The popularity of medical tourism is increasing exponentially as people seek lower prices for medical procedures. With the increase rates of insurance premiums in the US as well as companies scaling back on group/employer based insurance, more Americans are looking at other options. By next year (2010), the number of Americans leaving the country for international health care is projected to reach six million - a 700% jump since 2007 according to Deloitte research.
Sources for medical tourism information
So who can give you good advice and where you might go for overseas medical care?
Your first source will be your own friends and family members. It is amazing how quickly you can find someone who has done medical tourism. A colleague's daughter flew to India for knee surgery, and she paid a fraction of what it would have cost her in the States. Just ask around and eventually you will find someone who has done this.
A second source is the Medical Tourism Association (MTA). They will work with you to find hospitals, understand legal issues in aftercare, and to find a partner who will help put it all together. MTA has recently created a certification program specifically for the US insurance industry to inform agents and employers and advisers so that they would know that these companies meet a very strict standard.
Interesting data on medical tourism
What types of medical tourism are most common?
In a recent survey by MTA, the breakdown is as follows:
Spine: 2%
Cosmetic: 12%
Orthopedic: 22%
Weight Loss: 31%
Other: 33%
To the question, "Did you have health insurance when you traveled for care?" 41.5% said yes and 58.5% said no.
To the question, "Would you recommend international medical travel?" 92.7% responded Yes, 7.3% responded Maybe, and not one person said they would not recommend it.
Procedure surgery cost based in US dollars:
Here is a cost comparison for common medical treatment. By just looking at the differences in costs, you will quickly understand the allure of medical tourism.
Heart bypass: US 130k / India 9.3k / Thailand 11k / Singapore 16.5k / Costa Rica 24k / South Korea 34.2k / New Zealand 31k
Heart-valve replacement: US 160k / India 9k / Thailand 10k / Singapore 12.5k / Costa Rica 15k / South Korea 29.5k / New Zealand 29k
Hysterectomy: US 20k / India 6k / Thailand 4.5k / Singapore 6k / Costa Rica 4k / South Korea 12.7k / New Zealand 9.9k
Knee replacement: US 40k / India 8.5k / Thailand 10k / Singapore 11k / Costa Rica 11.1k / South Korea 24k / New Zealand 15k
Important considerations before you travel
1. Consult your local physician about your plans
2. Check the foreign hospital's accreditation
3. Research the doctor treating you
4. Review hospital data
5. Avoid communication barriers by making sure doctors and hospital staff members speak English or have access to translators
6. Use a medical-tourism company
7. Travel with a companion -- a must in any cross cultural situation because you will need someone to help with paperwork, making travel arrangements, buying things you need, etc.
8. Do not rush it - take your time doing research.
More helpful resources:
American Medical Association: This agency released guidelines on medical travel last year (2008).
Medical Tourism Association: This non-profit organization vets medical tourism companies, offers tips for patients, works with internationally based hospitals, and monitors industry trends at http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com
Joint Commission International: This independent agency has accredited and certified health-care organizations in 33 countries, using US standards of care at http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org
No comments:
Post a Comment