Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Patients are crossing national borders in search of affordable and timely health care. Many medical tourism companies are now involved in organizing cross-border health services. Despite the rapid expansion of the medical tourism industry, few standards exist to ensure that these businesses organize high-quality, competent international health care. Addressing the regulatory vacuum, 10 standards are proposed as a framework for regulating the medical tourism industry. Medical tourism companies should have to undergo accreditation review. Care should be arranged only at accredited international health-care facilities. Standards should be established to ensure that clients of medical tourism companies make informed choices. Continuity of care needs to become an integral feature of cross-border care. Restrictions should be placed on the use of waiver of liability forms by medical tourism companies. Medical tourism companies must ensure that they conform to relevant legislation governing privacy and confidentiality of patient information. Restrictions must be placed on the types of health services marketed by medical tourism companies. Representatives of medical tourism agencies should have to undergo training and certification. Medical travel insurance and medical complications insurance should be included in the health-care plans of patients traveling for care. To protect clients from financial losses, medical tourism companies should be mandated to contribute to compensation funds. Establishing high standards for the operation of medical tourism companies should reduce risks facing patients when they travel abroad for health care.
Introduction
Increasing numbers of individuals are leaving their local communities and crossing national borders in search of affordable, timely medical care. Such countries as India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines are common destinations in Asia. In North America, many citizens of the USA and, to a lesser extent, holidaying 'snowbirds' from Canada, arrange care in Mexican hospitals and clinics located along the Mexico–US border. Other Canadians and Americans arrange medical procedures—cosmetic surgery in particular—in Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. In Europe, patients seeking inexpensive care commonly travel from Western European nations to such countries as Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. The search for affordable dental care is an important driver of health-related travel in Europe. Many countries are both departure and destination points for medical travelers. For example, while some US citizens travel abroad for treatment, citizens from other countries arrange care at such well-known US medical facilities as the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.