The number of Americans going overseas to receive medical procedures has been growing dramatically, to over 500,000 in 2006. It’s being driven by cost savings as well as the increase in the quality of treatment now available in other countries. As an example, a hip replacement surgery could run $40,000 to $60,000 in the US. In a hospital in India the treatment, including travel expenses, might be as low as $15,000.
In countries like Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and India, you can find English-speaking, Western-trained physicians and dentists practicing in state-of-the-art hospitals. Further, you get to recover and vacation in an exotic location.
Some sources for information on hospitals are:
The Joint Commission International which evaluates and accredits health care facilities abroad. www.jointcommissioninternational.com. Also, look for the book Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Tourism, by Josef Woodman.
Health travel agencies can plan both the medical and vacation parts of your trip. For more information see www.medjourneys.com, www.medretreat.com, or www.planethospital.com.
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