1477370818825331

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Transplant Surgery. Key facts . Reviewed January 2019.

By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.

Our Response to COVID-19 →

Wellness Travel & Tourism

Covid-19 and medical tourism in the united states.

In 2017, more than 1.4 million Americans sought healthcare outside the country, up from 750,000 a decade before. Fast forward to 2019, and the number rose by more than 25 percent to 1.9 million. Millions of Americans keep traveling every year to access quality and timely healthcare at a fraction of a cost in the US. But as the pandemic dealt a blow to the travel industry, the number dwindled substantially, raising a lot of uncertainty about the future of health travel in the country.

In the last decade, millions of Americans traveled abroad to access less expensive healthcare. Countries such as Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, South Korea, and Mexico were medical travel hub spots for a lot of Americans, many of whom lack health insurance or have health insurance plans that do not cover certain conditions and procedures. Americans who were uninsured could readily access these services for less than half the cost in the US, plus fun getaways and the beautiful travel experience that these destinations offer.

For instance, a dental implant procedure, which costs about $2,500 in US hospitals can be done at less than half the price in Costa Rica. Also, total hip replacement surgery, which costs $33,162 in the US can be done at Malaysian hospitals with comparable quality standards at $5,400. 

This cost disparity, coupled with the comparable quality of healthcare in these countries and the long wait times to access healthcare services in the US, drove many Americans to these countries for medical care. US companies and organizations also invested in this model of healthcare, sending patients through direct contract programs to specialist centers and renowned hospitals in these countries for affordable care. According to Medical Tourism CEO Jonathan Edelheit, many companies reported saving more than $20 million in five years by sending their employees to these medical travel hubs for orthopedic and bariatric surgeries.

These destinations further enjoyed an upswing of medical travel from the US as they began to secure international accreditations and retain US-trained experts in various medical specialties, assuring international patients of the quality of their healthcare delivery. By 2017, more than 800 hospitals had been accredited by the Joint Commission, with the number growing by 20 percent yearly, expanding the market for outbound medical travel in the US.

However, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, inbound medical travel ceased as governments implemented travel restrictions and bans across the world. The global hospital workforce was overstretched, leading many healthcare providers to suspend elective surgeries and procedures - which are the drivers of health travel.

As a result, US hospitals recorded massive revenue losses, with a bleak outlook as the outbreak resurges across the country and governments reintroduce travel restrictions. Mayo Clinic, for example, estimates a revenue loss of over $900 million for this year, as it records fewer elective surgeries and procedures, which make up more than half of its revenue. The decline in elective procedures has also ebbed down income by almost $70 million for Grady Health, Atlanta, a major player in the health travel business.

International travel restrictions are not the only factors limiting medical travel in the wake of the pandemic; interstate travel bans have also limited domestic medical travel, which was soaring in the US before the pandemic.

Walmart was one of the employers pushing domestic medical travel in the US. The company encouraged some of its employees to access medical care in centers of excellence in other parts of the US, covering their medical costs and travel expenses. Through this direct contracting initiative, Walmart employees could access cardiac procedures, transplant surgeries, and hip replacements in other locations in the US.

According to the American Hospitals Association, the drastic drop in both international and domestic patient inflow has led to hospitals losing an estimated $50 billion a month.

The future, therefore, looks very complex for medical tourism in the United States. With the largest number of confirmed cases globally and the recent resurgence in parts of the country up to record highs, the US may be heading for a further decline in medical travel, and a challenging recovery afterward. And experts say the industry may not begin to recover until 2022.

Multiple factors will determine the future of the medical travel market in the country, both on the supply and demand angles. The future may be met with a demand-supply mismatch that may cause the industry to implode further.

On the supply side, the American Hospital Association released a report in May, describing the financial impacts of the pandemic on hospital systems. First, the pandemic has increased the operational costs of many hospitals. Treatment costs and costs of medical equipment soared during the pandemic as a result of both the high demand for the equipment and disruptions to the supply chains caused by the travel restrictions. 

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the cost of treating a COVID-19 patient could be as high as $20,000, and up to $90,000 for those that require ventilators. Also, hospitals in New York City reported paying four times the usual price for medical gloves and over 15 times the usual cost of face masks. According to the Society for Healthcare Organization Procurement Professionals (SHOPP), the costs of the items went up by more than ten tens since the pandemic began.

Some of these hospitals also incurred additional costs to address medical staff shortages and meet surge demand in the wake of the outbreak. Coupled with the financial losses from canceled elective procedures and treatments, these rising costs caused intense financial strain on many providers, many of whom are beginning to run into debt.

This financial burden may, no doubt,  impact negatively on medical travel recovery in the country.

Resumption of air and cruise travel and the persistence of travel restrictions will impact medical travel recovery in the US. With dropping household incomes and unemployment induced by the pandemic and the looming shortage of healthcare providers in the countries, more tourists will prefer to seek healthcare outside the country for their pent-up medical needs. Incidentally, these countries, including Latin American and Southeast Asian nations, have opened their borders to US tourists as a strategy to revive their tourism industry. However, the US is still closed to many countries from which medical tourists travel, including the European Schengen area, the UK, and Brazil.

These visa restrictions and travel bans may reduce consumer confidence in the US, potentially impeding recovery for the industry. Strategies to rein in further spread of the outbreak, foster international collaborations, and ramp up medical capacities to meet the pent-up medical demand of medical tourists may pave the way for the rejuvenation of US medical travel.

These strategies will rely on concerted efforts by all stakeholders in the medical travel business, including the airline industry and logistics companies. These pull-and-push factors will determine the growth of the industry going forward and its position in the post-pandemic era.

Exploring the Surge of Cosmetic Tourism: Trends and Considerations in Aesthetic Procedures Abroad

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The Medical Tourism Magazine (MTM), known as the “voice” of the medical tourism industry, provides members and key industry experts with the opportunity to share important developments, initiatives, themes, topics and trends that make the medical tourism industry the booming market it is today.

The New York Times

Well | the medical tourist.

The Medical Tourist

In a raspy whisper, Mary Elizabeth O’Donnell-Moore explains how cancer has changed more than just the sound of her voice.

Diagnosed with a rare cancer called Ewing’s sarcoma, Ms. O’Donnell-Moore has left her home in Kentucky for medical treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She lives at a free residence for cancer patients making her something of a medical tourist.

Ms. O’Donnell-Moore is featured in the latest One in 8 Million series. She tells the story of losing her hair and how her friends gave her colorful wigs like those you might wear at Halloween. She didn’t wear them in public, but one day her grandmother urged her to sport a bright blue wig when she went out.

“I figured, well, this is New York City,” she said. “Nobody is going to notice if I have blue hair.”

But to her surprise, people did notice. “I did not blend in,” she said. “People stared. People made comments. People asked for my autograph.”

To see and hear more from Ms. O’Donnell-Moore, check out the One in 8 million series by clicking on this link or the photo above.

Comments are no longer being accepted.

Mary, I love your voice, so soft and angelic. I am rooting for your quick recovery and fighting your best fight. Know that many are thinking of you and wishing you all the best!

with much love from the big apple, tj

Mary, I was disappointed when your story ended. You have the voice of an angel, and I think the heart of one, too. It is after midnight on Friday and soothingly quiet in my apartment except for the sound of the fan. Your voice is penetrating; it makes me want to reach through the night and the 20-some-odd streets that separate us and wrap my arms around you. Perhaps some of your courage will rub off on me. No, I do not have cancer…just the battles of everyday life living alone in this big city.

I hope you have a good support group here. Because of this system of posting comments, I cannot get to know you. I cannot offer physical support — or go with you to a treatment. So please, just KNOW that a woman named Randi from Greenwich Village is thinking of you, always. Yes, you will overcome this bizarre illness. I believe that you have just acquired the love of thousands of New Yorkers. You are so candid. We’re here for you, and we won’t let you down.

We love you.

You are a beautiful young woman, inside and out, but I am disturbed that in a city like NY you have not been helped with the hair issue, so important to women your age. At the Mayo Clinic, cancer patients receive a free professional wig and help with styling it. Surely in a fashion capital of the world with so many wealthy people,help should be forthcoming. Small things can lift the spirit. You are a beautiful person and you grace the city with your presence.

Thank you for posting this story. Every sarcoma patient I meet inspires me. This week has been International Sarcoma Awareness Week. Nearly 10,000 participants around the world – patients, physicians, friends and advocates – have joined together to increase awareness and funding for sarcomas. Sarcoma patients may be rare, and many of us are facing great challenges at such a young age, but we are not alone! Last night, I was at a reception in Georgetown with survivors from 11 countries and ambassadors from Mexico, New Zealand, and Lithuania, and a physician from NCI – all talking about sarcoma, honoring survivors, and vowing to do more to help. It was so moving!

Why exactly is she having to travel to New York for her treatment?

There are excellent comprehensive tertiary cancer centers at the University of Louisville & the University of Kentucky in her home state in addition to other regional centers at Vanderbilt University & the University of Cinncinnatti. There really is nothing available that would be offered at these centers that could not spare her considerable cost and inconvenience. I think it’s relavent to point out that such referrals to distant medical centers for cancer treatment like Sloan-Kettering or MD-Anderson will certainly be restricted in whatever healthcare reform system we end up with. FROM TPP — This is an extremely rare cancer.

Mary Elizabeth, as you already know, life takes many un-expected turns, but you appear to be more than adequately prepared for your journey. Once I knew you! It has been many years ago, as you were only 10, I was your uncle Mike through marriage, and dad to your Kansas cousins. Divorce, of course took me away from the Moore side of the family. I have wondered many times what you were up to, and of course what you had accomplished. Congratulations on your law degree, but more importantly thank you for sharing your inspirational story with the world. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.

Thank you for sharing your story, Mary. You look and sound beautiful and strong.

I had just been diagnosed with a similar condition when I saw this slide show. It was quite real to me, especially when I recognized the radiation mask a day before I was to have one molded to my face. “This is what it looks like,” I thought, and mine turned out to be quite similar. The photos did a great job of showing the emotions Mary expressed in her story. Thank you for a fine piece.

An excellent, review article of Ewing’s Sarcoma can be found at //bit.ly/ZB31f . There are also many details about various types of sarcoma at //www.SarcomaHelp.org . — Bruce

What's Next

What Is Medical Tourism, and How Much Money Can It Save You?

