Patients Beyond Borders in the News

Medical Tourism: Closing the International Healthcare Gap
AARP International's The Journal, 2012
We are honored to have been invited to pen the first article on medical tourism for the prestigious AARP International's The Journal, distributed worldwide to high-level government and policy personnel. In this article, Woodman introduces medical travel as a vital component to global healthcare and explains its impact on the international medical community. Read More

Operacja Bangkok
Forbes Poland, February 2012
"Od wybielania zębów przez zmianę płci po operacje na otwartym sercu. W ubiegłym roku ponad 1,5 miliona turystów odwiedziło Tajlandię, by wydać w sumie 2,15 mld dol. na usługi medyczne. Tak powstawał światowy lider w tej branży" Read More

Patients Beyond Borders and Medeguide form alliance
International Medical Travel Journal, 23 January 2012
"Patients Beyond Borders, a source of consumer and industry information about international health travel, and Medeguide, an online international doctor directory, have formed an alliance to provide patients with search tools for global healthcare options, and to provide hospitals and health travel third parties with a unique offering of branding and marketing tools for the international patient." Read More

Wealthcare
Southeast Asia Globe, 13 January 2012
"Private hospitals are capitalising on strained Western health services and rising Asian incomes." Read More

Medical Travel Is Poised to Gain Momentum in 2012
Travel Market Report, 5 January 2012
"Will 2012 be the year that medical travel takes off? With PepsiCo’s announcement last month that it will cover certain medical travel costs for its 250,000 domestic employees, medical travel experts say it could well be." Read More

Trends for 2012
Dentistry IQ, 5 January 2012
"Globalization of medical and dental care and practice will become a progressively more prevailing way to meet these needs. Medical tourism has always been a niche option for a fortunate or not-so-fortunate few. It seems to be for more daring types; however, it is becoming a typical option for anyone with a passport." Read More

Flying patients—Global
Monocle, January 2012
"Consumers are increasingly looking beyond their native borders for low-cost, quality healthcare – and if there’s a safari thrown into the package, all the better. Monocle looks at the global hotspots attracting patients wanting anything from hi-tech surgery to a facelift." Read More

Health Care Bargains Abroad
Kiplinger, January 2012
"Bruce Pearson owns a nursery, raising orchids and other lush flora in Boynton Beach, Fla. But it was painful sciatica that made his back as delicate as a hothouse flower. While leading an eco-tour in Thailand a few years ago, Pearson experienced back pain so severe that it put him in a local hospital. The treatment he received converted him into an enthusiastic medical tourist." Read More

Visite nuestras playas... y nuestras ¡clínicas!
Capital, January 2012
"Los viajes por motivos de salud suponen una lucrativa industria que mueve miles de millones. Desde Israel hasta estados unidos, pasando por India, medio centenar de países pelean para lograr su trozo de este jugoso pastel." Read More

Money Power: Be careful with foreign medical trip
Tulsa World, 31 December 2011
"If you're considering medical travel, your first stop should be the book Patients Beyond Borders by Josef Woodman, a comprehensive guide to medical travel with information about the best international hospitals and clinics." Read More

Spending: Save on health care abroad
Chicago Tribune, 30 December 2011
"This year, more than a half-million US residents will get medical care abroad, according to Patients Beyond Borders, a consumer advisory service. That number is likely to grow at a 25 percent to 35 percent annual rate." Read More

More People Heading Overseas to Receive Medical Treatment
Fox Business News, 2 December 2011
Fox Business's Cheryl Casone interviews Patients Beyond Borders founder, Josef Woodman, about opportunities to save on costly medical procedures by heading overseas. Read More

Medical Travel a Hot Topic at AARP Conference
Travel Market Report, 13 October 2011
"Medical travel as an option to control the cost of healthcare is getting noticed by AARP members." Read More

More Americans going abroad for medical treatment to save money
Daily News, 11 October 2011
"At the same time, the view of medical standards in exotic locales in South and Central America and Asia has improved dramatically—and for good reason. Over the past decade, more than 400 organizations in 39 countries have been accredited by the Joint Commission International, which is affiliated with the same body that accredits US hospitals." Read More

Top 5 Alternatives to Traditional Health Insurance
HealthNews, 7 October 2011
"For the underinsured and uninsured, medical tourism provides choices in quality medical care at more affordable prices than they can get in the United States. Even with travel expenses included, patients still come out well ahead in out-of-pocket expenses, as procedures are 30 to 90 percent cheaper abroad (varies by country and procedure)." Read More

