In recent years, medical tourism has become extremely popular within the United States. There is a growing trend among Americans to travel outside the country for elective surgeries and procedures; and this trend has also been observed in Western Europe, Australia and Asia. It is estimated that about 500,000 Americans travel abroad for medical treatment each year to take advantage of affordable medical care and procedures.

Medical tourism is a term coined by the media that defines going to another country to receive medical treatment. Virtually all over the world, people not only go on vacation abroad, but also enjoy their vacation with a medical procedure. It is estimated that medical services in other countries cost between 10 and 90 percent less than they do in the United States. This fact has given a boost to medical tourism in the United States.

This is not to say that health associations, insurance companies, and healthcare providers in the US are unaware of this growing trend. They are; and many health insurance companies are now offering coverage for certain medical procedures that the insured may have had done in another country. Furthermore, insurance providers are also offering discounted rates if the person opts for medical tourism.

From cosmetic surgery to dental care to hip replacement, they are available at cost-effective prices in countries like Mexico, India, Thailand, Argentina, and Malaysia. In fact, many facilities in these countries are accredited by the accrediting boards of the American Medical Association.

The reason why medical tourism has become so popular is because of the rising cost of health insurance and medical care in the United States. The attraction to be able to save money and combine the medical procedure with a vacation is very strong. This is also a source of treatment for uninsured Americans, and the cost of travel, accommodation, and medical procedure is far less than what the person would have paid in the US.