Medical Tourism
Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey – Pat Conroy
image by: PlacidWay
Medical Tourism is not a new phenomenon, but it is taking on a completely different persona to what was earlier envisaged. Many healthcare systems – in the U.S., U.K. and Germany – are undergoing significant challenges: waiting lists, shifting priorities for healthcare, tightened eligibility criteria, etc. Today, with the globalization of information and the empowerment of the consumer, medical tourism involves individuals acting as a consumer, making their own decisions regarding their health needs, deciphering how they can best be treated, and then finding the most appropriate provider.
Conversely, many countries across the world are getting more competitive and developing their own health tourism strategy – competing on quality and price. For example, Korea is now being labeled the plastic surgery mecca of the world. Korean doctors are some of the best in the world, and their technology is top of the class. Plastic surgery no longer has the connotation of a female only phenomenon as males make up almost 30 percent of all patients. Foreign patients, largely from China, account for almost 50 percent of the total number of patients in some of the top plastic surgery centers. Hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton Seoul, have even partnered with hospitals offering an $88,000 "anti-aging beauty package."
Medical Tourism is no longer for the Affluent or for Elective Procedures
Supported by disruption caused in the aviation industry via low cost airlines and social media, the flow of patients from developed nations to other regions makes medical tourism a considerable norm rather than something reserved only for the affluent. In addition, a large number of medical tourists are immigrants to the U.S., returning to their home country for care.
Although the exact market size of the medical tourism market is difficult to predict, recent Frost & Sullivan research predicts the market at around $50 billion to $65 billion dollars in 2014, growing at approximately 20 percent.
Asia is and has been a popular destination for elective and cosmetic procedures, but in recent years, this trend has expanded to include more complex procedures. An increasing pool of patients are opting to have heart and orthopedic procedures performed in countries like Singapore and India.
There is growing interest in other types of health services like alternative medicine, holistic and wellness programs other than Western treatment and procedures. Alternative medicine such as Ayurveda, acupuncture and homeopathy are gaining popularity among medical tourists. Other recent developments have been the emergence of new medical tourism destinations like South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. These destinations are challenging the traditional players in South East Asia.
U.S. providers, particularly teaching hospitals, are expanding their global footprint through either partnerships or green field ventures to capture a share of the medical tourism pie. As regulatory bodies like the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA), CE Marking and the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) that approve the sale of new technologies continue to become more stringent and delay access to new treatments, it is possible other countries and regions could become the go-to hub for cutting edge care. Already, India and Singapore have become the standard model for cardiac care, globally.
Today, medical tourism is no longer about cheaper procedures and holiday trips. It is also about the quality of doctors and technology, and care models that many of these countries are pursuing that make this form of health tourism different.
Source: Reenita Das, Medical Tourism Gets a Facelift... and Perhaps a Pacemaker, Forbes, August 19, 2014.
A lack of insurance is leading more Americans to have weight loss surgery in Mexico
Although the exact number of Americans who leave the US for health care is unknown, medical tourism is rising in popularity. The research paper “Medical Tourists: Incoming and Outgoing,” published in the American Journal of Medicine in July, estimated that 1.4 million Americans sought health care in foreign countries in 2017 and predicted that number will rise by 25 percent this year. Along with dentistry, cosmetic surgery, cardiac treatment, and IVF, weight loss surgery is one of the top reasons Americans partake in medical tourism. And Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for such trips.
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Thailand’s Booming Medical Tourism Market Bolsters Rebounding Economy
hile Thailand has legitimate medical services for people with real needs, it’s vanity that it’s betting on the most. Recent deaths on the plastic surgeon’s table and one of the most ham-fisted tourism promotions — also plastic surgery related — hasn’t swayed the desperate.
The Coming Boom In Health Tourism
Health tourism is more encompassing. Aside from medical tourism, it refers to people traveling to other countries for preventive and rehabilitative care. In fact, all forms of proactive and reactive healthcare including wellness initiatives are part of health tourism.
A Family Adventure in Medical Tourism
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Let’s get this out of the way: I’m not in the business of giving medical advice. I can’t say if traveling abroad for dental work — or a hip replacement or open-heart surgery — is wise, safe or worthwhile for you. Only your dentist or doctor can and, unfortunately for my bank account, I’m neither.
Maternity tourism raids target California operations catering to Chinese
iaoyan Zhang made it clear that she had one objective for traveling to the U.S. from China — to give birth so her child would automatically be an American citizen.
Medical Tourism
ABC News anchor Ryan Owens interviews "Beauty from Afar" author Jeff Schult in a special report on Medical Tourism.
Medical Tourism - Have You Decided?
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Medical Tourism - What about Mexico?
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Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare - Where Are You Going?
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Medical Tourism: Overseas and Under the Knife
Over the past decade, medical tourism has become big business, complete with packages, resort-like accommodations, and travel agents. There are now 100 or more specialty companies, like PlanetHospital, 360 Global Health, and MedVoy, that pair patients with overseas surgeons and hospitals, charging them a percentage of the overall procedure costs.
