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What is Health Outsourcing?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,276
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Health outsourcing is a form of health care in which people travel for benefits, or order medical products from overseas suppliers. The vast majority of health outsourcing involves Americans traveling to Asia for surgical procedures, but people from numerous countries travel all over the world for health care. You may also hear health outsourcing referred to as a “medical vacation” or “surgery vacation,” referencing the fact that many people take advantage of their overseas trips to do a bit of exploring.

People usually take medical vacations because they are offered low prices on medical procedures. When people are uninsured, they may feel that they cannot afford the prices for surgeries and other procedures at home, so they cast a net further afield to look for lower prices elsewhere. In places like Southeast Asia, medical procedures are often much less expensive, for a variety of reasons, making the idea of taking a trip to save a substantial sum rather appealing. Some employers even offer to help employees pay for surgeries if they can find low-cost overseas alternatives, recognizing the need for healthy employees.

Sometimes, the medical care offered overseas may also be superior. In India, for example, many high quality hospitals do very innovative work, leading patients to travel from all over the world for cutting-edge procedures from world-class physicians. Many patients do their research carefully, considering both cost and quality of care and determining that overseas hospitals will meet their needs more effectively than local hospitals.

The rising popularity of health outsourcing in the 1990s led many hospitals to start programs designed to appeal to patients. In Southeast Asia, medical spas arose, where patients could enjoy luxury accommodations while receiving cosmetic procedures or going in for surgeries like hip replacements. While some people have the perception that hospitals in the developing world are all dirty with substandard conditions, this is not in fact the case, and many facilities promote their state of the art facilities, highly qualified staff, and low rates of complications. Health outsourcing is also good for overseas hospitals, because these patients spend money in the regional community, benefiting the local economy.

In addition to traveling to receive care, patients can also order products from overseas. In areas of the world where the costs for prescription drugs are very high, patients may network with international pharmacies to get the drugs they need, and in some countries, this practice is even encouraged. Medical equipment such as wheelchairs may also be sourced from overseas providers at low cost.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By myharley — On May 27, 2011

Many times US citizens retire overseas, or may even spend many of their working years outside of the country. There are a lot of countries that have excellent medical facilities.

It seems that not only has information outsourcing become fairly common, but the health outsourcing business is also growing. The more positive results that people have, the more that people will hear about it and know they have other options.

By sunshined — On May 26, 2011

I have known several people who have had cancer and have sought health outsourcing treatment outside of the country. It depends on who your insurance is with if this type of treatment will be covered or not.

It is good to know that many of the facilities are state of the art, and that you would not be receiving sub standard care. Sounds like if you do your research, it could be a good situation and something worth looking in to.

By LisaLou — On May 24, 2011

The health outsourcing I am most familiar is dental work. I have not had this done, but know that there are places where you can receive dental work in other countries for a much lower cost than in the US.

This could be very helpful if you didn't have dental insurance. I imagine that outsourcing healthcare can grow in popularity as people travel more and become more mobile.

I think you would sure want to do your research ahead of time to make sure you would be getting the best treatment you could.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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