With high costs of healthcare in the U.S., the medical tourism industry is booming.
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00:00With high costs of health care in the U.S., the medical tourism industry is booming.
00:05More and more people are going abroad for medical care to save money or receive treatment not available in the U.S.
00:12An American Medical Journal study projects that 3 million Americans will go abroad to see a doctor this year.
00:19Procedures include everything from in vitro fertilization to stem cell therapy to LASIK eye surgery.
00:24According to a Global Market Insights, Inc. report, the global medical tourism market will surpass $30 billion by 2025.
00:33People are headed to countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, and Thailand for treatment due to their health care system ranking and lower costs.
00:41But there are additional risks to getting medical treatment abroad.
00:44The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says difficulties with communication, counterfeit medication, and antibiotic resistance are some concerns you should consider.
00:53They recommend mitigating risks by checking the qualifications of health care providers and that they're accredited through groups like Joint Commission International.
01:01Going through medical tourism companies like Doctors, which vets doctors in clinics, can also help lower risks.
01:07So while combining a medical procedure with a vacation for less money than at home sounds like a dream, just be sure to do your research.