Medical Tourism Is Having Its Moment. Here’s What To Know and How To Use Travel Rewards To Save More.

Traveling somewhere to save money isn’t a new concept. Many people from my home state of Florida travel to the Bahamas for luxury goods like watches and jewelry to avoid sales taxes. Instead of a Rolex or Gucci purse, millions of Americans are heading to the airport for more affordable (and sometimes better) medical care, known as medical tourism.

A July 2024 TikTok post has gone viral with a young woman from Idaho flying to Istanbul, Türkiye, for a full body checkup, including scans, tests, and consultations.¹ The hook of medical tourism for people like her is the combination of the quality of the care compared to what you would receive in the U.S., along with an astonishingly low price. The video has garnered over 16 million views and sent the term “medical tourism” soaring on Google Trends.

It’s trendy but not new. The practice of traveling goes back to the ancient Greeks, who developed medical centers that people traveled far distances to visit. People suffering from illness made the trek to healing temples, or asklepieia. Fast-forward to modern times, and medical tourism is as popular as ever. According to Statista, it’s expected to drive $47 billion in 2024 and grow to $111 billion by 2029.²

Here are the pros and cons of taking your medical procedures outside the U.S., what you need to know before doing so, and how to save on travel costs by using points and miles.

The Pros of Medical Tourism

Lower Cost

The largest benefit of traveling outside the U.S. is the potential savings. In 2022, the average American spent over $13,000 in health care costs, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

It’s hard to estimate the cost of American health care, as much of it is predicated on the patient’s health insurance coverage and the provider. Outside of the U.S., it can be much more transparent but still varies by the provider. So, like any other purchase, you’re advised to do your research to find the best deal and provider for your needs.

Here are a few examples of medical and cosmetic procedures and the potential savings of traveling outside of the U.S.:

A few weeks ago, the Today Show aired a story about medical tourism, highlighting a couple trying to have a baby. The Pasinis were shocked by the price inside the U.S., so they looked elsewhere. The husband is Italian and found it was much cheaper to travel to Italy for their IVF treatments.

So, as you research your options, be sure to check to see how much you could potentially save compared to receiving care at home.

Better Care

Despite Americans spending trillions of dollars annually on health care, our health care system historically doesn’t rank well compared to other countries. Price can be a leading factor, but quality is also notable.

A 2020 research paper in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association studied a group of over 400 Americans heading south of the border for medical care and found that “[m]ost survey respondents felt that Mexican health care services are of the same or better quality compared with those in the U.S., for a lower cost, and plan to participate in medical tourism moving forward.”

Social media is abundant with videos showing outstanding facilities and level of care, making U.S. facilities look largely inferior.

The Cons of Medical Tourism

Language Barriers

Doing anything medical can evoke anxiety for some, especially being in a foreign country. On top of that, the local language and culture can add an extra barrier between you and the medical professional trying to help you.

In the viral TikTok video we first mentioned, the woman going to Istanbul had a translator and guide throughout her entire medical checkup. So if you’re not somewhat fluent in the local language, it could be helpful to inquire about translator services at the provider or even hire a local translator for the day.

Travel Costs Can Outweigh Benefit

The costs of traveling to and from can obviously eat into the savings of the medical procedure itself. But if you prefer the glass-half-full view, you can at least get a trip out of it.

Like anything else, be sure to weigh all of the costs involved to see if medical tourism is the right option for you.

What To Know Before Traveling for Medical Reasons

Traveling for a medical procedure, whether cosmetic or medical, can be intimidating. Here are a few steps to follow to start your research.

First, look at online reviews and accreditations of the hospital and provider. Each country has different medical standards, which can make the selection process tricky. As you’re searching, look to see if the provider is accredited by the Joint Commission International. Founded in 1997, the organization sets medical standards in over 70 countries to ensure the highest quality of care. You can find the countries and organizations that have the accreditation here.

Second, consider using a third party to help find you the services you need. FlyMedi in Türkiye is one of many agencies helping consumers find the right medical attention for their needs outside their home country.

Third, consult your medical insurance agency about your policy and coverage to see if it would cover any medical costs outside of the U.S. While it’s unlikely, the agency may have additional resources for you. They would likely rather see you go overseas rather than make a claim anyway.