Key takeaways:

Medical tourism involves travel to another country to get healthcare.

The cost for medical treatment in other countries is often lower than in the U.S.

It’s important to check with your doctor before you book a medical tourism trip.

Table of contents

Medical tourism involves traveling to another country to obtain healthcare. Traveling for medical, dental , and cosmetic treatments could save you money.

Because healthcare costs in the U.S. are the world’s highest , some people are willing to travel to meet their needs. According to medical-tourism advocacy group Patients Beyond Borders, more than 20 million people worldwide crossed international borders in 2019 for medical tourism. About 2 million of those people traveled from the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that health treatment was the primary reason for about 1% of U.S. outbound international air travel in 2020. Health treatment was among the reasons for nearly 2% of that travel. These numbers don’t include the thousands of people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border or go to Canada for care by modes of transportation other than air travel.

Often, those seeking care are traveling from higher-income countries to lower-income nations. However, the U.S. remains a highly desirable destination for medical tourism for fertility treatments and stem cell therapy . Some large hospitals offer international patient programs and medical travel services.

What are five ways medical tourism could reduce your healthcare costs?

Medical tourism could save you money on several fronts.

Here are five money-saving ways we will explain in more detail later:

If you have insurance, you could pay less than your deductible and copay, even including the added expenses for airfare or fuel and lodging.

If you are having an elective procedure, you may pay less than in the U.S., even including travel costs.

Dental procedures in the U.S. can be especially expensive. There are options across the U.S.-Mexico border that offer similar services at a fraction of the cost.

You may be able to combine your medical care with a vacation.

Establishing residency in another country could allow you to access a high-quality, affordable universal healthcare system for all of your medical needs, including chronic conditions and long-term prescription medications.

Is medical tourism legal?

Yes. Leaving the U.S. and other countries for healthcare is legal. Dozens of countries compete for medical tourism business .

Organizations offer guidance, such as this medical travel guide for plastic-surgery tourists from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Several U.S. medical centers have opened hospitals and clinics abroad that attract local and traveling patients.

WHAT TO READ NEXT

Can medical tourism reduce your healthcare costs?

Often, yes. Depending on where you travel, you can save at least 20% on your healthcare costs, according to Patients Beyond Borders. In many destinations in Asia, the savings can be more than half of what you’d pay at home .

Typically, elective procedures are not covered by health insurance. Even with insurance, your out-of-pocket costs for covered medical care can be substantial — in the thousands of dollars. If you must shell out that kind of money, you may be able to pay the entire cost of your care in another country.

Common services

Medical travelers seek a variety of healthcare services abroad. 

According to Patients Beyond Borders , the top specialties offered abroad include:

Cosmetic surgery (breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery)

Dentistry (general, restorative, cosmetic)

Cardiovascular (angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, transplants)

Orthopedics (joint and spine, sports medicine)

Cancer (often experimental or last resort)

Reproductive (fertility, in vitro fertilization, women’s health)

Weight loss or bariatric ( gastric bypass, lap band )

Scans, tests, health screenings, second opinions

Which countries are popular for medical tourists from the U.S.?

Medical tourists from the U.S. are most likely to go to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The top destinations for U.S. travelers are Mexico and Canada. Asia is considered a major medical tourism destination for travelers worldwide.

According to Patients Beyond Borders, the top destinations for medical tourism are:

South Korea

United States

In fact, Mexico and Costa Rica are popular destinations for U.S. travelers seeking dental care, cosmetic surgery, and discounted prescription medications. 

Thousands of people cross the U.S.-Mexico border annually for affordable dental procedures . Los Algodones in Mexico — known as “Molar City” or the “Dental Capital of the World” — is a 20-minute drive from Yuma, Arizona, and a 2-hour drive from San Diego. There are hundreds of dentists who offer fillings, crowns, and other dental services for prices far lower than in the U.S.

People from the U.S. report going to Thailand, India, and South Korea for more complex procedures such as orthopedics, cardiovascular, cancer, and fertility treatments.

The Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Mexico are known for their prolific churn of U.S. residents who visit for Brazilian butt lifts , or BBLs, which are usually buttock enhancement surgeries.

What are the benefits of medical tourism?

The leading reason people travel for medical care is affordability . 

But there are other benefits, though, according to researchers. They include:

Shorter waiting lists

Quality of care

Availability of procedures

Legality of procedures

Cultural understanding, including shared language

Vacation packages combined with healthcare

What are the risks involved with medical tourism?

As with any medical treatment, there is a possibility something will go wrong. There can be additional risks if you seek medical tourism. According to a study of academic papers on medical tourism published in 2019, the reported rate of complications for weight-loss surgery abroad can exceed 50% .

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are specific risks if you receive healthcare outside the U.S. Those risks include:

Infectious disease : You may have a higher likelihood of infections to wounds, your bloodstream, or from an organ or tissue transplant. You also could be at higher risk for acquiring hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV — and even SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Antibiotic resistance : This is a global concern, however, the risk of antibiotic resistance is higher in some countries. There is also the risk of bringing a multidrug-resistant infection back home that can spread on the community level.

Quality of care : The licensing, credentialing, and accreditation in some countries may be less rigorous than in the U.S. Equipment and devices may not have the same regulatory requirements, and medications could be counterfeit or ineffective.

Communication challenges : You might not speak the same language as the medical staff, and translation may be unavailable or inadequate. This can lead to misunderstandings about your healthcare.

Traveling : Long plane rides or car rides can increase your risk of blood clots . If you have had chest or abdominal surgery, you should not travel by air for at least 10 days after because of the associated changes in atmospheric pressure. If you have cosmetic procedures on your face, eyelids, or nose — or if you have had laser treatments — you should wait 7 to 10 days before taking a flight. Traveling also may expose you to viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19.

Continuity of care : You may need follow-up care when you return home whether you have complications or not.

Should you talk to your doctor about medical tourism?

Yes. It’s important to consult your primary physician before planning a medical tourism trip. Share your plans and your reasons for seeking care outside the U.S.

Your doctor may be able to help you reduce costs and continue care with your current providers. If cost is a concern, you may have options if you ask about prices upfront .

Consult your doctor about whether the procedure you are seeking will interfere with your current treatment. You also should ask about follow-up care at home , which may be needed when you return.

Once you decide to travel for medical care, you may want to schedule pre-travel health consultations with your medical providers at home . The CDC advises having these conversations at least 4 to 6 weeks before you leave.

What should you consider before visiting another country for medical care?

Before scheduling a medical tourism trip, you should do your research about the destination facility as well as any providers who will be working with you.

According to the U.S. Department of State, U.S. citizens who travel abroad for medical care should :

Verify the educational credentials, training, and reputation of your provider

Visit the CDC website for advice on medical tourism

Check the Department of State’s country information site about your destination

Find out if you need tests or vaccinations to travel — for instance, your destination may require COVID-19 vaccination and/or proof of a negative COVID-19 test

It’s also important to check the facility’s accreditation and reputation. In the U.S., the Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standard-setting and accreditation organization for healthcare. The commission certifies and accredits more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the U.S.

The commission’s associated organization, Joint Commission International , accredits and certifies more than 1,000 healthcare organizations and programs worldwide. You can use JCI’s World Hospital Search to find hospitals that have earned the commission’s gold seal of approval. You can use another tool to search for all JCI-accredited institutions .

In addition to JCI, the State Department names other accrediting groups that you can check, including DNV GL Healthcare international accreditation for hospitals . It’s important to note that accreditation does not guarantee the outcome of your procedure.

Also, consider any language differences or dialects if you speak the same language. Determine if you will need a translator and check their level of skill with both languages. Miscommunication can cause problems with your care.

Finally, you should consider the costs of seeking care in another country. You will need to add travel and lodging expenses to your budget. You will need to factor in the costs of complications, delays, and other unexpected events, as well. Because an air-ambulance ride back to the U.S. will be costly, you may want to consider buying medical evacuation insurance or travel insurance . You also may have costs associated with your absence from work or home.

Is seeking residency or citizenship outside the U.S. a better option for managing healthcare costs?

It depends. Medical tourism is an option for people who want to visit another country for healthcare. Some people choose full-time or seasonal residency — and even citizenship — in another country to access more affordable medical care. Often, people who make this choice are not captured in data about medical tourism .

Moving often has a cost. There also may be fees associated with applying for residency or citizenship in another country. Typically, you must meet certain guidelines to qualify. You often have to pay or are taxed for access to the country’s public or private healthcare systems.

For instance, permanent residents of Costa Rica pay taxes that allow them to participate in the country’s universal healthcare system. Permanent residents also can buy a health plan for access to the private system. Medical procedures often are more affordable than in the U.S. Compared to other countries, Costa Rica offers high-quality healthcare while spending less than the world average by more than one measure.

The bottom line

Medical tourism is an option for people to save money on healthcare, including dental and cosmetic procedures. Your costs could be 20% lower, or even less, if you receive services in another country.

It’s important to check with your primary care doctor and other providers before you travel for medical treatment. Ask questions and prepare carefully, because there are additional risks involved in receiving healthcare abroad. Check the credentials of your expected providers in the other country. Research the medical facility, which may not have the same standards as healthcare institutions in the U.S.

American Medical Association. (2018). Your patient wants to be a medical tourist — 6 things you should do .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Medical tourism: Travel to another country for medical care .

Dalen, J. E., et al. (2019). Medical tourists: Incoming and outgoing . The American Journal of Medicine .

DNV. (n.d.). Accredited hospitals .

Foley, B. M., et al. (2019). Patient care without borders: A systematic review of medical and surgical tourism . Journal of Travel Medicine .

Garcia, S. E. (2022). Butt lifts are booming. Healing is no joke . The New York Times Magazine.

Hill, C. (2021). ‘I could live on my Social Security and still save money’: This 66-year-old left Chicago for ‘calming’ Costa Rica — where he now plans to live indefinitely . MarketWatch.

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. (n.d.). Medical travel guide .

International Trade Administration. (2022). SIAT outbound survey monitor . U.S. Department of Commerce.

Joint Commission International. (n.d.). About JCI .

Joint Commission International. (n.d.). Search for JCI-accredited organizations .

