Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. Without health insurance or even sometimes with health insurance, many patients are electing to skip necessary procedures because they simply can't afford to pay for them.
In a February 10, 2009 article, "Analysts Say Number of Uninsured Americans to Grow," by the Associated Press, the Congressional Budget Office announced that 45 million Americans do not have health insurance and this number is expected to increase significantly over the next few years.
Additionally, The Commonwealth Fund reported that the the number of under insured American adults rose to 25 million, up 60% between 2003 and 2007. Enter medical tourism.
What is Medical Tourism?
Medical tourism is the act of traveling to a foreign destination to seek health care. It is not a new concept. Since 4,000 B.C., people have traveled the world in search of a cure for what ails them. Foreigners traveled to Sumeria, Greece, Rome, India and Japan to soak in mineral-rich hot springs or search for alternatives to "traditional" health care such as acupuncture, yoga and Ayurvedic healing.
Benefits of Medical Tourism
The main benefit of medical tourism is the price. For example, according to MedRetreat.com, here are the average costs of three of the more common surgical procedures when performed in the U.S. versus when done abroad.
The price of hip replacement surgery is as follows:
- U.S. $40,000 - $65,000
- Abroad $7,000 - $13,000
The price of total spinal disc replacement surgery is as follows:
- U.S. $100,000 - $150,000
- Abroad $8,000 - $12,000
The price of heart bypass surgery is as follows:
- U.S. $90,000 - $120,000
- Abroad $10,000 - $18,000
A second benefit is often the level of service offered. Many hospitals are competing to become the best medical tourism facilities available. As a result, many foreign hospitals offer luxurious recovery suites with perks such as free massages and pedicures for patients and anyone traveling with a patient.
Are Foreign Doctors and Hospitals Safe?
Just as in the U.S., there are good doctors and good hospitals and bad doctors and bad hospitals. When researching any doctor, it's important to ask as many questions about the doctor's education and training as possible. A comforting fact most medical tourism researchers discover is that a surprising number of foreign doctors were trained in the U.S.
When it comes to choosing a foreign hospital, be sure to ask just as many questions and to choose a hospital that has been certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or has received the quality certification of the International Standards Organization.
Will a Foreign Doctor Speak English?
Due to the competitive nature of the medical tourism industry, the vast majority of foreign doctors speak English. If a doctor does not speak English, most hospitals will provide the patient with a bilingual translator to ensure the highest level of customer service.
Health Insurance and Medical Tourism
In 2007, 750,000 Americans traveled abroad for medical procedures and that number continues to climb each year as U.S. health care costs skyrocket. As a result, a few U.S. based medical insurance companies are starting to affiliate with foreign hospitals, launching pilot programs that may open the door to insurance companies covering the costs of certain medical procedures done abroad.
The Disadvantages of Medical Tourism
There are a few disadvantages concerning medical tourism. A patient may also have a hard time adjusting to the foreign country's culture or food. Long flights, especially after surgery, may increase a patient's risk for deep vein thrombosis or blood clots. Blood clots can cause painful swelling of a limb, most commonly a leg and should a clot dislodge, it can travel to the lungs resulting in death.
And on a legal note, should a patient file a malpractice lawsuit, he/she will have to file it in the country where the surgery was performed. As a result, the patient and doctor will be subject to that country's laws and often this leads to a lengthy trial. Also, should the patient win a malpractice suit, the settlement will be considerably less than what a similar suit in the U.S. would settle for.
Medical tourism is an excellent resource for people searching for affordable health care. But as with any other type of health care, it is essential to thoroughly research the doctors, hospitals and the pros and cons of having a procedure done abroad.
Amy Giaquinto - Hi, I'm Amy Giaquinto an ACE Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, health and fitness writer and screenwriter. I've written for national ...
