Why Thailand leads in Medical Tourism
With 1-2 million patients a year, Thailand leads in medical tourism. Medical travelers are attracted by Thailand’s low costs and high-quality medical facilities. Medical tourism brings in $4.5 billion to the economy, about .4% of its GDP.
Aggressive Advertising
This success is due to aggressive advertising of the medical tourism industry in Thailand. Doctors and medical facilities run ads on cable TV abroad using foreign models for the foreign audience. They have contracts travel agencies and nearby five-star hotels to cater to their patients during their vacation and recovery.
Since 2004, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) began promoting medical tourism. On their website, they highlight many of the most popular treatments available, including dental work, dermatology and cosmetic surgery, as well as listing reputed hospitals. TAT also partnered with the national bank of Thailand, to offer tourists a debit card called the Miracle Thailand Card. They also offers some medical and life insurance coverage in case of an accident.
Top Medical Facilities
Hospitals and other medical facilities in Thailand pride themselves on their high standards. They comply with the highest standards to apply for international accreditation and certification. They receive random inspections to make sure they meet standards in quality and patient care.
Over half of medical travelers in Thailand go to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. It was the first hospital in Asia to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI sets very high standards for medical care and is present in over 100 countries). Over 60 facilities all over Thailand are now part of JCI.
Thai doctors and surgeons usually lead the fields they specialize. More than 500 doctors practicing in Thai hospitals are American Board Certified.
Adult Stem Cell Therapy
Some medical travelers travel to Bangkok for experimental therapies such as “adult stem cell therapy.” This heart treatment is not available in the U.S., but other countries have been doing research and testing treatments. In the procedure patients with a weak or diseased heart have stems cells taken from their blood and injected into the heart, the reasoning goes to make it stronger.
Widespread Travel
Bangkok is also the most visited city in the world. Over 20 million visitors come every year. Thailand is such a popular vacation destination, that attracting medical tourists is easier. While healthcare costs in U.S. is soaring, the costs of everything in Thailand is also very low.
Common Surgery Costs in Thailand
- Heart Bypass $15,000
- Heart Valve Replacement $11,000
- Hip Replacement $10,000
- Spinal Fusion $10,000
- Hysterectomy $3,500