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Medical Tourism Gets a Facelift... and Perhaps a Pacemaker
Today, with the globalization of information and the empowerment of the consumer, medical tourism involves individuals acting as a consumer, making their own decisions regarding their health needs, deciphering how they can best be treated, and then finding the most appropriate provider.
International Medical Travel Journal
IMTJ is the world's leading journal for the medical travel industry.
Medical Tourism Magazine
The Medical Tourism Magazine is a monthly Medical Tourism industry magazine in both print and electronic versions. The Medical Tourism Magazine is free for subscribers in both print and electronic versions. The Medical Tourism Magazine will address important issues affecting the Medical Tourism industry and have a primary focus on the quality of healthcare available at leading international hospitals.
Medical Tourism News
EIN News is the world's leading international online news monitoring service.
PlacidWay
PlacidWay, a health and wellness tourism company, combines affordable healthcare with exotic travel options.
Timely Medical Alternatives
Timely Medical Alternatives has connections with doctors and hospitals throughout Canada and the United States to expedite your surgery, so you can receive the recovery you deserve when and how you want it.
VisitandCare.com
At VisitandCare.com our mission is to improve your life by offering reliable, affordable options for medical treatment abroad. VisitandCare.com was founded with the belief that affordable health care is available for everyone, everywhere. We make it easy for patients seeking treatments by offering free medical treatment quotes, earnest guidance finding a doctor and suitable destinations for managing your health.
ArabMedicare.com
The Web Portal for Healthcare Professionals in Arab Countries
Health-Tourism.com
Health-Tourism.com is a guide for medical tourism and a directory of medical centers, bringing you detailed and useful information that will help you find the best healthcare services abroad.
Med Journeys
At Med Journeys our focus is on tailoring our medical retreat packages to the specific needs of our clients. We pride ourselves on ensuring a rewarding outcome through a unique service model: providing high-quality, affordable medical services abroad coupled with a world-class escape thereafter.
MediBid
MediBid is an online marketplace which is about quality, choice, and value. Many insurance companies show you no more than whether your doctor is “in-network” or not. MediBid allows you to see the training, education and experience of the doctor before you make your selection.
Medical Tourism Corporation
Satisfied and happy medical tourist is the goal of the Medical Tourism Corporation. We achieve this by removing confusion, anxiety and surprise from the process of planning & making a health care trip.
Medical Travel Quality Alliance
The Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA) seeks to advance safety and quality in treatment and care for medical tourists by encouraging, developing and supporting professional standards and practices, quality in patient care management, and understanding of the unique needs of medical travelers.
MedicalTourism.com
MedicalTourism.com is a free, confidential, independent resource for patients and industry providers. Our mission is to provide a central portal where patients, Medical Tourism providers and information come together - easily, independently and confidentially.
MedRepublic
Since 2000, MedRepublic has been helping American and Canadian patients regain their quality of life, connecting them with a carefully-selected group of highly-skilled and certified international doctors.
Patients Beyond Borders
Patients Beyond Borders is the first comprehensive guide for Americans considering medical tourism. Less about travel and all about healthcare choices, this consumer guidebook provides practical answers for the increasing numbers of Americans facing long-term financial insecurity due to challenging medical conditions.
TreatmentAbroad
Medical tourism is becoming more popular with prices for treatment abroad becoming highly attractive for UK patients. It is believed that more than 50,000 people from the UK travel for treatment abroad.
Africa - Centre for Assisted Reproduction and Endocrinology
The C.A.R.E Clinic in Kwa-Zulu Natal is a leading, independent fertility clinic. The C.A.R.E. Clinic was first conceived in 1994 in Westville Hospital but has since expanded to a free-standing fertility clinic, located in the heart of Westville, close to Central Durban and Westville Hospital. The C.A.R.E Clinic is unique in that it is the only purpose built clinic in Kwa-Zulu Natal for fertility; and delivers a full range of fertility services.
Africa - Gynomed
The Gynomed Fertility Center is a one of a kind clinic offering the very best and latest treatments currently available in overcoming infertility.
Africa - Surgeon and Safari
As a world leader in the global medical tourism industry Surgeon & Safari will only use surgeons that are registered with the South African Medical & Dental Council and fully certified with their respective specialist associations - thus adhering to prescribed ethical codes of conduct.
Africa - Surgical Bliss
Surgical Bliss is a proudly South African medical tourism company based in the sunny city of Cape Town. We will gladly plan and coordinate your upcoming surgery as well as your recovery and any holiday
Americas - Arnoldo Fournier MD
Respected and renowned worldwide as a leader in innovative cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. One surgery at a day in order to provide personal attention to every patient, and personal visits several times each day to insure your complete comfort in a stress free atmosphere.
