How many people travel for medical treatment each year?
If we include not only medical treatments carried out by differing service providers but dental and cosmetic procedures as well, the numbers paint a very different picture. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine revealed that the number of medical tourists to all countries in 2017 was estimated at 14-16 million.
Why do people travel abroad for medical care?
It's estimated that thousands of US residents travel abroad for care each year. Many factors influence the decision to seek medical care overseas. Some people travel for care because treatment is cheaper in another country. Others may be immigrants to the United States who prefer to return to their home country for health care.
How big is medical tourism in the US?
Medical tourism is a worldwide, multibillion-dollar market that continues to grow. Surveillance data indicate that millions of US residents travel internationally for medical care each year.
How many foreign patients visit hospitals in Thailand each year?
Approximately 2.5 million foreign patients traveled to hospitals in Thailand in 2013. In Bangkok's prestigious Bumrungrad International Hospital, over 520,000 international patients received treatment at the hospital. Singapore has been a growing medical tourism center in South East Asia with 850,000 medical tourists arriving in 2012.
How much money can a foreign patient spend on a trip?
Foreign patients can actually spend up to $6,000 on each trip, bringing the total amount of money generated up to $72 billion. This is no small amount of money and countries in Asia and the Middle East are moving to capitalise on a global business that is worth around 36.9 billion in 2018!
How much money does medical tourism generate?
In 2015, it was estimated that medical tourism generated between U.S. $60 and U.S.$70 billion. It was predicted at the time that health tourism would generate at least twice these revenues by 2020. The market in 2019 however is changing rapidly as new laws come into place and the population in general becomes more accustomed to the idea of medical tourism.
How many international patients are treated at Bumrungrad Hospital?
In Bangkok's prestigious Bumrungrad International Hospital, over 520,000 international patients received treatment at the hospital. Singapore has been a growing medical tourism center in South East Asia with 850,000 medical tourists arriving in 2012.
How many medical travelers visited Malaysia in 2013?
After visitors number more than doubling in the last 5 years, Malaysia is also becoming a famous destination with 770,134 medical travelers in 2013.
What is JCI medical?
Now its international body, the Joint Commission International (JCI) is seeking out hospitals and clinics which seek to prove their own standard outside of the U.S. This is beneficial for both parties. The expectation of good care abroad comparable to that of domestic medicine is a main concern of medical tourists.
How many tourists visited South Korea in 2016?
South Korea has now entered the top ten countries in the world in terms of tourist volume. At the last available count in 2016, 390,000 people travelled to Korea as a medical tourist compared to the overall patient volume of 14 million.
How much savings do satisfied Americans get?
Satisfied American patients reported gaining savings from 25% to 75% depending on the type of services required and can reach as high as 90%. Savings vary per country and depend on the type of procedure required.
What are the procedures that are required for medical tourism?
The most common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism trips include dental care, surgery, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, organ and tissue transplantation, and cancer treatment.
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is when a person travels to another country for medical care. Each year, millions of US residents participate in medical tourism. Medical tourists from the United States commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. People may travel to another country ...
What are the risks associated with medical procedures?
Infectious Disease. All medical procedures have some risk of complications, those associated with procedure done in other countries include wound infections, bloodstream infections, donor-derived infections, and diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV. Antibiotic resistance.
Why do people travel to another country?
People may travel to another country to get health care for many reasons, including: Cost: To get treatment or a procedure that may be cheaper in another country. Culture: To receive care from a healthcare provider who shares the traveler’s culture and language.
What insurance covers medical evacuation?
Obtain international travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation back to the United States. Before planning vacation activities, such as swimming or taking tours, find out what activities are not permitted after the procedure.
Can you fly after chest surgery?
Flying after surgery can increase the risk for blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis. If you get chest or abdominal surgery do not travel by air for at least 10 days to avoid risks associated with changes in at mospheric pressure.
Is antibiotic resistance a global problem?
Antibiotic resistance is definitely a concern and a global problem; however, you are more likely to get an antibiotic-resistant infection in some countries. Highly drug-resistant bacteria have caused infectious disease outbreaks among medical tourists. Quality of Care.
What is the agreement between bioethicists and medical professionals?
Among medical professionals and bioethicists, there seems to be significant agreement on the general principles of such an approach, though most acknowledge that they may translate into different practices and outcomes depending on epidemiological, economic, institutional, and social factors.
What is the goal of maximizing health benefits?
The goal of maximizing health benefits requires prioritizing immune-compromised individuals since they are at greater risk of mortality should they contract the virus.
