Each year, over a million US residents travel abroad for medical procedures. Medical tourism offers choice, cost reduction, and innovation for patients worldwide. With savings of 50% or more compared to medical treatment within the U.S., many find it’s actually more cost effective to travel thousands of miles for a procedure rather than down the street to a local American hospital. Additionally there are just some areas of speciality or quality treatment where the United States or lengthy lines in European and Canadian countries push people towards better options.

Before you grab your passport, be sure to do your research on which countries offer the best experiences and quality of care for international patients. Additionally keep in mind that regional proximity and historic development cause some areas to develop concentrations that are worth traveling for. The following countries are among the best in the world for medical tourism:

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Medical Tourism in Mexico

While Mexico was once only known for its fly-by-night plastic surgery and cheap dentistry, this country has made great improvements in healthcare in the past few years. Mexico now offers an array of healthcare services at exceptionally high quality while maintaining affordable prices.

Top Medical Facilities

Aside from a variety of smaller clinics ill equipped to deal with any complications that may arise during surgery, Mexico’s medical travel sector is without a doubt driven by Angeles Health. As Mexico’s largest private hospital network, they have pioneered low cost healthcare for tourists in the region.

Specializations

Mexico has always been known for cosmetic surgery, bariatric surgery, and dental care. More recently Angeles Health has made strides in treating cancer patients.

Medical Tourists

Mexico’s medical tourism industry is popular with US citizens (particularly from the southwest), but is now drawing patients from the UK and Canada as well.

Language

Health travelers should be comfortable with Spanish though many citizens are somewhat familiar with English. Furthermore, English speaking doctors and surgeons are the norm for most providers.

Vaccinations

Before planning a trip to Mexico, be sure to get vaccinated against Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B.

Travel Time to Mexico City

From London, UK: 10-11 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 3-4 hours
From New York, US: 4-5 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 5-6 hours

Medical Tourism in India

Those looking for the best value for their money, will find India to be an ideal destination for medical tourism. India is well-known for producing high quality physicians and health practitioners. In fact, roughly 35,000 Indian specialists practice in the US. A surplus of quality doctors combined with low infrastructure costs helps India keep costs down while maintaining a high standard of medical care.

Top Medical Facilities

Medical facilities such as Fortis Wockhardt (Mumbai) and Apollo (New Delhi and Chennai) provide access to many medical procedures,

Specializations

India is best known for specializing in cardiac surgery and eye procedures.

Medical Tourists

Many medical travelers hail from neighboring regions, but India also attracts medical tourists from the US, EU, and Canada.

Language

Although English may not be commonly spoken, many hospitals have translators available.

Vaccinations

Travelers should be vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid in order to travel to India.

Travel Time to New Delhi, India

From London, UK: 8-9 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 21-22 hours
From New York, US: 14-15 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 20-23 hours

Medical Tourism in Singapore

Those looking for healthcare services abroad may be surprised to learn that Singapore is frequently ranked as one of the top ten health systems by the World Health Organization. In this fairly small country, medical tourism is an integral part of the economy of the healthcare industry. Each year, Singapore hosts 550,000 medical tourists from around the world.

Top Medical Facilities

Medical tourism facilities like Johns Hopkins Singapore Int’l Medical Center, National University Hospital, Healthway Medical Group, and The National Cancer Centre offer just about any medical service under the sun.

Specializations

Travelers can expect an impressive list of specialties and subspecialties in Singapore.

Medical Tourists

While the majority of patients come from nearby Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, more and more travelers from North America and the EU are beginning to recognize this destination for its high standards.

Language

Although Mandarin is the primary language spoken, English is commonly spoken in business settings.

Vaccinations

Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended.

Travel Time to Singapore

From London, UK: 13-14 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 19-24 hours
From New York, US: 21-23 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 20-24 hours

Medical Tourism in Malaysia

Medical tourism is booming in Malaysia. In fact, earlier this year, Malaysia was named ”Medical Travel Destination of the Year” by International Medical Travel Journal. Malaysia is an excellent choice for value-minded travelers seeking quality medical treatment. Medical services in Malaysia are comparable to those available in India or Thailand at much lower prices.

Top Medical Facilities

The National Heart Institute, Nilai Medical Centre, and KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital are three major medical tourism facilities which offer a long list of medical services.

Specializations

Malaysia offers many different health services, but its inexpensive health screenings are one area of distinction.

Medical Tourists

Many patients visiting Malaysia are from Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, and West Asia. It is also becoming a popular destination for Western medical tourists as well.

Language

English is commonly spoken in Malaysia as well as Malay and Chinese.

Vaccinations

Tourists must have both Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccines before traveling to Malaysia.

Travel Time to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

From London, UK: 13-14 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 20-22 hours
From New York, US: 21-23 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 20-24 hours

Medical Tourism in Israel

Though some travelers may have reservations about traveling to the Middle East, an increasing number of patients are choosing Israel as a destination for medical tourism.

Top Medical Facilities

Assuta Medical Center, Rabin Medical Center, Chaim Sheba Medical Center are three major medical tourism facilities in Israel.

Specializations

Israel specializes in fertility treatment which draws hopeful parents from Russia, North America, and the EU.

Medical Tourists

Israel is becoming a more and more popular medical destination for patients from Eastern Europe, Cyprus, and the United States.

Language

One major benefit of traveling to Israel for medical care is that English is commonly spoken throughout the country. Arabic and Hebrew are also spoken as the official languages of Israel.

Vaccinations

Medical tourists should be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B before traveling to Israel.

