Health Tourism - The Rewards And Risks
Traveling half way around the world for a medical procedure may seem a bit odd to those unaware of the latest trends in health tourism. Undoubtedly, countries such as the US, Canada, and UK, have great medical care available, however, it does come at a phenomenal cost that is beyond the reach of the middle class. There are plenty of under-insured or uninsured Americans that have no access to quality healthcare that is for the most part, unaffordable. With baby boomers set to retire over the next few years, their major concern is quality health care at an affordable price. Thanks to health tourism, a majority of the population can look forward to seeking treatment combined with a vacation in countries such as India, Malaysia, Turkey, Singapore, and more.
These countries have some of the world's best medical facilities and physicians that are trained in the latest techniques with access to cutting-edge technology. It is obvious that the rising cost of healthcare in the US is pushing millions of Americans to look for viable options to meet their medical needs. When it comes to comparing costs, you can expect to save anywhere from forty to eighty percent of what you would normally pay in the US, depending on the type of treatment. In case of cardiac surgery, the savings are phenomenal. A triple coronary bypass in the US could cost up to $100,000, whereas the same surgery can be undergone for as less as $12,000 in countries like India which has a number of internationally accredited hospitals. Those wanting to fly shorter distances have a choice of places such as Mexico and Costa Rica.
Many may be apprehensive about the quality of healthcare in these countries since most of them are developing nations. The reasons behind the low cost is that infrastructure costs are less and wages are lower than the US or UK. Moreover, insurance and administrative costs are significantly lower as compared to the US, the two factors which account for much of the healthcare budget. Physicians on the other hand are not pressured with exorbitant amounts for liability or malpractice insurance.
As with any medical procedure, safety is a key issue that has been dealt with seriously when it comes to medical tourism. These countries vie for a niche in the health tourism industry and therefore work hard to provide foreign patients with excellent medical facilities. While many hospitals have are accredited and certified by the Joint Commission International, the physicians are qualified and experienced with many of them having obtained degrees from the UK and US.
Health tourism has a significant hospitality aspect attached to it so patients can expect to receive personalized attention and services that may seldom be found in their home country. Several of the rooms in hospitals resemble any five-star hotel accommodation with all the amenities you could think of. Therefore, it would be prudent to do your research and obtain answers to all your queries prior to choosing a country and a health tour package. The bottom line is to make sure to choose an experienced doctor and excellent facility, regardless of your choice of destination.