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Medical Tourism: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care

Traveling to another country to get medical care can be risky. Learn about the risks and how to minimize them.

Traveling Internationally for Medical Care

Each year, millions of US residents travel to another country for medical care which is called medical tourism. Medical tourists from the United States most commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, and to several other countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

The reasons people may seek medical care in another country include:

• Cost: To get a treatment or procedure that may be cheaper in another country
• Culture: To receive care from a clinician who shares the traveler’s culture and language
• Unavailable or unapproved procedures: To get a procedure or therapy that is not available or approved in the United States

The most common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism trips include dental care, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, organ and tissue transplantation, and cancer treatment.

Medical Tourism Can Be Risky

The risk of complications depends on the destination, the facility where the procedure is being performed, and whether the traveler is in good health for the procedure(s). Other issues that can increase a traveler’s risk of complications include:

Infectious Diseases.  All medical procedures have some risk of infection. Complications from procedures performed in other countries include wound infections, bloodstream infections, donor-derived infections (in the case of transplantations or transfusions), and diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Antimicrobial resistance.   Highly drug-resistant bacteria and fungi have caused disease outbreaks among medical tourists. Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs develop the ability to not respond to drugs such as antibiotics used to treat infections. Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem. Healthcare facilities in another country may not have adequate infection control practices and medical tourists could be at risk for getting a drug-resistant infection.

Quality of Care. Some countries’ requirements for maintaining licensure, credentialing, and accreditation may also be less than what would be required in the United States. In some countries, counterfeit medicines and lower quality medical devices may be used.

Communication challenges. Communicating with staff at the destination and healthcare facility may be challenging. Receiving care at a facility where you do not speak the language fluently could lead to misunderstandings about your care.

Air Travel.  Flying after surgery can increase the risk for blood clots, including  deep vein thrombosis . Delaying air travel for 10-14 days following major surgeries, particularly those involving the chest, will minimize risks associated with changes in atmospheric pressure.

Continuity of Care.  Travelers may need to get health care in the United States if they develop complications after returning. Follow-up care for complications might be expensive. Treatment might be prolonged and might not be covered by your health insurance.

How You Can Minimize Medical Tourism Risks

Research the clinician and facility.

• Check the qualifications of the clinician who will be doing the procedure and the credentials of the facility where the procedure will be done. Accrediting groups, including Joint Commission International, DNV GL International Accreditation for Hospitals, and the International Society for Quality in Healthcare, have lists of standards that healthcare facilities need to meet to be accredited. Please note that all surgeries carry the risk of complications and accreditation does not guarantee a positive outcome.
• If you go to a country where you do not speak the language, determine ahead of time how you will communicate with your clinician and others who will be caring for you.

Before you travel

• Get a pretravel consultation. See your healthcare provider or a travel medicine clinician at least 4–6 weeks before the trip to discuss general information for healthy travel and learn about specific risks you may face because of your health status, the procedure, and travel before and after the procedure.
• Obtain international  travel health insurance  that covers medical evacuation back to the United States.
• Find out what activities are not recommended around the time of the medical procedure, such as swimming or hiking, and plan accordingly.

Maintain your health and medical records

• Bring copies of your medical records with you, including results of lab tests and other tests related to your condition and care. Inform the medical staff at your destination of allergies you may have.
• Pack a  travel health kit  with your prescription and over-the-counter medicines in their original packaging. Bring enough medicine to last your whole trip, plus a little extra in case of delays. Also, bring copies of all your prescriptions and a list of medications you take, including their brand names, generic names, manufacturers, and dosages.
• Get copies of all your medical records from the medical facility at your destination before you return home. You may need to get them translated into English.

Arrange for follow-up care before you travel

• Identify where you will be staying immediately after the procedure.
• Make sure you can get any needed follow-up care in the United States. Follow-up care for medical complications can be expensive and might not be covered by your health insurance. Travelers considering procedures outside the United States should understand the potential financial costs associated with follow-up care or emergency care in the event of complications, review their health insurance policies to determine what, if anything, is covered and plan for the possibility of paying for additional care out-of-pocket.
• Supplemental travel health insurance may also be available to cover follow-up or emergency care from procedures received abroad.

Related Resources

• CDC Yellow Book: Medical Tourism
• American Medical Association Ethical Guidance on Medical Tourism
• Organization for Safety, Asepsis, & Prevention's Traveler’s Guide to Safe Dental Care
• The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery guidelines for travelers
• International Travel (US Department of State)
• Your Health Abroad (US Department of State)

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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.

Medical Tourism in Mexico

• Why Mexico?
• Finding provider

Destinations

Seeking affordable healthcare abroad? Medical tourism in Mexico can save you up to 80%!

No more worries about the incredibly expensive US healthcare system. [1] CNN Health Medical tourism to Mexico is on the rise “… the US health care system is incredibly expensive…” View in Article

Read this article for pricing , top destinations, best healthcare providers, and more.

Testimonial: Affordable Medical Tourism in Mexico

Revive health affordably.

Mexico boasts one of the strongest economies in Latin America.

The healthcare professionals here have the knowledge , education , and facilities required to deliver top-quality services. [2] New York Post 1.2 million Americans visit Mexico for ‘medical tourism’ each year “Medical Tourism Mexico boasts that the country has “one of the strongest economies in Latin America” and says its doctors “have the knowledge, education…” View in Article

Don’t just take our word for it—check out these patient testimonials for extra reassurance.

Medical Tourism Mexico Reviews

Dental work in mexico, orthopedic surgery in mexico, cosmetic surgery in mexico, weigh loss surgery in mexico.

Over 90% of California border crossers for medical services found healthcare in Mexico to be of “ same or better quality ” than in the US. [3] New York Post 1.2 million Americans visit Mexico for ‘medical tourism’ each year “more than 90% of a group of people crossing the border in California for medical services said they felt health care services in Mexico were the “same or better quality” ….” View in Article

Wondering about the affordability of treatments?

Scroll down and find out how much medical treatment costs in Mexico.

Cost of Medical Procedures in Mexico

You can really benefit from the affordable healthcar e in Mexico.

On average, medical treatments here can be up to 80% cheaper than in the US.

Whether you need dental work or bariatric surgery , you’ll find more budget-friendly options in Mexico.

Plus, the quality of medical services in Mexico is just as good as in the US. [4] ScienceDirect Analysis of medical tourism at the Andrade port of entry “..Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the United States, for a lower cost, ..” View in Article

Want to know the medical tourism Mexico prices for your desired treatment?

Take a look at the table below!

*Medical tourism Mexico prices are case-dependent and subject to change.

How much does a doctor's visit cost in mexico.

The short answer is – it depends on your specific treatment.

Let’s explore the Mexican costs for consultations and surgeries to get a general idea.

General Doctor’s Consultation

A doctor’s consultation in Mexico costs 50- 400 MXN (about 2.50 – 22 USD).

Specialist Consultation

Seeing a specialist like a cardiologist or gynecologist in Mexico typically costs 800-1,000 MXN per visit without insurance.

That’s approximately USD 40 to 50 .

• Surgical procedures in Mexico are also more affordable than in the US.
• A hip replacement in Mexico costs about USD 12,500 , whereas in the US, it can reach USD 40,000 without insurance.

Thus, many medical consultations and procedures in Mexico are only a fraction of the cost compared to the US.

Even medications in Mexico are significantly cheaper .

Many that require prescriptions in the US are available over the counter in Mexico.

Source: Mexico Relocation Guide [5] Mexico Relocation Guide What Are Your Healthcare Options in Mexico? “To see a general doctor, you can expect to pay less. Somewhere between $50-$400 MXN (about $2.50 USD-$20 USD)….” View in Article

Request a free quote today to take advantage of low medical costs in Mexico!

When it comes to healthcare in Mexico for tourists, they offer all-inclusive packages.

This means that medical tourists in Mexico can have their treatment and enjoy a nice holiday without breaking the bank.

Take a look at what our partner healthcare providers include in these packages!

Mexico Medical Tourism Packages

The cost of medical treatment in Mexico is inclusive of:

• Consultation & check-ups
• Necessary tests
• Hospital & surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia, medications
• Hotel stay for special tariffs
• Ground transfer & more

Now that you are familiar with Mexico medical costs, let’s move on to the savings.

How Much to Save With Medical Treatment in Mexico 2023?

Bariatric cost savings in mexico.

Only 10% of insurance covers bariatric procedures in the US. [6] Omnia Health Medical Tourism: Passport To Quality Care “…only about 10 per cent of their insurance plans cover weight loss surgeries…” View in Article

Weight loss surgery in Mexico can offer up to 79% savings for Americans.

Orthopedic Cost Savings in Mexico

Orthopedics is a top specialty in medical tourism. [7] IFP News Top 6 Medical Tourism Destinations in the World “Among the most popular specialties why people go abroad are Plastic surgery, Dentistry, Cardiovascular surgery, Orthopedics…” View in Article

Opting for orthopedic surgery in Mexico can save Americans up to 87%.

Dental Cost Savings in Mexico

Dental work in Mexico costs about one-third of the US prices.

The country is known for its top-notch  dental care. [8] InternationalLiving Mexico Country Guide: “Without question, Mexico offers exceptional, professional, and affordable medical care…” View in Article

Cosmetic Cost Savings in Mexico

Cosmetic surgeries are costly and often not covered by insurance. [9] AP News Medical tourism: Traveling outside US for care is common “And cosmetic surgeries, like tummy tucks that cost thousands of dollars, are largely uncovered by U.S. health insurers….” View in Article

With Mexico cosmetic surgery, patients can save 58-70%.

Why Is Healthcare Cheaper in Mexico?

The promise of high quality at nearly one-third the price might seem confusing.

