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Why Patients Are Turning to Medical Tourism

Statistics, Benefits, and Risks

Planning Ahead

Frequently asked questions.

Medical tourism is a term that refers to traveling to another country to get a medical or dental procedure. In some instances, medical tourists travel abroad seeking alternative treatments that are not approved in the United States.

Medical tourism is successful for millions of people each year, and it is on the rise for a variety of reasons, including increasing healthcare costs in the United States, lack of health insurance, specialist-driven procedures, high-quality facilities, and the opportunity to travel before or after a medical procedure.

According to a New York Times article from January 2021, pent-up demand for nonessential surgeries, as well as the fact that many Americans lost their health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic led to a surge in medical tourism once other countries re-opened.

However, there are specific risks that come with traveling overseas for surgery. If you're thinking of pursuing a medical procedure in another country, here's what to know about the benefits and the risks.

Medical Tourism Benefits

The most common procedures Americans go abroad for include dental care, cosmetic procedures , fertility treatments, organ transplants , and cancer treatment.

This is not to be confused with having an unplanned procedure in a foreign country due to an unexpected illness or injury.

Among the reasons a person might choose to go abroad for a medical procedure are:

Lower Costs

Medical tourists can save anywhere from 25% to 90% in medical bills, depending on the procedure they get and the country they travel to. There are several factors that play into this:

• The cost of diagnostic testing and medications is particularly expensive in the United States.
• The cost of pre- and post-procedure labor is often dramatically lower overseas. This includes labor costs for nurses , aides, surgeons , pharmacists, physical therapists , and more.
• High cost of malpractice insurance—the insurance that protects medical professionals against lawsuits—in the United States.
• Hospital stays cost far less in many overseas countries compared to the United States. In other words, quality care, hospital meals, and rehabilitation are far more affordable abroad for many people.

For someone who doesn't have insurance , or someone having a procedure that is not covered by insurance , the difference can be enormous.

Popular Countries for Medical Tourism

Dominican Republic

South Korea

Culture and Language

Many immigrants prefer to have treatments and procedures done in their country of origin—a sensible decision, considering just how much language barriers alone can affect the quality of their care.

Furthermore, at least 25% of immigrants and noncitizen residents in the United States are uninsured, compared to 9% of American citizens. Children with at least one noncitizen parent are also more likely to be uninsured.

Practicalities aside, many people choose to have their procedure done in their country of origin simply because it allows them to be close to family, friends, and caretakers who can assist them through their recovery .

Insurance Incentives

Some insurance companies have started promoting medical tourism. The reason behind this is simple: savings for the insured means savings for the insurance provider and vice versa.

Several insurance providers, including Aetna have programs specifically geared at promoting safe medical tourism. Some insurance providers even offer financial incentives for medical tourism, like discounts on medical bills .

That said, many insurance companies will not pay for surgery performed outside of the country unless it is an emergency.

Luxury and Privacy

Medical tourism is a lucrative business for many countries, and much of the money brought in by medical tourists is reinvested into the local economy and health infrastructure.

The effect of this is apparent in the spa-like luxury that some foreign hospitals offer, providing medical tourists the opportunity to be pampered during their stay for a fraction of the cost they would pay at home.

Some facilities offer hospital rooms that are more like a hotel suite than a traditional hospital room. Other hospitals offer one-on-one private nursing care, which is far more generous and attentive than the staffing ratios that most hospitals allow.

Medical tourists who seek that added layer of privacy can find it abroad. Many can return home from their "vacation" without anyone knowing they had a procedure at all.

Vacation in a Foreign Country

Medical tourists often take advantage of their stay in a foreign country to travel for pleasure by scheduling a vacation before or after their procedure.

This is an especially inexpensive way to travel to a foreign country, especially if their insurance provider is paying for the flight and the cost of staying is low. 

While it seems logical to recover on a beach or in a chalet by the mountains, keep in mind that it's important not to jeopardize your recovery.

Swimming isn't recommended until your incisions are completely closed. You may not feel up to doing much more than napping in the days following your procedure, either.

Don't let your vacation disrupt your recovery. Any time you have a procedure done, especially a surgery, it's important to listen to your body, take your medications as directed, and follow your doctor's recommendations closely.

Bypassing Rules and Regulations

Some travelers seek surgery abroad to bypass rules that are set in place by their own government, insurance company , or hospital. These rules are typically in place to protect the patient from harm, so getting around them isn't always the best idea.

For example, a patient may be told that their weight is too low to qualify for weight loss surgery . A surgeon in a foreign country may have a different standard for who qualifies for weight loss surgery, so the patient may qualify overseas for the procedure they want.

Talented Surgeons

Surgeons in certain countries are known for their talent in a specific area of surgery. For example, Brazilian surgeons are often touted for their strong plastic surgery skills .

Whereas in the United States, insurance companies might only cover cosmetic procedures if it is medically necessary, cosmetic surgery is often free or low-cost in Brazil's public hospitals—giving cosmetic surgeons there ample practice.

Thailand is reported to be the primary medical tourism destination for individuals seeking gender reassignment . It is often easier to qualify for surgery and the cost is significantly reduced. Surgeons are performing the procedures frequently, and as a result, many have become quite specialized in them.

It is often surprising to many medical tourists that their physician was trained in the United States. Not all physicians are, of course, but a surprisingly high percentage of them working in surgery abroad are trained in English-speaking medical schools and residency programs and then return to their home country. These physicians often speak multiple languages and may be board certified in their home country and a foreign country, such as the United States.

Medical tourism isn’t limited to countries outside of the United States, either. Many people travel to the United States for medical care due to the country's cutting-edge technology, prescription medication supply, and the general safety of healthcare.

Medical Tourism Risks

The financial and practical benefits of medical tourism are well known, and you may even know someone who had a great experience. Nonetheless, the downsides of medical tourism can be just as great if not greater. Sometimes, they can even be deadly.

If you are considering a trip abroad for your procedure, you should know that medical tourism isn't entirely without obstacle and risks. These include:

Poorly Trained Surgeons

In any country—the United States included—there will be good surgeons and bad. And just as there are great surgeons abroad, there are also some surgeons who are less talented, less trained, and less experienced.

Regardless of what procedure you are getting or where, you should always do some preliminary research into the surgeon or physician who will be treating you as well as the hospital you will be treated at.

In the United States, it is fairly easy to obtain information about malpractice lawsuits , sanctions by medical boards, and other disciplinary actions against a physician.

Performing this research from afar can be challenging, especially if you don't speak the local language. Yet countless people take the risk anyway, without knowing whether the physicians who will treat them are reputable.

A physician should be trained in the specific area of medicine that is appropriate for your procedure. For example, you should not be having plastic surgery from a surgeon who was trained to be a heart doctor. It isn’t good enough to be a physician, the physician must be trained in the specialty .

Prior to agreeing to surgery, you should also know your surgeon’s credentials : where they studied, where they trained, and in what specialty(s) they are board-certified. Do not rely on testimonials from previous patients; these are easily made up for a website and even if they are correct, one good surgery doesn’t mean they will all be successful.