Kim, S., et al. (2019). Critical success factors of medical tourism: The case of South Korea . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health .

Patients Beyond Borders. (n.d.). Quick facts about medical tourism .

Pavli, A., et al. (2021). Infectious complications related to medical tourism . Journal of Travel Medicine .

Stackpole, I., et al. (2021). Looking around the corner: COVID-19 shocks and market dynamics in US medical tourism . The International Journal of Health Planning and Management .

The Joint Commission. (n.d.). Facts about The Joint Commission .

Travel.State.Gov. (n.d.). Country information . U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Travel.State.Gov. (2018). Insurance providers for overseas coverage . U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Travel.State.Gov. (2018). Your health abroad . U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs.

VanderZanden, A., et al. (2021). What does community-oriented primary health care look like? Lessons from Costa Rica . The Commonwealth Fund.

Worldhospitalsearch.org. (n.d.). Find a gold seal hospital near you .

Xu, T., et al. (2020). An integrative review of patients’ experience in the medical tourism . INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing .

Yenginsu, C. (2021). Why medical tourism is drawing patients, even in a pandemic . The New York Times.

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Medical tourism: A passport to wellness

The ups and downs of traveling abroad for health care.

By Ethan Bauer

Every year, millions travel abroad seeking health care they can afford. “Medical tourism” is an estimated $92 billion industry that is growing by 15-25 percent each year, promising cheaper access to dental implants, plastic surgery, fertility assistance and even exotic cancer treatments — and doubles as something like a vacation to countries like Thailand or Mexico. The practice has become common around the world, but it’s particularly cost-effective here; the average American pays more than $12,500 on health care each year, outpacing the citizens of any other wealthy nation by $4,000. Some insurance companies have embraced the practice, too, but the savings come along with new risks and potential complications. Is medical tourism a boon for the marketplace, or a symptom of something rotten?

Free-market triumph

Access to doctors and clinics abroad empowers Americans to make the best choices for their own health by introducing competition to a stagnant system, dramatically expanding a growing range of options. Consumers can save up to 80 percent of what they’d pay at home, according to Patients Beyond Borders, a North Carolina company that promotes the practice. For many, these savings constitute a lifeline.

“Our market has always been what I call the ‘working poor’ and they just keep getting poorer,” Josef Woodman, the company’s CEO, told The New York Times in 2021. “The pandemic has gutted low-income and middle-class people around the world, and for many of them the reality is that they have to travel to access affordable health care.” The differences in cost are most salient for elective procedures, like plastic surgery, fertility treatment and dental work, which are not usually covered by insurance.

Institutions and corporations can also benefit from even a quick jaunt into a neighboring country. In Utah, the public trust that insures state employees offers a “pharmacy tourism program,” flying clients to San Diego and shuttling them across the border to buy low-cost prescription drugs in Tijuana, Mexico. Or if they prefer, they can choose to travel to Vancouver, Canada. In 2021, researchers at the University of Chicago argued that even medical tourism to other markets within the United States could be the most cost-effective way to fill the gap left by vanishing rural hospitals. Less glamorous, perhaps, but utilitarian.

Some patients travel for personal reasons, like getting access to cutting-edge treatments or privacy for elective procedures like cosmetic surgery. “Many can return home from their ‘vacation’ without anyone knowing they had a procedure at all,” writes one registered nurse for the physician-reviewed health website Verywell Health. Others may travel for treatments that aren’t approved or allowed in the U.S., like stem cell therapy or other experimental procedures.

Despite the inevitable hand-wringing over quality of care, the independent nonprofit The Joint Commission has recognized over 1,000 medical facilities worldwide that meet its standards. The same organization has accredited American hospitals since 1951 and is the largest health care accreditor in the nation, so its approval carries weight.

Systemic failure

Medical tourism is an indictment of our nation’s health care system, masked in pleasant terminology. “I prefer the term ‘outward medical travel,’” writes MSNBC health columnist Dr. Esther Choo, “and would argue that (this industry) should remind us of how inaccessible health care is here and the lengths to which people will go to get the care they want or need.” Patients may not realize what they’re risking, whether at their own initiative or nudged by insurance providers. “Quality and safety standards, licensure, credentialing and clinical criteria for receiving procedures are not consistent across countries and hospitals.”

These are not academic concerns, but vital issues with life-threatening consequences. One analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 93 Americans died between 2009 and 2022 due to complications from botched cosmetic surgeries in the Dominican Republic alone. The federal agency has also found outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that were linked to medical tourism in Mexico and warns that the most common complications among medical tourists are infections.

Medical tourists seeking access to treatments that have not been tested and approved by regulatory agencies in the U.S. may not be aware of the risks they are taking with a practice that researchers at Canada’s Simon Fraser University call “circumvention tourism.” They warn of potentially enormous pitfalls, from shattered hopes to money-sucking quackery. “Individuals may be desperate for a cure and vulnerable to engaging in decision-making that’s predicated on hope,” they write, “without a full understanding of the likelihood of success.”

Perhaps the most common problems are the most obvious: Patients are traveling far from home to get treatment from doctors who cannot participate in long-term follow-up, often coming up against linguistic and cultural challenges. Much more prevalent than the risk of getting targeted by opportunistic criminals are these impediments to communicate their needs. “It might be a no-brainer,” observes Henry Ford Health, one of the largest health care companies in Michigan, “but if you don’t speak the local language, it might be difficult to explain any feelings of discomfort or apprehension as they come up.”

This story appears in the April 2024 issue of Deseret Magazine . Learn more about how to subscribe .

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Medical tourism statistics: emerged as a significant global industry where individuals travel across international borders to seek medical treatment.

According to Market.us Media, The medical tourism industry is booming, with annual growth estimated at 15-25%. Patients are drawn to popular destinations like Thailand, Mexico, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Costa Rica, and Singapore due to substantial cost savings of 40-80%. Remarkably, over 90% of medical tourists express high satisfaction with their care. This thriving industry contributes over $100 billion annually to the global economy.

New York, Sept. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical tourism has emerged as a significant global industry where individuals travel across international borders to seek medical treatment, often for reasons such as cost savings, access to specialized treatments, or shorter wait times. This phenomenon has gained momentum due to advancements in transportation, communication, and healthcare technologies, making it easier for patients to access medical services in different parts of the world. While specific statistics may vary from year to year, the following provides a general overview of medical tourism statistics .

Editor’s Choice

Growth Rate : The medical tourism industry is growing at an estimated rate of 15-25%

Top Destinations : Popular medical tourism destinations include Thailand, Mexico, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Costa Rica, and Singapore .

Motivation - Cost : Approximately 40-80% savings on medical procedures motivate patients to seek treatment abroad.

Common Procedures : The most sought-after medical procedures in medical tourism include cosmetic surgery, dental treatments, orthopedic surgeries, and cardiac procedures.

Patient Origin : The majority of medical tourists come from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western Europe.

Satisfaction Rate : Over 90% of medical tourist’s express satisfaction with the quality of care received during their medical journey.

Economic Impact : The medical tourism industry is estimated to contribute over $100 billion annually to the global economy.

Global Medical Tourism Market Key Statistics

The global medical tourism market size  is expected to be worth around USD 35.9 Bn by 2032 from USD 11.7 Bn in 2022 , growing at a CAGR of 12.20% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2032.

The Asia Pacific region is the largest market for medical tourism, accounting for 75% of the global market in 2021.

Medical tourism can save patients up to 70% on the cost of care compared to the United States.

Request Sample Report and Drive Impactful Decisions:  https://market.us/report/medical-tourism-market/request-sample/

Reasons for Medical Tourism

Cost Savings : The primary reason for medical tourism is cost savings, with procedures often costing 30-80% less than in the patient's home country.

Quality of Care : About 50% of medical tourists choose medical tourism destinations due to access to high-quality healthcare services.

No Insurance Coverage : Around 25% of medical tourists seek treatment abroad because certain procedures aren't covered by their insurance plans.

Shorter Wait Times : Long waiting lists in home countries drive 20% of medical tourists to seek faster treatment options abroad.

Advanced Technology: Approximately 30% of medical tourists travel to access cutting-edge medical technology and treatments.

Privacy and Confidentiality : About 15% of medical tourists prioritize the privacy and confidentiality offered by healthcare facilities abroad.

Lack of Local Expertise : Nearly 20% of medical tourists travel because the specific medical expertise they need is unavailable locally.

Holistic and Alternative Therapies : Around 10% of medical tourists seek alternative therapies and holistic treatments available in certain medical tourism destinations.

Combining Treatment with Vacation : Approximately 40% of medical tourists view medical travel as an opportunity to combine treatment with leisure and vacation.

Referrals and Recommendations : Recommendations from friends, family, and medical professionals influence the medical tourism decision of about 25% of patients.

Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more.  Buy the full report here

Top Medical Tourism Destinations

Medical Tourism in India

The Indian medical tourism market is estimated to be worth $6 billion.

India receives around 500,000 medical tourists annually , making it a prominent destination.

Cardiac surgery and orthopedic procedures are some of the most sought-after treatments by medical tourists due to India's expertise.

Medical tourists in India can experience savings of 65-90% on medical expenses compared to Western countries.

The country offers over 20,000 registered medical tourists' beds across various hospitals, ensuring quality care.

India's accredited medical facilities and skilled doctors provide a high level of patient satisfaction.

The Indian government has taken steps to simplify the medical visa process, enhancing the ease of access for international patients.

Medical Tourism in Thailand

The number of medical tourists visiting Thailand has increased by 20% per year in recent years (Source: Patients Beyond Borders).

Thailand has over 100 hospitals and clinics that are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).

Over 5 million medical tourists visit Thailand annually for healthcare services.

Medical treatments in Thailand can cost 30-70% less than in Western countries, attracting budget-conscious patients.

The value of medical tourism in Thailand amounted to around nine billion U.S. dollars. This was forecast to reach approximately 4 billion U.S. dollars in 2027.

Government policy aims for Thailand to be a 'Medical and Wellness' destination and a world-class medical hub.

In 2017, international patients were forecasted to generate THB 48-49 billion in income for private hospitals, showing a 3%-4% growth from the previous year.

The number of international patients is projected to increase to 4-3.3 million, including medical tourists and expats.

Medical tourism is expected to support a tourism sector growth of approximately 16% annually during 2017-2020.

