Seven of the Most Popular Countries for Medical Tourism
With sky rocketing health care costs for elective on non-elective medical and dental procedures, medical tourism has become a huge market, and it's attracting a huge amount of Americans. Many of these Americans are uninsured or are choosing to have elective cosmetic surgery abroad. They are flocking to exotic destination around the world that offer affordable and quality medical care.
Below I listed Seven of the most popular countries for medical tourism. They are not listed in any particular order.
Colombia
Colombia is a country where medical tourism is booming. Colombia is recognized for it's specialized care and state of art facilities. About 500,000 thousand cosmetic operations are performed in the country annually. This is the second-highest number in South America (following Brazil).
For approximately $10,000, you can purchase a two-week surgery vacation package. Which includes liposuction, a breast lift, a calve adjustment and also includes an apartment with maid service to recover after your surgery.
Besides being a popular spot for cosmetic surgery, Colombia is known for it's oncology, cardiology, neurology and orthopedics treatment.
India
India is home to World class orthopedic and cardiac surgeons. India medical tourism produces $2.3 Billion annually. According to Patients Beyond Borders, consumers can expect to see a savings between 65 percent and 90 percent.
India has tens of thousands of skilled physicians and nurse practitioners. Many of these physicians that practice in these hospitals and clinics have returned (to India) from the U.S. and Europe. Often leaving behind successful practices. In the last two decades, the economic boom in India has led to the building of medical facilities and- infrastructure that can compete with the very best that western medical care has to offer. But at a fraction of the cost.
For instance, bypass surgery with heart valve replacement can cost between $75,000-$140,000 in the United States. This same procedure will cost just $9,500 in India, according to the Indian Medical Travel Association.
Thailand
Bangkok is the most popular place for medical tourism in the world. Even after the devastating floods of 2011, 19 million tourists visited Thailand in 2011, a 20% jump from 2010, with an estimated 500,000 traveling specifically for medical treatment.
Medical tourism in Thailand is growing at a yearly rate of 16%, while in financial terms the foreign medical services sector is expected to make an amazing 100 billion baht by 2015.
Thailand is home to renown Bumrungrad International, Asia's first American-accredited facility, with 225 U.S. board certified physicians and surgeons. Bumrungrad International was one of Southeast Asia's first recipients of the United States' prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) certification, which is seen as the gold standard for healthcare service providers around the world. BI treats 400,000 international patients annually from 120 countries, which includes 25,000 American patients each year. Thailand's is also known for meticulous cosmetic surgery and gender reassignment surgery.
Brazil
Brazil is the only country in the world to have a cosmetic surgery procedure named after it. It is the 'Brazilian Butt Lift'. This procedure involves lifting and reshaping the buttocks, often by sucking out fat from around the abdomen, flank and back areas and injecting it back into the buttocks to create firmer, fuller and rounder cheeks.
Plastic surgery is a multi-billion dollar industry in Brazil. This is no surprise since and Rio's obsession with a perfect and beautiful body makes it a mecca for those seeking perfection.
According to Patients Beyond Borders, savings for treatments are generally between 20 percent to 30 percent, the organization says.
Another bonus? Brazil isn't so far away from the U.S.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has often been immensely popular for medical tourism, especially for Americans.
Because it's a few hours away by plane from the U.S., its proximity gives it an advantage over Asian and South American medical tourism destinations. It is also a beautiful tropical getaway, so you can go on vacation and have a medical procedure too. According to Patients Beyond Borders patients may save 40 percent to 65 percent for certain procedures.
Costa Rica is renown for dental care, orthopedics, spine, cardiology, cosmetic and weight-loss surgery
Mexico
Mexico boasts more than a dozen destinations specialized in medical tourism, where tourist and medical care providers merge to offer top quality health care in oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, general surgery, plastic surgery and gastroenterology.
Mexico has 7 hospitals accredited by the International Joint Commission. And, the Federal Ministry of Health has provided certification for 105 hospitals, 98 of which are equivalent to international standards.
Medical Tourism in Mexico is equipped highly qualified doctors and nurses provide care and service with worldwide quality through an extensive infrastructure and high tech and cutting-edge medical procedures.
Monterrey boasts four first-rate American-accredited hospitals offering bariatric weight loss management programs at 40 percent to 60 percent savings.
About 50,000 American flock to Mexico fot dental work every year.
Singapore
Singapore lures patients from around the world, including Americans, searching for"a higher level of expertise in care,".
In the last published World Health report, World Health organization (WHO) has stated healthcare facilities in Singapore are the best in Asia and sixth best in the world. Compared to the U,S, that was ranked 36th, There are 9 Singapore hospitals and 2 medical centers have received Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.