Quality of Staff

Nurses are a very important part of healthcare, and the care they provide can mean the difference between a great outcome and a terrible one.

A well-trained nurse can identify a potential problem and fix it before it truly becomes an issue. A poorly trained nurse may not identify a problem until it is too late. The quality of the nursing staff will have a direct impact on your care.

Once again, it's important to research the hospital staff where you will be having your procedure done. Read the reviews but don't trust them blindly. If you can, seek out a recommendation from someone who can vouch for the medical staff where you will be going.

Quality of the Facility

While researching healthcare facilities for your procedure, you want to learn not just about the quality of the facilities themselves, but about the country's healthcare system as a whole.

In some countries, there is a marked distinction between public hospitals and private hospitals. In Turkey, for example, private hospitals are considered on-par with hospitals in the states, while many locals will advise you to steer clear of public hospitals if you can.

You will also want to seek out facilities that are internationally accredited. In the United States, the Joint Commission evaluates hospitals and certifies those that provide safe, quality care. The international division does the same for hospitals outside the United States.

Once you have a few options for potential facilities, you can start to investigate specifics. For one, you should find as many pictures and reviews of the facility as you can. Ask yourself whether the facility is state of the art or whether it seems dirty and outdated.

You will also need to find out if the facility has ICU level care available, in case something goes wrong. If not, there should be a major hospital nearby so that you can be transferred quickly.

To learn more about a healthcare facility, consider joining expat groups on social media for the city or country you will be traveling to. Ask the group for recommendations, or inquire about any positive or negative experiences they may have had at a particular facility.

Flying Home After Surgery

Any surgery comes with risks, including infection and blood clots . Flying home increases the risk of blood clots, especially on long-haul flights that are longer than four hours.

Try to avoid flying home in the days immediately after surgery; waiting a week will decrease the chances of developing a blood clot or another serious complication during the flight.

For longer flights, plan on getting up and walking up and down the aisles each hour to improve blood flow in your legs. You might also benefit from wearing compression socks with your doctor's approval.

If you are taking blood thinners or are at-risk of blood clots , be sure to talk to your doctor about how you can reduce your risk of blood clots after your procedure and while traveling.

Furthermore, you should know the symptoms of blood clots and stay alert.

Unplanned Illness

Any time you travel abroad, you run the risk of catching an illness that you have never been exposed to or that your body is not prepared to fight off. This is especially a concern when spending time in a foreign hospital.

If you have a sensitive stomach, you may also want to think long and hard about having surgery abroad. The food is often very different in foreign hospitals, and in some areas, there is a risk that even the water will be upsetting to your body.

Having diarrhea or postoperative nausea and vomiting makes for a miserable recovery experience, especially if you do not have a friend or family member nearby who can help you through it.

Before you travel abroad, check with your doctor to see if you need any vaccines to travel to your destination or if there are any foreign illnesses you should be aware of. Picking up an illness abroad, particularly after your surgery, can potentially be life-threatening.

Language Barriers

If you are having surgery in a country where English is not the primary language, you will need to make preparations in order to be able to communicate with the staff.

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the staff speaks your primary language well. If not, then you will need to consider how you will make your wishes and needs known to the surgeon, the staff, and others you will meet.

Whether you are at home or abroad, remember to speak up and advocate for yourself to make sure your needs are met. If you don't speak the local language, download a language translation app on your smartphone and don't hesitate to use it to communicate your needs. Hiring a translator is another option.

A Word About Transplant Tourism

Transplant tourism is one area of medical tourism that is strongly discouraged by organ and tissue transplant professionals in multiple countries. Most international transplants are considered “black market” surgeries that are not only poor in quality, but ethically and morally wrong.

China, for example, the country that is believed to perform more international kidney transplants than any other country, is widely believed to take organs from political prisoners after their execution.

In India, living donors are often promised large sums of money for their kidney donation, only to find out they have been scammed and never receive payment. Selling an organ in India is illegal, as it is in most areas of the world, so there is little recourse for the donor.

Then there is the final outcome: how well the organ works after the surgery is complete. With black market transplants, less care is often taken with matching the donor and recipient, which leads to high levels of rejection and a greater risk of death. Furthermore, the new organ may not have been screened for diseases such as cytomegalovirus , tuberculosis , hepatitis B , and hepatitis C . It is often the new disease that leads to death, rather than the organ rejection itself.

Finally, transplant surgeons are often reluctant to care for a patient who intentionally circumvented the donor process in the United States and received their transplant from an unknown physician.

It is important to arrange your follow-up care prior to leaving your home country.

Many physicians and surgeons are hesitant to take care of a patient who received care outside the country, as they are often unfamiliar with medical tourism and have concerns about the quality of care overseas.

Arranging for follow-up care before you leave will make it easier to transition to care at home without the stress of trying to find a physician after surgery .

Just be sure to inform your follow-up care physician where you are having your procedure done. After you return, they will also want to know what prescription medications you were given, if any.

What are popular countries for medical tourism? 

Mexico, India, Costa Rica, Turkey, Singapore, Canada, and Thailand are among the many countries that are popular for medical tourism.

How safe is medical tourism?

Medical tourism is generally considered safe, but it's critical to research the quality of care, physician training, and surgical specialties of each country. There are several medical tourism organizations that specialize in evaluating popular destinations for this purpose.

What countries have free healthcare? 

Countries with free healthcare include England, Canada, Thailand, Mexico, India, Sweden, South Korea, Israel, and many others.

A Word From Verywell

If you are considering medical tourism, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor, and consider working with your insurance provider to arrange a trip that balances financial savings with safety. (Also, before you embark on a trip overseas for your procedure, make sure you are financially prepared for unexpected events and emergencies. Don't go abroad if you don't have enough money to get yourself home in a crisis.)

A medical tourism organization such as Patients Without Borders can help you evaluate the quality and trustworthiness of healthcare in various countries. Making sure a high level of care is readily available will lead to a safer, more relaxing experience.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Medical Tourism: Getting medical care in another country . Updated October 23, 2017.

University of the Incarnate Word. Center for Medical Tourism Research .

Patients Beyond Borders. Facts and figures .

Kaiser Family Foundation. Health coverage of immigrants . Published July 2021.

Paul DP 3rd, Barker T, Watts AL, Messinger A, Coustasse A. Insurance companies adapting to trends by adopting medical tourism . Health Care Manag (Frederick). 2017 Oct/Dec;36(4):326-333. doi: 10.1097/HCM.0000000000000179

Batista BN. State of plastic surgery in Brazil .  Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open . 2017 Dec;5(12):1627. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001627

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Global Health Now. Brazilians' risky right to beauty . Published May 2018.

Chokrungvaranont P, Selvaggi G, Jindarak S, et al. The development of sex reassignment surgery in Thailand: a social perspective .  Sci World J . 2014 Mar;2014(1):1-5. doi:10.1155/2014/182981

The Joint Commission. For consumers .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood clots and travel: what you need to know . Reviewed February 2021.

