Medical Tourism

The above chart (click to enlarge) shows surgery costs in the US compared to other countries around the world that promote medical tourism.  The data is compiled from the Medical Tourism Association site.  I assume this may not be an apples to apples comparison, in that additional discounts are usually obtained on the US surgeries by providers and insurance companies.  I would treat these as ballpark figures to show relative comparisons.

From the Health Tourism site:

Researchers have confirmed that:

• In 2006, about 150,000 American citizens traveled to Latin America  and Asia for medical treatment.
• In 2007, the figure increased to approximately 300,000.
• By 2010, experts say the number can increase to over 1 million.

American patients are opting to undergo medical treatment abroad for procedures such as: face lifts, heart bypasses and fertility treatments. For many people who require medical treatment, the last thing they want to do is travel. However, due to the high cost of medical treatment in the USA, many American patients are going abroad for medical treatments. Their purpose is to save 50% to 80% on medical treatment conducted by doctors who are often trained in the United States, at hospitals that maintain the precise standards of patient care and safety.