This week, articles on medical tourism have appeared in most major newspapers and on-line news outlets.  And for the first time, employers are asking Corporate Wellness what we think?  Good question – Our answer:  the jury is still out… 

What is medical tourism?  Simply put – it refers to the relatively new practice of patients going abroad to purchase medical services .  It is gaining in popularity and in some sets, all the rage-  combining high quality medical care at reduced prices and a vacation.  Almost sounds too good to be true!

According to the British Medical Journal, Lancet, about 40% of medical tourists are seeking the very best care – the newest technologist, the most recently developed procedure while approximately 32% are seeking treatment that is more affordable.

There are wonderful stories about patients going abroad for everything from dental work to gastric banding.  The savings on certain procedures, like dental implants or tummy tucks, is significant.  However, it seems that at Corporate Wellness, we’ve managed a disproportionate number of disability cases where employees who had gastric bypass in particular didn’t fare well on their return to the US. (more…)