Travel Time to Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

From London, UK: 5-6 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 17-20 hours
From New York, US: 11-12 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 17-20 hours

Medical Tourism in Turkey

Rich history and a diverse cultural heritage make Turkey an ideal spot for tourists, medical and recreational alike. Health travelers will be delighted to enjoy beautiful beaches, delicious culinary experiences, and amazing historical sites.

Now Turkey has medical tourism to add to the growing list of reasons to visit. Since Turkey started promoting medical tourism, there has been major growth in the number of people seeking medical care in this country. In just one year’s time, the number of medical tourists went from 188,295 in 2013 to a whopping 414,658 in 2014.

Top Medical Facilities

The growing number of medical tourists can choose from many different medical facilities including Dünyagöz Hospitals Group, Kent Hospital, and Florence Nightingale Group.

Specializations

Turkey specializes in a variety of services from organ transplants to neurosurgery.

Medical Tourists

Turkey attracts a lot of patients from close by European countries, but North American patients also frequent Turkey for medical care.

Language

Although Turkish is the primary language spoken in this country, English is also widely spoken. Translators are often available for international patients.

Vaccinations

Those traveling to Turkey should be up to date with Hepatitis A/B and Typhoid boosters.

Travel Time to Istanbul, Turkey

From London, UK: 3-4 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 13-16 hours
From New York, US: 10-12 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 14-16 hours

Medical Tourism in Brazil

Due to the high quality of medical services, more than 50,000 medical tourists flock to Brazil each year. Patients headed to larger cities such as Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo can expect to pay similar prices as in the US, but those headed to smaller, less popular locales can often find quality medical care at much lower prices.

Top Medical Facilities

These travelers can choose from a variety of procedures at Brazil’s major medical tourism facilities. Ivo Pitanguy Clinic, Hospital do Coracao, and Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein offer everything from plastic surgery to cardiac procedures.

Specializations

Without a doubt, Brazil’s medical tourism industry is most famous for its cosmetic surgery.

Medical Tourists

Visitors from Ecuador, Bolivia and Uruguay are the most common, but Brazil sees international travelers from all over the world.

Language

The primary language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese, with some English spoken.

Vaccinations

Similar to other medical tourism destinations, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B are required to visit Brazil.

Travel Time to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From London, UK: 11-13 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 15-16 hours
From New York, US: 10-11 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 17-19 hours

Medical Tourism in Thailand

During the last 15 years, Thailand has worked tirelessly to improve the infrastructure of their healthcare system. Now millions of Thai people enjoy access to universal health coverage as well as state of the art medical facilities. As a result, medical tourism has become a major part of Thailand’s economy.

Top Medical Facilities

Bumrungrad International Hospital is one of the most popular facilities for medical tourism as well as Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital.

Specializations

Of course, transgender procedures have been widely covered in the news, but Thailand offers a variety of medical services such as cardiac procedures, cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and reproductive services.

Medical Tourists

Thailand is visited by patients from neighboring Asian countries, as well as Western medical tourists.

Language

Thai is the primary language, but English is often spoken in business settings.

Vaccinations

Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended for travel to Thailand.

Travel Time to Bangkok, Thailand

From London, UK: 11-13 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 18-20 hours
From New York, US: 20-23 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 17-20 hours

Medical Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

Though the UAE might not be the first location that comes to mind when considering medical tourism, the UAE has blossomed into a major medical tourism destination. The UAE is developing its medical tourism industry to put them on par with India, Singapore, and Thailand.

Top Medical Facilities

Many patients head to Dubai Healthcare City which is home to The City Hospital, The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, as well as many other specialty clinics.

Specializations

Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients travel to the UAE for everything from dermatology to sports medicine.

Medical Tourists

Dubai is already one of the most popular cities in the world to visit, and in the next few years it aims to be the top medical tourism destination in the world for patients all over the globe.

Language

Arabic is the main language spoken in the UAE, but tourists will also find that English is frequently spoken.

Vaccinations

Travelers to the UAE should have Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccines up to date.

Travel Time to Dubai, UAE

From London, UK: 7-8 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 16-20 hours
From New York, US: 13-16 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 18-22 hours

Medical Tourism in the Czech Republic

Quality and comfort are two characteristics that draw medical tourists from around the globe to the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is still building its medical tourism industry, but more facilities are opening each year.

Top Medical Facilities

Prague’s Esthé Clinic specializes in cosmetic procedures such as liposuction and breast augmentation. Cancer treatment is available for medical tourists at the Prague Proton Therapy Center.

Medical Tourists

Patients from Europe and the UK favor Prague for its high standard of care as well as its appeal as a sightseeing destination.

Language

Many international travelers are happy to find that facilities in the Czech Republic speak English and the healthcare industry is strictly regulated.

Vaccinations

Travelers should be vaccinated against Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B before visiting the Czech Republic.

Travel Time to Prague, Czech Republic

From London, UK: 2-3 hours
From Los Angeles, US: 14-16 hours
From New York, US: 8-10 hours
From Vancouver, CA: 13-15 hours

 

Travel The World For The Best (And Most Affordable) Medical Care

If everyone knew that a $200,000 heart procedure in the United States costs only $10,000 in India, what would be the reasons for not seeking the treatment there? Cultural challenges and fear of the unknown prevent many potential medical tourists from taking the leap.

However, by conducting thorough research, choosing a top medical tourism destination, and fully understanding your options, you can have a positive medical care experience abroad. For patients looking to save money and also patients looking for more innovative treatment, medical tourism is the perfect solution.