Medical tourism, also called global health care, is the process of traveling to another country for medical treatment. It is a growing industry with an estimated $54 billion in revenue in 2017 and is expected to grow even more prominent in the coming years.
Patients typically seek medical tourism for elective procedures or treatments that are not covered by their home country’s healthcare system. This can include cosmetic surgery, dental surgery, fertility treatments, and even organ transplants. In some cases, patients may be seeking experimental therapies that are not yet available in their home countries.
The most popular medical tourism destinations include Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, Malaysia, Brazil, Turkey, and the United States. These countries are popular for various reasons, including their lower cost of care, shorter wait times, and high-quality facilities. Here’s a rundown of each country and why they’re the best.
United States
The United States is one of the world’s most popular destinations for medical tourism. This is partly due to the fact that the U.S. has some of the best hospitals and doctors in the world. In addition, many procedures and treatments that are not covered by insurance in other countries, such as cosmetic surgery, are often covered in the United States.
Dental cosmetic surgeries are also quite common, including orthodontic services. People usually ask for Elastic Mandibular Advancement (EMA) appliances from orthodontists in the country because it’s not available in other countries. Moreover, the U.S. is also one of the leading countries in organ transplantation.
The main downside of seeking medical treatment in the United States is the cost. Prices for procedures and treatments can be very high, even with insurance. In addition, the wait times for some procedures can be quite long.
Thailand
Thailand got about 40 million visitors into the country before the pandemic hit, making it one of the most visited countries in the world. Some of these visitors get drawn in by the country’s world-famous beaches, but others come for its medical tourism industry.
Thailand is one of the leading destination countries for cosmetic surgery procedures. This is due in part to the lower cost of care as well as the high quality of care. In addition, Thailand is also a popular destination for dental work, fertility treatments, and organ transplants.
One of the main reasons why Thailand is such a popular destination for medical tourism is because of its lower cost of care. Prices for procedures and treatments are a fraction of what they would be in developed countries like the United States. In addition, the wait times for procedures are often shorter in Thailand than they would be in other countries.
Mexico
Medical tourism in Mexico has been growing in popularity in recent years. This is due in part to the country’s proximity to the United States as well as its lower cost of care. Mexico is a popular destination for cosmetic surgery, dental work, and fertility treatments.
Like Thailand, the main reason why Mexico is such a popular destination for medical tourism is its lower cost of care. Prices for procedures and treatments are a fraction of what they would be in developed countries like the United States. In addition, the wait times for procedures are often shorter in Mexico than they would be in other countries.
South Korea
South Korea is one of the leading destination countries for medical tourism. This is due in part to the country’s world-class hospitals and doctors. In addition, South Korea is a popular destination for cosmetic surgery, dental work, and fertility treatments.
The main reason why South Korea is such a popular destination for medical tourism is because of the quality of care. South Korea has some of the best hospitals and doctors in the world. In addition, the country is also known for more advanced procedures.
Malaysia
Malaysia is a popular destination for medical tourism. This is due in part to the country’s lower cost of care. Malaysia is a popular destination for cosmetic surgery, dental work, and fertility treatments.
Like Mexico and Thailand, the main reason why Malaysia is such a popular destination for medical tourism is its lower cost of care. Prices for procedures are certainly much cheaper when compared to other countries. Many people who need advanced medical surgery in the United States usually get it here or in Singapore.
Turkey
Turkey is a popular spot for medical tourism for different people in Europe, especially in Ukraine and Russia, because of their close proximity to the country. It is also a prime destination for dental work, fertility treatments, cosmetic surgery, and weight loss surgery.
The main reason people come to Turkey for medical tourism is the lower cost of care when compared to their home countries. In addition, the wait times are often shorter in Turkey as well.
There are many reasons to consider medical tourism for your next vacation. Countries like Thailand, Mexico, and Malaysia offer lower costs of care as well as shorter wait times. If you’re looking for a world-class experience, South Korea and the United States is an excellent choice. These are some of the best destinations for medical tourism so make sure to visit them when you need surgery or expensive care.