This accounts for one-third of all JCI-accredited facilities in Asia.
Singapore is well-known for its cancer treatment and care.
Below I listed Seven of the most popular countries for medical tourism. They are not listed in any particular order.
Colombia
Colombia is a country where medical tourism is booming. Colombia is recognized for it's specialized care and state of art facilities. About 500,000 thousand cosmetic operations are performed in the country annually. This is the second-highest number in South America (following Brazil).
For approximately $10,000, you can purchase a two-week surgery vacation package. Which includes liposuction, a breast lift, a calve adjustment and also includes an apartment with maid service to recover after your surgery.
Besides being a popular spot for cosmetic surgery, Colombia is known for it's oncology, cardiology, neurology and orthopedics treatment.
India
India is home to World class orthopedic and cardiac surgeons. India medical tourism produces $2.3 Billion annually. According to Patients Beyond Borders, consumers can expect to see a savings between 65 percent and 90 percent.
India has tens of thousands of skilled physicians and nurse practitioners. Many of these physicians that practice in these hospitals and clinics have returned (to India) from the U.S. and Europe. Often leaving behind successful practices. In the last two decades, the economic boom in India has led to the building of medical facilities and- infrastructure that can compete with the very best that western medical care has to offer. But at a fraction of the cost.
For instance, bypass surgery with heart valve replacement can cost between $75,000-$140,000 in the United States. This same procedure will cost just $9,500 in India, according to the Indian Medical Travel Association.
Thailand
Bangkok is the most popular place for medical tourism in the world. Even after the devastating floods of 2011, 19 million tourists visited Thailand in 2011, a 20% jump from 2010, with an estimated 500,000 traveling specifically for medical treatment.
Medical tourism in Thailand is growing at a yearly rate of 16%, while in financial terms the foreign medical services sector is expected to make an amazing 100 billion baht by 2015.
Thailand is home to renown Bumrungrad International, Asia's first American-accredited facility, with 225 U.S. board certified physicians and surgeons. Bumrungrad International was one of Southeast Asia's first recipients of the United States' prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) certification, which is seen as the gold standard for healthcare service providers around the world. BI treats 400,000 international patients annually from 120 countries, which includes 25,000 American patients each year. Thailand's is also known for meticulous cosmetic surgery and gender reassignment surgery.
Brazil
Brazil is the only country in the world to have a cosmetic surgery procedure named after it. It is the 'Brazilian Butt Lift'. This procedure involves lifting and reshaping the buttocks, often by sucking out fat from around the abdomen, flank and back areas and injecting it back into the buttocks to create firmer, fuller and rounder cheeks.
Plastic surgery is a multi-billion dollar industry in Brazil. This is no surprise since and Rio's obsession with a perfect and beautiful body makes it a mecca for those seeking perfection.
According to Patients Beyond Borders, savings for treatments are generally between 20 percent to 30 percent, the organization says.
Another bonus? Brazil isn't so far away from the U.S.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has often been immensely popular for medical tourism, especially for Americans.
Because it's a few hours away by plane from the U.S., its proximity gives it an advantage over Asian and South American medical tourism destinations. It is also a beautiful tropical getaway, so you can go on vacation and have a medical procedure too. According to Patients Beyond Borders patients may save 40 percent to 65 percent for certain procedures.
Costa Rica is renown for dental care, orthopedics, spine, cardiology, cosmetic and weight-loss surgery
Mexico
Mexico boasts more than a dozen destinations specialized in medical tourism, where tourist and medical care providers merge to offer top quality health care in oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, general surgery, plastic surgery and gastroenterology.
Mexico has 7 hospitals accredited by the International Joint Commission. And, the Federal Ministry of Health has provided certification for 105 hospitals, 98 of which are equivalent to international standards.
Medical Tourism in Mexico is equipped highly qualified doctors and nurses provide care and service with worldwide quality through an extensive infrastructure and high tech and cutting-edge medical procedures.
Monterrey boasts four first-rate American-accredited hospitals offering bariatric weight loss management programs at 40 percent to 60 percent savings.
About 50,000 American flock to Mexico fot dental work every year.
Singapore
Singapore lures patients from around the world, including Americans, searching for"a higher level of expertise in care,".
In the last published World Health report, World Health organization (WHO) has stated healthcare facilities in Singapore are the best in Asia and sixth best in the world. Compared to the U,S, that was ranked 36th, There are 9 Singapore hospitals and 2 medical centers have received Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.
This accounts for one-third of all JCI-accredited facilities in Asia.
Singapore is well-known for its cancer treatment and care.
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