Medical tourism is an interesting concept. In the United States, we tend to think that we have a pretty amazing health care system, and therefore, why would we travel for healthcare?
I often hear about patients traveling to far-off destinations such as Turkey for hair transplants, Costa Rica for dental surgery, and Brazil or Korea for plastic surgery.
But what about non-cosmetic treatment? Health care costs are so high in the US and insurance coverage so spotty that for some patients, it may make sense to seek treatment abroad. I often see patients who bring in MRIs from China or India that they obtained while visiting family overseas.
The cash cost of these studies is far less than most patients’ deductibles or co-pays here. The problem with invasive medical treatment is how to vet the doctor, the hospital, or the actual treatment being offered. I’m at a loss here and would advise significant caution prior to undergoing treatments such as “stem cell” injections or surgical procedures abroad.
Here’s an article that explores the idea of medical tourism further: The Best Centers for Regenerative Cartilage Implants
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
