Healthcare reform won’t stop people from going to Thailand for a boob job or Mexico for a hip replacement.
Actually, it means that you might have to.
The Medical Tourism Association predicts increased use of international treatment among insurers, as expanded coverage pushes up costs.
“Companies could not bear the cost of health insurance as it is, and they certainly won’t be able to once cost skyrockets,” said association CEO John Edelheit.
Indeed, major insurers like Aetna have already launched medical tourism pilot programs, so they can cover you while also saving a buck.
But getting sent abroad for treatment isn’t so bad.
Edelheit predicted a growing trend of medical tourism to Europe, along with continued improvement to hospitals worldwide.
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Major insurance providers have launched medical tourism pilot programs
Source: Deloitte
States have recently tried to pass laws that promote medical tourism
Source: Deloitte
Medical tourism slowed during the recession as people declined elective procedures, but it will pick up again in 2010
Source: Deloitte
U.S. outbound patient flow is expected to grow by 35% yearly
Image: Deloitte
Source: Deloitte
That means more U.S. spending abroad
Image: Deloitte
Source: Deloitte
And far greater lost domestic spending — because our cost of treatment would is higher
Image: Deloitte
Source: Deloitte
39% of Americans would consider treatment abroad
Image: Deloitte
Source: Deloitte
Immigrants are most likely to consider medical tourism. So are younger generations and men.
Image: Deloitte
Source: Deloitte
Look how much money you can save
Image: Deloitte
Source: Deloitte
Hot destinations: Bumrungrad Hospital, Thailand
Thailand sees nearly 1.5 million medical tourists each year, for treatment at 30% of U.S. cost.
Bumrungrad is the largest private hospital in Southeast Asia. It recently made medical tourism its focus.
Source: Deloitte
Hot destination: Apollo Hospitals, India
Nearly half a million medical tourists go to India each year, for treatment at 20% of U.S. cost.
Apollo Hospital is the largest private health care provider in Asia. It has partnered with John Hopkins on recent heart disease studies.
Source: Deloitte
Hot destination: National Cancer Center, Singapore
Singapore sees nearly half a million medical tourists each year, for treatment at 35% of U.S. cost.
The National Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art cancer treatment, often in advance of what is legal in the U.S.
Source: Deloitte
Hot destination: Ivo Pitanguy Clinic, Brazil
Brazil is a near destination for Americans, with treatment at 40-50% of U.S. cost.
The Ivo Pitanguy clinic is on the cutting edge of cosmetic treatment.
Source: Deloitte
CIMA Hospitals, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a prime destination for Americans who want cosmetic and dental surgery at 30-40% of U.S. cost.
CIMA Hospitals is affiliated with and integrated as a teaching college with Baylor University’s medical school.
Source: Deloitte
American Hospital, U.A.E.
The Gulf States have an impressive 38 JCI-certified hospitals. The American Hospital in Dubai is one of the first and largest.
Source: Deloitte
Christus Muguerza Alta Especialidad Hospital, Mexico
Mexico sees many U.S. visitors for dental and cosmetic surgery at 25-35% of U.S. cost.
The Christus Muguerza Alta Especialidad Hospital in Monterrey is internationally certified for treatment in almost all fields. It is one of 3 JCI-accredited hospitals in Mexico.
Source: Deloitte
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