Medical Tourism in Singapore

The average cost of medical care in Singapore is 30-50% lower than in the United States.

Singapore receives 500,000 medical tourists each year.

The cost of knee replacement surgery in Singapore is S$22,000 , more than double Malaysian prices at S$10,000.

Singapore's medical cost inflation was 10% in 2018, 10 times the estimated rate of 1%.

The cost of medical visits and treatments in Singapore has increased by approximately 9% since 2015.

Singapore is ranked the most expensive city in the world for the 6th year running.

Singapore's healthcare remains competitive compared to the US. For instance, a knee replacement surgery costs more than double in the US at US$35,000 compared to US$16,000 in Singapore.

More than half of Singapore's medical tourists are from Indonesia, with approximately 250,000 Indonesians visiting Singapore for medical care each year.

Age and Gender Distribution of Medical Tourism

Age Distribution: The majority of medical tourists fall within the age range of 40 to 60 years old, comprising around 45% of all medical tourists.

Gender Breakdown: Women constitute a higher percentage of medical tourists, making up approximately 60% of the total medical tourism population.

Younger Patients: An emerging trend shows a rise in medical tourists aged 18 to 30, accounting for about 15% of the total medical tourism demographic.

Elderly Medical Travelers: Patients aged 60 and above make up about 25% of medical tourists, seeking specialized treatments such as joint replacements and cardiac surgeries.

Gender Preference in Procedures: Women often dominate cosmetic procedures, constituting about 80% of patients, while men tend to seek treatments for cardiology and orthopedics.

Economic Impact of Medical Tourism

Medical tourism is estimated to contribute over $100 billion to the global economy annually.

Popular medical tourism destinations often witness an increase of up to 25% in healthcare-related revenue.

Employment opportunities in medical tourism-related sectors can grow by 15% in certain regions.

Infrastructure development in medical tourism hubs can attract investments exceeding $500 million.

Medical tourism can account for up to 10% of a country's GDP in certain cases.

Final Thoughts

Medical tourism offers individuals an exciting way to access healthcare while at the same time discovering a world-class travel experience. Globalization of healthcare has given rise to this industry, providing patients access to treatments or procedures abroad that may cost less or require shorter wait times compared to their home country.

As medical tourism evolves, travelers should carefully evaluate the quality, safety and regulatory standards of medical facilities they plan on visiting in their chosen destinations. Medical tourism stresses the necessity for informed decision-making that balances both travel and medical components to create a successful experience for both aspects.

Explore More Trending Statistics

Wearable Healthcare Technology Statistics:  Wearable technology will flourish over the next 25 years, resulting in a global cost savings of over $200 billion in the healthcare industry. 30% of American adults use wearable technology for healthcare as of 2020.

Telemedicine Statistics:  Asia Pacific region showed a 52% increase in telehealth access to primary physicians/general patient services from 4% to 56%.

mHealth Apps Statistics:  While 84 million people in the U.S. use healthcare apps, among them 30% of individuals rely on smartphones and  mhealth apps.

Therapist Statistics:  There are more than 192,497 therapists are currently employed in the United States. There are 75.6% of therapists are women.

Schizophrenia Statistics:  The average potential of life lost for individuals with  schizophrenia in the United States is 28.5 years.

Mental Health Statistics:  In 2021, 52.8 million adults with Any Mental Illness, and 26.5 million adults received mental health services.

Eating Disorder Statistics:  Eating disorders have a high mortality rate of any mental illness, with an estimated 10% of individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Hearing Loss Statistics:  According to World Health Organization (WHO), 50% of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures.

Long-term care Statistics:  The total revenue share of nursing care services in the long-term care market is 35.2% in 2022, due to its high demand from developing countries.

Anti-aging Statistics:  The anti-aging products market is dominated by the Asia Pacific region which holds a market share of 43% with revenue of USD 17.7 bullion.

mRNA statistics:  In 2021, the revenue of the mRNA market was USD 50 billion and it is expected that the revenue will decrease to USD 23 billion by 2035.

Precision Medicine statistics:  The North America region is dominant in the  global precision medicine market with the largest market revenue of USD 33.4 billion.

CRISPR statistics:  The efficiency of CRISPR - mediated gene editing is increasing, with success rates ranging from 50% to 90% in different experimental setups.

Remote Patient Monitoring Statistics:  Asia Pacific region showed a 52% increase in  telehealth access to primary physicians/general patient services from 4% to 56%.

Digital therapeutic Statistics:  It is estimated that up to USD 250 billion of the US healthcare spending could be virtualized, because of the accelerated adoption of telehealth solutions driven by the pandemic.

Technology in Mental Health statistics:  Around 70% of individuals reported that they would feel comfortable seeking  mental health support from a Chatbot .

Internet of Medical Things Statistics:  North America is estimated to be the dominator in the global Internet of Things market, with the largest market share of 35.8% and revenue of USD 17.43 billion.

Plastic Surgery Statistics:  In 2022, there are 30 million aesthetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons , 12.8 million were surgical and 17.6 million were nonsurgical.

Robotic Surgery Statistics:   Robotic surgeries have increased to 15% of total surgical procedures despite limited evidence supporting them.

Smart bandages statistics:  The use of smart bandages is comparatively less in people aged 55+ and under 18 with 7% and 10% respectively.

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Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Tijuana’s Medical Tourism Surge: A Lifeline for Bariatric Patients and Economic Boost for San Diego

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Medical tourism is on the rise. One study published in the American Journal of Medicine estimated that, as of 2017, more than one million people travel overseas for medical care. People travel overseas because medical care is too expensive in their home countries or they can’t get treatment as quickly as they would like.

Rising Demand for Medical Tourism in Tijuana

Tijiuana, in particular, has seen a surge in medical tourism. The high cost of healthcare in the United States brings patients south of the border for bariatric and other surgeries. Thousands of Americans and Canadians flock to Tijuana for medical care that is 40 to 70 percent less expensive than in their home countries. In the United States, bariatric surgery can be incredibly expensive. Even if a person has insurance, they may be facing high out-of-pocket costs for bariatric surgery. Fortunately, Tijuana has become a beacon of hope for U.S. patients who face high costs or stringent insurance barriers for bariatric surgery.

The San Diego-Tijuana Region

The rapidly growing medical tourism industry in Tijuana, especially for bariatric surgery, is reshaping the dynamics of healthcare and economy in the San Diego-Tijuana region. At the forefront of this change is Renew Bariatrics, a healthcare facility credited with over 8,000 successful surgeries.

The San Diego airport is the gateway to Tijuana’s medical tourism. Patients often prefer flying into San Diego Airport due to its convenience and proximity to Tijuana. The alternative, flying directly into Tijuana, typically involves a stopover in Mexico City, resulting in longer flights and a more complex immigration process.

This travel pattern presents a significant economic opportunity for San Diego, as patients frequently spend several days to weeks in the city either before or after their surgery

Medical Tourists Support The Local Economy

Medical tourism visitors support Tijuana’s local economy: shops, restaurants, hotels, and liquor stores all benefit from medical tourism. A downturn in medical tourism means lost money and lost jobs for many residents.

Medical tourism also benefits San Diego’s local economy.  Patients often prefer flying into San Diego Airport due to its convenience and proximity to Tijuana. Patients contribute to San Diego’s economy by spending on accommodations, dining, and entertainment. Many patients extend their stay to explore San Diego’s famous attractions, such as the renowned zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Old Town, enhancing the cultural and recreational appeal of the region.

Patient’s also often visit Tijuana’s many cultural attractions, including Tijuana’s Zona Rio and new wineries in Baja’s hot grape-growing district Guadalupe Valley. In addition, the many local salons and spas offer unique experiences, contributing to the region’s appeal as a medical tourism destination.

Medical Community’s Growth in Tijuana

The demand for bariatric surgery has resulted in a number of state-of-the-art medical facilities and improvements in Tijuana. Medical tourism has spurred a number of new hospitals and facilities.  In addition, a special medical lane was recently opened at the border for medical tourists. This lane allows patients of Tijuana doctors to pass through the border in a special fast lane, avoiding long lines.

The demand for medical treatment has also attracted global medical professionals to Tijuana, seeking training and career opportunities. Dr. Hector Perez, a renowned surgeon at Renew Bariatrics , is a key figure in this growth, training medical professionals and contributing to the city’s rising status in the global medical community.

Tijuana hosts several annual medical bariatric conferences, with Dr. Perez often playing a significant role, including his position as this year’s scientific coordinator for the IFSO.

Why Do People Travel To Tijuana For Medical Procedures?

Bariatric surgery can be life-changing for patients who are obese. It can treat diabetes, sleep apnea, and other obesity related conditions. Most patients say that they have no regrets.

So, why do people travel south of the border for bariatric and other surgeries? Why not just have the surgery at home? Here are some of the top reasons why patients choose Mexico for surgery. 

High Quality Care

According to the New York Post, more than 90 percent of people who cross the border in California for medical services say that the medical care they received in Mexico was the same or better quality than that received in the United States.

World-Renowned Surgeons

Medical tourism provides patients with access to leading bariatric surgeons in Mexico , like Dr. Hector Perez, who is a key figure in the bariatric surgery space. Dr. Perez is a board-certified bariatric surgeon who has performed thousands of bariatric surgeries.

Healthcare Bargains

The more than one million people who travel to Mexico for medical care save 40 to 70 percent less on their treatment. If you desire great medical care and want to get surgery at a fraction of the cost, Tijuana is the way to go. The price of bariatric surgery in Mexico can start at under $5,000.

Final Thoughts

Tijuana is fast becoming one of the most popular places in the world for medical tourism. Patients choose to have procedures done in Tijuana due to the high quality of medical care and chance to spend time exploring Tijuana before or after their procedures.

MTA in the News

Medical tourism association in the news, the epoch times.

Mar 13, 2023

Thousands of Americans travel abroad yearly for medical treatment, looking to reap the benefits of high-quality health care at substantially lower costs. However, the recent killing of two United States citizens in Mexico underscores the inherent risks associated with “medical tourism.” “Sometimes, people try to do their research [but] they don’t work through certified agencies,” says Jonathan Edelheit, co-founder and chairman of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA).

