With countless countries offering medical procedures at world-class facilities for tens of thousands of dollars less than in the United States, many are considering traveling to other countries for a variety of procedures, as part of the burgeoning medical tourism industry.

Medical tourism is defined as traveling to a foreign country specifically for medical treatment. Top types of procedures include cosmetic procedures, dentistry, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery. Here are some of the top medical tourism destinations in the world.

India

India is growing in medical tourism popularity, especially with patients in need of cardiac or orthopedic treatments. Cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi have seen a 30% increase in medical tourists than in previous years, most of which are from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

With a large selection of world-class hospitals offering treatments that cost tens of thousands less than in other countries, India is becoming a more and more popular medical destination.

Even given these reduced costs, costly and invasive medical procedures should be avoided where possible. Visit Energetic Lifestyle for more tips on natural healthy living.

Singapore

According to the WHO, Singapore’s healthcare system ranks 6th in the world. Consequently, it attracts thousands of international patients each year to take advantage of its state-of-the-art hospitals. Singapore contains a large list of specialties including cardiology, hematology, oncology, neurology, stem cell therapy, and orthopedics, amongst others.

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Panama

The healthcare system of Panama is another popular choice for medical tourism as its system resembles that of the United States. Doctors are usually bilingual and board-certified, and medical equipment is comparable to that found in the U.S. The U.S. dollar is also the official currency, meaning Panama has everything the U.S. has to offer but at a much cheaper price.

Panama’s hospitals and medics provide a whole range of procedures, varying from spinal surgery to cancer treatment.

South Korea

South Korea ranks as one of the most technologically advanced medical destinations on the planet. They are leaders in cancer screenings and spinal surgery. Many South Korean hospitals consider fully digitized records and procedures the norm.

Specialties included cosmetic surgeries and organ transplants. However, due to the rising popularity of South Korean hospitals, prices are going up, although you can still expect to find lower rates than at home.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a rising star in the world of medical tourism. It welcomes thousands of tourists from neighboring countries every year, including Americans and Canadians for its medical procedures and stunning coasts and landscapes.

This central American country has ranked higher for dentistry and cosmetic surgery than both the U.S. and Canada in previous years. The country is also rising in the fields of eye surgery, cancer therapy, and bariatric surgery.

The Bottom Line

Medical tourism is becoming more and more popular as there are more countries with world-class facilities and state-of-the-art hospitals that offer medical procedures at a fraction of the cost. The option of considerable savings without having to sacrifice quality means there’s little reason not to consider having your medical procedure done abroad.

In fact, in some cases, traveling for medical purposes will even secure you better treatment than you would get at home. Always conduct thorough research when choosing a medical provider abroad, and be sure to consider many different countries and clinics before choosing the one that is best for you.