The coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected tens of millions of people worldwide and pushed many families to the brink of poverty. The pandemic has disproportionately affected low-income and working-class people around the world and many feel they have no choice but to travel to access quality, affordable health care.
According to a recent study by a non-partisan consumer advocacy group, Families USA, more than 5 million Americans have lost their health insurance since the pandemic began. And countless Americans have delayed medical procedures as a result of the pandemic, giving rise to an increased number of patients seeking medical treatment beyond the borders of their home country.
Mexico has long been a popular destination for American medical tourists, due to the high quality of care and the ability to travel across the land border with relative ease and convenience. Travel restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic allow for cross-border travel for medical treatment, leading to a notable increase in consumer interest related to global medical tourism. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans traveled to other countries each year to realize savings between 40-80% on medical treatments.
The top destinations for medical tourism include: Costa Rica, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States. Mexico and Costa Rica are among the most popular western destinations for dental care, cosmetic surgery and prescription medicines. Thailand, India and South Korea attracts patients for more complex procedures including cancer, cardiovascular, orthopedics and fertility treatments.
It’s worth noting that the average range of savings for the most frequently traveled destinations are as follows:
- Brazil: 20-30%
- Costa Rica: 45-65%
- India: 65-90%
- Malaysia: 65-80%
- Mexico: 40-65%
- Singapore: 25-40%
- South Korea: 30-45%
- Taiwan: 40-55%
- Thailand: 50-75%
- Turkey: 50-65%
Patients Beyond Borders estimated that the 2019 medical tourism market size at USD $74-92 billion, based on approximately 21-26 million cross-border patients worldwide spending an average of USD $3550 per visit, including medically-related costs, cross-border and local transport, inpatient stay and accommodations. In 2019, they estimated over 2 million Americans traveled outside of the United States for medical care. The most popular specialities and procedures for medical tourists include:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Dentistry (general, restorative, cosmetic)
- Cardiovascular (angioplasty, CABG, transplants)
- Orthopedics (joint and spine; sports medicine)
- Cancer (often experimental or last resort)
- Reproductive (fertility, IVF, women’s health)
- Weight loss (LAP-BAND, gastric bypass)
- Scans, tests, health screenings and second opinions.
If you are considering traveling abroad for medical treatment of any sort, please consult with your doctor or primary care physician beforehand.