Medical tourism over the past decade has been caused by the rise in health -care costs and uninsured or underinsured Americans (almost 15 percent of the population are currently uninsured, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics from 2005). Among top destinations are Southeast Asia, Mexico, Costa Rica and
Thailand.

Medical tourism facilities, together with special health travel agents and some insurance plans are participating as well. A program of Health Net of California gives access to health care for their insured Latin participants for services in
Mexico. BlueCross/Blue Shield also offers medical treatment at
Bumrungrad International Hospital,
Bangkok, Thailand which gives medical attention to more than 400,000 patients every year.

The price savings on medical care can be outstanding. It is mentioned that a heart bypass in U.S.A. costs $ 130,000, but just $ 10,000 in India and $ 11.000 in Thailand or
Singapore. Hysterectomy costs about $20,000 in U.S.A. but $ 3,000 in
India.

The medical tourism companies help travelers find the hospital that provides the surgery they need.

Source: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/06/AR2007070600682.html

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