How is it that even the same brand’s implants cost less in Mexico than in the US?

While currency exchange rates make the prices appear cheaper, other factors contribute to their affordability.

These lower costs are rooted in the medical culture of the country.

Some of the driving factors include:

Lower salaries

Subsidized education, no malpractice insurance, low prescription cost.

Though medical care for US citizens in Mexico is affordable, some use health insurance for extra savings.

Interested in using insurance for medical treatment in Mexico? Discover more in the next section.

Does Mexico Accept US Health Insurance?

MTC network hospitals accept US medical or dental insurance in Mexico.

They assist patients with insurance paperwork.

It, in turn, helps the patient to make an insurance claim.

However, knowing the overseas insurance coverage terms is essential: [14] U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATES IN MEXICO Medical Information “ Hospitals in Mexico usually require payment up-front for services and…. The U.S. government does not pay for medical care overseas. Some private U.S. insurance companies pay for overseas medical care, usually on… a reimbursable basis,” View in Article

• The US Government does not pay for medical care in Mexico.
• Private US insurance companies may settle for reimbursement.
• Mexican hospitals generally require an up-front payment .
• Rarely Medicare covers non-emergency inpatient care in hospitals near the US-Mexico border .

Knowing the terms of cover can help you more.

Do check the insurance coverage areas with your insurance provider.

Mexico is home to over 1.6 million Americans and 500,000 Canadians, boasting the highest number of US expats worldwide. [15] InternationalLiving The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2023 “There are now more than 1.6 million Americans and half a million Canadians who call Mexico home….more U.S. expats live in Mexico than in any other country…” View in Article

But why do people go to Mexico for medical treatment? Find out below.

Top Reasons to Choose Mexico for Medical Travel

Mexico offers a great vacation with its colors and beaches!

But, when it comes to medical work, one may want to research more.

Below is a list of some driving factors for medical tourism in Mexico:

Affordable Medical Services

The cost of medical services in Mexico is 70 to 80% less than in the US.

The savings for various procedures are:

• Dental: 80%
• Bariatric: 75%
• Orthopedic & cosmetic: 70%
• Prescription drugs: 50-70%

Best Healthcare

• Most Mexican cities have at least one world-class hospital [17] Mexico Daily Post Mexico is among the 5 countries with the best healthcare in the world for retirees “In Mexico, every medium to large city has at least one first-rate hospital. ” View in Article
• State-of-the-art facilities comparable to the US hospitals
• Certified & highly experienced doctors with excellent patient safety records
• No waiting times  and lesser treatment duration

Travel Convenience

• Proximity to the US and Canada
• Visa-free tourism for 70+ countries, including the US & Canada [19] Gov of Mexico Visitors who do not require a visa, with a stay up to 180 days “…Canada, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela…” View in Article
• Direct flights from major US, Canadian & European cities

Urban Comforts

Mexico offers many of the First World conveniences like: [20] InternationalLiving The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2023 “…many international airports offering direct flights to the U.S. …modern highways…The country has reliable internet, electricity, and cell phone service….” View in Article

• Good highways, plenty of airports
• Reliable telecom services
• Fast and stable internet connections

Popular Wellness & Tourist Destination

• The 2nd most visited tourist destination in the world in 2023 [21] Travelness 10 Most Visited Countries in the World “2. Mexico: 31.9 million visitors” View in Article
• A diverse landscape of sunny deserts, snow-covered mountains, and steamy, tropical rainforests. [22] InternationalLiving The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2023 “…high-altitude central highlands, sleepy villages, sunny deserts, some of the world’s liveliest beach resorts, snow-covered mountains, and steamy, tropical rainforests…” View in Article
• The serene climate of Mexico is perfect for patients on the path to recovery . [23] The Yucatan Times High healthcare costs are triggering a medical tourism boom in Mexico “The serene climate of Mexico is also ideal for patients who are seeking recovery of their health.” View in Article

Watch this video for insights into medical tourism in Mexico

Mexico Medical Tourism

Guide to medical tourism in mexico.

Considering a medical trip to Mexico and unsure about where to go or find reliable healthcare?

Your search ends here!

Scroll down to find all the information you need for safe and successful medical treatment in Mexico.

Finding providers

Top Procedures for Medical Tourism in Mexico

Mexico provides top-notch healthcare services for dental, bariatric, cosmetic, and orthopedic surgeries.

The table below shows some of the sought-after treatments by medical tourists in Mexico.

Want to book a medical treatment in Mexico? Call us to get a free quote.

Below, listen to doctors & medical tourists in Mexico as they share their views.

WLS in Mexico

Dental treatment in mexico, medical tourism in mexico – choosing the right healthcare provider.

There is a large diversity when it comes to healthcare providers in Mexico.

Some are aware of an international patient’s needs.

Still, others may not be well equipped or trained to do so.

Not all healthcare providers have the same high standard of quality you would expect at home.

Hence, research is vital while seeking medical care in Mexico.

Focusing on the following criteria helps to select a doctor overseas:

• What safety standards does the hospital overseas follow?
• How close is the hotel zone to the hospital/clinic in Mexico?
• Do Spanish doctors speak English?
• How much is healthcare in Mexico?
• What type of aftercare is available for medical tourists?
• Does my medical insurance cover me in Mexico?

Look for the hospital’s quality indicators. These include:

• mortality rate
• infection rate
• nurse-patient ratio
• surgery success rate, etc.

Compare them with your provider back home.

Also, check out the patient reviews and testimonials for shortlisted clinics.

Every hospital’s in-house team will assure you that they are the best.

In this case, a reliable third-party source of information can help.

This way, you will make a more informed decision.

At MTC, we prioritize finding the top specialists in each city.

Our verification process includes checking for:

• A medical license
• International accreditations
• Latest technology
• Sterilization protocol
• Patient reviews

Top Medical Tourism Destinations in Mexico

Did you know? Medical tourism in Mexico attracts around 1.2 million Americans yearly. [25] New York Post 1.2 million Americans visit Mexico for ‘medical tourism’ each year “1.2 million Americans visit Mexico for ‘medical tourism’ each year…” View in Article

The country has several safe and reliable medical tourism destinations.

From lively cities to serene coastal towns, you have various locations to choose from.

If you’re searching for the best medical treatment in Mexico , look no further.

We’ve compiled a list of the top medical facilities in each location.

These places offer affordable medical services , prioritize your safety , and offer high-quality care.

So, you’re not just saving money; you’re getting great care while you’re at it!

Border Cities

Medical tourism in us mexico border cities.

Medical tourism along the US-Mexico border is attractive because it offers both accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

In many Mexican border towns, you’ll find medical facilities conveniently located.

They are within walking distance or less than an hour’s drive from the border.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the top medical tourism destinations in the US-Mexico border areas.

Medical Tourism in Los Algodones, Mexico

Los Algodones is a small town at the US-Mexico border.

It is home to over 350 established dental clinics. [26] Bloomberg How a Tiny Mexican Border City Built a Budget Dental Empire “Medical tourists flock to Molar City for its 350 dental offices and relief from the high costs in the US and Canada.” View in Article

Here, our partner clinic has over 35 years of proven dentistry experience.

Review of Dental Tourism in Los Algodones

It is one of the largest and most reputed dental groups in this Molar city.

Best Healthcare Providers in Los Algodones

• Dental treatment : Sani Dental Group & Dental Solutions
• General surgery : Sani Medical
• Regenerative medicine : GIOSTAR

Medical Tourism in Tijuana, Mexico

A gateway to Mexico, that’s Tijuana for you!

Here, one can expect an eclectic mix of attractions.

This border town acts as a day-trip destination for Americans.

Hassle-free Dental Tourism in Tijuana

With exotic beaches, monuments, and fine restaurants, your medical trip will indeed feel like a vacation.

Best Healthcare Providers in Tijuana

• Dental treatment: Smile Builders, Dental Brush, Improvedent, Wellness Dental Clinic, Quality International Dental, Dr. Mexico, Dental 3 Smiles.
• Bariatric surgery: Dr. Guillermo Lopez (LIMARP hospital), Dr. Luis Cazares (Oasis of Hope), Dr. Hector Perez
• Orthopedic surgery : Dr. Hans Ruiz Serna, Oasis of Hope
• Cosmetic surgery: Dr. Javier Garcia, Dr. Arturo Munoz
• Ophthalomology : Vision Mendez
• Regenerative medicine: Renovation Advanced Therapy

Medical Tourism in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico

Nuevo Laredo is yet another US-Mexico border town.

The city’s main attractions are colorful streets with classic architecture.

You can also visit museums, parks, and historical places.

Hassle-free Dental Work in Nuevo Laredo

Our partner dentist in Nuevo Laredo has 20+ years of experience.

Best Healthcare Providers in Nuevo Laredo

• Dental treatment : Laredo Smile Center, Family Dental Center
• Bariatric surgery: Dr. Galileo Villareal

Medical Tourism in Nogales, Mexico

Heroica Nogales is more commonly known as Nogales.

This Mexico-Arizona border town is a fun and vibrant place.

You can find many curio stores & hotels within walking distance from the clinic.

Benefits of Dental Tourism in Nogales

Like other MTC partner clinics, you can be restful about a safe neighborhood.

Best Healthcare Providers in Nogales

• Dental treatment: Desert Dental

Medical Tourism in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Ciudad Juarez is the second most populous city along the US-Mexico border. [27] World Population Review Ciudad Juarez Population 2023 “..the second largest binational metro area along the US-Mexico border after San Diego-Tijuana..” View in Article

Its proximity to El Paso, Texas, makes it a convenient choice for medical tourists seeking fast treatment.

This border city also boasts several tourist attractions.

