We Americans have been quite smug about our health care, and for a long time with good reason. Everyone in the world comes here when they really need the best care and can afford it. There has even been significant movement by several American health care companies to develop international markets. Well, according to this story from CBS News (via Ben Cunningham) global competition is here in health care.
“A growing number of tourists are…combining holidays with health care. And that’s because a growing number of countries are offering first-rate medical care at third-world prices.
“Many of these medical tourists can’t afford health care at home; the 40 million uninsured Americans, for example. Others are going for procedures not covered by their insurance: cosmetic surgery, infertility treatment.”
Countries such as India and Thailand are leading the way. For example, in these countries heart by-pass surgery costs $12,000 rather than the $100,000 one would pay in the US. These procedures are being done in foreign hospitals that often rate as high as most US facilities. Even with airfare and hotels it can be a huge savings.
Such alternatives may add an interesting twist to the growing trend toward consumer driven health care plans among US small businesses. Watch for active marketing of health care tourism as these plans sweep the nation.
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