Medical Tourism: Are Major Changes in Health Care Afoot?

A recent article posted by India Report identified several major changes in Health Care, more specifically, the medical tourism industry.

"Medical Tourism: Are Major Changes in Health Care Afoot?"

"According to a recent survey conducted by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, the practice of "medical tourism" -- traveling internationally for medical care -- will explode over the next few years. In fact, the survey forecasts that the number of people turning to medical tourism will increase from 750,000 to 6 million by 2010.

Patricia Look, an HR benefits subject matter expert with J. J. Keller & Associates, points out that the concept of medical tourism has been around for a number of years; however, escalating health care costs in the United States have caused it to become more accepted and even favored by some employers and insurers.

"While there are many factors to consider," states Look, "cost seems to be the biggest. It's easy to see the draw ... when a heart bypass procedure that costs $130,000 in the U.S. can be done at an accredited hospital in Singapore for $18,500 or in India for $10,000, for example."
So, what does this mean to our understanding of health care? "Change is in the air," says Look. "The American Medical Association (AMA) has acknowledged the impact of medical tourism on the health care industry by issuing guidelines for employers, insurance companies and other entities that facilitate or incentivize medical care outside the U.S.
Look goes on to mention three trends already emerging…” to view these trends, please follow the link to the rest of the article.

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