Medical tourism is something that’s going to be around for quite awhile, it seems. The idea of going to a doctor in another country is nothing new, and for as long as people have traveled, they’ve well understood that no one is stuck using the limited resources of one place, especially if those resources are too expensive, and the quality is the same or even better somewhere else. Recent changes in health care have made it more necessary for some to start looking in earnest at options across borders, and this increase seems to be a new trend in medical travel. It’s still young enough that the statistics that are available are not completely reliable, as there are many interests at stake here. This should even out over the next couple of years, but in the meantime there are some general statistics that are worth looking at.

The most striking statistic for most people is the sheer number of people who are participating in health tourism. They participate by going to other countries to have medical procedures done, elective or necessary surgeries, or dental work. The number varies according to different sources, but it can be safely said that there are a couple hundred thousand people from the U.S. who were traveling for medical care in 2008, a sharp increase since 2007, and this is expected to be roughly double for 2010. The revenues from the industry are in the billions, and most sources cite $20 billion annually.

The most common statistic sought, of course, is the cost. Those traveling out of the country can reasonably expect to pay 75% of the cost of what they would have paid for procedures at home. In some instances, and in some countries, this can be as much as 25%. Places such as Mexico, India, and Brazil, where the cost of living and daily wages are lower, will generally have a higher savings. This is a new field, so the numbers do change every month, with new procedures opening up in different countries, so it’s best to keep a close eye on the trends for your particular medical need.