Outbound medical tourism has experienced a slowdown since 2007, driven by the economic recession and consumers putting off elective medical procedures, according to a new Deloitte Center report, Medical Tourism: Update and Implications. An estimated 540,000 Americans traveled abroad for medical care in 2008 (a 20 percent decrease) and a projected 648,000 (a 10 percent decrease) did so in 2009. The economic recovery may help spur a sustainable 35 percent annual growth rate for the medical tourism industry by 2010.
Inbound medical tourism, or foreigners visiting the United States to receive medical care, is expected to grow relatively slowly, with up to 561,000 travelers expected annually by 2017.
Other highlights of the report include the following:
- Eight percent of respondents sought healthcare services outside of their immediate community; more than 40 percent said they would travel outside of their immediate area for care if their physician recommended it or for a 50 percent cost savings; 1 percent reported using an offshore healthcare provider; 9 percent said they’d be likely to do so; and 69 percent said they’d be unlikely to do so.
- Several health insurers have launched medical tourism pilots as part of health benefit plans.
- The Joint Commission International has increased the number of approved foreign medical sites from 76 in 2005 to more than 220 in 2008.
- India’s medical tourism sector is expected to grow 30 percent annually from 2009 to 2015.
- Healthcare reform will likely propel growth in the elective outpatient market, particularly if flex account expenditures are limited to $2,000 or less, and elective cosmetic and dental procedures are not considered “basic benefits.”
