US Companies Look at Health Vacations to Cut Insurance Costs

Low Cost of Disc Degeneration on Your Indian Health Vacation

As the legions of uninsured Americans increase and employers become more nervous about rising health insurance costs, the multi-billion medical tourism industry is poised for exponential growth.  While the costs of procedures in foreign hospitals remain competitive, the range of services being offered is also being extended. Complex surgeries like disc degeneration repair are offered in India for anywhere between $3500 and $7000. So whatever the scale or nature of the surgery, you’ll probably find many of the best deals in countries (India, or Singapore, Thailand, etc) that have begun focusing more exclusively on medical tourism. 

It’s not just the uninsured or underinsured public that benefits from procedures in India where a health vacation for a heart bypass surgery can cost just $8,500 against $125,000 in the US.  Companies too are beginning to look at the prospect of outsourcing certain surgeries offshore to countries like India, Thailand, and Singapore as part of a health vacation package.  Mercer, a major human resources consulting firm is currently looking at the possibilities of such a system for Fortune 500 companies.  The West Virginia state legislature is considering a plan that will allow state employees to head overseas for treatment.  If the prospect of traveling to the exotic East isn’t appealing enough, the plan would also include additional USPs like first class airfare, accommodations, and some other incentives including bonuses and sick leave.   

Medical Tourism Advice for the Health Traveler

The costs of procedures are dramatically lower, and for someone faced with a $125,000 price tag in the US versus $8,500 in India, there really might not be any decision to make.  But getting healthcare abroad is not as simple as packing a bag and getting on the first flight to Singapore. Such a trip still requires extensive research, planning and preparation.  Fortunately, the growth of medical tourism has also spawned an entire industry comprising agencies, consultants, and tour operators who can offer advice and guidance to “unwary” medical travelers.