Americas - Barbados Fertility Centre
The aim of our experienced medical team at Barbados Fertility Centre is to provide couples who choose to attend our Clinic with a world-class service while seeking to minimise the stress associated with IVF and maximising the potential for a successful outcome. Barbados Fertility Centre is dedicated to serving all couples, whether from the Caribbean, UK, USA, Canada or Europe who wish to reduce the stress associated with IVF.
Americas - CheTica Wellness & Recovery Center
The days of relaxation, professional and pampered care before, during and after your Cosmetic Surgery, Dentistry, Bariatric, Laparoscopic, Prostate & Urinary System, Orthopedic or any other major surgery in Costa Rica are best spent at CheTica Ranch Medical Recovery Center only 15 minutes from San Jose, in the clear, clean and cooler mountain air.
Americas - Costa Rican Dental
Costa Rican Dental offers the entire specter of General Dentistry, along with ALL DENTAL Subspecialties, along with your private attendant, who will pick you at the airport, take you to your hotel and ALL your dental appointments.
Americas - Meza Dental
Our cosmetic dental practice in Costa Rica offers a complete range of procedures like dental implants, porcelain veneers and crowns designed to give you a beautiful new smile. You can rely on the experience and knowledge of Dr. Meza and his professional staff
Asia - Bumrungrad International
Bumrungrad International is an internationally accredited, multi-specialty hospital located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities in a one-stop medical center.
Asia - MedAsia Healthcare
With a wide selection of Internationally accredited hospitals, Globally reputed and certified Cosmetic surgeons along with the the Affordability, Thailand is indeed a sensible choice for a Cosmetic surgery vacation.
Europe - American Hospital of Paris
The American Hospital of Paris has several programs dedicated to serving our international patients
Europe - Beauty Hungary
Beauty Hungary is the top leader health tourism facilitator website in Hungary owned and administered by Medical Care Hungary. BeautyHungary combines health and beauty with an opportunity for travel and leisure. Situated in cosmopolitan Budapest we offer convenient cost saving packages that combine first class medical treatments and cosmetic surgery with a holiday in one of Europe's most exciting and relaxing tourist destinations.
Europe - The London Clinic
By combining the very best aspects of traditional care from highly trained staff with the latest medical and surgical technology, we provide our patients with the finest possible individual care.
India - Care Hospitals
CARE group of hospitals has emerged as a most trusted and accessible destination for the fulfillment of medical needs. Our International patient care section has been designed to utmost perfection to make your visit memorable, comfortable and successful.
India - Max Healthcare
Our state-of-the-art infrastructure is rated the best in North India thereby making Max Healthcare one of the best hospitals in India.
India - Mediescapes
Mediescapes India is a medical treatment packaging company in India that offers a full complement of surgical as well as non-surgical treatment services to International Patients combined with post-discharge recuperative holidays in consultation with medical personnel.
India - Randhawa Hospital
Randhawa Hospital is one of leading and renowned hospitals in north India, situated in Amritsar, Punjab. Hospital provides latest health services like EECP and AMT.
India - Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre
The Medical Centre has an International Patients Care and Services department known as International Patients Facilitation Center to cater to the needs of patients from across the world - including from the advanced nations of the west for over a decade.
Israel - ALYN Hospital
ALYN Hospital, the only pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation center in the Middle East, rehabilitates children from all over the world. We are happy to share our expertise and many years of experience with children worldwide to help them realize their full potential.
Israel - Hadassah Medical Center
In an era when disease crosses borders with impunity, it is no surprise that every year thousands of international patients cross continents and countries to travel to Israel for medical treatment at Hadassah. A world-class university medical institution, Hadassah has achieved a global reputation for excellence in caring and curing.
Israel - Sheba International
Since 1990 we have made our vast resources available to medical tourists, people from all over the world who seek our medical services. We have established official agreements with Health Ministries in various countries and treat patients from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Jordan and many other countries who are referred to us for evaluation and treatment.
Merxico - Ready4aChange
Ready4aChange, a Healthcare and Wellness Tourism Company, combines affordable and safe bariatric surgery with superior customer service.
Mexico - Christus Mugerza
Christus Mugerza's is known for its specialists in the fields of cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, ophthomology and general surgery. The hospital's surgeons peformed more than 20,000 surgeries in 2006. Through one highly-specialized network of hospitals, Christus Muguerza offers its patients services in virtually every field of medical specialization.
Mexico - IVF Mexico
Mexico has become one of the leading destinations for fertility tourism. Price is usually the biggest obstacle for Americans seeking IVF treatment, however crossing the border has proven to be a good solution. Many English-speaking doctors and fertility specialists in Mexico have either been trained or educated in the United States and have experience with medical tourists.
Mexico - Medical Tourism Corporation
Medical Tourism in Mexico has been going on for several years. With many traveling from the USA south of the border for affordable medical care, and rich Mexicans traveling to the USA for advanced medical treatments.
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Last Updated : Monday, December 10, 2018