Hurley R. China harvested organs from political prisoners on substantial scale, says tribunal . BMJ . 2018 Dec;363(1):5250. doi:10.1136/bmj.k5250

Ambagtsheer F, Van Balen L. I'm not Sherlock Holmes: suspicions, secrecy, and silence of transplant professionals in the human organ trade . Euro J Criminol . 2019 Jan;17(6):764-783. doi:10.1177/1477370818825331

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Transplant Surgery. Key facts . Reviewed January 2019.

By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.

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The 4 kidnapped americans are part of a large wave of u.s. medical tourism in mexico.

Bill Chappell

A Red Cross worker closes the door of an ambulance carrying two Americans found alive after they were abducted in Matamoros, Mexico, last week. Two of four Americans have been found dead, after they were caught in a cartel shootout, officials said Tuesday. AP hide caption

A Red Cross worker closes the door of an ambulance carrying two Americans found alive after they were abducted in Matamoros, Mexico, last week. Two of four Americans have been found dead, after they were caught in a cartel shootout, officials said Tuesday.

The four Americans who were shot at and abducted in Mexico were reportedly visiting for medical tourism — making them part of a booming industry that is vital to Mexico's economy.

"Pre-pandemic, some 1.2 million American citizens traveled to Mexico for elective medical treatment," Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders , told NPR. His firm publishes a guide to international medical travel.

Latin America

2 surviving americans who were kidnapped in mexico are back in the u.s..

Here's an update on medical tourism, and the recent tragedy:

U.S. medical travel is rising sharply

"Today, the market is recovering rapidly in Mexico, nearly back to its pre-pandemic levels," Woodman said.

Nearly 780,000 people were projected to leave the U.S. for health care in 2022, according to Healthcare.com , citing data from the medical travel website Medical Departures.

Medical tourism in Mexico isn't new, but the recent tragedy put it in the spotlight

Medical tourism in mexico isn't new, but the recent tragedy put it in the spotlight.

That outburst of activity got a big boost in late 2021, when the U.S. relaxed key border restrictions with Mexico.

Costa Rica is the second-most popular destination for U.S. visitors seeking medical care elsewhere, Woodman said. It's a particular draw, he added, for people in the Northeast and Southeast.

Most people travel for dental and cosmetic work

Cosmetic surgeries are just one of the procedures that are far cheaper in Mexico — for years, people have been visiting from the U.S. to get elaborate dental work or cosmetic treatments done, or to pick up antibiotics and other medicines at favorable prices.

Shots - Health News

A reason to smile: mexican town is a destination for dental tourism.

Many people also travel to get orthopedic work done, replacing knees or hips for less than half the cost of such procedures in the U.S.

"North American patients travel to Mexico for care primarily to save 50-70% over what they would pay in the United States for an elective treatment," according to Woodman.

Medical tourism does bring risks, experts say

While an element of risk is inherent in many procedures no matter where they're performed, medical tourism can heighten complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Potential problems range from the dangers of flying in a pressurized plane cabin too soon after a surgery to the complications of getting follow-up care for a procedure done in another country.

Medical tourism numbers are on the rise in Mexico, after the practice was curtailed by COVID-19 restrictions. Here, foreign patients are seen at the hospital Oasis of Hope in Tijuana in, 2019, in Mexico's Baja California state. Guillermo Arias/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Medical tourism numbers are on the rise in Mexico, after the practice was curtailed by COVID-19 restrictions. Here, foreign patients are seen at the hospital Oasis of Hope in Tijuana in, 2019, in Mexico's Baja California state.

Some of the most serious warnings from the CDC are for infections, from wound and blood infections to pathogens that might be more common or resistant in the host country than in the U.S.

"Recent examples include surgical site infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients who underwent cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic," the CDC says, "and Q fever in patients who received fetal sheep cell injections in Germany."

U.S. medical tourists rate Mexico highly

A 2020 research paper that surveyed some 427 Americans crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in California for medical services found that most of the respondents "felt that Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the United States, for a lower cost."

People had come from 29 states across the U.S. to get care in Mexico, with the vast majority driven by cost concerns, according to the paper, published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association .

Hit with $7,146 for two hospital bills, a family sought health care in Mexico

The researchers also collected data about the medical tourists themselves, reporting an average age of 64.5 years. Their most common yearly income range was reported to be between $25,001 and $50,000 — but that reflects less than a quarter of the respondents.

More than 400 of the survey's 427 participants said they would undertake more medical tourism in the future, the paper said.

Most of Mexico's hospitals follow U.S. standards

Mexico has worked for years to promote medical tourism to draw patients across the U.S. border. That includes improving its health system and following international standards.

"About 10 years ago, the Mexican federal government licensed the Joint Commission accreditation standards, which are used to accredit U.S. hospitals," as David Vequist, who runs the Center of Medical Tourism Research at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, told NPR's All Things Considered .

"So most Mexican hospitals are now basically using the same standards we use in hospitals in the United States," Vequist added.

Details of the recent violence are still emerging

At least one of the U.S. citizens who were caught up in the recent tragedy was reportedly going to Mexico for a tummy tuck operation. But the group's vehicle came under fire hours after entering the border city of Matamoros, Mexico, from Brownsville, Texas.

Two of the four died; all are reported to be natives of Lake City, S.C. Their identities have not been released, but relatives have been speaking to NPR and other outlets .

Mexican officials say they believe the four were caught in the middle of a conflict between drug cartels in the state of Tamaulipas — an area that is under a do-not-travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.

• Medical tourism

Released in July 2020 ‍ Medical Tourism Index 2020-2021

The one and only comprehensive analysis of the Medical Travel industry is back with its third edition, at a critical juncture in the history of healthcare. The Medical Tourism Index (MTI) ranks American perceptions of 46 international healthcare destinations, providing insight into how consumers view 41 criteria across three primary dimensions, including Destination Attractiveness, Safety, and Quality of Care.

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2020-2021 MTI Overview

Click on a region to explore further or purchase the report for access to all of the data tools..

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2020-2021 MTI Overall Ranking

The mti reports.

The Medical Tourism Index brings you its third edition. The MTI 2014-2015 assessed the attractiveness of 25 countries as medical tourism destinations. In 2016-2017, the MTI expanded to 41 destinations across five regions, doubling the size of the sampling. The 2020-2021 Medical Tourism Index comes at a time where the industry, and the entire world, has been changed forever by COVID-19. The 2020-20121 MTI addresses this very question.

MTI Tools Access

The Medical Tourism Index includes special member access that unlocks data for comparison of destinations by year, by dimension, and much more.

Top 5 Destinations

The Winning 5 of 2020-2021

Dimensions of Measurement

The Medical Tourism Index considers three primary factors as the drivers of medical tourism, and each of the three factors has a subset of items that allows a more detailed comparison in order to measure each destination’s attractiveness and brand awareness as a medical tourism destination.

Destination Environment

Medical Tourism Industry

Quality of facilities & services, destination ranking.

The development of the MTI was a multi-year, multi-step, multi-stakeholder approach. Our research methodology followed a rigorous eight-step approach that included methodological, statistical, and index construction procedures to develop this psychometric, sound measurement tool used by healthcare executives and government officials from around the world.