Ciudad Juarez

It includes parks, archaeological sites, white sand dunes, and historical monuments.

Additionally, you can expect modern medical care provided by experienced and well-trained professionals.

Best Healthcare Providers in Ciudad Juarez

• Dental treatment: Invo Dental, Nucleo Dental
• Orthopedic surgery: Dr.Jesus Gallarzo (Hospital Angeles)

Medical Tourism in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico

Nuevo Progreso, bordering Progreso Lakes, Texas, is a popular hub for dental & pharmaceutical services. [28] Travel Awaits Why I Travel To Mexico For My Prescriptions “Progreso is known as a destination for dentistry (crowns, implants, fillings, et cetera)….pharmaceuticals.’” View in Article

You’ll find various items within walking distance, from Mexican candies to jewelry & leather goods.

Visitors often park on the US side and walk across the bridge for shopping convenience.

Nuevo Progreso

Additionally, our partner dental clinic boasts over 30 years of valuable experience.

Best Healthcare Providers in Nuevo Progreso

• Dental treatment: Texas Dental Clinic

Medical Tourism in Mexicali, Mexico

Mexicali shares a border with California, US.

This Mexican border town is open to adventure and tourism.

There’s a vast list of services that can solve practically any medical situation here.

Review of WLS in Mexicali

Best healthcare providers in mexicali.

• Dental treatment: RamLanz Dental Clinic
• Cosmetic treatment: Hospital  de la Familia
• Opthalmology: Hospital  de la Familia
• Ortho & spine: Hospital  de la Familia

Resort cities

Medical tourism in cancun, mexico.

Cancun is a resort city located on the shore of the Caribbean Sea.

It offers serene beaches, adventure sports , and vibrant nightlife .

More personalized & professional medical care than in the US is available.

How Safe is Dental Tourism in Cancun?

Best healthcare providers in cancun.

• Dental treatment: Dentaris, Cancun Dental Specialists, Sani Dental Group, Neo Dental Group, Canam Smile Makeover
• Bariatric surgery: Dr. Hector Perez
• Orthopedic surgery: Dr. Jesus Raul Arjona
• Cosmetic surgery: Riviera Institute, Dr. Rafael Velasco
• Ophthalomology : Perfect Vision
• General surgery: Dr. Hector Perez

Medical Tourism in Los Cabos, Mexico

Cabo is one of Mexico’s leading travel destinations and a vibrant city.

Be sure to expect first-class cuisine, adventure , and fun at every beach or desert attraction.

Review of Dental Work in Los Cabos

You will get high-end dentistry in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Best Healthcare Providers in Los Cabos

Dental treatment: Advanced Cabo Dentistry

Medical Tourism in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta is a gourmet city.

Be prepared to treat yourself to many restaurants with famous chefs.

Also, you can enjoy a variety of ocean or mountain-based activities here.

With state-of-the-art facilities, our partner clinics here provide proactive dental care.

Puerto Vallarta

Best healthcare providers in puerto vallarta.

Dental treatment: International Dental Center, Dental Solutions, Smile Vallarta

Bariatric & cosmetic Surgeries: CMQ Premier Hospital

Orthopedic & spine surgeries: Dr. Max Greig

Medical Tourism in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen is a nature-blessed destination.

The city attracts travelers with beaches, theme parks, and exclusive resorts.

Prioritizing safety, our highly credentialed dentists tend to the patients here.

They offer a full range of general & specialized dental care in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen

Best healthcare providers in playa del carmen.

• Dental treatment: Sani Dental Group
• Regenerative medicine: GIOSTAR

Inland cities

Medical tourism in monterrey, mexico.

Monterrey is a metropolis city in Mexico.It invites tourists with exciting culture and food.

Also, you will see that the recommended clinic is in a safe location.

They use the latest techniques & FDA-approved biomaterials.

It brings them one step closer to safe dental treatments.

Best Healthcare Providers in Monterrey

Dental treatment: Dentistas Teran

Medical Tourism in Merida, Mexico

Merida’s loving nickname is ‘ the White City.’

It is for the town’s iconic whitewashed buildings.

Also, archaeological sites and ancient residences encircle it.

Review of Dental Work in Merida

You will find that our certified partner dentists here work in a very safe neighborhood.

Best Healthcare Providers in Merida

Dental treatment: Whiteline Dental Clinic

Medical Tourism in Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City

Our partner dental clinic in Mexico City boasts over 30 years of experience, ensuring top-notch patient care.

Best Healthcare Providers in Mexico City

Dental treatment: Ideal dental center

Cosmetic surgery: Dr. David de Rungs

Are safety concerns on your mind after finding Mexico’s top medical tourism facilities?

Get answers below.

Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico for Medical Tourism?

When looking for low-cost health tourism abroad, prioritizing safety & quality is vital.

Let’s explore how medical tourism in Mexico ensures both secure locations and treatment.

Is Mexico Safe for Tourists?

Mexico is as safe as the United States.

In fact, the crime rate per thousand people is three times higher in the US when compared to Mexico.

Tourist areas are safe due to the Mexican government’s dedicated efforts.

Staying at a resort is often a safe choice, even in riskier areas . [30] Travel Safe Abroad How Safe Is Mexico for Travel? “Tourist areas are safe. The Mexican government makes a lot of effort to keep it that way. Even in dangerous areas, you should be fine at a resort as long as you stay at the resort.” View in Article

Want to know how safe health tourism locations are in Mexico? Check the table below.

Safety Evaluation of Top Medical Tourism Destinations in Mexico – 2023

Keep in mind that safety situations in any location can change over time.

So, always check for the latest information before planning travel.

MTC partner clinics are in a safe and friendly location.

These include commercial zones near hotels, tourist attractions, or near the border.

Is Medical Treatment Safe in Mexico?

World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) marks Mexico’s national destinations with the “Safe Travel ” stamp. [44] Travel Weekly Destinations across Mexico earn their WTTC stamp of approval “Destinations across One by one, Mexico’s top tourism destinations are receiving their safety stamps, as administered by the World Travel & Tourism Council…” View in Article

The country adopts global health and hygiene standards.

Thus, it would be right to say Mexico is safe for Medical Tourism.

Also, the following reasons contribute to this:

• The quality of health care services in Mexico is comparable to the States. [45] ScienceDirect Analysis of medical tourism at the Andrade port of entry “Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the United States” View in Article
• Mexico has the highest number of certified hospitals in Latin America. [46] Oxford Businee Group Investment in expanding Mexico’s medical tourism segment “In terms of certified hospitals, we have the largest in Latin America – Doctors Hospital – we have recognized doctors and specialists in all kinds of practices,..” View in Article
• Modern equipment is plentiful in major cities. [47] InternationalLiving Healthcare in Mexico “Modern equipment is plentiful in bigger cities” View in Article
• Medicines in Mexico are as safe as it is in the US. [48] Focus on Mexico Medical Tourism in Mexico “Medicines in Mexico are as safe as they are in the USA.” View in Article
• Most importantly, the healthcare system in Mexico is not profit-driven. [49] InternationalLiving Healthcare in Mexico “The primary difference and one that is usually quite obvious is that the care system is not profit-driven.” View in Article

Seeking medical care through a reliable mediator may help alleviate some of the associated risks.

It’s because these facilitators mainly work with certified/accredited healthcare providers.

MTC partners with the best medical providers in Mexico for safe, successful treatments.

Our stringent vetting process selects top-notch surgeons and hospitals.

Rest assured, you are in capable and secure hands.

Now you know how safe the best healthcare providers are for medical tourism in Mexico.

Let’s dive into some travel essentials to help you reach your desired destination.

How to Travel to Mexico?

There are many options for getting to Mexico. The easiest way is to fly or drive.

You can reach Mexico overland from the US via train, bus, or car.

The country has 45 international airports. [50] Infobae How many airports does Mexico have “In the country there are 45 airports certified with the status of International, ” View in Article

Here, we provide flight details to help you reach Mexico’s top medical tourism destinations.

Reaching resort cities

*1 stop flights, reaching inland cities, reaching us-mexico border cities.

Driving Time from US Airport to Mexican Border Cities

Land Travel

With top medical tourism facilities on the US-Mexico border, Americans often seek quick treatment in Mexico.

There are several convenient ways to access Mexico by land:

• For those visiting border cities like Tijuana or Algodones , you can simply cross the border on foot.
• Alternatively, you can drive or use public transport like trains or buses.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these methods below.

Public vehicle

Traveling by bus to mexico from the us.

Greyhound offers regular services to major border crossings, including direct routes to Mexican bus stations. [51] RoughGuides How to get to Mexico “Greyhound runs regularly to all the major border crossings. Some of their buses will also take you over the frontier to a Mexican bus station, ” View in Article

Other US-to-Mexico bus companies include: [52] whatmexico.com Mexico Bus Travel “Bus Companies From USA to Mexico… Autobuses Americanos…” View in Article

• Autobuses Americanos, Autobuses San Luis
• Transportes Baldomero Corral, Tufesa, and
• Transportes Intercalifornias.

Greyhound Bus

Traveling by train to mexico from the us.

Amtrak is the primary train operator that connects the US/Canada with Mexico.

The most common route for train travel between the two countries is through the Amtrak Sunset Limited.

It travels from Los Angeles, California, to New Orleans, Louisiana, with stops in cities along the way. [53] RoughGuides How to get to Mexico “..served by Amtrak’s Sunset Limited service.. from New Orleans, Houston, Tucson and LA….” View in Article

Driving for Medical Care in Mexico

Driving to Mexico could take as little as 15 minutes.

It is when you are visiting between border towns on both sides.

Alternatively, you can park your vehicle on the US side and walk across the border.

