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Medical Tourism: A Brave New World?

Lhasa Tibet is one of the highest cities in the world.  I can personally confirm that flying there from sea level is a bad idea.  The change in elevation is over two miles.  I promptly experienced altitude sickness, a potentially fatal illness.  I wasn’t in danger of dying, I just wanted to die.  The symptoms my wife, son and I experienced were nonstop nausea, a crushing headache and the inability to sleep. 

After one night of that my wife had the good sense to summon a Doctor to our room.  In very broken English the Chinese physician gave us instructions for the handful of various size pills she prepared.  I didn’t ask any questions.  I would have taken anything put in front of me.  In about 30 minutes my headache and nausea were gone. 

I count it as a minor miracle.  Not the cure, but the bill.  The charge for the “home visit” by the Doctor and three days of medicine for the three of us was $75. 

A few days after returning from China I heard a story about an older gentleman who needed a heart valve repaired.  He had no insurance.  He had the operation done overseas.  Coupled with a vacation in Europe, the bill was about $10,000.  In the US the cost would have reportedly run closer to $50,000.

And then there is the story of Mr. Warren Williams age 52 of Virginia.  National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered reported “his health insurance went away after he lost his job a computer specialist.  What didn’t go away was a nagging knee problem.”

Mr. Williams traveled to Bangkok, Thailand where 200 physicians, board-certified to practice in the United States, work their wonders in a modern 17-story, $100 million hospital.  NPR reports he had reservations about traveling to a developing country for elaborate surgery, but after the surgery reported his care had been top-notch. 

The total bill was $5,000, a fifth of what it would cost him back home.  NPR: “The irony is not lost on Williams that he’s doing with his medical care what his last employer likely did with his job, move it to Asia.”

Health tourism is not new having proven popular with some Europeans.  Although their national health care plans provide low-cost medical care, there are long waits for some procedures like hip replacements.  British and other Europeans have been traveling to countries like India and paying for their own care out of pocket because the cost is a third of that back home—but without the wait.

“A 40-billion-plus market growing at over 20% a year,” according to Businessworld “throws up huge opportunities for anyone smart enough to tap into it.  The SSDS, Inc. study for the World Health Organization pointed out that business opportunities covered a big spectrum - from retirement homes and spas, to cosmetic and dental surgery, to critical but non-emergency surgery needs like hip replacements, organ transplants, angioplasty and vision correction. Other studies show even alternative healthcare could be a significant niche opportunity.”

For many years medical tourism was popular with those seeking face lifts or other body altering operations.  Now more attention is being given to conventional treatments.

They might be getting some unexpected help soon - from insurance giants according to Businessworld:  “Healthcare insurers in the developed countries are not blind to the fact that the option of medical treatment in countries like Thailand and Malaysia could help them reduce premiums and offer options to people who are currently uninsured.  Over the next few years, insurance firms are expected to provide a boost to the medical travel business.”

Division of Aging and Adult Services
Herb Sanderson, Director
PO Box 1437 - Slot S-530
Little Rock AR 72203-1437
Telephone: (501) 682-2441
Fax: (501) 682-8155