Medical Tourism: Big Savings, Potential Hazards

Medical tourism—defined as traveling internationally to receive medical care—promises big savings of up to 70%, depending on the procedure, as well as a chance to see the world. Some who engage in medical tourism hang out at the destinations before and after to take in the sights.

Besides a vacation, the appeal is the cost, of course. Citing prices from 2021, the latest available, an industry group estimated a knee replacement that cost $35,000 in the U.S. could be as low as $8,000 in Colombia. Cataract surgery that is $3,500 in the U.S. could cost $1,000 in Vietnam. And a facelift cost of $11,000 here might be about $2,813 in Thailand.

But—and there’s a big “but.” The savings are big, but so are the potential dangers—one recent report found the complication rates could go as high as 56%. It is truly caveat emptor.

Industry Statistics

While medical tourism took a hit during the pandemic, with lockdowns, it’s back, says Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association. According to some estimates, the tourism market, globally, is $47 billion now, forecasted to reach $111 billion by 2029. But Edelheit says his organization calculated that the industry reached $100 billion in U.S. dollars in 2024 and “is growing 15 to 25% each year.”

According to the CDC, millions of U.S. residents travel out of the country for medical care each year, and destinations include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Singapore and Thailand, among other locales.

Cosmetic surgery is often talked about, but people go abroad for cancer treatment, especially alternative treatments, dental care, fertility treatment, organ transplants, physician-assisted suicide and treatment for substance use disorder.

Medical Tourism: Caution is the Byword

Beyond the studies finding high rates of complications, the American Medical Association lays out concerns here.

News reports of tourism gone wrong underscore the concerns. In 2023, four U.S. friends traveled to Mexico so one could have surgery. They were kidnapped and two were killed. Another report cites a rise in deaths after medical tourists traveled to the Dominican Republic.

What are the risks? The CDC cites many, including infection, non-infectious complications such as blood clots and travel-related risks such as traveling too soon after a procedure.

In the report finding complication rates as high as 56%, researchers cite infection, poor aesthetic and functional outcomes and adverse cardiovascular events. They say reproductive care has increased abroad but the research on quality of care is very lacking. Stem cell therapy often promises treatments that don’t deliver. Transplant surgery in locations with waiting lists shorter than in the U.S. can also carry risks.

In the journal reporting finding the 56% complication rate, the researchers cite the lack of standardization in the industry and the lack of regulation as major issues.

In another report, Glenn McCartney, associate professor at the University of Macau, China, notes that medical tourism provides economic benefits to the destinations but raises ethical, quality and risk concerns for medical tourists. For those traveling, he said,  “it is a case of doing the research, being informed, and collecting as much information as possible (just like with any international trip) but [knowing] that this is more, involving possible medical procedures and aftercare.”

Beyond the potential medical complications, travelers must deal with language and cultural barriers. Among the tips offered by the Medical Tourism Association are to seek out providers who offer language and cultural support, such as interpreters and translation services.

Meanwhile, potential medical tourists should research, research, research. And be aware of potential pitfalls.

Research, Research, Research

Check out not only the qualifications of your provider—where did he or she go to medical school, what are their other credentials, experience in the procedure of interest—but the facility, the CDC says. Accrediting groups, including Joint Commission International, DNV GL International Accreditation for Hospitals, and the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, have lists of standards that healthcare facilities need to meet to be accredited. Please note that all surgeries carry the risk of complications and accreditation does not guarantee a positive outcome.

The CDC maintains a comprehensive site on medical tourism here, including how to select a facility, prepare for a visit, and aftercare.

Your turn

Have you traveled outside the country for medical care? Tell us your story in the comments.

 

Kathleen Doheny is a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness and lifestyle stories. Besides writing for Senior Planet, she reports for WebMD, Medscape, MedCentral and other sites.  She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop.

 

Kathy Doheny Photo: Shaun Newton

 

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