Driving to Nuevo Progreso

The tables below show average driving hours from various US cities to Mexico border cities.

Driving to Tijuana & Los Algodones

Driving to ciudad juarez, driving to nuevo laredo, driving to nogales.

Next, learn about the border crossing lanes between the US and Mexico.

US-Mexico Border Crossing – Which Lane to Use in 2023?

Source: baja bound insurance services [54] baja bound insurance services border crossing overview – which lane do i use “regular or “all traffic” lanes accept the widest variety of identity documents …ready lane…ccept only rfid enabled identity cards. …” view in article.

You can check the  live waiting time  for entry via any of these lanes.

It will help you plan better for your journey across the US-Mexico border.

Tips to Cross US-Tijuana Border

Travel essentials for medical tourism in mexico, passport and visa for medical tourism in mexico.

You will need the following documents to enter Mexico. [55] Travel.State.Gov Mexico “A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico…Passport must be valid at time of entry…TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Yes, if visiting for more than 180 days…” View in Article

• A valid passport
• Tourist visa (for stays over 180 days)
• Entry permit (FMM)

Documents Required for Driving to Mexico

To cross the US-Mexico border by car, you must have: [56] Travel. State.Gov Crossing the U.S. – Mexico Border by Land “U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.” View in Article

• A valid passport & FMM
• Vehicle import permit
• Valid driver’s license
• Mexican tourist auto insurance

Foreign Embassies in Mexico

• Address: Paseo de la Reforma No. 305, Delegación Cuauhtemoc 6500 México, D. F. Mexico.
• Phone: (+52) (55) 5080-2000

Canadian Embassy

• Address: 3 West Kings House Road, Mexico City,  Mexico
• Phone: (+52) (55) 5724-7900

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso , but many of our partner medical providers also accept USD.

Spanish is the official language of Mexico, but our partner clinics have English-speaking staff and doctors available.

Mexico operates on Central Standard Time (CST).

You won’t experience severe jetlag as the time difference with most areas of the US and Canada is minimal.

Best Time to Visit

Consider planning your medical trip to Mexico during the dry season.

This season runs from December to April  with minimal rainfall & ideal conditions. [57] AudleyTravel When is the best time to visit Mexico? “The best time to visit Mexico is during the dry season between December and April, when there is virtually no rain” View in Article

Things to Know Before Your Visit Mexico

Creative travel guide, medical tourism in mexico – top tourist attractions, video courtesy: joyous travel, faqs about medical tourism in mexico, how can i pay for my medical treatments in mexico.

Healthcare providers in Mexico accept cash, credit or debit cards, checks, wire transfers, bank transfers, and PayPal.

Does Mexico have a good healthcare system?

In general, Mexico’s healthcare system maintains high standards and operates effectively. [58] International Insurance Mexico’s Healthcare System “the healthcare system in Mexico offers good standards and operates efficiently… Mexican doctors go to medical school or do extra training in the United States or Europe. As such, there is a high percentage of doctors who speak excellent English…” View in Article

• Healthcare services are cost-effective, with major cities hosting excellent hospitals and clinics.
• Many Mexican doctors receive their education or undergo additional training in the US or Europe.
• This results in many English-speaking doctors who provide exceptional care.

However, the quality and availability of healthcare services can vary across regions.

So, medical tourists in Mexico should thoroughly research before seeking treatment.

Can US citizens get healthcare in Mexico?

Yes, US citizens can access healthcare in Mexico.

Many Americans seek medical treatment in Mexico due to cost savings and quality care.

It is essential to plan & research healthcare providers, facilities, and travel logistics in advance for a seamless healthcare experience in Mexico.

Also, consider appropriate travel and medical insurance when seeking healthcare abroad.

What is the best country for medical tourism?

Some of the top global medical tourism destinations include: [59] New-Medical.Net World Medical Tourism Review “…these countries offer relatively low-cost services….The global map of medical tourism includes destinations like Asia (India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand), South and Central America (including Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Mexico), South Africa,…” View in Article

• Asian countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand
• Central American nations like Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Mexico
• South Africa and the Middle East , particularly Dubai
• Various destinations in Central and Southern Europe

Medical tourists go here for accredited hospitals, quality and affordable healthcare.

Is it safe to go to Mexico for surgery?

Yes, Mexico is safe for surgery.

However, every surgery has inherent risks and complications, regardless of the location.

We mitigate complication risks by:

• Carefully choosing specialists with advanced training.
• Verifying credentials and facility accreditations.
• Researching and selecting top specialists in each Mexican destination.
• Partnering with certified institutions for international patient care.

Medical care for US citizens in Mexico is not only affordable but also accessible.

However, ensuring top-notch quality requires thorough research and knowledge of the chosen medical facility.

If you’re considering medical travel overseas , MTC is here to assist you every step of the way.

Feel free to reach out for more information on medical tourism in Mexico.

• CNN Health: Medical tourism to Mexico is on the rise
• New York Post: 1.2 mn Americans visit Mexico for ‘medical tourism’
• ScienceDirect: Analysis of medical tourism at the Andrade port of entry
• Mexico Relocation Guide: What Are Your Healthcare Options in Mexico?
• Omnia Health: Medical Tourism: Passport To Quality Care
• IFP News: Top 6 Medical Tourism Destinations in the World
• InternationalLiving: Mexico Country Guide
• AP News: Traveling outside US for care is common
• MexicoNews Daily: Doctors, confront coronavirus with long hours & low pay
• abc15.com: Arizona man turns to Mexico to study medicine and avoid debt
• Pacific Prime Latin America: Complete Guide to Medical Tourism in Mexico
• Focus on Mexico: Medical Tourism in Mexico
• U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico: Medical Information 
• InternationalLiving: The World’s Best Places to Retire in 2023
• Gov. of Mexico: Visitors who do not require a visa for stay up to 180 days
• The Yucatan Times: High healthcare costs are triggering a medical tourism boom in Mexico
• Mexico Daily Post: Mexico is among the 5 countries with the best healthcare
• Travelness: 10 Most Visited Countries in the World
• Rutopia: Mexico is part of the 10 most megadiverse countries in the world
• Bloomberg: How a Tiny Mexican Border City Built a Budget Dental Empire
• World Population Review: Ciudad Juarez Population 2023
• Travel Awaits: Why I Travel To Mexico For My Prescriptions
• Travel weekly: Medical tourism on the rise in Cancun
• Travel Safe Abroad: How Safe Is Mexico for Travel?
• Travel Raval: Is Los Algodones Safe To Travel, Stay & More
• Chester Travels: Is Tijuana Safe?
• Playas y Plazas: Is Tijuana Safe?
• Hikersbay: What should I know while traveling to Nuevo Laredo?
• The discovery nut: Is Mexicali safe to visit in 2023?
• Travellers worldwide: Is Mexico City Safe in 2023?
• Borderlandia: Is Nogales Safe?
• Travel weekly: Destinations across Mexico earn their WTTC stamp
• InternationalLiving: Healthcare in Mexico
• Oxford Business Group: Investment in expanding Mexico’s medical tourism
• Infobae: How many airports does Mexico have
• RoughGuides: How to get to Mexico
• Whatmexico: Mexico Bus Travel
• Baja Bound Insurance Services: Border Crossing – Which Lane do I use?
• Travel.State.Gov: Mexico
• Travel.State.Gov: Crossing the U.S. – Mexico Border by Land
• AudleyTravel: When is the best time to visit Mexico?
• International Citizens Insurance: Mexico’s Healthcare System
• New-medical.net: World Medical Tourism Review

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Why Medical Tourism Is Drawing Patients, Even in a Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has devastated medical tourism, but pent-up demand remains for affordable treatment in foreign lands.

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By Ceylan Yeginsu

On a cold February morning last year, as she lay curled up in a fetal position on her kitchen floor, Melissa Jackson called her manager at a New Jersey beauty salon to ask for some unpaid time off.

It was the sixth consecutive week that the 39-year-old beauty technician was unable to work full time because of the debilitating pain in her pelvis caused by endometriosis, a chronic condition triggered by the growth of uterine tissue outside of the uterus.

As her symptoms worsened, she started exploring options to get less costly medical care abroad.

In recent years, while still on her ex- husband’s health insurance policy, she had received hormonal treatments to ease the pain so she could go about her daily life. But since her divorce last year and the coronavirus restrictions placed on the beauty industry in March, those treatment costs have become prohibitive, especially with no insurance.

“There is no real cure for endometriosis, but if I want to free myself from this pain then I need to get a hysterectomy,” Ms. Jackson said, her voice shaking as she described the procedure to remove her uterus. “As if the surgery isn’t bad enough, I need to find 20,000 bucks to pay for it, which is just crazy so I’m going to have to find a way to go to Mexico.”

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of Americans into poverty and stripped more than 5.4 million American workers of their health insurance, according to a study by the nonpartisan consumer advocacy group, Families USA. Many people like Ms. Jackson have experienced a significant deterioration in their health because they have delayed medical procedures. The fear of large medical bills has outweighed fear of contagion for some, giving rise to an increased number of patients seeking medical treatment in a foreign country.

“We are seeing a pent-up demand for medical tourism during the pandemic, particularly in the U.S. where a fast-growing number of Americans are traveling across the land border with Mexico for health purposes,” said David G. Vequist IV, the founder of the Center for Medical Tourism Research , a group based in San Antonio, Texas, and a professor at t he University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans traveled to other countries for savings of between 40 to 80 percent on medical treatments, according to the global medical tourism guide Patients Beyond Borders. Mexico and Costa Rica have become the most popular destinations for dental care, cosmetic surgery and prescription medicines while Thailand, India and South Korea draw in patients for more complex procedures including orthopedics, cardiovascular, cancer and fertility treatment.

