However, with the growing popularity of medical tourism, it is now possible to go abroad and get treatment for a fraction of the price of what you could get in the UK or USA for example.
This is even when you account into paying for flights, accommodation and an extended stay for sightseeing.
So why stay home, when you can mix tourism and getting first class medical treatment for the fraction of the price of your home country?
If you are researching top quality cheap destinations for medical tourism check out our guide to the most popular countries around the world.
Also don't be put off that our list includes countries where English isn't the native language, all doctors and medical professionals you deal with will be fluent in English.
1. Malaysia
Medical tourism is gaining in popularity in Asia and Malaysia is now one of the top destinations to visit for procedures due to having state-of-the-art medical facilities as well as some of the world’s best doctors. There are so many medical procedures on offer at very affordable prices. As this industry continues to grow in demand, there is set to be an expansion in the number of medical procedures that are available to people of all ages.
2. Costa Rica
One country which is gaining in popularity for medical tourism in recent years is Costa Rica. Medical tourism accounts for around $485 million revenue each year and this is a very popular location with Americans due to the close proximity and short flight times.
Medical tourism has really boosted the local economy in recent years as medical tourists spend on average around 7 times more than the ordinary tourist.
More and more companies are now offering more choices for those looking to have dental work and cosmetic procedures and prices are really cheap especially compared to the same treatments in the United States.
Here are some price comparisons:
- Coronary artery bypass: U.S. $88,000 / Costa Rica $31,500,
- Facelift (full): U.S. $12,500 / Costa Rica $4,500
- Heart valve replacement: U.S. $85,000 / Costa Rica $29,000
- Hip replacement: U.S. $33,000 / Costa Rica $14,500
- Knee replacement: U.S. $34,000 / Costa Rica $9,500
Another reasons to choose Costa Rica as your destination is The WTO (World Health Organization) ranks Costa Rica’s healthcare system above that of the United States!
3. Colombia
Colombia take their medical care very seriously and have a large budget reserved specifically for medical care as well as some of the worlds most modernised medical facilities.
Colombia is now one of the most up and coming countries for people looking to undergo medical procedures with over 50,000 people per year visiting the country for treatment.
Colombia is now much safer than decades ago and has low cost medical care and amazing quality results as standard, this country is the perfect option for those looking to undergo a procedure of any kind. Prices are also around 40/50% cheaper than standard comparative treatment in the USA.
There are also so many incredible places you can visit in your space time, tourism is booming throughout the country.
4. Mexico
Mexico has top rated hospitals located throughout the country and due to location with cheap flights from the USA and Europe, medical tourism is booming here.
One of the advantages of getting treatment here is most local doctors have received training abroad in the US or Europe.
If you live in the US, you don't even need to travel far or say long, most Mexican towns along the U.S./Mexico border now have places offering medical and dental treatment.
Other places like Cancun, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta and Mérida also have world class hospitals and dental facilities.
5. The UK
The United Kingdom is another country that is one of the best for medical tourism. This isn't the cheapest country for overseas visitors seeking treatment, but it is one of the best.
There are so many cosmetic procedures available from a number of the world’s leading practices. Whether you decide to opt for one of the best hair transplant UK procedures on offer, or you opt for lip fillers or another form of treatment, this is one of the best places with some of the world’s top medical professionals from around the world working here.
London is where most medical practises are based but there are also cheaper places dotted around the country
6. Turkey
Another location that has become highly popular for medical work is Turkey. There are medical facilities located throughout the country and a rising number of international patients every year. Most clinics are open 7 days a week to deal with the demand.
With so many options and also affordable prices, it is easy to see why Turkey is so popular. There are facilities in Istanbul and other locations, and there are so many historical, cultural and tourist places of interest to visit in your spare time.
If you want to get dental work done we recommend Istanbul Dental Clinic and DentGroup International – Istanbul.
7. Thailand
Thailand really is a country you have to visit with modern bustling cities, islands, beaches and resorts. Why not combine a dream holiday with the chance to get medical work done at the same time.
You can get some of the most affordable prices in the world for cosmetic, dental and other treatments. Expect well trained staff and world class medical facilities.
Just to give you an example of prices, a heart bypass operation costs around $25,000 which is over 75% cheaper than prices in the United States. Whilst a facelift costs $2,500-3,000, saving you around $10,000 if you were to have similar treatments in the US.
8. India
India is one of the cheapest countries in the world to visit as a tourist and you can also find some of the most affordable medical and dental treatments in the world.
India has the second largest population on the planet and more and more people are training to work in the medical profession. Dentists and medical workers are well respected and many have trained or been educated abroad.
Every year an estimated 100,000+ patients travel from around the world to get treatment in India and it is not uncommon for treatments to be around 75% cheaper than some countries like the US.
India is also one of the best countries for tourism, prices are very cheap and you can see amazing places like the Taj Mahal, Delhi, the Harmandir Sahib, or explore national parks.
9. Romania
Romania has been a popular destination for dental treatments for decades. Thousands of people work in the dental industry and medical tourism here is a huge industry. Prices for dental treatments are at a fraction of the price of the UK and similar western European countries. Romania is also a really underrated country for tourism, there are lots of amazing places to visit in your spare time like Bucharest, Brasov and Transylvania.
10. Hungary
If you are looking for cheap, first-class dental treatment, Hungary should be near the top of your list. Hungary has more dentists per capita than any other country in the world!
This is one of the most popular places in the world for dental tourism with prices around 50% cheaper than what they are in the UK. There are dental surgeries located throughout the country in places like Budapest which is an amazing city to visit.
Top rated places we recommend include the award winning MDental Hungary Clinic and Batorfi Dental Implant, both in central Budapest.
11. Spain
Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world and medical tourism here is growing every year. Spain is very popular with British tourists due to the weather, places and affordable medical prices.
For dental work, check out, Velez and Lozano Dental Office in Murcia and Nart Dental Clinic in Barcelona, which are two of the best.
Other Places to Consider
Where you go really depends on the type of treatment you want, how far you want to go and also your budget. Some more countries to consider which didn't quite make out list but offer fantastic value for money include: Poland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Philippines.
If you have more money then these are some other countries to consider: Panama, Switzerland, South Korea, Israel and Germany.
Hopefully our list of the best countries to travel to for overseas medical treatment has given you some ideas where to go if you are considering potential destinations.
Have you ever been abroad for a medical procedure? Got any recommendations? Let us know in the comments section below.
