How Much Can A Medical Tourists Save?

Medical tourism is when people travel overseas to receive equal or better quality medical care at much lesser costs. The idea is similar to ‘domestic medical tourism’, where people in a particular country opt for medical care in another city for reasons like better quality, lower costs and better post-treatment care. For instance, kidney transplant cost in India is nearly 90% less than that in the USA. Moreover, the quality of healthcare in India is equal to that in the USA in every aspect. From well-equipped hospitals to globally recognized doctors, medical tourism is making healthcare accessible and affordable for one and all.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most attractive medical tourism destinations which help patients save thousands of dollars on healtcare costs.

1. Malaysia: 65-80% Savings

Malaysia is the second most affordable medical tourism destination. Health travelers can save up to 65% to 80% of health costs in Malaysia. In addition to the very affordable high-quality treatment, Malaysia has also set a new benchmark in healthcare innovation. Malaysia was the first country to introduce an AI-powered Stethoscope. It has significantly improved success-rate for identifying early-stage heart and lung diseases.

2. India : 65-90% Savings

India, with its state of the art medical infrastructure and world-class doctors, is the most visited medical tourism destination. As per an estimate, overseas medical tourists save up to 65-90% in costs by opting for healthcare facilities in India. These include medication, consultation, surgery/procedures, transportation, accommodation, etc. A good example is the relatively low kidney transplant surgery cost in India. You can get a kidney transplant surgery done in India for as low a price as €9,800. the same procedure may cost around €75,000 in Germany.

3. Taiwan: 50% Savings

Taiwan has one of the most advanced and well-maintained healthcare systems in Asia. Further, convenient transportation and accommodation make Taiwan a medical tourism attraction for the entire family. Medical tourists can save up to 50% on medical costs in Taiwan. Medical inspections like endoscopy, PET costs are almost half of that in the US, Europe, and other developed nations.

4. South Korea: 50-60%Savings

South Korea is another major medical tourism hub in Asia. The healthcare ecosystem in South Korea is dominated primarily by private institutes which are equipped with cutting edge technology and highly qualified Doctors. It is known for its quality yet affordable cosmetic surgery treatments. There are hundreds of cosmetic surgery clinics that attract a sea of overseas patients every year. As per data, in 2018 alone, the number of Russian patients visiting South Korea for medical care and treatment increased by nearly 66%.

5. Brazil: 20-35% Savings

Brazil is one of the few popular medical tourism destinations in South America. As per the World Health Organization, Brazil has the best healthcare system among Latin American countries. It is often referred to as the global capital for plastic surgeries. With 43 JCI accredited hospitals and a strong economy, Brazil is all set to dominate medical tourism in the coming decade too.

These were some of the popular, affordable and well-recognized medical tourism centers in the world. Healthcare need not be a privilege but the basic right of every individual on this globe. While healthcare systems in developed economies become increasingly ill-affordable, these countries offer a welcome alternative both in terms of quality and cost.

I am doctor. I have 8+ years experience in Medical Tourism. I am Mbbs.