In 2019, 1.1 percent of Americans traveling internationally did so for health treatments, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office , although that figure only accounts for those who traveled by air and does not include the thousands of travelers who crossed the United States-Mexico border. Definitive statistics on medical tourism are hard to come by because countries have different recording methods and definitions of the sector.

Medical tourism has been decimated by coronavirus restrictions, but, even so, the twin crises of the economy and the enormous strain that Covid-19 has placed on the already faulty American health care system are pushing many patients to travel. Demand for nonessential surgeries has also been building up after more than 177,000 scheduled surgeries were postponed in the United States between March and June in 2020, according to the Center for Medical Tourism Research.

“Our market has always been what I call the ‘working poor’ and they just keep getting poorer,” said Josef Woodman, the chief executive of Patients Beyond Borders. “The pandemic has gutted low-income and middle-class people around the world and for many of them the reality is that they have to travel to access affordable health care.”

In April, following the initial global lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, medical travel bookings were down by more than 89 percent in the most popular destinations, including Mexico, Thailand, Turkey and South Korea, according to Medical Departures, a Bangkok-based medical travel agency. Since August, the numbers have slowly been rebounding, but bookings in Mexico, which has seen an uptick in American travelers in recent months, are still down by 32 percent compared to the same period of August to December in 2019.

“Covid-19 has devastated the whole medical tourism ecosystem because of all the uncertainty over travel restrictions and quarantine measures that keep changing across the world,” said Paul McTaggart, the founder of the agency.

“Despite this, we are still seeing a growing number of people traveling and booking trips to address their urgent health needs, especially between the U.S. and Mexico border where patients can travel safely by car,” Mr. McTaggart said. The Center for Medical Tourism Research found that Google searches in the United States for the terms “Mexico medical tourism” went up by 64 percent since July, compared to pre-pandemic levels before travel restrictions were imposed in March.

“Google searches are almost directly correlated with consumer behavior when it comes to travel across borders,” Mr. Vequist said.

Before the winter resurgence of the coronavirus, Ms. Jackson had started to plan and save for a trip to Mexicali, a border city in northern Mexico, where she can get a hysterectomy for $4,000, one-fifth the cost of the procedure offered in New Jersey. Her best friend had offered to drive her there and pay for the gas and accommodations.

“We wanted to make a vacation out of it and have some fun before the surgery because it’s such a heavy and dark thing with real consequences,” Ms. Jackson said. “At 39, I have to come to terms with the reality that I’ll never have kids. That’s even more painful than my condition.”

For now, Ms. Jackson has put the surgery on hold and will wait until the virus is brought under control. Her doctor had pointed to cheaper options for the operation in New Jersey, starting at $11,000 in a local outpatient facility. But Ms. Jackson is adamant about having it in the hospital and says the aftercare is more thorough in Mexico.

“Going for the cheaper option at home means getting lower quality care and taking a risk. That just isn’t the experience for people who do this in specialized hospitals in Mexico,” she said. “It’s cheap and safe.” (Many hospitals and clinics in Mexico and other countries have accreditation to ensure their standards are equivalent to medical facilities in the United States.)

In recent weeks, Ms. Jackson has had a flare up of symptoms, which is common when the condition goes untreated.

“I’m not sure if I will be able to wait for Covid to get better,” she said. “This thing cripples every part of my life.”

The land border with Mexico — closed to tourists — has remained open for essential travel, which includes all medical treatment, and a handful of Americans cross the border every day into Los Algodones (also known as Molar City ) to receive dental treatment or purchase pharmaceuticals.

“It’s just Americans over there getting dental care,” said Jeff Somerville, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant who visited the Supreme Dental Clinic in Los Algodones in September to get his crowns replaced. “You park on the U.S. side and just walk across. It’s easy and felt very safe.” He said the procedure would have cost around $25,000 in Tampa, Fla., close to where he lives in the city of Clearwater. In Mexico, he paid $7,000.

Now, Mr. Somerville, 47, is preparing to travel to Turkey in February for a hair and beard transplant, which will cost $3,000 and includes plasma treatments, medications, hotel lodging for three nights and a translator.

“I’m going to live my life, but I’m going to take my precautions while I do that,” he said. “I’m not going to sit at home and be scared.”

Turkey has remained open to tourists throughout the latest surge of the pandemic in Europe and only visitors from Britain are required to take a test as a precaution against a new, more transmissible variant of the virus. On weekends in Turkey a strict curfew is imposed on local residents to curb the spread of the virus, but foreign visitors are allowed to roam free without any restrictions. On Istanbul’s main Istiklal Avenue, men recovering from hair transplant procedures can easily be spotted with bandages around their heads.

“This is the best time to get surgery,” said Martin Wright, a British tourist, who had a hair transplant in Istanbul in December, before the new variant of the virus was identified in Britain. “Hotels are cheap, sites are empty and you get to have down time in a foreign city where you don’t have to explain to anyone why or how you got a hair transplant.”

Over the summer, when lockdown restrictions were eased across Europe, Britons traveled to the continent to receive medical treatment, after waiting lists for elective surgery on the National Health Service reached record levels. With British hospitals operating at reduced capacity to accommodate patients with Covid-19, hundreds of thousands of patients, who have been waiting for more than a year for non-urgent surgery, are facing further delays, N.H.S. figures show.

Cynthia Hedges, a 77-year-old retired nurse from Plymouth in southwest England, traveled to France in August for a knee replacement after waiting more than 19 months to get the procedure at her hospital.

“It just became hopeless, I could barely walk and was just living off pain medication, which is not good for my health,” she said in a telephone interview. “I know we can’t go far these days, but I became very depressed not even being able to walk to my garden. I know it was risky to travel at the time, but it was the best thing I did. It was worth it.”

Even as travel restrictions tighten, experts in the medical tourism industry see an opportunity as demand builds and health care becomes more inaccessible in people’s home countries.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in Europe or the Americas,” said Mr. McTaggart of Medical Departures. “Financially challenged individuals will seek out and be more receptive to the idea that you can travel abroad and see substantial savings for medical treatment and get past the line.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

An earlier version of this article gave an incorrect name for a global medical tourism guide. It is Patients Beyond Borders, not Patients Without Borders.

How we handle corrections

Ceylan Yeginsu is a London-based reporter. She joined The Times in 2013, and was previously a correspondent in Turkey covering politics, the migrant crisis, the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

4 Retreats for Medical Procedures Around the World

Last Updated on July 13, 2023

Sometimes the best people for a particular medical procedure happen to work in another country. There is a strong and continuing tradition of medical tourism for people who want to seek out the best possible providers for their specific health needs. Here are four retreats around the world that wellness fanatics and anyone looking for superior care will enjoy.

1 Sports Injuries in Switzerland

For anyone passionate about sports, from hobbyists to professional athletes, a medical retreat for treating injuries acquired during exercise is the perfect place to go. Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland is home to many highly trained doctors with different specialisms, in particular, suited to assessing and resolving wear and tear of muscles and bones. The clear Swiss air and breathtaking scenery are a fantastic backdrop to rest and recovery.

2 Hair Restoration in England

If you have a specific need for improving your hair, England is an ideal part of the world to visit. The city of London is a beautiful place to enjoy a retreat as well as take in all the unique tourist attractions. London also boasts excellent hair transplantation services with top quality surgeons and consultants to ensure a high standard of care for every patient. Amazing medical professionals and state-of-the-art technology are just two of the reasons people hoping for fuller hair make the trip to London. Additionally, the English countryside more than makes up for the likelihood of unpredictable weather, making it ideal for a soothing recovery from a successful hair transplant surgery.

3 Fitness Improvement in Italy

Becoming stronger and more flexible are worthwhile health goals for anyone to possess. In Italy’s Palazzo Fiuggi , there are facilities designed for medical tests to discover which path to take for the most significant health improvements depending on the individual. The variety of activities on offer is chosen to make reconnecting with the body more enjoyable. This retreat is ideal for anyone who wishes that their physical health permits them to lead a more active and energetic lifestyle.

4 Sleep Repair in India

Getting a good night’s sleep is so necessary for all other aspects of health, and yet it continues to be overlooked. This is why individuals hoping to improve their relationship with sleep make the journey to India, where this retreat in the mountains promises to do just that. Specialist sanctuaries intend to use relaxation techniques to connect the mind and body with the goal of bringing about more profound and healthy sleep. If you experience issues with insomnia, disrupted sleep, or oversleeping, this retreat could be perfect for you.

If you can’t find a suitable expert in your own area, it may be worth your time to research a quality professional and make a special trip for the sake of your health and well-being. You can focus your journey around the intention to improve your overall wellness or a specific aspect of it. Either way, there is sure to be the right retreat out there for you.

Related posts:

• Quick Guide To Buying A Boat To Sail Around The World
• The Best Beaches in the World – Globetrottergirls Edition

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Health Care

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

DESTINATION

Brief Introduction to the Country and its Reputation in Medical Tourism

Costa Rica, a small Central American country known for its lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and rich biodiversity, has also become a hotspot for medical tourism in recent years. The nation has invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure and education, leading to high-quality medical services that are often available at a fraction of the cost in the United States, Canada, and some European countries. The combination of highly-trained professionals, cutting-edge medical technology, and the natural beauty of the country make Costa Rica a sought-after destination for medical tourism.

Historical and Cultural Significance in Medicine

While Costa Rica may not have an ancient tradition of medicine like some other countries, its modern healthcare system has taken strides to incorporate both traditional and contemporary practices. Over the years, Costa Rica has made healthcare a national priority, often ranking higher than many of its neighboring countries in healthcare metrics. This commitment to quality healthcare makes it a reliable choice for medical tourists seeking various treatments.