WXYZ Detroit

Mar 10, 2023

Medical tourism, or seeking medical care abroad, has been around for decades. Recently, a group traveling from South Carolina to Mexico was involved in a tragic case of mistaken identity. One of the victims visited the country for a medical procedure when the group was kidnapped. Two were killed.

Mar 7, 2023

More Americans are traveling abroad for medical procedures, as some countries offer healthcare at significantly lower costs. However, patients should consider potential risks before deciding on medical tourism. @CodyBroadway and @JonEdelheit tells us more.

Jamaica Observer

Jul 4, 2021

The president of the Medical Tourism Association Renee-Marie Stephano argues that the proximity of the Cayman Islands to the United States and international recognition as a tourist destination give Cayman an advantage on the global competition for medical travel dollars in the Caribbean.

PR Newswire

Jul 15, 2020

The Medical Tourism Index was first created in 2014 and updated for the sector in its 2016-2017 report; this third edition arrives at a critical juncture, where modern healthcare has never been more important, and the future evolution of a young, globalized industry has never been harder to predict.

Jul 1, 2020

Medical Tourism Association (MTA) partners with Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) as South Korea extends high complexity medical services to international patients at a pivotal COVID-19 transition point.

MarketPlace

Jan 24, 2020

Starting Friday, new restrictions take effect for international visitors planning to give birth in the U.S. American officials at embassies and consulates around the world are now supposed to reject applications if they think someone is engaged in “birth tourism” — coming to the U.S. so your child can be born here and gain citizenship.

The Jordan Times

Jun 8, 2019

“Under the direction of His Majesty King Abdullah, the sector of medical tourism has seen exceptional support, support which has thus fostered growth,” said Mohammed Samih, president of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents.

Elmira Daily News

Feb 17, 2019

The global medical tourism market is rising at a fast pace, driven by governments support across various nations. This information has been shared by Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled “Medical Tourism Market Size, Share and Global Trend By Type (Domestic, International), By Treatment (Cosmetology, Dentistry, Cardiology, Orthopaedic surgery, Neurology, Oncology, Other), and Geography Forecast till 2026”.

Jan 28, 2019

Nearly a dozen Americans who had surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, have returned home with dangerous antibiotic-resistant infections, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

Benefitspro

Aug 21, 2018

With the shift in demand from U.S. patients after the passage of the ACA, some medical tourism companies closed up shop—but the concept has continued to evolve.

Bloomberg Businessweek

Jul 12, 2018

Startups from Berlin to Bangkok are trying to do for medical tourists what Airbnb or Hotels.com does for the general public.

Health and wellness tourism

Feb 19, 2018

Lo primero que debes de saber es que el turismo de salud no es una actividad nueva. Desde hace siglos la humanidad ha buscado respuesta a sus necesidades de salud, trasladándose a otros lugares con miras a mejorar su estado de salud o bienestar… Ante este contexto aclaramos que el turismo de salud no debe confundirse con medicina turística, pues esta última responde a la eventualidad de un turista que visita un país por razones de paseo o trabajo, es decir, se relaciona con las atenciones de emergencia que se le puedan presentar durante su estadía.

la piattaforma del turismo medicale

Feb 17, 2018

Promuovere l’eccellenza sanitaria e attrarre il turismo medicale. Nasce con questi obiettivi il primo portale italiano dedicato al medical tourism. La piattaforma ha preso vita in Lombardia su iniziativa del Gruppo Sanità di Assolombardia e prende il nome di Health Lombardy.

Wellness World

Jan 10, 2018

Try surfing online and you will be inundated with medical tourism offerings of every ilk. From cosmetic surgery to dental treatments, countries as diverse as Hungary, Thailand and China are aggressively promoting themselves in a sector that is seeing rapid expansion worldwide.

International Living

Dec 5, 2017

Affordable healthcare isn’t a myth. In fact, if you look beyond U.S. borders you’ll find healthcare systems in other countries that are equally as good—if not better—than what you get at home. And you won’t have to remortgage your house to stay healthy. As more and more people are realizing better and faster healthcare is available at a fraction of the cost, a growing number of them are opting to take advantage of what’s called medical tourism. It’s not uncommon for these medical tourists to save tens of thousands of dollars—or even more—on medical treatments without sacrificing on quality.

Dominican Today

Jan 6, 2017

The Dominican Republic has long been one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for Americans and Europeans to escape and enjoy its beautiful beaches, mountains, cultural heritage and gastronomy.

New York Times

Jan 2, 2017

HAVANA — Anuja Agrawal jumped on the phone. President Obama had just announced that he would restore diplomatic relations with Cuba — and Ms Agrawal, who runs a medical tourism company in Orlando, Fla., did not want to miss her opening.

Dec 14, 2016

You could save money on cosmetic surgery, dental procedures and other treatments by travelling to another country.

Health Journal

Nov 5, 2016

When Sandy Pradas’ dentist advised $7,000 worth of dental work, Pradas thought of the yoga retreats she’d led to Costa Rica. “I knew that a lot of people went there for dental work as well as other procedures, so I started doing research.” She found that for $3,200 she could get all her dental work done, plus take a two-week vacation.

Nov 1, 2016

When Faisal Banjar founded Arabian Gulf Medical Tourism Agency he secured what he thought was an important contract with the 600-bed Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital to bring foreign patients for treatment and capitalise on the $40 billion-a-year (Dh147 billion) medical tourism industry.

Redaccion Medica

Oct 30, 2016

España está en el ‘top 5’ de los mejores destinos de turismo médico de la Unión Europea, tal y como ha premiado la Medical Tourism Association durante la 9º Edición del Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress celebrada en Washington.

Business Mirror

Oct 29, 2016

THE Philippines is poised to take advantage of the $72-billion global medical tourism market, by positioning itself as a provider of excellent and affordable hospital care and medical treatments.

Oct 28, 2016

Das Zahnimplantat an der ungarischen Grenze, das Augenlasern in Prag und der Trip zum Beauty-Doc in Polen: Der sogenannte Medizintourismus hält sich in Ländern mit großzügigen Krankenversicherungen wie Österreich oder Deutschland zwar in Grenzen; wenn es um Behandlungen geht, die selbst zu zahlen sind, begibt sich aber auch manch heimischer Patient auf Reisen, um Kosten zu sparen. In Ländern, in denen die Gesundheitsversorgung grundsätzlich schlecht ist, hohe Selbstbehalte zu entrichten sind und/oder viele Menschen keine oder nur mangelhafte Versicherungen haben, nehmen diese Reisen dagegen weitaus größere Ausmaße an. So haben beispielsweise kanadische Zahnärzten jede Menge US-amerikanische Kunden, und auch in heimischen Krankenhäusern wie dem AKH sind bekanntlich gelegentlich ausländische Größen zu Gast.

Oct 21, 2016

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO--(Marketwired - Oct 17, 2016) - Digipath Inc. (OTCQB: DIGP) today reported that on Tuesday, October 18th and Wednesday, October 19th, 2016, Puerto Rico MedCann.Biz will host Puerto Rico's second official international cannabis conference, as Puerto Rico becomes the fourth jurisdiction in Latin America to enter into the medical cannabis trade. The $3 billion a year medical cannabis industry in the United States could provide the economic stimulus and job growth that Puerto Rico's citizens are looking for in 2016 and beyond. Todd Denkin, president and COO of Digipath Inc. and Digipath Labs, will be speaking to the crowd about the importance of cannabis lab testing.

Oct 18, 2016

Doctor to the stars. Pie Calayan is at the Manny and Pie Calayan clinic every Monday with her husband to administer medical and surgical procedures. The couple felt the growing interest in beauty and wellness made it important for them to be present in Cebu. CLICK TO READ MORE

Galenus Revista

Oct 11, 2016

La Asociación de Turismo Médico de Puerto Rico recibió el premio 2016 Global Accreditation Destination of the Year Award otorgado por la Medical Tourism Association en el 9º Congreso Mundial que se celebró en Washington D.C. En ese evento Puerto Rico estuvo representado por una delegación de oficiales del gobierno y de la empresa privada. El Director Ejecutivo de la Corporación de Turismo Médico de Puerto Rico (CTM), Francisco G. Bonet, expresó que ya se han certificado más de 50 empresas del sector de servicios de salud como hospitales, dentistas, laboratorios, clínicas, hoteles, entre otros.

Aug 4, 2016

Affordable healthcare isn’t a myth. In fact, if you look beyond U.S. borders you’ll find healthcare systems in other countries that are equally as good—if not better—than what you get at home. And you won’t have to remortgage your house to stay healthy.

China Travel News

Apr 9, 2016

The broader market for healthcare services and medical tourism is luring foreign investors to China even when hospitals of the world's second-largest economy are struggling to make healthcare available for patients.

Diario De Puerto Rico

Apr 5, 2016

MAYAGÜEZ – La Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico (CTPR), en colaboración con la Corporación de Turismo Médico de Puerto Rico (CTM), llevó a cabo un evento recientemente para ofrecer la información, capacitación y beneficios que provee el Turismo a diversos proveedores de servicios médicos de la Región Porta del Sol: como personal de hospitales, médicos, enfermeros y personal de oficinas médicas, entre otros, informó el jueves, la directora ejecutiva de la CTPR, Ingrid Rivera Rocafort.

Feb 14, 2016

(CNN)- Dr Javed Dawreeawo is learning about cultural differences through his clients. "My Chinese patients often want face procedures, like double eyelid surgery," says the plastic surgeon. "With the British, breast augmentation is more popular. For Dubai patients, it is always liposuction." Dawreewo says that bookings are rising sharply at his clinic in Plaines Wilhelms, central Mauritius, with clients arriving from across the world.

Orlando Sentinel

Jan 19, 2016

About a third of Dr Richard Klein's patients come to him from outside of Florida to receive vascular lymph node transfer surgery under his care at UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health. For some, this is the second or third trip to the area, but this time they come here "for the sun, theme parks and for surgery," he wrote in an op-ed published in LiveScience.

The Costa Rica Star

Jan 13, 2016

Tourists who come to Costa Rica seeking affordable dental procedures are getting younger and more attuned to the idea of going abroad for treatment, and this is a trend that can be expected to expand this decade.

