Considering Medical Tourism? Here’s What You Should Know

Medical tourism is on the rise as more and more Americans are finding that they can get the medical procedures they need at a fraction of the cost charged by U.S. hospitals. A non-elective surgery, like a hip replacement, can be had abroad for around $13,000 — compared to the $100,000 or more that the procedure might cost in an American hospital. Many patients who’ve taken advantage of lower medical costs abroad find that the quality is comparable to that found in good American hospitals. Rising health care costs at home have driven more and more Americans abroad in search of care. In fact, by some estimates, as many as 500,000 Americans travel abroad each year to have surgical procedures ranging from Botox and dentistry to heart surgery, joint replacement and spinal repair. If you’re considering medical tourism, here’s what you should know. You May Lack Support If Something Goes Wrong If you receive surgery or other medical care in a hospital abroad and something goes wrong, it can be hard to hold that hospital accountable. The boom in medical tourism is very new, and no one is quite sure yet who you might sue if a hospital botches your procedure. What is certain is that hospitals abroad aren’t subject to the same regulations and oversight as hospitals in the U.S. What’s more, if you need postoperative care after you return home, you may not be able to get it. The burden of making your medical journey successful will fall squarely on you, and it can be hard to get the data you need to make an educated decision about whether or not to receive care at a foreign hospital. Remember, these hospitals aren’t being monitored by the state and federal agencies that protect health care consumers domestically. They may refuse to answer your questions about success rates, mortality rates, or a particular doctor’s credentials and surgical statistics. Or, they may give you false information. If you do choose to receive care at a hospital abroad, choose one that’s accredited by the Joint Commission International. This is the global...