Reputation and Global Standing

According to various metrics and international healthcare standards, Costa Rica's healthcare system is often ranked among the top in Latin America. It also competes favorably on a global scale, attracting international patients not only for the affordability of its medical services but also for its high quality of care. Many of the country’s medical professionals have been trained in the United States or Europe, and it's not uncommon for them to hold international certifications.

Ideal Destination for Holistic Healing

What sets Costa Rica apart in the realm of medical tourism is its holistic approach to healthcare. Many medical tourists choose to extend their stay beyond their medical treatment to take advantage of wellness services like spa treatments, yoga retreats, and natural excursions that the country has to offer. This focus on holistic well-being enhances the appeal of Costa Rica as a medical tourism destination.

Popular Medical Procedures

List and brief descriptions of procedures.

Costa Rica is most popular for cosmetic surgery, dental procedures, orthopedic treatments, and bariatric surgeries. Additionally, the country has been making strides in specialized fields like cardiology and oncology.

Specializations or Pioneering Treatments

Costa Rica is well-known for its expertise in dental implants and cosmetic dentistry, with state-of-the-art facilities that rival those in more developed countries. Some clinics even offer pioneering treatments in stem cell therapy, albeit these are often subject to ongoing research and regulatory approvals.

Top Hospitals & Clinics

A list of renowned hospitals, clinics, and medical institutions.

Costa Rica is home to several top-notch hospitals and clinics that cater to medical tourists. Some of these include the Clinica Biblica in San Jose, the Hospital CIMA in Escazu, and the Hospital La Catolica, among others.

Accreditation and Affiliation Details

Many of these hospitals are accredited by international healthcare organizations, ensuring they meet global standards. While the specific accreditations may vary, they usually imply a rigorous quality control process that these institutions undergo regularly.

Special Features, Awards, or Recognitions

Some of the hospitals in Costa Rica are multi-speciality centers that offer a range of services, from general medicine to highly specialized surgeries. They have received awards for patient care and innovative medical practices, although specific accolades can differ from one institution to another.

Cost Comparison

Comparative data.

Medical procedures in Costa Rica can cost between 40-70% less than in the United States. For instance, a dental implant that might cost upwards of $3,000 in the U.S. could be available for around $900 in Costa Rica.

Price Ranges

The cost of medical treatments varies depending on the procedure, the hospital, and the expertise of the medical professionals involved. However, even high-end facilities generally offer services at much lower prices than their counterparts in other countries.

Quality & Safety

Medical standards and practices.

Costa Rica has a robust healthcare system, backed by state-of-the-art technology and highly qualified professionals. The country follows international best practices in medicine, ensuring that the healthcare services provided are of the highest standard.

Accreditation Systems, Regulatory Bodies, and Quality Checks

Costa Rica has a rigorous accreditation process for its medical institutions. While the specifics may vary, these accreditations are a testament to the quality and safety standards that the hospitals maintain. Regulatory bodies oversee the functioning of these healthcare institutions, ensuring compliance with both local and international healthcare norms.

Patient Safety Protocols and Patient Rights

Patient safety is a priority in Costa Rica's medical community. Medical facilities often have strict protocols for infection control, surgical safety, and patient confidentiality. Patients' rights are clearly defined and protected by law, ensuring a respectful and dignified treatment experience.

Medical Visa Information

Guidelines and requirements for obtaining a medical visa.

Most nationals from the United States, Canada, and the European Union do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. However, for extended medical treatments, it is advisable to check the latest visa regulations, which may require documentation from the medical facility where the treatment is scheduled.

Duration, Documentation Required, and Application Process

For those who require a medical visa, the process generally involves submitting an application form along with necessary supporting documents, including medical records and treatment plans. The duration of the visa usually depends on the length of the treatment, and extensions can be applied for if necessary.

Other Travel-Related Advisories or Restrictions

Travelers are advised to stay updated on any travel advisories related to health and safety, as these can change periodically.

Cultural Considerations

Local customs and etiquette.

Costa Ricans, or "Ticos," are known for their warm and friendly nature. However, being mindful of local customs and etiquette, like respectful greetings and dress codes, is advisable.

Language and Communication

Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, but English is widely spoken in medical facilities catering to international patients.

Dietary Considerations or Restrictions

Costa Rican cuisine is generally a mix of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. It is advisable to inform medical facilities in advance if you have specific dietary restrictions.

Travel & Accommodation

Popular and recommended areas to stay.

San José, the capital, offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels. Areas like Escazú are also popular, especially for those looking for proximity to top medical facilities.

Proximity to Medical Facilities

Most top-rated medical facilities are situated within or near major cities, making travel between accommodation and treatment centers convenient.

Transportation Facilities and Infrastructure

Costa Rica has a well-developed public transportation system, and taxis are readily available. However, private transport options can also be arranged by most medical facilities.

Recommendations for Post-Procedure Relaxation and Recuperation Spots

Costa Rica offers a variety of post-procedure relaxation options, including beach resorts, mountain retreats, and wellness centers, making it an ideal location for recovery.

Legal & Ethical Considerations

Legal rights of patients.

In Costa Rica, patients have the right to informed consent, privacy, and quality medical care. These rights are protected by local laws and healthcare protocols.

Medical Malpractice Laws and Patient Recourse

Medical malpractice laws in Costa Rica are stringent, ensuring that patients have avenues for legal recourse in the event of negligence or malpractice.

Benefits & Risks

The main benefits of choosing Costa Rica for medical tourism include cost savings, high-quality healthcare, and the opportunity for a relaxing recovery in a beautiful setting.

Potential risks could include communication barriers and differences in medical practices. However, most top medical facilities in Costa Rica mitigate these risks by adhering to international standards.

Post-procedure Care

Details about post-operative care.

Aftercare is an essential part of the medical journey, and Costa Rica offers excellent post-operative care services, including follow-up consultations and rehabilitative services.

Availability and Quality of Rehabilitation Centers

Several rehabilitation centers are available, particularly in the areas surrounding major hospitals, providing comprehensive services to aid in recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Do Costa Rican medical facilities accept international insurance?
• Some facilities do accept international insurance, but it’s advisable to confirm beforehand and understand the specifics of your coverage.
• What currency is accepted in Costa Rica?
• The Costa Rican Colón is the local currency, although many places also accept U.S. dollars.
• Is Costa Rica safe for travel?
• Costa Rica is generally considered safe for travel, but it's always advisable to take standard precautions and consult current travel advisories.
• Do I need vaccinations before traveling to Costa Rica?
• Standard vaccinations are generally advised, but it’s best to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Located between Panama (to the south) and Nicaragua (to the north), and nestled between the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), Costa Rica is a short 2.5 hours flight from Miami, Florida and is a convenient location for eco and medical tourism. It is slightly smaller than West Virginia, so exploring the country is not a terribly daunting task. Costa Rica boasts a long history of peaceful democratic rule, as well as a high standard of living compared to its Central American neighbors. With 802 miles (1,290 km) of coastline, Costa Rica offers a range of maritime leisure activities, including sunbathing, boating, surfing, scuba diving, and parasailing.

Global Provider Members

Colon (CRC)

Costa Rica is a tropical country, which means that much of what you imagine about a Costa Rican vacation is true: dense rainforests, palm tree-lined beaches, warm weather, and comfortable waters. There are two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts until November, while the dry season begins at the end of November and ends in April. However, in spite of the two generally distinct seasons, Costa Rica’s varied topography makes for a wide variety of microclimates.

Facilitators

San Jose, Costa Rica

San José, Costa Rica

Featured Treatments

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...

Medical tourism facilitators walk a tightrope between ethics and business

• Related content
• Peer review
• Charu Bahri , freelance journalist
• Rajasthan, India
• charubahri{at}gmail.com

A new market of intermediary fixers for medical tourists say that they can lower the risks associated with seeking treatment overseas. Charu Bahri asks what these facilitators do—and who oversees them?

When Marie Gopaul,* a 71 year old Mauritian, needed a hip replacement she and her family had concerns about doing it locally. “Doctors told me that the outcomes of robotic hip replacement are the best,” says Marie’s son Louis.* “In Mauritius many hip replacement patients who are operated on conventionally struggle to walk postoperatively.”

Because robotic surgeries weren’t available in Mauritius the family decided to pay for Marie to have surgery abroad—becoming one of the hundreds of thousands of patients who choose to become medical tourists in a market projected to grow from US$24.14bn (£19bn; €22.24bn) in 2023 to $93.38bn by 2030. 1 They settled on India, and for assistance in choosing a doctor and a hospital Louis approached an online medical tourism facilitator recommended by his friends.

Medical tourism facilitators manage and coordinate all activities related to the care of patients and their treatments while travelling abroad, such as visa applications, hotel stays, and airport transfers, although patients normally pay separately for flights. 2 They function as intermediaries between medical tourists (some also work with domestic patients) and a wide network of hospitals.

Brokers or middlemen first emerged in the medical tourism market in India around 2010. They faced resistance from the leading Indian hospital chains, which tried to get them banned with assistance from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. 3 But the intermediaries proved steadfast, and eventually India’s leading health standards body, the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), officially recognised them under the title medical value travel facilitators.

The NABH introduced “empanelment,” 4 a form of accreditation where inspectors evaluate a facilitator’s services and grant empanelment status if they pass. But empanelment isn’t synonymous with regulation. There are still documented instances 5 6 of domestic patients filing a medical negligence complaint with the police or speaking out on social media against an empanelled facilitator. And, when treatments fail, the NABH has no role to play.

