US Health Insurance Plans and Medical Tourism?

As healthcare costs soar and health insurance becomes even harder to afford, medical tourism is earning billions of dollars a year abroad. But is this a viable answer to our healthcare problems, and even more, is it safe?

Ten years ago, medical tourism was hardly large enough to be noticed. Today, more than 250,000 patients per year visit Singapore alone--nearly half of them from the Middle East. This year, approximately half a million foreign patients will travel to India for medical care, whereas in 2002, the number was only 150,000.

And all of them are traveling for medical reasons. Whether its plastic surgery, dental work, or major operations, its much easier and cheaper for the underinsured to get treatment abroad.

The ease of international travel, combined with outrageous health insurance costs, is making medical tourism a billion dollar business. But whether it's India, the Philippines, or Mexico, travelers are always taking risks when they go abroad for their medicine. The qualifications of doctors, accreditation of the hospital, and ability to communicate with the staff are all in question when having surgery abroad, and all can lead to dangerous side effects or other problems.

Facts on:
Health Insurance and Medical Tourism
Did you know...
This year, approximately half a million foreign patients will travel to India for medical care?
But at costs of sometimes a tenth of what one would pay here, it's easy to see why medical tourism is so alluring.

Hopefully health insurance costs will go down in the wake of upcoming legislation, making it easier for Americans to get the treatments they need right here at home. Until then, many citizens will enjoy the hospitality of hospitals abroad who promise medical care at more affordable rates.