NEWS:

Article by PAHEF Staff Published in United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Publication

Dick Salvatierra, Director of Development, and Sarah Gabriel, a PAHEF intern and student from Wake Forest University, co-wrote "What is Medical Tourism?" that appeared in a recent issue of the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce's Alliance magazine:

What is Medical Tourism?
by Dick Salvatierra & Sarah Gabriel

In recent years, medical tourism has become a booming world-wide industry. People now travel throughout the world seeking cheaper healthcare or treatments unavailable in their home countries. Importantly, many people now traveling for medical treatments are no longer members of the rich upper-class, but are a part of what The Economist terms, “mass-medical tourism” or “middle-class Americans.”

Southeast Asia has particularly taken advantage of these “medical refugees” with Malaysia and India representing two of the top destinations for medical tourists. However, various countries in Latin America have recently begun developing private hospitals and medical centers to attract medical tourists—breaking into a market that experts say will be worth $21 billion per year to developing countries in the near future.

Mexico, in particular, has capitalized on this growing demand by exploiting its proximity to the United States. Many Americans head to Mexico for elective surgeries, dental work, and obesity treatments. Additionally, Mexican hospitals regularly perform various other, more advanced treatments, including spinal fusions, hip replacements, and angioplasties. The prices of these surgeries in Mexico are generally 25 to 35 percent of the price charged in the United States.

For example, a hip replacement that could cost up to $63,000 in the United States only costs about $12,000 in Mexico. Many Americans also go to Mexico for treatment as they are uninsured, and to pay out-of-pocket for surgery in the United States would be financial ruin.

Read full article.