Medical tourism is the practice of seeking healthcare outside the patient's own country. Here in the U.S., medical tourism is a popular way for the uninsured and people with inadequate insurance coverage to receive the care they need for much less than they would spend here.
For example, a patient who needs a hip replacement may find that the procedure costs upwards of $30,000 here in the U.S. However, he or she could have the same procedure performed for $7,000 in India. Even factoring in the cost of airfare and hotel accommodations, the total price tag would be significantly less than having the hip replacement surgery here in the U.S. For people without insurance, this would be a great way to cut costs, and as an added bonus, have the opportunity to travel to exotic destinations.
Other countries may not regulate their medical professionals as extensively as they do here in the U.S., so there is some risk associated with medical tourism. Nevertheless, there are many qualified and talented surgeons, doctors, and other medical professionals working overseas. The Joint Commission International has established quality standards and accredits health providers who meet these standards. You can search their site for a list of accredited providers.
