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Can't afford medical care? Take a vacation. That's what a number of Americans are doing to get treatments they need for a price they can stomach. But it's not exactly sipping Mai-Tais by the pool; medical tourism requires serious consideration to avoid potentially dangerous complications.
Medical tourism is a rising trend across the globe. People are hopping planes to places like Thailand, India and Singapore for everything from routine procedures to major surgeries. In most countries, patients are flying the coop for better quality and technology. But American medical tourists are gunning for a bargain. "There's good quality and technology in the U.S., [so tourists] are going abroad for the price," says Paul vanOstenberg, senior executive director of accreditation and standards, Joint Commission International (JCI), which reviews hospital quality around the world.
Medical procedures can cost as much as 90 percent less abroad than they do in the U.S., according to Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Medical Tourism Association, a non-profit organization that connects patients with quality providers in foreign countries. In today's economy, that differential becomes even more tempting, he says.
Consider these savings, presented by the Medical Tourism Association: Heart bypass costs about $130,000 in the U.S., but India offers the same procedure for $9,300. Hip replacement-a popular choice among medical tourists-will set you back $43,000 on American soil; get the same surgery in Costa Rica, and you'll shell out $12,000.
While it began as a less expensive alternative for the uninsured, medical tourism is being embraced by the patient and health care community alike. According to an April Gallup poll, 29 percent of Americans, both insured and uninsured, would consider seeking alternative treatment abroad for a severe medical condition. Fifteen percent said they might cross the border for hip or knee replacement.
Fostering the trend, insurance companies and employers are starting to offer medical tourism as a covered benefit. Wellpoint, a health plan with more than 35 million members nationwide, has launched a program with a specialty graphics company that allows employees to get non-emergency medical procedures in India. Edelheit predicts medical tourism will become a standard benefit in the next few years.
The cost savings are tempting, but medical tourism can be risky without proper research. Before you take that trick knee abroad, make sure you consider the following:
Talk to your doctor. While you may be reluctant to divulge your plans to seek treatment elsewhere, it's best to discuss medical travel with your physician. Doctors can direct you to a good facility, and keeping them in the loop means better coordination of care down the road. "If your doctor helps you pick somebody who has good qualifications in another country, in another hospital, and has agreed to see you when you come back, that would be the most favorable circumstances," vanOstenberg explains.
Be a smart shopper. When selecting a hospital, don't rely solely on the Web site. Look for marks of excellence from well-known agencies, like JCI or the International Organization for Standardization, vanOstenberg says. Accreditation ensures the hospital meets hundreds of quality standards for patient safety. Request specifics about the medical staff, too. "Find out where the doctor went to school, how many surgeries they've performed and what kind of expert they are," Edelheit advises.
Know your rights. In the U.S., patients are protected by medical malpractice laws and privacy regulations, but those rights won't hold up in other countries. "Pursing liability or judgment is very difficult because the laws in different countries vary," vanOstenberg explains.
Before going abroad, make sure you're willing to waive your right to sue, Edelheit says. If something goes wrong, you may not be able to pursue any penalties.
Embrace the culture. It's one thing to visit a country; it's another to put your health in the hands of foreign doctors. Be prepared to accept different procedures and customs during your treatment, vanOstenberg says, but try to find a doctor who speaks English. That way, he or she can explain anything that catches you off-guard, as well as any risks associated with treatment or medications.
Bring a friend. It's always best to have a travel buddy, but the role becomes even more crucial when medical care is involved. A companion can serve as your patient advocate and guide you throughout the trip, Edelheit says. Plus, it's a familiar face in the recovery room.
Calculate costs. You may be saving money by going to a foreign facility, but unexpected expenses can add up. Factor airfare, hotel and food into your budget.
Cheryl McEvoy is an editorial assistant at ADVANCE news magazine, the parent company of this patient resource center and ADVANCE for Healthy Aging.
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