JDSUPRA Business Advisor

Jan 10, 2016

Malaysia is becoming a world medical hub yet Malaysians are seeking treatment abroad. Sunday Star talks to stakeholders about growing the domestic medical market. BEST Country in the World For Healthcare in International Living’s Global Retirement Index 2015. Medical Travel Destination of the Year 2015 in the International Medical Travel Journal. The 2015 Public-Private Partnership Medical Travel Destination of the Year at the 8th Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress. Guess which country won all these accolades? Would you believe, Malaysia? Not only do our hospitals and healthcare facilities meet international standards but they do so at rates cheap enough to have foreigners flocking here to use them. Malaysians, however, are going overseas for medical and aesthetic procedures.

South Florida Business Journal

Dec 23, 2015

South Florida’s hospitals are losing global business because they mainly focus on local competition, says Renee-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association. She told the Business Journal that South Florida can potentially have the strongest medical tourism market statewide, but hospitals have to buy into collective marketing efforts, rather than continuing to operate independently to attract travellers coming to South Florida for medical procedures.

The Bulletin (Central Oregon)

Dec 22, 2015

Kyle Johnson always wanted to be an entrepreneur and even won a local startup contest with a dental appointments app. He didn’t follow through on the idea, though, because striking out on his own was too scary. It was scarier than raising three children or doing three combat tours as a U.S. Marine, Johnson said. The former St. Charles Health System administrator finally mustered the courage last summer and in January will launch a medical tourism website, MedicalBnB. Johnson said the goal is to make traveling to a foreign country to save money on surgery or dentistry easier for consumers. “You start to create the global health network,” Johnson said. “Maybe that will put some downward pressure on the pricing in the U.S. I don’t know, but that’s what my hope is.”

Caribbean News Digital

Dec 20, 2015

Un acuerdo interinstitucional para trabajar de manera conjunta en la promoción de República Dominicana como destino de turismo de salud e inversión, fue firmado por la Asociación Dominicana de Turismo de la Salud (ADTS) y el Cuerpo Consular Acreditado en la República Dominicana (CCARD). Alejandro cambiaso, presidente de la ADTS y la decana del Cuerpo Consular, Sonia Villanueva de Brouwer, suscribieron el documento que incluye la promoción conjunta de la “Guía de Turismo Médico y Bienestar de República Dominicana”, publicación de la Medical Tourism Association (MTA), que avala al país como destino de salud internacional.

Oct 26, 2015

Medical tourists must be better understood before they can be drawn to South Florida.

Star Tribune

Oct 25, 2015

The list of Minnesota brokers who are certified to arrange international medical tourism is a short one. It’s Maria Maldonado. The owner of Trip4Care in Minneapolis, Maldonado specializes in sending people to Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia for surgeries, dental care and fertility treatments. Maldonado’s lonely position in the market reflects the struggles of medical tourism, despite predictions a decade ago that it would become a major alternative to America’s increasingly unaffordable health care. While procedures such as hip replacements still can be obtained cheaply in India, Thailand and other countries, that advantage has been eroded by federal changes that expanded health insurance to millions of Americans, and by large U.S. hospitals muscling into the business with their own domestic tourism services.

Bahama Islands Info

Oct 23, 2015

As the global medical tourism sector continues to experience phenomenal growth, Grand Bahama Island and more specifically, the City of Freeport is hoping to capitalise on this $100 billion industry. With the recent opening of the Okyanos Stem Cell Therapy facility on Grand Bahama, executives at The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), believe that Freeport is well-positioned to capture a portion of the Health Tourism market, especially considering our proximity to neighbouring North America.

The Bulletin

Oct 22, 2015

A slew of dental offices and pharmacies line a block of shops selling metal lawn sculptures shaped like donkeys, and handcrafted red and white Mexican dresses popular with American tourists. Many visitors bypass the shops and head straight for the pharmacies and dentists strategically located just a few steps from the border crossing.

Fierce Healthcare

Oct 21, 2015

Medical tourism is increasingly becoming a two-way street. Americans aren't just seeking lower-cost health services abroad, but patients from all over the world are also more willing to travel overseas for top-notch, full-price U.S. healthcare. But opportunities and concerns surrounding the trend are attracting attention from industry leaders, investors and politicians.

The Yucatan Times

Oct 19, 2015

The Government of the State of Yucatan participated as a Silver Sponsor with an important delegation to promote the state as a key destination in Latin America for patients from around the world and as an ideal venue for companies and corporations dedicated to the health industry. With more than 3,000 participants of which at least 200 were medical services, buyers, the Orange County Convention Center became for two days the most important global platform to generate quotes and rapprochement with the strongest players in the medical tourism sector, that last year only, accounted for an income of more than three billion U.S. dollars for Mexico, which by the way, is in second place of the world ranking, only behind Thailand and even above the the U.S.

Oct 18, 2015

Medical Tourism Association has recognized Orlando as the medical tourism Emerging Destination of the Year. “Top-notch healthcare in Orlando remains an important reason why many people -- including an ever-present and growing senior population -- buy homes, rentals and retirement properties and start businesses in the region,” said Renée-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association, in a news release.

Oct 14, 2015

En el marco de la celebración del VIII Congreso Mundial de Turismo Médico de la Medical Tourism Association (MTA) fue puesta en circulación la primera guía de turismo de salud y bienestar de la República Dominicana, y a su vez de Latinoamérica. En el evento, celebrado del 27 al 30 de septiembre de 2015, en el Orange County Convention Center, por primera vez, los principales centros de salud de República Dominicana se unieron con el objetivo de posicionar al país a nivel internacional como el principal destino turístico médico y de inversión del Caribe.

Sep 17, 2015

When Julie Thiets heard that the Supreme Court had upheld the Affordable Care Act’s federal subsidies in the landmark case King v. Burwell this summer, she screamed with relief. “I felt like I’d won the lottery!” she says. The Decatur, Georgia, video services provider is just one of the roughly 8 million people nationwide who need the subsidies to buy health insurance through the insurance marketplace established by the 2010 health care law. “Without that insurance, my rheumatoid arthritis bills would have wiped us out,” she says. “My husband and I would have lost our business and our home.”

Vally News Live

Sep 15, 2015

Many travel across the ocean to explore, escape and take it easy. But there's another reason to travel, each year, more than 750,000 people living in the U.S., head to another country for medical care. Melissa Kava's family and friends from Fargo came to wish her the best after her surgery. "She's been to specialist, all over Canada, U.S. and Mexico and no one could help her," says Kava's Brother Michael Rognlien. She's battling blindness. She has 22% of her sight in one eye and completely blind in the other. They were refereed to a specialist in the United Kingdom and her family managed to send her there. The surgery will stop the deterioration but her family says she can't drive, work or focus on something for too long.

Becker's Spine Review

Sep 11, 2015

The healthcare economy is turning into a global economy and providers in the United States are already competing with facilities in countries like India and Thailand for patients. Patients can travel overseas for services including orthopaedic procedures and heart surgeries where costs are significantly lower than surgery in the United States and wait times are shorter. India and Thailand are leading destinations with local hospitals catering to medical tourists.

Caribbean News

Sep 9, 2015

Cuatro grandes centros de salud en República Dominicana unieron sus fortalezas para ofrecer a pacientes extranjeros y nacionales que residen en el exterior sus principales servicios médicos, lo que permitirá posicionar al país como destino turístico médico en el Caribe.

California Broker Magazine

Sep 7, 2015

His heart was ticking. So, too, was his time. Pablo Concepcion had to find a hospital that would enable him to receive a desperately needed heart transplant. Anytime soon would do. The 58-year-old Miami resident driver didn’t want to wait any longer. He was a little worried that his deteriorating condition would not elevate him beyond the status of tens of patients like him waiting for the gift of life in the United States. So, Concepcion and his wife did what not many might do, but what government officials and healthcare interests in Puerto Rico hope many more may someday do: they boarded a plane from Florida for the island and a hospital that would perform heart transplant surgery.

Aug 5, 2015

Entorno Inteligente

Aug 3, 2015

Los hoteles Caribe Hilton y Condado Plaza Hilton lograron certificarse en turismo médico en la categoría de hospederías, los primeros en la Isla, mientras autoridades públicas y privadas intensifican las gestiones para repuntar la industria en este segmento. Jonathan Edelheit, principal oficial ejecutivo de la Medical Tourism Association (MTA), cuya sede es en Florida, informó que ambas hospederías obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios para la certificación, mediante la Iniciativa de Servicios a Pacientes Internacionales y el Programa de Formación y Certificación de WellHotel.

Market Watch

Jul 27, 2015

The hospitality industry in Puerto Rico took a significant step toward positioning the island as a prime destination for health and wellness travel when the Caribe Hilton and Condado Plaza Hilton were certified as a WellHotel™ after completing an intensive training and evaluation program offered through the Medical Tourism Association®, the Puerto Rico Medical Tourism Corporation and Medical Tourism Association® announced today.

Jul 25, 2015

A former shoe mill here is set to become a five-star medical tourism facility that caters to wealthy Chinese. The plan was announced Friday morning at a press conference in which a Chinese investment company, Central Maine Medical Center and city and state officials heralded what they call a unique opportunity.

Bavaro News

Jul 24, 2015

Para dar a conocer los planes y la oferta que tiene el país en cuanto al tema, realizaron la video conferencia con Cristina Cardona, ejecutiva de la Medical Tourism Association (MTA), o Asociación de Turismo Medico. La actividad se realizó el pasado 16 de julio y fue transmitida de manera simultánea en UNIBE Santo Domingo y en UNIBE Recinto Cap Cana, contando con la presencia de importantes personalidades del sector salud, así como hoteleros, representantes de agencias de viaje, aseguradoras y profesionales de industria complementaria relacionadas al turismo de salud.

Orlando Business Journal

Jul 22, 2015

Orlando has another attraction that has its own set of stories and memories worth boasting about. Medical tourism is not usually mentioned in the same breath as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or sunny beaches, but it should and could very well be someday.

News Channel 3 - West Michigan CBS

Jul 21, 2015

According to the CDC, around 750,000 people in the U.S. travel abroad for care each year. Newschannel 3's Jessica Harthorn talked to a nurse from Portage, who went to Tijuana, Mexico for a surgery that changed her life. It's called "medical tourism," a fancy name for travelling to another country for medical care. Advocates say patients can save up to 70 percent when signing up for everything from plastic surgery to heart surgery.

