Edited by David Mandich for Cabo Free Press
This dental tourist is getting a beach brushing..
The Cleveland Clinic just announced plans to develop a hospital near Buckingham Palace in London. Cruise ship spas are now staffed by medical doctors and licensed acupuncturists.
The United States once had the world’s market share of in-bound patients seeking healthcare from “the best healthcare system in the world.” Now that the U.S. is well-acknowledged to be the most expensive healthcare system in the world, medical tourism is both in-bound and, increasingly, out-bound, with at least 1.4 million Americans seeking healthcare abroad in 2016, according to Visa.
Visa estimated that the U.S. out-bound healthcare market was valued at $439 bn in 2015, and will grow 25% a year in the next decade.
The Cleveland Clinic has been one of the most popular in-bound site for healthcare for foreign nationals seeking world-class heart surgery. On the virtual care front, Cleveland Clinic has also offered a telemedicine service for second opinions which has garnered an international reach. The Clinic even has a website with information on “international patient services.”
With the launch of the Clinic’s London-based hospital, the institution is signalling that they see demand for their healthcare brand outside of the U.S., and geographically closer to prospective patients. The new London location can attract the emerging self-paying patients traveling from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Recognizing the growing opportunity for US-bound medical touring patients, more overseas hospitals are gaining credentialing from the Joint Commission International, part of The Joint Commission, a U.S.-based accrediting agency.
The Joint Commission is widely recognized as a sort of Good Housekeeping seal of approval for health care quality. The Singapore National Eye Center; Bumrungrad International in Bangkok, Thailand; and several Fortis Hospitals in India are all accredited by JCI, along with over 800 other health care providers from the world over.
Medical tourism increasingly takes place beyond hospitals. Forging a new definition of “mobile health,” cruise ships now boast medical doctors aboard providing services well beyond Dr. Adam Bricker, ship’s doctor on “The Love Boat,” solving sea-sickness and sore throats. Acupuncturists operate aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway, along with board-certified dermatologists that administer the latest versions of aesthetic procedures going beyond Botox.
As Americans continue to take on more out-of-pocket healthcare costs through high-deductible health plans and growing consumer-directed healthcare options, the medical tourism market is destined to grow. That’s why Visa (a credit card company, keen to grow payments) highlights the market in a report, why The Joint Commission expands its list of world class healthcare providers, and the Cleveland Clinic locates a new hospital in one of the highest-rent districts on Planet Earth.
Author - Jane Sarasohn-Kahn
Mexico is the world's most popular medical and dental tourism destination. Being within driving distance or a short flight from the US and Canada doesn't hurt.
When in Mexico or in any developing country for savings on health care - be sure to select a Board Certified dentist or doctor. They have the advanced skills most medical and dental tourism patients are seeking and typically cost the same as non-certified doctors who have far less training.
Mexico's most popular dental vacation destination is Cabo. Tijuana is the oldest and perhaps the biggest but Los Algodones comes up a close 2nd. -ed
For free estimates and referrals to Board Certified dentists and doctors in Mexico and other popular medical tourism destinations visit: www.certifieddentists.org/
Edited by David Mandich
Former co-owner Angles Touch Dental Clinic
Cabo San Lucas
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Note from editor David Mandich: Always remember - When taking a dental vacation abroad - take the American Dental Association's advice and be sure to select a Board Certified Dentist. That way you will be sure to know that they have received the proper training, testing and accreditation for the work you need. Otherwise, you don't really know what kind of work you will be getting.
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