Why are people with comorbidities apt to be deprioritized?
This means that individuals with comorbidities or aged people are apt to be deprioritized because they are less likely to get better even with treatment and because their treatment will require a disproportionate quantity of resources, which imposes an opportunity cost with respect to the treatment of others.
Should allocation of scarce medical resources be based on ability to pay?
There is broad agreement among ethicists that allocation of society’s scarce medical resources should not be based on ability to pay. [ 1] [ 2] Business-as-usual approaches to prioritization of health resources fail to meet society’s expectations for fairness, justice, and efficiency.
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is the term commonly used to describe international travel for the purpose of receiving medical care. Medical tourists may pursue medical care abroad for a variety of reasons, such as decreased cost, a recommendation from friends or family, the opportunity to combine medical care with a vacation destination, a preference for care from providers who share the traveler’s culture, or to receive a procedure or therapy not available in their country of residence. Medical tourism is a worldwide, multibillion-dollar market that continues to grow. Surveillance data indicate that millions of US residents travel internationally for medical care each year. Ongoing reports of infections and other adverse events following medical or dental procedures abroad serve as reminders that medical tourism is not without risks.
What are the principles of medical tourism?
The American Medical Association advocates that employers, insurance companies, and other entities that facilitate or incentivize medical care outside the United States adhere to the following principles: Medical care outside the United States must be voluntary.
What is the World Health Assembly Resolution 57.18?
In 2004, to protect vulnerable populations from becoming victims of transplant tourism, the World Health Assembly Resolution 57.18 encouraged member countries to “take measures to protect the poorest and vulnerable groups [the donors] from ‘transplant tourism’ and the sale of tissues and organs.”.
What are noninfectious complications?
Noninfectious complications among medical tourists are similar to those seen in patients who receive medical care in the United States and include surgical incision dehiscence, blood clots, or contour abnormalities after cosmetic surgery. Medical or surgical complications may require follow-up care from a health care provider in the United States.
When did the World Health Organization release the guidelines for human tissue donation?
In view of those events, in 2009 the World Health Organization released the revised Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue, and Organ Transplantation, emphasizing that cells, tissues, and organs should be donated freely without any form of financial incentive.
Is accreditation good for medical tourism?
However, accreditation does not necessarily ensure a good outcome, and medical tourists should be encouraged to do as much advance research as possible on a health care provider and facility they are considering using. Many medical tourism websites market directly to travelers.
Do medical tourists need a copy of their medical records?
Medical or surgical complications may require follow-up care from a health care provider in the United States. Medical tourists should request a copy of their medical records and provide these to health care providers for any follow-up care.
1. Malaysia
Malaysia is considered one of the top medical travel destinations in the world and has some of the best health care in the region. Health care costs are as little as 80 percent lower than in the United States. The airports in both Kuala Lumpur and Penang offer concierge service to medical tourists from the time they arrive in the country.
2. Mexico
Mexico is one of the easiest countries for Americans to reach, and according to Newsweek, it is estimated that as many as 1 million Americans cross the border each year to get medical treatment. Treatment in Mexico can be as much as 70 percent lower than it is in the U.S.
3. Thailand
In addition to beautiful beaches and an ancient, fascinating culture, Thailand offers excellent and affordable medical care. Most of its doctors have trained in the U.S. or Europe and speak English relatively well. Americans can save up to 75 percent on their medical costs.
4. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for excellence in dental care and cosmetic surgery, but it also has a growing reputation as a good place to seek cancer treatment as well as eye and bariatric surgery. It is one of the top five countries Americans frequently travel to for medical treatments, and a number of American retirees live there as well.
5. Czech Republic
While Central and South America or Asia are the most popular destinations for medical tourism, many European countries also offer excellent health care at much lower prices. The Czech Republic is one that combines some of the lowest prices with some of the top services, particularly for dental and cosmetic surgeries.
How long before IMR flight do you receive an itinerary?
You will receive an itinerary and a departure packet with emergency phone numbers and customs documents approximately 10 days prior to departure.
How long does it take to get IMR to know your flight date?
You must choose the Independent option in your account. IMR will not know the exact dates of travel or arrival and departure information until 13 to 11 weeks prior to departure when the subsidized tickets are purchased.
Is IMR responsible for flight delays?
IMR will begin hosting you all-inclusively once you are in country and have met up with the team at the designated location. IMR is not responsible for any costs incurred in transit or costs incurred due to flight delays or cancelations for any reason. We recommend you purchase travel insurance.