Middle Market Growth

Jul 17, 2015

Transparency and access to information are essential for good decision-making by consumers, yet the health care industry remains opaque in many ways. For some patients, seeking care outside their local markets may lead to better outcomes at a lower cost. To pursue such care, however, they need to know the options available, as well as the price and level of quality, all of which can be difficult to assess. The Medical Tourism Association formed in 2007 to make that information more readily ccessible to patients - whether they're Americans seeking care in a different U.S. region or outside the country, or foreign nationals traveling to the United States for care as well as to other stakeholders, including health care providers, employer and insurance companies.

Jul 14, 2015

La Argentina es uno de los destinos más buscados de la región para el turismo médico gracias a ventajas competitivas del país, su excelencia profesional y su variada oferta turística. En el marco del acuerdo firmado entre OSDE y el Ministerio de Turismo para desarrollar la actividad en el país, las principales autoridades del turismo médico mundial, reunidos en la Medical Tourism Association (ATM), se reunirán en Mendoza el 14 de julio próximo.

El Tiemp Latino

Jun 15, 2015

Más de 30 empresas de servicios de salud de Estados Unidos, Latinoamérica y Canadá, interesadas en explorar oportunidades de negocio en el mercado del turismo médico en la Isla junto a cientos de empresarios del sector médico y proveedores de salud locales participaron del primer foro de turismo médico en Puerto Rico, el Caribe Health Summit.

Bloomberg Business

Jun 12, 2015

This is how far one Express Scripts Holding Co. executive was willing to go to secure inexpensive versions of Gilead Sciences Inc.’s hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, unavailable to U.S. consumers under federal drug import and patent laws. His plan: Dock a cruise ship flying an Indian flag off the coast of Miami. Stock the ship with versions of Sovaldi sold in India for $83,000 less than the U.S. retail price for 12 weeks of treatment. Ferry U.S. patients to the boat and send them home with the potentially life-saving medicines at a huge discount.

Middle East Health Magazine

May 25, 2015

New prosthetic limbs are definitely on the cards for a pair of Gaza twins born with dysfunctional limbs, but that’s for the not too - distant future when they grow older. Just taking their first steps a few years ago, was a miracle in itself. Itaf Shallouf’s daughters, Lamise and Rimas, suffered from a type of congenital deficiency that left them without the tibia bones in their lower legs, and it was feared they would never stand. But today the Shallouf girls are walking, albeit gingerly, thanks to a medical tourism experience that took them from the Middle East to the United States for a series of surgeries and prosthetic fittings at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Los Angeles.

Gulf Business

May 23, 2015

Dubai is currently ranked 17 out of 25 countries in terms of its attractiveness as a global medical tourism hub, according to a new index. The Medical Tourism Index (MTI), developed by the International Healthcare Research Centre and Medical Tourism Association, measured the attractiveness of a destination or a country based on three key dimensions including its environment, medical tourism industry, facility and service, along with 34 underlying indicators.

South FLorida Caribbean News

May 22, 2015

Renee Marie Stephano, Founder and President of the Medical Tourism Association shared her perspectives at the “Managing Jamaica’s Economic Future” session at JAMPRO’s Jamaica Investment Forum 2015. Medical Tourism, which represents an approximately US$100 billion market, is expected to become one of Jamaica’s leading areas for international investment as demand increases in developed countries. The expansion of this industry will form a critical part of Jamaica’s strategy for economic growth.

Apr 21, 2015

Plans to fund marketing efforts promoting medical tourism had been languishing, but are getting a boost due to their attachment to the direct primary care proposal. The combined proposal is generating bipartisan support as they move through the legislative process.

Mar 14, 2015

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s Export and Investment Center (CEI-RD) on Friday announced support for the Dominican Health Tourism Association’s (ADTS) 1st Forum, which aims to position the country as a health destination and explore investment and financing options in that sector.

Mar 11, 2015

Some US health insurers have initiated medical tourism programs for members who enrolled in self-funded health plans. Their rationale is that despite airfare and accommodations, savings can be large

The New York Times

Feb 17, 2015

HAVANA - Anuja Agrawal jumped on the phone. President Obama had just announced that he would restore diplomatic relations with Cuba - and Ms Agrawal, who runs a medical tourism company in Orlando, Fla., did not want to miss her opening. She reached a health care administrator in Cuba, agreeing to move ahead with a deal that they had been discussing for months in the hope that American patients could soon start travelling to the island for medical treatment.

Tulsa World

Feb 15, 2015

One of the most under-reported medical success stories in recent years has been the increase in medical tourism: travelling abroad to get high-quality care at a fraction of what it would cost in the United States.

The Washington Post

Feb 10, 2015

One of the most under-reported medical success stories in recent years has been the increase in medical tourism: travelling abroad to get high-quality care at a fraction of what it would cost in the United States. While going overseas for care isn’t for most people, it certainly should make us wonder why we don’t encourage Americans, especially Medicare recipients whose bills are largely paid by taxpayers, to at least shop around in their own states or communities.

WPTV - West Palm Beach

Jan 20, 2015

Some Americans, like Melissa Freihofer, feel their dollar will go a long way overseas. As a surprise for her birthday, her friends & family put together funds to treat her on a much-deserved trip to Costa Rica. Melissa will get her teeth fixed at Meza Dental, located in Costa Rica a country popular with American tourists, known for its beauty, but also for its dentists. Melissa will be rejuvenating her smile through two sessions that will replace her teeth with a full set of implants totalling $22,000 including travel and accommodations; at a fraction of the cost for the same treatment in the states.

Yucatán Ahora

Jan 13, 2015

Debido a Yucatán es punta de lanza en servicio médico privado, empresarios locales y estadounidenses trabajarán de manera conjunta para establecer estrategias de desarrollo para aprovechar el turismo médico.

Jan 12, 2015

People already flock to Florida for the warm weather and beautiful beaches, but now lawmakers want to allure tourist to visit the state for another reason. News Channel 5's Jamel Lanee' shows us why medical tourism will be at the top of the list during the next legislative session.

Jan 10, 2015

Even with a good health plan, saving money on medical expenses can be tough. Deductibles, co-insurance and copays add up quickly. And elective procedures may not be covered at all. Note that open enrollment for individual and family plans ends on Feb. 15. Here are essential facts to know if you're buying a health plan. But here's one way to beat your health insurance and get that needed dental work or bariatric surgery: Go abroad.

Associations NOW

Dec 22, 2014

Increasingly, patients are opting to combine serious medical procedures (and their long recoveries) with vacations. There’s even a term for it: medical tourism. And one trade group is working to stay out in front of this growing industry.

The Guardian

Dec 21, 2014

Cynthia Losen couldn’t find a surgeon near her suburban Virginia home who could ease her debilitating pain from lymphedema, a condition stemming from lymph node removal in cancer surgery. So, after shopping around for doctors, she decided to seek treatment at UF Health Cancer Center – Orlando Health, a hospital she trusted that took her insurance.

Business Traveller

Dec 19, 2014

Unless you’re on a comprehensive insurance plan, health care can be either horrifically expensive or require excruciatingly long waiting times under national systems. “Medical tourism” – travelling across international borders for health care – has emerged in recent years as a cheaper, viable alternative for those looking to take their health into their own hands, with Asian nations leading the charge.

Sky Delta Magazine

Dec 17, 2014

Before you make a firm decision to pack a suitcase and head off to some far-away hospital for a medical procedure, Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the West Palm Beach, Florida-based Medical Tourism Association advises asking these questions first...

YNetNews.com

Dec 15, 2014

Medical Tourism Index ranks Israel alongside Canada and UK as one of the most attractive destinations for medical travel in 2014. The industry generates more than NIS 1 billion a year in income.

Global Health and Travel

Dec 10, 2014

In August, media reports of an Australian couple who allegedly abandoned their child born with down syndrome through a Thai surrogate mother shed light on Thailand’s lax regulations regarding commercial surrogacy, prompting the country’s newly empowered military government to take action.

The Gulf Today

Nov 11, 2014

The UAE ranked 16th as a preferred destination for Medical Tourism and has the potential to be in the top five, say experts. Renee Marie-Stephano, the president of the Medical Tourism Association, said there may be new demands for trends in treatments and destinations in medical travel. However, there are untapped niche target market opportunities within medical tourism.

Providence Journal

Nov 10, 2014

The Rhode Island Medical Technology Innovation Act, which I sponsored in the House of Representatives, was developed to address regulations that presented impediments to providing good health care services to state residents. The new law corrects previous delays in responding to a new business entering Rhode Island and eliminates a major roadblock to firms involved in new, evolving kinds of health-care services from coming to Rhode Island.

Washington Business Journal

Oct 20, 2014

D.C. officials plan to launch a new global medical tourism initiative, one highlighting hospitals alongside monuments and hotels, in a bid to attract visitors and get a cut of a $15 billion industry.

Health Law Gurus

Oct 19, 2014

Surgery was on his bucket list, but Bruce Ryan didn’t want to wait until he retired to repair his debilitating and painful rotator cuff injury. The 59-year-old construction manager could have traveled the six hours to Stanford Medical Center – considered one of the top facilities in the United States. He had other reservations, instead.

Start-Up Israel

Oct 18, 2014

Israel ranks as one of the world’s best places for foreigners to get medical care, according to an authoritative annual report. The Medical Tourism Index (MTI) ranks Israel highest in a survey of 25 of the most popular destinations for medical tourism for care, services, and best patient experiences and third overall as the best place for non-Israelis to get medical care.

Oct 17, 2014

The planned tourist hospital and related infrastructure should raise Jamaica's reputation as a medical tourism destination and hike foreign currency earnings, according to the US-based Medical Tourism Association.

CBS Money Watch

Oct 15, 2014

"Health care is focused on the super-specialization of services," Renee-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association, said during a recent conference on the issue. "Patients are no longer looking to go to general hospitals if they have a specialized condition."

Oct 10, 2014

Patients who travel to find higher-quality or less expensive care are driving the future of the Florida health care industry, experts said Tuesday at the BioFlorida annual conference in Fort Lauderdale. The trend is called medical tourism, and Florida can jump aboard by providing specialized care that patients can’t find in any other part of the world, said Renee-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association.

