Medical Tourism Surge Impacts Cosmetic Surgery Market

The quest for cheaper alternatives for elective cosmetic plastic surgical procedures is leading to rapid globalization of the market.

Medical Tourism is nothing new. In the past, those who could afford it were more likely to travel from poor countries to obtain higher-quality care in wealthier countries. Today, however, the trend has reversed; prompted by the ease and relatively low costs of travel, more patients from the United States and other western countries are traveling to the developing world to access less-costly medical and surgical procedures. Moreover, since cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are not covered by insurance, they make up a major part of the burgeoning medical tourism market.

Prices for cosmetic surgery in these countries are typically much lower than in western countries. For example, a breast augmentation procedure that would cost USD 6,000 in the US can be done for USD 2,200 in India. Even after the costs of airfare are factored in, having an operation overseas can be much less expensive. Figures vary, but the medical tourism market is growing rapidly. India alone may have more than one million medical tourists per year. Other countries with growing medical tourism industries include Mexico, Dubai, South Africa, Thailand, and Singapore.

For the United States and other developed countries, medical tourism means fewer patients and lower revenues, but also raises concerns over the physical safety of patient and their legal protection. Although destination countries promote the quality and safety of their procedures and facilities, there is often little evidence to support these claims. The authors recommend that while patients may be drawn by lower costs, they should consider the potential risks of undergoing surgery in a foreign country, as well as traveling after surgery. The article was published in the October 2013 issue of PRS Global Open, the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS; Arlington Heights, IL, USA).

“Because the practice of medical travel does not appear to be going away in the foreseeable future, plastic surgeons must understand the international market and learn to compete in it,” explained authors Kevin C. Chung, MD, and Lauren E. Franzblau, MD, of the University of Michigan. “The rapid globalization of the industry also marks a fundamental shift in the world's perception of elective procedures; patients are becoming consumers and these medical services are being viewed as commodities.”

Related Links:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons