Latest updates on Medical Tourism

Company Specializes in Medical Tourism

By Tisha Powell (12/19/05 -- RALEIGH) -

An estimated 46 million Americans have no health insurance and according to a recent study, high medical bills contribute to almost 750,000 bankruptcies a year.

These startling statistics have many Americans searching for medical care in other countries. One local business is putting American patients in touch with foreign doctors. More than a year ago, Ann Lombardi's doctor told her she needed cataract surgery. The Raleigh woman was shocked by what he said it would cost.

"I went to other doctors around the Atlanta area and was quoted $7,000," she said.

It was a price Lombardi couldn't afford to pay, even with health insurance. So she called a friend in Germany who arranged for her to have the surgery there for only $1,200.

"It was the most positive medical experience of my life," she said.

Now Lombardi and her friend Tim Vicknair are running "European Medical Tourist" or "EMT." It's a service that helps Americans arrange medical treatment in Europe.

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India gears up for medical tourism


The government has set a target to rope in 1 million medical tourists by 2010. This could be quite an tough job as only 10,000-11,000 come in at present, say government officials.

The government hopes this would rake in at least Rs 5,000 crore in foreign exchange, says Minister of State for Tourism Renuka Chowdhury.

“In collaboration with the medical industry, price bending of hospitals has been completed for uniform prices for a particular treatment. Accreditation of hospitals and maintaining required international standards for treatment are now completed in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry and the medical industry,” said Chowdhury at a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Tourism here today.

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Business Standard