Euphemistically its called Medical Tourism, Medical Travel or health tourism. While it's not a new phenomenon there are things going on in this sector that indicate its in a transformative stage.
The under-insured and uninsured have opted to go to Singapore, Thailand or India for medical procedures for several years because the treatments are affordable. But that was a personal decision.
Now it looks that health insurance providers are gearing up to create an environment where going overseas for a procedure will be required.
It's starting now with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of South Carolina establishing partnerships with some overseas hospitals. So it will be voluntary ...at first. However, when you compare that open heart surgery in the U.S costs $122,000 compared to $15,000 overseas, does anyone really think that it won't be too long that a hip replacement will also mean an opportunity to see the world.
More about this trend at BlogHer Will Your Next Hospital Stay Be in Israel,Korea, Ireland or Singapore?
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