Medical tourism is a growing field, however it is not a new field.  For many years Americans have been making the trip to other countries such as India and Thailand, combining a bit of vacation with a bit of necessary health care, health care which they can not afford to receive in the United States either due to insufficient health care coverage or lack of health insurance all together.  Some Americans wanting surgery that is considered elective and therefore not covered under insurance plans, or those wanting surgeries that are not approved in the U.S. have also made the trip to foreign countries to get what they want, and also what they need.  One man needing a triply bypass heart surgery was told in the States that it would cost him $200,000.  After some research he found that he could travel to India and have the procedure performed for $7,000, by some of the top heart surgeons in the field.  His trip, the airline tickets, the hotel rooms and the surgery was less expensive than remaining in the States.

Two countries bordering the United States, Mexico and Canada, have seen a rise in the number of American citizens crossing those borders to find health care.  Many will travel to Mexico where the cost of dental work is 25% of what it is in the U.S.  In Canada, the government has in the past, not been so welcoming to Americans seeking health care in their country.  However, many Americans now will buy their prescription medication from Canadian pharmacies, either by crossing the border or ordering it online.

It is estimated that Americans spend $1 billion dollars each year on their prescription drug purchases in Canada.  Many Americans too, have traveled to Canada for treatment using medical marijuana, for illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and AIDS, however due to the fact that it is still illegal throughout most of the United States this kind of medical travel to Canada may no longer be an option.  One entrepreneurial doctor has offered simple surgeries to Americans, however the entire country has not yet found this acceptable, so it is difficult to estimate just how much the country is profiting by the industry of medical tourism.  One thing is certain, and that is until Americans can afford health care in their own country, these medical vacations will continue to grow in number as they seek out the care in which they need.