The absence of stricter regulation, as well as concerns over the veracity of information displayed on facilitators’ websites and whether they follow ethical guidelines, 7 has led some critics to warn that facilitators “highly emphasise benefits while downplaying the risks.” 8

Facilitators say that they help prospective patients understand their options. “It’s difficult to choose the right doctor when they all claim to be the best, especially when you don’t speak the local language,” says Louis, when asked why he didn’t approach a hospital directly. “What clinched it for me this time was the facilitator’s counsellor telling me that she would choose the same renowned orthopaedic doctor in Delhi for her own mother.”

Through facilitators patients can get access to treatment options at different price points, something a single hospital can’t deliver. Abhik Moitra, director at HBG Medical Assistance, a leading Indian facilitator, says, “We can offer a Whipple procedure [pancreaticoduodenectomy to remove cancerous tumours from the head of the pancreas] at $12 000 at a top hospital in a leading metro, or at $8000-$9000 in a smaller city.”

Facilitators in India have told The BMJ that they’re conscious of the hospitals they work with, preferring those accredited by the Joint Commission International and the NABH. They also look for hospitals that demonstrate a managerial commitment to international patients and those that have invested in cutting edge technology.

Beyond physical amenities, medical tourism facilitators can support patients’ more personal needs, such as language barriers and settling in. In emerging markets especially, they “ease exposure in unfamiliar settings by dealing with medical and tourism providers.” 9 Louis believes that medical tourists who don’t speak the local language “tend to get fleeced” without a service provider.

Benjamin Hunter, lecturer at the University of Glasgow and an expert on the global healthcare economy, says, “Desperate people, unfamiliar settings, and commercialised healthcare are a recipe for exploitation. Facilitators can ameliorate some of this—or exacerbate it.”

Critics argue that facilitatory service providers work within an absent or limited regulatory framework 10 that limits their responsibility if things go wrong. Treatment failures can burden the patient, as well as public health services in the patient’s home country. 11 For that reason the UK, among others, has drawn up guidelines for prospective medical tourists. 12

The UK’s NHS guidelines on going abroad for medical treatment 13 include a strong recommendation for patients to consider continuity of care and inquire about any compensation for negligence. This can vary by provider. Some Lithuanian hospitals, for instance, promise free further treatment if anything goes wrong, 14 whereas one Lithuanian private hospital, Nordorthopaedics, told The BMJ that only a part of the cost would be waived if the patient needed further intervention.

Likewise, using a facilitator in India doesn’t necessarily add any guarantees. Pankaj Chandna, cofounder of Vaidam.com, a leading facilitator in India, agrees that “a few patients need revision surgery” but says that his company “tries to support such patients as much as possible to alleviate their mental trauma and financial burden.”

Chandna’s company runs a programme called Vaidam Reconnect, “to stay in touch with patients and assign a case manager to those who need further assistance.” He says that recently a patient from Sierra Leone needed corrective surgery after an operation. “Our partner hospital waived the surgical fee and 70% of the medical charges,” says Chandna.

Heidi Kaspar of the Department of Health Professions at the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland has introduced the notion of “therapeutic itineraries” in medical tourism because she sees medical journeys as “circular movements” rather than “singular and straightforward trips from A to B.”

“Numerous uncertainties [and] inadequate diagnostics at home complicate treatment abroad, prolong the stays of patients, and require family caregivers to return home in order to arrange funding or to organise absence at home,” she says. “On top of this, aftercare and unpredictable illness trajectories when back home lead to replicate journeys.”

Conflicts of interest

Perhaps the biggest concerns about facilitators are their fairness and competence 15 when choosing appropriate doctors and hospitals—and the possibility of pushing unnecessary treatment 16 that’s not in the best interest of patients, just to make a sale.

Facilitators The BMJ spoke to in India said that they don’t charge patients, but they do earn a facilitation fee or marketing fee from the hospitals that treat their referred patients. These payment arrangements differ by hospital. “Some agreements cover outpatient consultations, others only hospital admissions,” says Moitra. Some agreements extend to covering marketing expenses, including outreach programmes where medical value travel facilitators can help advertise hospitals open to private referrals by arranging consultation programmes in partner hospitals in target countries.

Such arrangements stem from the “cut system” in the Indian healthcare sector that the government has yet to legislate against. 17 18 Hunter says, “Opaque commissions breed mistrust, but ultimately facilitators are only one component in a bigger system, and exploitation is not unique to medical travel: the problem is profit driven healthcare.”

Other countries in the region have stricter rules to combat this. Asia’s leading medical tourism destination is Singapore, and its health ministry doesn’t allow doctors and hospitals to pay for referrals, says Nakul Singh, who represents Mount Elizabeth Hospital in India and manages India operations at IHH Healthcare’s Singapore division. Singaporean hospitals open representative offices in overseas target countries to counsel patients, he adds.

Last year around half a million medical tourists entered India, and the central government launched a campaign, Heal in India, to boost medical tourism. Prasanna Saligram, a public health researcher with the People’s Health Movement India, believes that the number isn’t yet high enough to push the government for further regulations, particularly as it “has so many larger issues to address.” He points to the disparity between the cost of healthcare in public and private hospitals.

“Our health sector regulatory framework is very weak,” he explains. “The Indian healthcare story is about ‘globalised’ and ‘marginalised’ patients. Private hospitals thrive on the globalised Indian, high net worth individuals, and medical tourists are just the cherry on top, while poorer people struggle to access healthcare.”

Facilitator driven outreach

Santosh Shetty is chief executive officer of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. His hospital is one that works with facilitators, whose services he appreciates when they work within an organised framework and in the patient’s best interests.

“Facilitators with a strong network and presence in the target geographies can help get the necessary licences and permissions for events and can guide local patients,” says Shetty. “Their offices can sometimes also serve as a local centre, which is very reassuring to patients and can overcome language barriers.”

He says that facilitators referred 20-25% of his hospital’s 2600 international patients in 2023. “While we have a dedicated international patient department, our global reach is amplified through credible facilitators,” says Shetty.

“Credible” is the key word. While Louis was appreciative of the facilitator’s team (one of 26 companies empanelled with the NABH 4 ) and the surgeon, he wasn’t blind to gaps in the service. “Our stay in a one star hotel left a lot to be desired,” he says. “I know you get what you pay for, but we could have been better guided on that front.”

In the hospital, says Louis, his mother had a long wait before the first consultation despite having an appointment, and he was charged 65 rupees (about 60p) for every cup of tea he ordered while his mother was in the intensive care unit. “When you’re paying more than double the cost of treatment in your home country you expect better service,” he says. (The hip replacement cost him $6500, which compares with $2500 at a private clinic in Mauritius.)

Nevertheless, the family got what they wanted: Marie had her surgery in January 2024. “The doctor delivered exactly as he had promised,” says Louis. “He had said that Mother would be walking independently a fortnight after being operated on, and she was.”

*Names of patients and their families have been changed.

Competing interests: I have read and understood BMJ policy on declaration of interests and have no relevant interests to declare.

Provenance and peer review: Commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.

• ↵ Fortune Business Insights. The global medical tourism market size is projected to grow from $24.14 billion in 2023 to $93.38 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 21.3% over the forecast period. Oct 2023. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/medical-tourism-market-100681
• ↵ National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. Medical value travel facilitator empanelment programme. https://nabh.co/medical-value-travel-facilitator-mvtf/
• ↵ National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. Certified MVTF. https://nabh.co/accreditedmvtf/
• ↵ Ahluwalia H. How Pristyn Care is misleading hospitals and patients. Morning Context 2024 Jan 17. https://themorningcontext.com/internet/how-pristyn-care-is-misleading-hospitals-and-patients
• ↵ Raghavan R. Inside the chaos at Pristyn Care. Mint 2023 Aug 31. https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/inside-the-chaos-at-pristyn-care-11693337299658.html
• Wright KB ,
• O’Connor M ,
• Wombacher K
• Hanefeld J ,
• Horsfall D ,
• ↵ NHS. Going abroad for medical treatment. Reviewed 13 Oct 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/going-abroad-for-medical-treatment/
• ↵ Das S, Ungoed-Thomas J. “It’s not medical tourism, it’s desperation”: rising number of Britons resort to treatment abroad. Guardian 2023 Jan 21. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/21/not-medical-tourism-desperation-britons-resort-treatment-abroad
• Crooks VA ,
• Kingsbury P ,
• ↵ Debroy S. 6 years on, bill against “cut practice” in medical sector back in spotlight. Times of India 2023 Apr 9. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/6-years-on-bill-against-cut-practice-in-medical-sector-back-in-spotlight/articleshow/99350484.cms
• ↵ Nagral S, Nundy S. We need to end “cut” practice in Indian healthcare. BMJ Opinion 2017 Jul 17. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2017/07/07/we-need-to-end-cut-practice-in-indian-healthcare/

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• v.57(5); 2011 May

Medical tourism

Broadly speaking, medical tourism involves patients intentionally going abroad to pursue medical services outside of formal cross-border care arrangements that are typically paid for out-of-pocket. 1 Orthopedic, dental, cosmetic, transplant, and other surgeries are offered by hospitals around the world looking to attract international patients, with such procedures often available for purchase as part of “package deals” that include recovery stays at affiliated tourist resorts or hotels. 2 A 2007 commentary published in Canadian Family Physician offered an overview of how the medical tourism industry operates, along with some critiques of the practice. 3 Since then, however, the issue of medical tourism has received little attention within Canadian family medicine circles. Meanwhile, media and research attention on medical tourism is growing. 4 – 7 In this commentary we synthesize what we believe are the 10 most important issues of concern for Canadian family physicians regarding Canadian patients’ involvement in medical tourism. In effect, our intent is to reignite discussion on the relevance of medical tourism to Canadian family medicine that was started by the 2007 commentary, 3 and to use this as an opportunity to inform Canadian family physicians about key issues of current concern. We believe it is particularly timely to reignite discussion about medical tourism in the Canadian context given recent reports of a new “super-bug” (NDM-1 [New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase]) having been contracted by some Canadian medical tourists who underwent surgery in India in 2010. 8

Medical tourism is thought to be an attractive option for Canadian patients who are on lengthy surgery waiting lists or who are looking to avoid high out-of-pocket payments for procedures not covered by their provincial systems (eg, dental care, cosmetic surgery). 4 It also enables Canadians to access procedures that are not currently available here, such as what is popularly referred to as liberation therapy for multiple sclerosis. Despite reports of considerable growth in the industry over the past decade, particularly in Asian nations, 9 little attention has been given to the issue of Canadians going abroad as medical tourists. Meanwhile, countries promoting medical tourism are actively courting Canadians. For example, in November 2009 a trade show promoting India as a medical tourism destination was hosted in Toronto, Ont.

