Medical Travel and Global recession.

Struggling economies and medical tourism:
The recent economic down turn and protracted recession have prompted a bigger debate about the health care costs today. There have been several speculations about the effect of tough economic times on medical travel industry. Let's review some interesting arguments here.


Disposable income and the effect on Medical Travel:
The hard economic times have created a sharp decrease in the disposable income for many middle class families. This obviously will create the postponement of optional medical care like cosmetic and bariatric surgeries. Then one might ask about the necessary procedures. There might not be a much a much a discussion about medical necessity of these procedures. The medical travel industry has felt some impact already. The slow pace of recovery did not really help the matters in this segment.


Rising premiums and increasing medical consumerism:
The Americans have seen their health care costs go up each year. The insurance companies have started passing a significant portion of these costs to the patients. With many hospitals abroad with very high standards and international accreditation's, many patients are not hesitating today. The out of the box thinking that is fueling the medical travel industry. Some patients are combining their recreational travel and medical budget to pursue the health acre abroad.


However one should understand and appreciate the fact that undertaking medical tourism is a big decision. The patients are more learned and are willing to take some matters in their own hands. It will be very interesting to watch how this will unfold in the time to come.