• THE SURVEY The data was gathered by conducting a national survey with 3,030 Americans of every age, gender, education level, and socioeconomic status.
• THE REPORT The 100+ page report includes 46 Destinations that with statistical evaluation and commentary on each.
• ONLINE DATA TOOLS Included with the purchase of the MTI is a member access portal that provides users with the ability to compare data between destinations through a variety of dimensions and plot custom charts and graphs.

Demonstrate the Economic Impact of Medical Tourism in your Destination

The Medical Tourism Calculator (MTC) is an adaptable tool used by all industry stakeholders to demonstrate the total economic impact of a medical travel program. Important factors like job creation and tax revenue, as well as the impact on hospitality and tourism, have been less emphasized in medical tourism forecasts.

• Provides data on the impact of healthcare tourism
• Provides the current economic impact of medical tourism in your region
• Provides a forecast of the total economic impact of medical travelers

Purchase the 2020-2021 Medical Tourism Index

About the developers.

Renée-Marie Stephano

Renée-Marie Stephano is president and founder of the Medical Tourism Association® and editor-in-chief of Medical Tourism Magazine® and the Health and Wellness Destination Guide Series of books. Ms. Stephano has authored several books from “Developing International Patient Centers, Best Practices in Facilitation,” to “Medical Tourism for Insurers and Employers,” and the most recent, “Engaging Wellness ~ Corporate Wellness Programs that Work.” Her articles have been published in publications all over the world. Most recently she co-authored an article which was peer reviewed and published in Tourism Management Academic Journal. Ms. Stephano is an attorney and specializes in working with governments and hospitals to develop sustainable medical tourism/international patient programs and strategies. To that end she provides consultancy to organizations all over the world. She deals directly with ministers of health, tourism and economic development to establish public-private partnerships that support medical tourism and, at the same time, provide a benefit and return to the local community. Ms. Stephano has performed feasibility studies for cities, nations and hospitals worldwide in which she has relayed opportunities for international expansion, clinical development and affiliations and partnerships. She also consults governments in the development of sustainable medical tourism zones & free healthcare zones. Ms. Stephano is a keynote speaker at international conferences, has spoken at hundreds of events and is a featured source of reference on issues related to health, travel and tourism for media outlets around the world. She is the Executive Director of the International Healthcare Research Center, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to research in medical tourism, wellness travel and corporate wellness. IHRC is the publisher of the Medical Tourism Index (MTI). ‍

Dr. Marc Fetscherin

Dr. Marc Fetscherin is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Rollins College (FL), United States. His expertise is in international marketing with a specialization on marketing strategy, marketing research and branding with a specific focus on global brand management, corporate branding, human brands, consumer brand relationships, and destination branding. Previously, he was a Fellow at Harvard University as well as a researcher at the University of California Berkeley. He taught or teaches MBA and executive MBA courses at various institutions worldwide such as East China University of Science and Technology (China), the Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), Jacobs University(Germany), the University of Lausanne, HEC (Switzerland) or the University of Fribourg (Switzerland). He won multiple teaching and research awards. He has extensive international experience and lived and traveled to over 30 destinations. He speaks 5 languages (German, English, French. Spanish, Russian). Previous his academic career he was a consultant for McKinsey & Company and CEO of a Swiss luxury company. He was also a member of the Federal Commission ofConsumer Affairs, an advisory body for the Swiss Government. He has published 3 books, multiple book chapters and journal articles. His articles have appeared in peer reviewed journals such as Harvard Business Review, Journal of Business Research, International Journal of Market Research, International Marketing Review, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Journal of Brand Management, Journal of Product and Brand Management, Management International Review, International Business Review, or Tourism Management among others. He is in the editorial board of the Journal of Brand Management and the Journal of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy. He is also an Expert for the Association of Place Branding and Public Diplomacy.

MedicalTourism.com

MedicalTourism.com is a free, confidential, independent resource for patients and industry providers. Our mission is to provide a central portal where patients, medical tourism providers, hospitals, clinics, employers, and insurance companies can all find the information they need. Our site focuses on patients looking for specific knowledge in the fields of medical tourism, dental tourism, and health tourism.

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• Medical tourism fact sheet

Medical Tourism Statistics and Facts | Health-Tourism.com

An essential fact sheet and guide on medical tourism statistics, medical tourism: the full picture, medical tourism facts: why do people go abroad to get medical treatment.

• Approximately 2.5 million foreign patients traveled to hospitals in Thailand in 2013. In Bangkok's prestigious Bumrungrad International Hospital, over 520,000 international patients received treatment at the hospital.
• Singapore has been a growing medical tourism center in South East Asia with 850,000 medical tourists arriving in 2012. In January 2019 however, a report was released by RHB Research , the article quotes analyst Juliana Cai saying "As healthcare costs in neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand are much lower, they have been attracting medical tourists from the region – thereby eating into Singapore's market share."
• Latin America , particularly Costa Rica and Panama , are fast becoming tourist spots for medical travelers with approximately 40,000 foreign patients seeking healthcare in Costa Rica in 2011.
• Due to its close proximity to the U.S., Mexico has become a top medical tourism destination with 40,000 to 80,000 American seniors spending their retirement there with a considerable number receiving nursing home and health care. According to Politico however, the recent events with Donald Trump and the wall could damage the flow of medical tourism across the border.
• After visitors number more than doubling in the last 5 years, Malaysia is also becoming a famous destination with 770,134 medical travelers in 2013. In 2016 Malaysia received numerous awards and global recognition from International Medical Travel Journal . Among the awards won by The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) were ‘Health & Medical Tourism: Destination of the Year’, International Hospital of the Year, ‘International Cosmetic Surgery Clinic of the Year, ‘International Dental Clinic of the Year’, ‘International Fertility of the Year’, and ‘Best Marketing Initiative of the Year’.
• India has become a medical tourism hot spot, with 166,000 international patients in 2012 coming to the country due to the selection of highly skilled doctors and improved medical infrastructure. In 2016 the numbers kept rising, with over 170,000 medical visas awarded . This represents only a fraction of the total medical tourists entering the country.
• South Korea has now entered the top ten countries in the world in terms of tourist volume. At the last available count in 2016, 390,000 people travelled to Korea as a medical tourist compared to the overall patient volume of 14 million.
• The UK has recently announced the need for improved quality standards for cross border care. There seems to be room for more private inbound medical tourism but there needs to be a change in the cap on numbers allowed currently.
• In Spain , the demand for medical tourism has skyrocketed, especially in the town of Marbella. Over 330 million euros a year are generated in the province. The Quirón business group is the biggest medical supplier in Spain and it treats up to 20,000 foreign patients a year, with most of the patients coming from the UK, Netherlands and Finland.
• As fertility decreases in the MENA region the demand for IVF and related services grows. In North Africa and the Middle East there is a $1 billion market, serviced by Turkey but also increasingly by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi.

What Are The Most Frequently Treated Conditions in Medical Tourists?

• Cosmetic surgery
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Weight loss
• Cardiovascular health
• Dermatology
• Liver & kidney transplants
• Spinal surgery

Established and emerging medical tourism markets

Potential cost savings among nations offering medical services, travel insurance, the outlook in medical tourism, the rise of international accreditation, medical tourism information:, browse by specialty.