While saving money is almost always a good idea, medical care isn’t an advisable place to pinch pennies. From 2009 to 2022, 93 Americans died from cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The typical complications are infection-related, but you can mitigate this risk by doing your research before selecting a provider.

Lastly, you’re advised to consult with your primary care physician in the U.S. before heading out. The CDC recommends meeting with your doctor 4 to 6 weeks before to ensure you have the proper vaccinations, immunizations, and medications beforehand.

Hot Tip:

The latest edition of the Patients Beyond Borders book “Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Travel” may be worth a read for your research.

Top Destinations for Medical Tourism

Some countries have become known as hubs for specific procedures. Türkiye is known for its affordable hair transplants, Egypt for its affordable cosmetic surgeries, and Greece has options for fertility treatments. Türkiye has even garnered nicknames for the medical tourists it attracts, including “Turkey Teeth,” referring to people flying there for cosmetic dental work like crowns and veneers.

There is no single best country for all things medical, but according to Global Healthcare Accreditation, a Florida-based accrediting organization geared toward medical travel, here are popular countries for medical tourism:

• Costa Rica: About 13.4% of tourists coming to Costa Rica annually do so for medical purposes. (Nearly 2.5 million people visited the country in 2023.)
• India: The country’s medical tourism market is estimated to be worth $9 billion and is projected to grow to $13 billion by 2026.
• Malaysia: In 2023, over 1 million people traveled to Malaysia for medical treatment.
• Mexico: An estimated 1.4 to 3 million people visited Mexico for medical purposes in 2020.
• Taiwan: The medical tourism market is worth $64 billion.
• Thailand: The medical tourism market in Thailand is expected to grow to $16 billion by the end of 2030.
• Türkiye: In 2023, 1.8 million people visited for medical treatment.
• Singapore: Over 500,000 people visit Singapore for treatment each year.
• South Korea: Over 600,000 people visited South Korea in 2023 for treatment.
• United Arab Emirates: Medical tourists spent $270 million for treatment in 2022.

How To Use Points and Miles To Save

Pick a Provider, Airline, and Card Simultaneously

The key to using rewards to their fullest extent is to reverse-engineer the process. This means creating a plan of where you want to go, which airline will get you there, and what rewards you will need.

For example, let’s say the provider you select for your medical procedure is in Singapore, and you want to fly Singapore Airlines to get there. From there, you could sign up for a card with transferable rewards to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card or the American Express^® Gold Card.

Additionally, before signing up for 1 or more cards, design a plan for meeting the minimum spending requirements. You’re never advised to spend more to earn miles, so do your best to earn welcome bonus offers with purchases you were already planning on making.

Hot Tip:

Consider signing up for a new card and paying for your medical-related costs on that card. These costs can help you earn the welcome bonus.

Comfortable, Long-Term Accommodation Is Essential

Earn Hotel Points Ahead of Time

Traveling for a medical procedure could involve downtime, so leaning into a hotel credit card could be beneficial.

Some medical procedures could make you sensitive to flying, so be sure to consult with your doctor on the appropriate rest time before flying back home. But in some countries, your hotel points may go further, so be sure to look into each hotel brand to see if there’s a property where you could enjoy an extended stay after the operation.

Here are a few cards and their welcome bonuses that could come in handy:

*The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Consider an Airbnb or Other Long-Term Stay

If you’re planning on more intensive surgery, an Airbnb or other long-term accommodation may be a better route to go. And, yes, there are ways to earn and redeem miles for an Airbnb stay.

Hot Tip:

If your Airbnb booking is expensive, consider purchasing discounted Airbnb gift cards. Retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club occasionally offer gift cards at less than retail value. Make sure to use one of our recommended credit cards for buying gift cards.

Final Thoughts

Medical tourism can be great for those who are open to shopping around for medical services that may not be covered under their current medical insurance. As with any trip, plenty of research should go into it to make sure you find the right provider and cost to make it worth it.

Additionally, be sure to take care of the essentials to make your trip seamless. Things like applying for Global Entry, ensuring your passport is up to date, signing up for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, and protecting yourself with travel insurance can help you avoid significant headaches along the way.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our Medical & Legal Disclaimers.