Sep 13, 2014

Singapore gained an overall 4th place in the latest medical tourism ranking, the only Asian destination to reach the top five placements in a study of 25 nations, worldwide. Canada topped the overall medical tourism ranking with a score of 76.87 followed by the UK 74.85, Israel 74.17, Singapore 73.96 and Costa Rica 72.78, the International Healthcare Research Centre announced today.

CBS - WUSA 9

Sep 11, 2014

The camel was there as part of Medical Silk Road, a Health Summit of the World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress. He or she was showcasing mobile health technology.

News Is My Business.com

Sep 10, 2014

A collaboration between Puerto Rico and the U.S.-based Medical Tourism Association is the opening salvo in the island’s newly announced strategy to develop medical tourism as a vital economic sector. The stateside group has been contracted to certify professionals and facilities involved in the island’s medical tourism industry, Francisco Bonet, executive director of the Puerto Rico Medical Tourism Corp., told News Is My Business.

European CEO

Sep 2, 2014

Medical tourists from the US and beyond are revolutionising European healthcare markets, say President of the MTA Renée-Marie Stephano, and Executive Vice President of Dünyagöz Hospital Selin Yildirim Nestled in the heart of California’s Redwood region along the Pacific coast, Blue Lake Casino and Hotel is the kind of place people go to get away from it all. Bruce Ryan couldn’t wait to get away either.

South China Morning Post

Aug 18, 2014

When Hong Kong resident Brett Hinds chose to have an eye operation in Thailand last year, he wasn't only motivated by the cheaper cost of the surgery. The treatment, called ReLEx, was a form of laser surgery unavailable in Hong Kong at the time. "Quality and trust in the service provider influenced my decision - cost was a factor but not the biggest one," says Hinds, who declined to give his real name.

China Daily

Aug 17, 2014

Only a few Chinese companies provide medical tourism overseas. Saint Lucia has signed agreements with top hospitals in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea and Singapore. The company has already worked with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in the US, and Wellington and Royal Brompton Hospitals in the UK.

Houston Chronical

Aug 16, 2014

Mexican businessman Juan Payan and his wife, Martha, arrived in Houston almost three months ago and have accrued about $300,000 in expenses to ensure they have the best Houston has to offer.

Santa Fe Local News

Aug 14, 2014

Mexican businessman Juan Payan and his wife, Martha, arrived in Houston almost three months ago and have accrued about $300,000 in expenses to ensure they have the best Houston has to offer.“Health doesn’t have a price,” Payan said through interpreter Javier Paredes, the patient liaison assigned to assist him. The Texas Medical Center is becoming more focused on patients like Payan and the estimated 20,000 other foreign visitors who travel to Houston annually for medical care. It’s part of a renewed effort to capture a bigger share of the multibillion-dollar global medical tourism industry.

Luxury Hoteliers Magazine

Aug 13, 2014

Think of luxury travel and thoughts of fancy yachts, exotic island hideaways or posh resorts immediately come to mind. Continue to follow the truly affluent, who only desire to eat, drink, and be merry while pampering in lavish surroundings. While this may be an accurate perception of some in this rarified camp, painting all well-to-do with the same gilded brush is inaccurate. That’s because a growing number of luxury travellers opt for holistic-based travel experiences that cater to mind, body and spirit.

Aug 12, 2014

In today's climate, it's not always easy to find a good doctor or an appropriate and affordable medical procedure. The federal health insurance exchanges, which have reduced patient options event further, haven't helped matters. A growing number of Americans and employers are seeking creative paths to inexpensive and first-rate healthcare. What they have found is not always available at their doorsteps but many miles away.

Aug 9, 2014

In an age in which stylish accommodations – mixing leisure and wellness with corporate travel -- might not be enough to service the world's wealthiest and most demanding clientele, elite hoteliers from around the world and those who desire a place among them will commence competition to attract the next generation of guests at "Fast Forward 2020" Sept. 22-23, 2014, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, near Washington, D.C., the International Luxury Hotel Association, the conference's coordinator announced today.

Vitals Blog

Jul 16, 2014

Surgery, healthcare, dental treatment and medications are often cheaper in other countries – much cheaper. Consider that a hip replacement costs about $40,000 on average in the U.S. The same procedure costs only $7,780 in Spain. In fact, the Medical Tourism Association says that most patients save 90% of the cost by travelling abroad.

Medical Tourism Association

The Medical Tourism Association is a Global Non-profit association for the Medical Tourism and International Patient Industry. The MTA works with healthcare providers, governments, insurance companies, employers and other buyers of healthcare - in their medical tourism, international patient, and healthcare initiatives - with a focus on providing the highest quality transparent healthcare.

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When the Prescription Is for a Dance Class, not a Pill

Prescriptions for social activities, exercise and the arts — first popularized in Britain — are coming to America. But some experts say the U.S. health care system may get in the way.

By Christina Caron

Last spring, Tia Washington, 52, a mother of three in Dublin, Calif., received a stern warning from her doctor: If she didn’t quickly gain control of her high blood pressure, she was likely to end up in the emergency room.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

He wrote a prescription for blood pressure medication and urged her to see a health coach, too. Ms. Washington reluctantly agreed.

“I didn’t want to die,” she said.

To her surprise, the health coach wanted to talk about more than vital signs. Ms. Washington found herself opening up about how she disliked doctors (and medications). How she tended to address the needs of work or family before her own. How her job had created “tremendous stress.”

Together, they decided that Ms. Washington would attend two weekly movement classes, check in regularly with a nurse practitioner and receive free fruits and vegetables from a “food as medicine” government program.

By the end of the conversation with the health coach, Ms. Washington said, the message was clear: “Tia, pay attention to yourself. You exist.”

Ms. Washington’s experience is just one example of how a practice called social prescribing is being explored in the United States, after being adopted in more than 20 other countries . The term “social prescription” was first popularized in Britain after it had been practiced there in various forms for decades. While there isn’t one universally accepted definition, social prescriptions generally aim to improve health and well-being by connecting people with nonclinical activities that address underlying problems , such as isolation, social stress and lack of nutritious food, which have been shown to play a crucial role in influencing who stays well and for how long.

For Ms. Washington, who is among thousands of patients who have received social prescriptions from the nonprofit Open Source Wellness , the experience was transformative. She found a less stressful job, began eating more healthfully and learned simple ways to move more during the day. About a year later, she was able to stop taking blood pressure medication entirely.

Elsewhere in the United States, similar programs are underway: At the Cleveland Clinic, doctors are prescribing nature walks, volunteering and ballroom dancing to geriatric patients. In Newark, an insurance provider has teamed up with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to offer patients glassblowing workshops, concerts and museum exhibitions. A nonprofit in Utah is connecting mental health patients with community gardens and helping them participate in other activities that bring them a sense of meaning. And universities have started referring students to arts and cultural activities like comedy shows and concerts as part of their mental health initiatives.

The approach has also drawn the attention of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ’s community development team, which will bring together experts over the course of the next year to discuss how social prescriptions can help improve well-being in low-income neighborhoods.

The process of making referrals is not new among community health professionals and social workers. Social prescribing differs by providing a kind of accountability coach, referred to as a link worker in Britain , who assesses the needs and interests of clients and then connects them to local organizations including volunteer groups and cultural institutions.

In recent years, the English national health care system has employed 1,000 new link workers, with the goal of making social prescribing available to 900,000 people by 2024. But putting such a plan in place in the United States, which does not have a socialized health care system, would be far more complicated, experts say.

“There’s reason to be skeptical about how far this will go,” said Daniel Eisenberg, a professor of health policy and management at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Our health care system tends to make only very incremental changes, and I think all the biases built into the system favor medical care and more acute intensive care.”

If social prescriptions can help keep people out of the emergency room for routine complaints, which could save billions of dollars , this may provide additional incentive for health insurance providers to help cover the costs, experts say.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, New Jersey’s largest health insurer, is participating in a study examining whether an arts prescription program will improve patients’ quality of life and reduce health disparities. Further down the road, the company will find out whether the prescriptions can also save money by lessening patients’ reliance on the E.R. for ordinary health care needs. While earlier research on social prescribing suggests that it can improve mental health and quality of life and that it might reduce doctor visits and hospital admissions , many of the studies have been small, reliant on patients’ self-reporting and done without a control group.

The potential benefits have made social prescription “a really hot topic,” said Jill Sonke, the research director at the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine. She is working with British researchers to identify all of the social prescription programs in the United States — the number now tops 30 — and learn what worked and what didn’t.

The programs are not a panacea, Dr. Sonke said, and there are many possible pitfalls to enacting them on a wider scale in America. If social prescriptions are not accessible to people who are uninsured or underinsured, for example, or if people don’t feel welcome at the places they’re being referred to, then “the system isn’t doing what it’s intended to do,” she said. “It really is about everyone having access to wellness and prevention,” she added.

In January, Stanford University and Rutgers University-Newark began prescribing arts and cultural activities to students as an expansion of the schools’ mental health services. At Rutgers, students can attend cultural events in Newark at no cost, via a partnership with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. At Stanford , the students are referred to campus events like concerts, art exhibitions or specialized classes, and prescriptions are managed by Art Pharmacy, a start-up in Atlanta that also provides arts prescriptions in Georgia and Massachusetts.

At both schools, any student, including those without mental health issues, can seek a referral from a trained staff member . Student leaders at Rutgers can also make referrals.

Kristi Maisha, a Stanford graduate student who studies civil engineering, said she decided to participate because she wanted to take a moment away from the intensity of her academic schedule.

“It is not very beneficial to stay in that head space all the time,” she said. “So I was definitely looking for something that would kind of break me out of that.”

Ms. Maisha chose to attend an improvisational dance class led by a choreographer — though she showed up with some trepidation. “What am I doing?” she thought as the class began.

But she followed the instructor’s lead, contorting her torso and limbs, and even her face, into new shapes — leading with her body instead of her brain. The class became symbolic of simply living in the moment, she said, and she felt freed from the “planned out, predetermined thoughts” that often confined her. “Now that I know that it’s actually quite a good time, I’m more likely to do it, regardless of them prescribing it or not,” she said.

Read by Christina Caron

Audio produced by Kate Winslett .

Christina Caron is a Times reporter covering mental health. More about Christina Caron

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