• Addiction Treatment
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Join the Medical Tourism Moonshot

Join the global provider network (gpn), become an mta member, the evolution of u.s. medical tourism virtual summit: insights and perspectives.

Medical Tourism Patient Survey

The Medical Tourism Association, in collaboration with the International Healthcare Research Center, has gathered critical insights into why patients are increasingly choosing to travel for medical care. This comprehensive 31-page report sheds light on the decision-making process, motivations, and concerns of medical tourists, focusing on aspects like the search for superior medical expertise, trust in healthcare providers, cost-effectiveness, and the appeal of innovative treatments. These findings are crucial for healthcare providers looking to tailor their services to meet the evolving needs and expectations of patients globally, ensuring not only the highest standards of care but also building the essential trust and confidence that underpins the decision to seek medical treatment abroad.

Stats From the Report

We impact the private & public sectors.

The Medical Tourism Association is a global non-profit association for the medical tourism and international patient industry. The MTA works with healthcare providers, governments, insurance companies, employers, and other buyers of healthcare – in their medical tourism, international patient, and healthcare initiatives – with a focus on providing access to transparent, high-quality healthcare.

Medical Tourism Magazine

Medicaltourism.com.

World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress

Strategic partner.

Global Healthcare Accreditation is the official strategic partner of the Medical Tourism Association for training, accreditation and certification. Global Healthcare Accreditation® (GHA) is a recognized global authority in accreditation and certification with a specialized focus in workplace safety, health, and well-being as well as specializations in medical and wellness travel.

New MTA Members

Become A  Member!

The medical tourism association® is a diverse international organization dedicated to the life cycle of healthcare and travel projects from inception to delivery. from the review of bench-marked results to the development of improvement mechanisms developed through proven customer experience techniques and measured outcomes, the medical tourism association® is the dedicated partner for businesses seeking to establish a greater global presence in healthcare, wellness, and tourism industries..

• OUR MISSION To equip medical tourism and healthcare travel professionals with the tools they need to develop their business.
• OUR EXPERIENCE 12+ years of leading events and industry education have allowed us to change the world
• OUR VISION To have a world with the highest standard of healthcare throughout

Become a Certified Medical Travel Professional Today!

Become a recognized expert in your field. With Global Healthcare Accreditations' Certified Medical Travel Professional certification, you can easily link with healthcare or hospitality providers seeking exceptional services for their medical travel clients.

The Medical Tourism Association has been in business for more than 16 years now, working tireless to promote and expand the international patient industry. We’ve been fortunate enough to meet with engaging, intelligent people from every corner of the world, all of whom have one goal in mind – the continuous improvement of medical travel.

Demonstrate the Economic Impact of Medical Tourism in your Destination

The Medical Tourism Calculator (MTC) is an adaptable tool used by industry stakeholders to demonstrate the total economic impact of a medical travel program. It considers important factors like job creation and tax revenues, as well as the impact to hospitality and tourism, which are traditionally deemphasized in medical tourism forecasts.

Featured Clients

Medical Tourism Association

The Medical Tourism Association is a Global Non-profit association for the Medical Tourism and International Patient Industry. The MTA works with healthcare providers, governments, insurance companies, employers and other buyers of healthcare - in their medical tourism, international patient, and healthcare initiatives - with a focus on providing the highest quality transparent healthcare.

Medical Tourism and Healthcare Agency Services in USA

Health records.

Secured & HIPAA Compliant

Trip Planning

Concierge Medical Travel Options

Accommodation

Private Luxury Suite

Price Quote

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24-Hour Service Providers

Gundars Katlaps, MD

Craig Daley

Eniye woods, ms, rn, msn, guna mahalingham, michael adler, american medical care, leading medical travel agent in the us.

The medical care system in the US is one of the best in the world. There are no two ways about it – even though treatment and care facilities in the US are costlier than many other nations of the world, still, owing to the high quality of American medical services, US medical tourism is on the rise, has steadily grown in recent years – people arriving in the US have doubled in the last few years. It is no surprise that about 0.5% of all tourists arriving by air to the US annually list medical tourism in the USA as the main reason for visiting the country.

American Medical Care – top Medical Tourism agent in the US Being a part of the USA medical tourism industry is a matter of great pride because we believe strongly that we make a difference in someone’s life. With thousands of patients queuing up for Medical tourism USA, top-quality US healthcare treatment from across the world, we are doing our part by facilitating many such people access relevant medical services in the US.

• Ensuring patients worldwide can access different medical procedures in the US – elective, non-elective, and cosmetic procedures.
• As a seasoned medical travel agent, we ensure patients have a smooth entry into the country.
• We aim to help our clients get personalized treatment from the best medical facilities in the country as a top priority for our medical tourism agency in the USA.
• Ensuring patients and their families have their medical appointments scheduled appropriately and with the best healthcare provider amongst our listed providers.
• We take care of your accommodation, local transportation, and other logistics-related needs.
• One of our key focus areas as one of the premier medical tourism companies in the USA is to handle all relevant documentation on your behalf.

As an established medical tourism agent, we specialize in offering end-to-end medical tourism in the United States, ensuring that our patients never feel out of place and in an ecosystem offering the right ambiance for their wellbeing and rapid recovery.

Why hire us as a medical tourism agent?

1. Network of healthcare providers We are well-connected with some of the premier hospitals and medical facilities in the US. The American Medical Care is a seasoned medical tourism agency with strong connections with reputed and credible facilities across the country – Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nigeria.

2. Affordable healthcare services

We understand the emotional and mental trauma and stress of the client and their families. To top it if the treatment costs are way too expensive, the situation can become even more challenging. Hence, at American Medical Care, a leading Medical tourism company, we sincerely try to suit the most reasonable cost estimates so that you can budget accordingly and try consistently to match your pocket. As leading medical travel agents in the US, it is one of the core endeavors of our team to help our clients find the best medical care services at affordable prices.

3. In the foreign land, we ensure you get decent accommodation.

Surrounded by medical uncertainties, arranging an affordable and decent place to stay for an unlimited period can be daunting. Being a top medical tourism travel agency, we handhold so that you get the best place to stay within your budget. We ensure:

• The best place to stay as per the limits of your pocket.
• The place is close to the hospital and is also centrally located.
• The place has affordable and good places to eat in and around the hotel.
• Ensure that all other logistics-related matters are addressed well for a stress-free stay.

Medical tourism companies like us are not just facilitators but an integral part of your treatment plan. We offer comprehensive services that begin from planning your trip to the US till the very end – when you recover and reach back home. Always at your service, we are a health tourism agency accessible round-the-clock. You can never feel lost and out of place in the US.

As a responsible healthcare tourism agency, when you get in touch with us, we help save your time, money, and efforts, taking care end-to-end of all your needs to have a seamless trip and treatment in the US.