Reasons for concern

There are a number of reasons why the phenomenon of Canadians going abroad as medical tourists warrants the attention of Canadian family physicians. We believe the following are the most pressing reasons for concern.

• Inadequate regulation within the industry. The medical tourism industry is global and involves many parties beyond patients and health service providers. Currently, international regulation within the industry is lacking. 5 Any time that regulations are lacking, patient safety could be put at risk, including the safety of Canadian patients.
• Lack of systematic reporting of clinical outcomes. Systematically gathered and verified information about clinical outcomes from hospitals attracting medical tourists, particularly hospitals in developing nations, is mostly nonexistent. 10 This leaves Canadians who are considering going abroad as medical tourists to make important decisions without having access to this valuable information.
• Replacement of clinical decisions with financial ones. Patients going abroad might substitute clinical factors with financial factors when engaging in decision making about their care. 11 For example, on a recent research trip to medical tourism hospitals in southern India, we met an American patient who had shortened the recommended recovery period between 2 orthopedic surgeries in order to lessen the cost of his stay abroad. 12
• Exposure to new health and safety risks. While there are always risks related to medical interventions, and also to traveling abroad, medical tourism potentially exposes patients to new risks. 4 Among them is that traveling on long flights soon after major surgery might bring about deep vein thrombosis due to compromised mobility. 13
• Threats to informational continuity of care. There are currently no adequate systems in place to enable the transfer of health records between medical tourists and their physicians in home and destination countries. 9 This can result in Canadian patients who have chosen to go abroad as medical tourists having discontinuous medical records. International and unregulated transfers of health records might also threaten patient privacy.
• Provision of follow-up care and monitoring happens at home. Although patients might choose to go abroad for procedures, follow-up care and long-term monitoring will likely need to happen in their home countries. This includes providing the necessary care and expertise for complications that could arise, which could be quite costly. 11 An implication of this need for care in countries with public health care systems, such as Canada, is that patients’ home systems become responsible for bearing some of the costs of medical tourism.
• Procedures might be illegal or untested. Some patients are motivated to go abroad by their desire to access procedures that are illegal or unavailable in their home countries, owing to their experimental status or to ethical objections to them. 14 Medical tourism in this context can place particular challenges on Canadian health care providers who might need to provide follow-up care for procedures they have no experience with because those procedures are illegal or unavailable domestically.
• Absence of monitoring. There is currently no system in place to track global flows of medical tourists. 5 This is problematic because it is extremely difficult to grasp not only how many Canadian medical tourists there are, but also who they are and what procedures they are accessing. If such information were available, it could be used to create tailored interventions or information campaigns.
• Health inequities could be exacerbated. Some have suggested that, by allowing patients to bypass system limitations, medical tourism is a viable way to shorten waiting lists and address other health system challenges. 15 However, it is only a viable option for those who can afford it, unless health systems provide reimbursements for care accessed internationally. Because of this, medical tourism could exacerbate inequities in access to care among Canadians.
• Canadians are going abroad as medical tourists. Despite the lack of monitoring of medical tourism in Canada and other countries, we know that Canadians are indeed going abroad for care. As an example, in 2006 a single Canadian medical tourism broker (an agent specializing in making arrangements for international patients) was contacted by 2500 people looking for information about going abroad for joint replacement and cardiac surgeries. 16

Addressing the issues

Family physicians can play a number of important roles regarding Canadian patients’ involvement in medical tourism. Physicians might have the opportunity to speak with these patients when they are in the decision-making stage, prompting them to think carefully about the risks and benefits of going abroad for care. Doing so might also provide opportunities to talk about strategies for minimizing health risks while in the destination country and during travel, such as through obtaining vaccinations before departure. For patients going abroad for transplantation, this could include talking about antirejection drugs and potentially providing referrals to see Canadian transplant specialists before departure. Canadian family physicians might also be in a position to speak with patients about the types of information needed from abroad in order to keep their medical records complete. New guidelines recently created by the Public Health Agency of Canada could serve as a resource for Canadian family physicians in speaking with patients about medical tourism. 17 Because of the numerous roles that Canadian family physicians could play in relation to medical tourism, and thus ultimately in assisting with maintaining these patients’ health and well-being, it is essential that they have an awareness about the existence of this practice among their patients and be observant for any negative or positive effects it is having on their abilities to provide treatment.

There is little doubt that issues related to medical tourism warrant attention in Canada. Indeed, medical tourism is a Canadian issue as much as it is a global one. Because of the implications medical tourism holds for Canadian patients and the Canadian health system alike, family physicians need to consider the effects that it has on the health of their patients. Canadians thinking of undertaking medical tourism need to consider the potential effects of their actions not only on the Canadian health system but also the potential effects on health systems abroad. Medical tourism could exacerbate system inequities in developing nations through prioritizing infrastructure expenditures on tertiary care services that will attract international patients instead of on primary health care services and public health measures for their own citizens. 18 The underlying push factors encouraging medical tourism by Canadian patients are unlikely to dissipate, meaning that a frank discussion of the consequences of this practice by Canadian family physicians and other health care providers is increasingly urgent.

This article has been peer reviewed.

La traduction en français de cet article se trouve à www.cfp.ca dans la table des matières du numéro de mai 2011 à la page e151 .

Competing interests

None declared

The opinions expressed in commentaries are those of the authors. Publication does not imply endorsement by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

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Medical Tourism

Medical tourism insurance: a guide to understanding coverage and protection.

Medical tourism has emerged as a popular option for patients who are looking for affordable and high-quality medical care outside their home country. However, one of the most significant concerns of patients considering medical tourism is the lack of understanding of insurance coverage and protection while receiving medical treatment abroad. This is where medical tourism insurance comes in handy.

Medical tourism insurance is a specialized type of insurance that provides coverage for patients who travel to another country for medical treatment. It covers various aspects of the medical journey, including pre-travel medical consultations, medical procedures, and post-treatment follow-up care. However, it is essential to consider several factors when choosing an insurance provider for medical tourism.

The first thing that patients should do is to review their current medical insurance policy to determine if it provides any coverage for medical tourism. While some policies may provide limited coverage, others may not cover medical tourism at all. Patients must also determine what medical procedures their insurance policy covers and if there are any exclusions.

If a patient's current insurance policy does not provide sufficient coverage for medical tourism, they must consider purchasing additional medical tourism insurance. It is essential to research various insurance providers, compare coverage, and read reviews before choosing a provider. Patients must also ensure that the insurance provider is licensed and regulated by the country's governing body to provide medical tourism insurance.

When purchasing medical tourism insurance, patients must consider the type of coverage provided. Some insurance providers offer comprehensive coverage, including travel and medical coverage, while others only provide medical coverage. Patients must also review the policy's terms and conditions, including deductibles, co-payments, and coverage limits. The policy should also include coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation services, which are essential in case of an emergency.

Another critical factor to consider is the insurance provider's network of healthcare providers. Patients must ensure that the insurance provider has a network of accredited hospitals and healthcare providers in the destination country. The insurance provider should also have a network of medical evacuation and repatriation services to transport patients back to their home country in case of an emergency.

Choosing the right insurance provider for medical tourism is crucial as it can make a significant difference in the quality of care and peace of mind for patients. Patients must understand their current insurance policy, research various insurance providers, and review the policy's terms and conditions before purchasing medical tourism insurance. It is essential to choose a licensed and regulated insurance provider with a network of accredited healthcare providers in the destination country.

In addition to choosing the right insurance provider, patients must also take other precautions to ensure their safety and well-being during their medical journey. Patients should research the destination country's healthcare system, medical facilities, and the medical procedures they will undergo. Patients must also follow the doctor's instructions carefully and take the prescribed medication as directed.

In conclusion, medical tourism insurance provides coverage and protection for patients seeking medical treatment abroad. Patients must carefully review their current insurance policy, research various insurance providers, and review the policy's terms and conditions before purchasing medical tourism insurance. It is essential to choose a licensed and regulated insurance provider with a network of accredited healthcare providers in the destination country. With proper research and planning, patients can have a safe and successful medical tourism experience.

To receive a free quote please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote

Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com/

It is recommended that consumers do not share their personal and confidential information on random medical tourism platforms as they may not be secure. Consumers must be cautious when disclosing their private information as some organizations may not protect their privacy and could misuse their information. Additionally, there are agencies that may prioritize their commissions over the well-being of the patients. Consumers should avoid choosing the cheapest price and instead make a thorough comparison across multiple facilitators to make an informed decision.

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The Medical Tourism Magazine (MTM), known as the “voice” of the medical tourism industry, provides members and key industry experts with the opportunity to share important developments, initiatives, themes, topics and trends that make the medical tourism industry the booming market it is today.