It's been awhile since I've talked about medical tourism -- and how many people in the US are going abroad for medical care to save money for comparable (or even better) care to what they can get here in the US. But this piece from the NY Times brought up the issue again and I just had to mention it.
In the Times' piece, they tell the story of a guy who traveled to Costa Rica for a double hernia surgery. The cost was $3,900 versus $14,000 he would have paid stateside. Of course he had to pay to travel as well, but as you can imagine, the savings were still great. And not just for this procedure: many different health procedures can be purchased for a fraction of their cost in the US.
The Times also gives some advice on when medical tourism is a good idea and when it isn't. It's certainly not for everyone and is not for every sort of illness/surgery. In addition, not everyone is a great candidate for medical travel. That said, medical tourism is a very good option for certain procedures/patients. There are a lot of considerations, of course, but if you can save several thousand dollars, they are probably worth looking into for many people (certainly many more than are taking advantage of it now).
Medical tourism is becoming more and more mainstream as new insurance companies and businesses offer plans allowing medical travel. And with the state of the economy and healthcare in this country, my prediction is that the trend towards traveling for medical work is going to get way bigger in the years to come.
Anyone out there considered medical tourism (or even traveled to a foreign country for it)?
You have to know the country well to do it. It would be best if you had someone you trusted who lives there. I have family in Costa Rica and still I wouldn't fly down there for a procedure unless I was desperate. You can, however, save an enormous amount of money by looking within the US.
Posted by: Uri | April 08, 2009 at 03:55 PM
My sister-in-law flew down to Mexico a couple of years back for some dental work. Saved a bundle and was able to stay there for a two week vacation with my nephew. She and two friends made a vacation of it with their kids, in fact.
Also, my parents have several friends who do the same, as they are seniors and just don't have the same benefits as they used to while in the workforce.
Just a note, speaking from a Canadian perspective.
Posted by: Matt | April 08, 2009 at 06:12 PM
I really hope none of my fellow US citizens respond that they have done this or would consider it. I'm shocked at the lack of patriotism. You should stay here and support American jobs and American companies. We have the best health care system in the world and then people like that have to go and undermine it.
Posted by: Joe O'Donnell | April 09, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Many people have benefited by having medical treatment in INDIA which provides world-class services (Many US hospitals have Dr. and nurses from India). Recently I read article at CNN.com, where someone from US got Heart treatment in New Delhi INDIA at $3900 which would cost him $40,000 here
Posted by: Greg | April 09, 2009 at 01:10 AM
Read this too: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/26/medical.tourism/
Posted by: Greg | April 09, 2009 at 01:15 AM
Yeah, I think I'll go with the "if I can get something just as good for one-tenth the cost, to heck with patriotism" theory here.
Research must be done on any medical procedure, especially one in the great white wherever they might be. But certainly this is worth looking into if I ever need anything like that.
Even with insurance.
Posted by: Josh Stein | April 09, 2009 at 07:57 AM
@Joe
Your patriotism is really misplaced. We all know that the American medical system is in bad shape, overcharges, underdelivers, and bankrupts many in the US. Now THAT is unpatriotic. For those who are un(der)insured how can you expect them to pay more just out of patriotism? Do you just file a 1040EZ because paying more on your taxes is patriotic? Nope, cause that would just be replacing 'patr' with 'id'.
The US does have the best healthcare if you're rich and have awesome insurance. However, for the average person, the US is a far cry from the best and when it comes to value, one of the worst.
Posted by: Otis | April 09, 2009 at 10:31 AM
@Otis
You need to get out of my country. It's whiners like you that are dragging us down. Go abroad, get your substandard socialist healthcare and stay there.
Posted by: Joe | April 09, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I feel like Joe is being purposefully antagonistic. No one could hold that view for real...
Medical tourism to Hyderabad (India) is pretty popular. And why not? You get some of the worlds best doctors for, as someone mentioned, a tenth of the cost. You would be an idiot to not go this route.
Until the American health care system can care for its weak without putting them in the poor house... I think we will continue to see a rise in medical tourism.
And Uri ... what's wrong with Costa Rica's health care? IMO, they are just fine.
Posted by: My Life ROI | April 09, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Thailand has a fantastic private hospital system. You can stay in hospitals that look like 5 star hotels for about $400 per night. Lot's of bargains relative to the US. However I'm only using the service somewhat living out here. Thinking of getting some cosmetic minor surgery... why not?
-Mike
Posted by: Mike Hunt | April 10, 2009 at 01:19 PM