• Medical Tourism

What is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism is the practice of traveling across international borders to access healthcare systems or physician services that are not available or less attractive in a person’s native country. Although medical tourism is not a new concept, high health care cost, long wait times, availability of relatively inexpensive worldwide travel, and increasing number of countries catering to medical tourism have led to an increase in this practice throughout the last decade. Today, facilities catering to medical tourism may involve either locally trained staff and physicians or sometimes may involve physicians trained and employed in the U.S. who travel to these facilities part time to participate in the care of patients. These facilities offer surgical procedures at costs that are 40 – 80 percent less than the cost in the U.S.

While the term medical tourism is most often used to describe travel across international borders to obtain medical care as part of a pre-arranged package, this term does not fully or accurately describe all of the issues or concerns related to bariatric surgery. The ASMBS has therefore adopted the term “global bariatric healthcare” to encompass all of the scenarios in which patients travel long distances for bariatric surgery (including medical tourism packages).

Global bariatric healthcare is defined as travel to undergo bariatric surgery across any distance that precludes routine follow-up and continuity of care with the surgeon or program. No specific type of border or distance of travel can universally apply as regional differences in surgeon availability and expertise vary greatly throughout the world. While this practice commonly involves travel across international borders, travel across long distances within a country, region, or state involves the same risks and challenges for continuity of care as does long distance travel to another country and these situations should also be included in this concept of global bariatric healthcare or medical tourism.

In addition to increased interest in medical travel among insurance companies, many corporations and other payers are taking advantage of this growing market by offering global health care coverage and providing incentives for patients to seek less expensive health care in other countries. Some U.S. employers have “outsourced” medical travel programs as a way to cut the cost of health care. This typically involves a relationship with certain medical facilities abroad that are approved to provide services by the insurance carrier of the employer. Incentives such as paying for airfare, for example, may be used to encourage employees to seek out medical tourism opportunities. In the U.S., three-quarters of a million people received health care abroad in 2007. More recent figures report an exponential rise in the number of people seeking health care in other countries. 1

How is Quality Monitored for Bariatric Surgery in Other Countries?

There are many countries around the world that participate in medical tourism; however, accreditation and other measures of quality control vary widely depending on the country in which the services are being provided. There is no worldwide standard of care, and therefore, there is no way of ensuring that the same safeguards are in place that we are accustomed to in the U.S. Certain countries may offer unproven therapies to patients outside true clinical trials, and it can be difficult to differentiate between acceptable medical innovation and unacceptable patient exploitation. 3-4   Additionally, the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) either does not exist or is not as stringent in most of the countries that serve as major medical tourism sites for bariatric surgery; therefore, even the medical supplies that are used may not be as closely regulated.

Several organizations including The Joint Commission International (JCI), Trent International Accreditation Scheme (U.K.), the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Bariatric Surgical Review Committee (IBSRC) have responded to the growth in medical travel by establishing accreditation procedures for international medical facilities. In the last five years, the number of JCI accredited public and private hospitals around the world has increased by nearly 1,000 percent. Currently, more than 250 facilities in 36 countries are accredited by the JCI, up from 27 hospitals in 2004. Establishing this high standard of accreditation instills a higher level of confidence in citizens seeking affordable health care alternatives abroad and many foreign hospitals seek this type of accreditation to attract American patients to their facility. Despite these attempts at standardization, though, there are often regional or local variations in accreditation standards, based on cultural, societal or religious differences.

The Medical Tourism Association is an international non-profit organization comprised of international hospitals, insurance companies and affiliates with a common goal of promoting the highest level of quality healthcare to patients in the global environments. They are devoted to transparency in quality and pricing, communication and education. 2

What are the Risks of Having Bariatric Surgery as Part of a Medical Tourism Package?

When a person is considering traveling to another country to receive healthcare, there is more to consider than just the cost and quality of the surgery that is performed. Peri-operative care presents an enormous challenge for bariatric procedures. Preoperative education, continuity of care and long-term follow-up are proven essential components for successful outcomes in bariatric surgery and these are not necessarily provided in the setting of medical travel. Some of the facilities participating in medical tourism may not have the capability, such as a modern Intensive Care Unit, imaging capabilities and interventional radiology, etc., to optimally care for major post-operative complications. Additionally, although many programs involved in medical tourism include a short stay post-operatively, this does not ensure that a complication will not develop upon returning to the US.

Unfortunately, this is further complicated by the fact that some surgeons may be reluctant to care for patients that have had surgery in another country. Often an operative report is not available, there may be uncertainty of what was done, and there are concerns whether assuming the care of the patient will make them liable for any complications the patient may have in the future. The cost of treating complications for patients returning from a procedure performed abroad may be substantial, particularly if the patient self-referred outside their insurance system or is uninsured when he or she develops the complication

Long-term success in bariatric surgery depends on lifelong compliance with dietary habits, nutritional guidelines and exercise as part of a multi-disciplinary bariatric program.  Facilities outside the U.S. that participate in medical tourism may not have the time or staff to adequately prepare and educate the patients once they arrive for care. Additionally, patients who have surgery outside the U.S. may have difficulty finding bariatric programs willing to accept them for ongoing routine care after they return home. This has been particularly problematic for many patients who have had an adjustable gastric band procedure outside the U.S. and need band adjustments and long-term follow-up.

Traveling a long distance after surgery can also increase the risk of complications such as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. One must also consider the endemic disease of the area in which they are traveling. Infectious disease-related epidemiology, for example, is a substantial concern. Patients from North America may not have built up a natural immunity to certain pathogens widespread in other continents. This can lead to severe and complicated gastrointestinal illness, influenza and even tuberculosis. Coming home with such an ailment may confuse local physicians, delay therapy and increase the morbidity and mortality of certain problems.

What is the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s Position on Medical Tourism?

Based on the limited available data, guidelines published by other medical societies, expert opinion, and a primary concern for patient safety, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery supports the following statements and guidelines regarding bariatric surgical procedures and global bariatric healthcare:

• Based on the unique characteristics of the bariatric patient, the potential for major early and late complications after bariatric procedures, the specific follow-up requirements for different bariatric procedures, and the nature of treating the chronic disease of obesity, extensive travel to undergo bariatric surgery should be discouraged unless appropriate follow-up and continuity of care are arranged and transfer of medical information is adequate.
• The ASMBS opposes mandatory referral across international borders or long distances by insurance companies for patients requesting bariatric surgery if a high quality bariatric program is available locally.
• The ASMBS opposes the creation of financial incentives or disincentives by insurance companies or employers that limit patients’ choices of bariatric surgery location or surgical options and, in effect, make medical tourism the only financially viable option for patients.
• The ASMBS recognizes the right of individuals to pursue medical care at the facility of their choice. Should they choose to undergo bariatric surgery as part of a medical tourism package or pursue bariatric surgery at a facility a long distance from their home, the following guidelines are recommended:
• Patients should undergo procedures at an accredited JCI institution or preferably a bariatric center of excellence.
• Patients should investigate the surgeon’s credentials to ensure that the surgeon is board eligible or board certified by a national board or credentialing body. Individual surgeon outcomes for the desired procedure should be made available as part of the informed consent process whenever possible.
• Patients and their providers should ensure that follow-up care, including the management of short and long-term complications, are covered by the insurance payer or purchased as a supplemental program prior to traveling abroad.
• Surgical providers should ensure that all medical records and documentation are provided and returned with the patient to their local area. This includes the type of band placed and any adjustments performed in the case of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, as well as any postoperative imaging performed.
• Prior to undergoing surgery, the patient should establish a plan for postoperative follow-up with a qualified local bariatric surgery program to monitor for nutritional deficiencies and long-term complications, and to provide ongoing medical, psychological and dietary supervision.
• Patients should recognize that prolonged traveling after bariatric surgery may increase the risk of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and other perioperative complications.
• Patients should recognize that there are risks of contracting infectious diseases while traveling abroad that are unique to different endemic regions.
• Patients should recognize that travel over long distances in a short period of time for bariatric surgery may limit appropriate preoperative education and counseling regarding the risks, benefits, and alternatives for bariatric operations. This also significantly limits the bariatric surgery program’s ability to medically optimize the patient prior to surgery.
• Patients should understand that compensation for complications may be difficult or impossible to obtain.
• Patients should understand that legal redress for medical errors for procedures performed across international boundaries is difficult.
• Linda A. Johnson,”Americanslookabroadtosaveonhealthcare: Medicaltourism couldjumptenfoldinnextdecade,” TheSanFranciscoChronicle, August 3, 2008
• MedicalTourism – Medical & HealthtravelAssociation – GlobalHealthcareManagementCompany”. Medicaltourismassociation.com. http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com/ . Retrieved 2010-09-15.
• USA (2011-10-03).”LindvallO, HyunI. Medicalinnovationversusstemcelltourism. Science. 2009 Jun 26;324(5935):1664-5″. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19556497 . Retrieved 2011-10-29.
• ISSCRGuidelinesfortheClinicalTranslationofStemCells. 2008
• Manuel Roig-Franzia,DiscountDentistry, SouthofTheBorder, Washingtonpost.com,June 18, 2007. Retrieved October 15, 2008.

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Medical tourism top 20 global destinations analysis report 2024.

Dublin, April 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Medical Tourism - Top 20 Global Destinations" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Medical Tourism - top 20 global destinations examines why the top 20 destination countries are where they are today. Global medical tourism is increasing annually. What is changing rapidly is each country's share of the total, and the type of medical tourist they are attracting. It highlights those countries that are or are becoming major destinations, why, and what they are doing to promote their country. This report investigates current and potential opportunities for medical tourism by analysing inbound numbers by country, and revenue. Most medical tourism reports are out of date by the time they are published, so this one works in a new way.

Reason to Buy

Every country and organisation needs to update and refine its medical tourism strategy and to do that they need to know the latest on which countries are doing well, who goes there, the treatment they seek and why they go there.

This report is essential reading to any organisation serious about medical tourism.

Country specific details include:

Inbound medical tourism numbers

Inbound health and wellness tourism numbers

Medical tourism numbers in detail

Problems with medical tourism numbers in

Medical tourism numbers targets

Health tourism numbers in

Health tourism numbers targets

Medical tourism visas

Where medical tourists come from

Why inbound medical tourists go there

Inbound medical tourism treatments

Hospitals and clinics in medical tourism

Target markets by country

Medical tourism promotion

Medical tourism financial incentives and grants

Medical tourism at airports and airlines

Health tourism

Health tourism promotion

Health tourism financial incentives and grants

Medical tourism revenue

Health tourism revenue

Medical tourism revenue targets

Domestic medical tourism

Medical tourism regulation

Medical tourism price regulation

Medical tourism treatment and other problems

Promotional bodies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rmk2lc

About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality ›
• Leisure Travel

Medical tourism in Latin America - Statistics & Facts

Latin America is one of the world's most renowned regions for its touristic attractions. Destinations such as Mexico, Cuba or the Dominican Republic lead the interest of millions of travelers every year. Medical treatment has emerged as one of the main reasons for visiting this region over the past decade, mainly due to the affordable price of health procedures in comparison to other latitudes around the globe, but also because of the good quality of health services offered by hospitals and clinics in many Latin American countries. Medical tourists The medical tourism market in Latin America was estimated at over seven billion U.S. dollars in 2022, and it was expected to surpass the 17 billion mark by 2027. As one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in the region, Costa Rica hosted nearly 20 thousand health tourists in 2019, a figure that dropped to 6.5 thousand in 2021 resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Colombia was also among the leading destinations in this category, with nearly 21 thousand health visitors recorded prior to the outbreak. Price comparison Cost savings is the most important reason for seeking health care abroad among U.S. tourists. Particularily surgeries tend to be offered at a lower price in Latin America, making this type of medical procedure one of the most sought-after by foreign medical tourists. Recent data shows that undergoing a heart valve replacement was the operation with the highest price difference between the United States and selected Latin American countries , with differences in cost reaching 150 thousand U.S. dollars if we compare it to Colombia, or 147.5 thousand U.S. dollars in the case of Mexico. Medical Tourism Index There are more aspects to consider when looking for a travel destination to receive healthcare. In this regard, the Medical Tourism Association offers an index that contemplates three main features in order to evaluate different medical destinations, including its environment, the medical tourism industry, and the quality of facilities and services. Based on this index, Costa Rica was the leading Latin American destination for medical tourism in 2020, with an overall score of 71.73. The Dominican Republic came in second place, with a score of 66.32, followed by Argentina, with 66.26. This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text. Show more J. Mendoza Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech Get in touch with us now Published by J. Mendoza , Feb 27, 2024

Key insights

Detailed statistics

Latin America: top medical tourism destinations 2020, by index score

Monthly number of international medical tourists in Mexico 2021

International medical tourists in Colombia 2010-2020

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Health System

Top medical tourism countries by total index rating worldwide 2020

State of Health

Health care quality in selected Latin American countries 2023

Care & Support

Main countries in wellness industry in Latin America 2020, by market size

Related topics

Recommended.

• Medical tourism in Europe
• Health in Brazil
• Health in Mexico
• eHealth in Chile

Recommended statistics

Healthcare in latin america.

• Premium Statistic Healthcare spending per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean 2020, by country
• Premium Statistic Hospitals in Latin America 2023, by country
• Premium Statistic Leading hospitals in Latin America 2021
• Premium Statistic Physician density in Latin America and the Caribbean 2020, by country
• Premium Statistic Health care quality in selected Latin American countries 2023

Healthcare spending per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean 2020, by country

Ranking of the current healthcare spending per capita in Latin America by country 2020 (in U.S. dollars)

Hospitals in Latin America 2023, by country

Number of hospitals in selected countries in Latin America in 2023

Leading hospitals in Latin America 2021

Leading hospitals in Latin America in 2021, by quality (index score)

Physician density in Latin America and the Caribbean 2020, by country

Ranking of the average number of physicians per 1,000 inhabitants in Latin America and the Caribbean by country 2020

Public opinion on the quality of health care received in selected countries in Latin America as of 2023

Medical tourists arrivals

• Premium Statistic Top medical tourism countries by total index rating worldwide 2020
• Premium Statistic Latin America: top medical tourism destinations 2020, by index score
• Premium Statistic Monthly number of international medical tourists in Mexico 2021
• Premium Statistic International medical tourists in Colombia 2010-2020
• Premium Statistic Medical tourists in Costa Rica 2012-2021

