Medical Tourism in Retirement: Healthcare Costs, Opportunities and Risks

The medical tourism market has grown significantly, with patients worldwide choosing to travel outside of their country for medical care, both necessary and elective. In the US, the government estimates that more than 150,000 Americans each year travel abroad seeking healthcare.

One emerging segment within this sector is older patients who elect to get their care overseas. This trend toward medical tourism among retirees exists at least partly because they want access to affordable, quality healthcare services since costs continue to rise. This article examines the opportunities and risks of medical tourism for retirees, factors to consider, real-life examples, and alternative strategies for managing healthcare expenses.

What is Medical Tourism, and Why is it Attractive for Seniors?

Medical tourism involves traveling to another country to receive medical care. The countries chosen for medical tourism are often tourist destinations that happen to offer medical care at a lower cost than in the tourist’s home country.

For seniors on fixed incomes facing increasing healthcare costs as they age, medical tourism can be an appealing way to access quality medical care that stretches their retirement budget…