Health care in the United States is the most expensive in the world. Even with employer-sponsored insurance, your deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses could cost you thousands a year. It’s hard to say what’s more shocking, the astronomical bills or the cost of insurance premiums and copayments.
Because medical costs are so high here, some patients are choosing to travel abroad for care. But how much are they really saving? And could there be a better option than hopping on a flight for a doctor visit?
How Much Americans Pay For Health Care
Health care spending in the U.S. is approximately $4.9 trillion annually, which averages to around $15,000 per person. And for many Americans, nearly half that amount is spent on monthly insurance premiums to have the opportunity to use coverage.
On an employer-sponsored plan, the employer pays the bulk of the premium while the worker pays a much smaller portion. The average employee paays around $120 a month for single coverage or $570 each month for a family plan to cover their spouse and children.
For those with Marketplace insurance, the average national benchmark premium is $625; however, the average in states like Alaska, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming is more than $1,000. The states with the lowest average are New Hampshire, Maryland, Minnesota, and Virginia. With the advanced tax credit (subsidy), the average enrollee pays about $125 for their monthly premium.
Even with a decent plan, patients still have out-of-pocket costs before insurance covers certain bills:
- National average annual deductible around $2,000
- Average copayment for a primary care visit is between $10 and $50
- Range for urgent care is between $50 and $150
- Charges for labs and imaging can add $50 to $200+ to the bill
But for those enrolled in government-sponsored health insurance plans, out-of-pocket costs are minimal to non-existent. Medicaid enrollees do not pay a monthly premium, and most Medicare beneficiaries get Part A premium free. Though Part B can cost more than $200 a month.
Average Costs for Typical Medical Treatments in U.S. Vs. Abroad
While the average annual cost is around $15,000 for Americans, residents in other wealthy countries spend about half that amount. This is because the U.S. has higher prices for care, services, and drugs.
For instance, a single day in a U.S. hospital averages to a $4,000 bill. In a German or Swiss hospital, a day visit may cost only $700. Even the same medication can be twice or thrice the amount in the U.S. than it is in European countries. Around 25% of Americans report skipping tests or treatments because of health care costs.
So, some Americans engage in medical tourism to seek care at a fraction of the cost. Some examples include:
- Dental implants for $20,000 in the U.S. but only $3,000 in Colombia
- Knee replacement for $40,000 in the U.S. or $8,000 in India
- MRI scan for $1,500 in the U.S. or $100 in Mexico
Even with airfare and accommodations, uninsured or underinsured Americans can save a lot of money on these services. But those with low deductibles may end up paying more for out-of-network providers. Because in almost all cases, your home insurance plan will not cover medical treatments in another country.
That isn’t to say that there aren’t other benefits besides costs to consider. Medical tourism could mean the chance to recover somewhere peaceful, higher-quality facilities, and shorter wait times.
Procedures to Consider Doing Abroad
Get your medical care stateside if it’s an emergency, you need long-term follow-up care, or the service is covered by insurance. However, elective procedures – those typically not covered by insurance – may be significantly more affordable in another country.
Some procedures with price gaps so large that many Americans choose to travel:
- Dentistry – Smile makeovers abroad often cost less than a single veneer in the U.S. Possible savings: 60–85%
- Cosmetic Surgery – Turkey, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic offer high‑quality cosmetic surgery for dramatically less. Possible savings: 60–80%
- LASIK / Vision Correction – Many people pay less abroad for both eyes than they would for one eye in the U.S. Possible savings: 60–75%
- IVF / Fertility Treatments – Countries like Mexico, Greece, and India offer fertility treatments at a fraction of U.S. clinic prices. Possible savings: 60–85%
- Orthopedic Surgeries – A hip replacement abroad can cost less than a U.S. insurance deductible. Possible savings: 60–75%
Since insurance see many of these procedures as a lifestyle choice and not health care, you are completely out-of-pocket even with a low-deductible plan. Plans may not even cover joint replacements, hernia repairs, and cataract surgery unless deemed medically necessary.
Additional Costs to Expect With Medical Tourism
To take advantage of 60-80% off medical procedures, you have to travel. A drive to Mexico when you live in Southern California will have much lower travel costs than a flight to South Korea from a small down in Nebraska, so you should figure out how much transportation, lodgings, meals, and more will cost.
- Travel expenses — While flights are usually the biggest non‑medical cost, there’s other transportation fees to consider, such as getting to and from the airport, hospital or clinic, and accommodations.
- Accommodations — Speaking of, hotels, recovery suites, and Airbnb stays can cost very little to hundreds a night. Consider the total bill if you need a stay for 5 to 14 days depending on the procedure and follow‑up appointments.
- Food and daily living costs — You’ll also need meals and small necessities during your trip.
- Companion travel — If someone travels with you for support, double the airfare and daily living costs. Some clinics require a companion for certain surgeries.
- Passport or visa fees — A valid passport is required to enter a different country, and some countries require visas or entry fees.
- Currency exchange and banking fees — Small but real costs when paying abroad, especially if using credit cards or ATMs.
Likewise, you may want to grab any post‑procedure medications and any special supplies needed for recovery abroad if it’s a lower price.
By Marley Allison –