Top 20 destinations worldwide based on the total medical tourism index in 2020

Leading destinations for medical tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020, by index score

Number of visitors who traveled for medical purposes to Mexico from January 2019 to December 2021 (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitors who traveled to Colombia for medical purposes from 2010 to 2020

Medical tourists in Costa Rica 2012-2021

Number of tourists traveling to Costa Rica for medical purposes from 2012 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Cosmetic surgery and wellness

• Basic Statistic Leading countries in cosmetic surgery in Latin America 2021
• Premium Statistic Leading countries in cosmetic surgery in Latin America 2021, by share
• Premium Statistic Popular surgical cosmetic procedures in Brazil 2021
• Premium Statistic Mexico: most common cosmetic surgeries 2022
• Premium Statistic Main countries in wellness industry in Latin America 2020, by market size

Leading countries in cosmetic surgery in Latin America 2021

Leading countries in cosmetic surgery procedures in Latin America in 2021, by number of procedures

Leading countries in cosmetic surgery in Latin America 2021, by share

Leading countries in cosmetic surgery procedures in Latin America in 2021, by share of world total

Popular surgical cosmetic procedures in Brazil 2021

Most common surgical cosmetic procedures in Brazil as of 2021

Mexico: most common cosmetic surgeries 2022

Most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in Mexico in 2022

Leading countries in the wellness industry in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2020, based on market size (in billion U.S. dollars)

Hospital equipment

• Premium Statistic Hospital equipment in use in Mexico 2023, by type
• Premium Statistic Hospital equipment in use in Argentina 2023, by type
• Premium Statistic Hospital equipment in use in Brazil 2023, by type
• Premium Statistic Hospital equipment in use in Chile 2023, by type
• Premium Statistic Hospital equipment in use in Colombia 2023, by type

Hospital equipment in use in Mexico 2023, by type

Installed base of selected types of hospital equipment in Mexico in 2023

Hospital equipment in use in Argentina 2023, by type

Installed base of selected types of hospital equipment in Argentina in 2023

Hospital equipment in use in Brazil 2023, by type

Installed base of selected types of hospital equipment in Brazil in 2023

Hospital equipment in use in Chile 2023, by type

Installed base of selected types of hospital equipment in Chile in 2023

Hospital equipment in use in Colombia 2023, by type

Installed base of selected types of hospital equipment in Colombia in 2023

Price comparison

• Premium Statistic Medical procedures price differences LatAm vs U.S. 2021
• Premium Statistic Dental implant cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021
• Premium Statistic Breast implants cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021
• Premium Statistic Rhinoplasty cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021
• Premium Statistic Liposuction cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021

Medical procedures price differences LatAm vs U.S. 2021

Difference of medical procedures prices between the United States and selected countries in Latin America in 2021 (in 1,000 U.S. dollars)

Dental implant cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021

Average cost of a dental implant in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States in 2021 (in U.S. dollars)

Breast implants cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021

Average cost of breast implants in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States in 2021 (in 1,000 U.S. dollars)

Rhinoplasty cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021

Average cost of a rhinoplasty in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States 2021 (in 1,000 U.S. dollars)

Liposuction cost in Colombia, Mexico, & the U.S. 2021

Average cost of a liposuction in Colombia, Mexico, and the United States in 2021 (in 1,000 U.S. dollars)

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Middle schooler dies after suffering medical emergency during PE class, officials say

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. ( WAFF /Gray News) - A child is dead after suffering a medical episode while at school in Alabama on Tuesday.

According to Liberty Middle School officials, a seventh-grade student has died after experiencing a medical emergency on campus.

“It is with deep regret that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community,” Liberty Middle School Principal Shannon Brown shared in a statement.

The school identified the student as Morgan Williams.

School officials said Williams suffered a medical episode during a physical education class.

According to Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, first responders were called to a football field at the school before 3 p.m.

“This loss has and will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students,” Brown said.

Counselors were made available to students who may need any assistance, the principal said.

“We are saddened by this loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed. Please keep the Williams family in your thoughts,” Brown shared in a message to parents.

No further information was immediately released.

Copyright 2024 WAFF via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Police don't suspect foul play in death of 'American Idol' alum, singer Mandisa

Christian music sensation Mandisa has died at 47.

The singer was found deceased in her home on Thursday, a rep for Mandisa confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday.

“At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time," her team said via email.

On Monday, Franklin Police Department officials told The Tennessean , part of the USA TODAY network, that no foul play is suspected in the death of Mandisa. However, a suspected cause of death was not provided.

"At this time, there is no indication the death was the result of suspicious or criminal activity," police spokesperson Max Winitz said. "The Franklin Police Department sends its condolences to (Mandisa's) family, friends and fans."

The California native first rose to fame on Season 5 of "American Idol," when she finished within the Top 10.

Later, she released her debut album "True Beauty" and went on to become one of the most recognizable voices in the Christian music industry. The five-time Grammy Award nominee snagged the best contemporary Christian music album award for her 2013 album, "Overcomer," featuring the popular title song.

"Mandisa was a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world. She wrote this song for a dear friend who had passed in 2017. Her own words say it best. 'I'm already home, You've got to lay it down 'cause Jesus holds me now—And I am not alone,'" a statement posted Friday on her official Facebook account read.

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Reps for "American Idol" issued a statement to USA TODAY about the loss of Mandisa on Friday.

"Mandisa was an adored icon on 'American Idol' and in the music industry. She had become a platinum-selling artist and had won several Grammys for her music. Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family," the statement read.

Robin Roberts mourns loss of Mandisa, who she listened to during cancer treatments

In 2017, during an interview with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America," Mandisa recounted her struggle with a deep depression three years prior. Mandisa said she became depressed after the death from breast cancer of her best friend LaKisha "Kisha" Mitchell , who was also a background singer for the star.

“It got pretty bad to the point where if I had not gotten off that road I would not be sitting here today,” Mandisa told Robin Roberts on “ GMA .” "I was this close to listening to that voice that told me, ‘You can be with Jesus right now, Mandisa. All you have to do is take your life.'"

Roberts, who listened to Mandisa's song "Stronger" during her own breast cancer treatments, mourned Mandisa's loss in a Facebook post Friday, recounting how the "Idol" alum was present during her first day back on "GMA" after her cancer battle.

"My heart is heavy hearing about Mandisa. Incredibly blessed that she was there my first day back on GMA after my long medical leave. Her beautiful music and spirit lifted me and countless others. Sending prayers and condolences to her family & loved ones." she said, adding a link of Mandisa's performance .

Mandisa's death shared by Christian radio station: 'Struggles are over'

Mandisa's death was first shared in a blog post by Christian radio station K-Love.

In a statement, K-Love Chief Media Officer David Pierce said she "loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn" and asked for prayers for the star's family and friends.

"Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it wasno match for the size of her heart. Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles. Mandisa’s struggles are over. She is with the God she sang about now. While we are saddened, Mandisa is home," the statement read.

Contributing: Melonee Hurt, Craig Shoup and Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean