Comments on: Importing and Exporting Health Care http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2008/08/18/importing-and-exporting-health-care/ Health Policy Consulting and Writing to Improve Quality, Reduce Costs, and Increase Value in US Healthcare Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:15:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: PeterZ http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2008/08/18/importing-and-exporting-health-care/#comment-1413 PeterZ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:36:11 +0000 http://www.healthpolcom.com/blog/2008/08/18/importing-and-exporting-health-care/#comment-1413 Like in industries before it, it is likely that some portion of the health care industry will be exported. The Economist article described (and I've have the opportunity to see) Asian hospitals provide medical procedures with high quality outcomes at a fraction of the price U.S. hospitals charge. Healthcare procedures requiring chronic care do pose more of a challenge - if one is unwilling to relocate. The cost of living in Thailand, for example, is substantially lower than in the U.S. Coupled with lower cost, high quality medical care, this can be a big draw for folks to relocate near affordable medical care, even if that means an international relocation. And an increasing number of countries are developing strategies to draw retirees. There are certainly challenges to the growth of medical tourism industry, but the fundumentals seem in place to support its growth. It will likely start with elective and routine procedures before moving to chronic procedures. Like in industries before it, it is likely that some portion of the health care industry will be exported. The Economist article described (and I’ve have the opportunity to see) Asian hospitals provide medical procedures with high quality outcomes at a fraction of the price U.S. hospitals charge.

Healthcare procedures requiring chronic care do pose more of a challenge – if one is unwilling to relocate. The cost of living in Thailand, for example, is substantially lower than in the U.S. Coupled with lower cost, high quality medical care, this can be a big draw for folks to relocate near affordable medical care, even if that means an international relocation. And an increasing number of countries are developing strategies to draw retirees.

There are certainly challenges to the growth of medical tourism industry, but the fundumentals seem in place to support its growth. It will likely start with elective and routine procedures before moving to chronic procedures.

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