Stay Healthy, Save Money: 5 Ways You Can Take Charge of Your Healthcare Costs
Huffington Post, 30 September 2011
"During my travels over the past five years, I have met hundreds of patients in dozens of hospitals, and I've repeatedly observed that proactive patients tend to be rewarded with satisfactory, affordable solutions and successful outcomes, while those who settle for the status quo get what's meted out to them." Read More

Hey, We're Number ... Uh ... 36!
Truth Out, 27 September 2011
"As we wrestle with the increasingly expensive burden of health care, why does such a large segment of the American population ignore or spurn the example of countries that provide their citizens better care at a lower price?" Read More

Top Ten Medical Procedures You Can Do Abroad
PeterGreenberg.com, 26 September 2011
"Half of travel planning is looking for the right deal. We seek out affordable airfare, car rentals, accommodations, even entertainment. Why not also 'shop' for value with your healthcare? Josef Woodman, author of Patients Beyond Borders and healthcare advocate, argues it’s high time to choose to go abroad for some of your medical needs." Read More

Good News: Your Medical Options Now Include Latin America
AARP Blog, 29 September 2011
"Today, as guest blogger, we have one of our speakers for AARP’s upcoming Life@50. Josef Woodman is the author of Patients Beyond Borders, the bestselling consumer reference for international health travel, and is a leading advocate of affordable, high-quality medical care for healthcare consumers worldwide. Read below to get his take on why traveling to Latin America for health treatments may make sense for some patients." Read More

Medical Tourism: A New (and Affordable) Force in Health Care
HealthNews, 15 September 2011
"Also of concern to many are the standards of the facilities. According to Patients Beyond Borders, the governments of countries such as India and Thailand have poured billions of dollars into improving their healthcare systems. In their zest to cater to medical tourists, they offer VIP waiting lounges, deluxe hospital accommodations, and medically staffed recuperation 'resorts.'" Read More

Medical tourism: A faraway health fix
Chicago Tribune, 3 August 2011
"In the meantime, other trends have emerged. A rise in quality surgical care in Latin America and Mexico — JCI accredited several hospitals in Mexico in the last three years — has given Americans the option to take short trips for cardiac, orthopedic and other highly invasive surgeries that used to be the purview of majestic medical centers in Thailand or India, Woodman said." Read More

Medical tourism: Is Now the Time to Offer This Benefit?
Benefits Magazine, July 2011
"Medical tourism—seeking medical services abroad—may make sense as an employee benefit. Some procedures are significantly less costly abroad, and many foreign facilities offer topnotch, safe medical care. Medical tourism facilitators can offer guidance." Read More

Health Costs in Singapore
The Diplomat, 23 June 2011
"The patient died of cancer, and Brunei later complained about the costs of her bill and won support from Patients Beyond Borders, which is calling for increased oversight amid tarnished reputations at all levels." Read More

Brunei Royalty’s $20 Million Bill May Thwart Singapore’s Medical Ambitions
Bloomberg, 19 June 2011
“Reputations are tarnished at all levels” with such scandals, said Josef Woodman, who spent more than five years researching medical tourism and is the author of Patients Beyond Borders, a guide to finding offshore medical treatment. “This underscores the need for improved oversight and regulations that would help to prevent abuses.” Read More

Medical tourism wins fans
Reuters, 15 June 2011
"The savings can be significant. Angioplasty that can cost up to $43,000 in the U.S. costs $4,700 in India, or $7,300 in Malaysia, according to data compiled by patientsbeyondborders.com. And in terms of amenities, hospitals like the famed Bumrungrad in Bangkok put their cash-strapped American counterparts to shame. Touches like marble floors, gourmet food, and “Royal Suites,” more reminiscent of a resort than a hospital." Read More

Medical Tourism Map: Where Patients Go to Save
Mint.com, 7 June 2011
"As out-of-pockets costs for medical treatment climb in the US, more and more overseas health providers are catering to American patients who seek to save money on their procedures." Read More

Hungary, Turkey, Oklahoma See Gains in Medical Travel
Travel Market Report, 19 May 2011
"'Healthcare is flourishing throughout Latin America,' Woodman said... 'This is good news for the short-haul US and Canadian traveler, as well as expats and citizens in the region.'" Read More

High-tech and low prices attract medical tourists
The Wall Street Journal, 17 May 2011
"Turkey has a robust healthcare system and hospitals... It should make Westerners—or anyone considering medical tourism—put Turkey on a short list of preferred destinations." Read More

Trends
The Milken Institute Review, Second Quarter 2011
"Is medical tourism ready for prime time? Absolutely. Will it affect the price or quality of US health care? Not anytime soon." Read More

Market is Ripe for Short-Haul Medical Travel
Travel Market Report, 18 April 2011
"Travel agents should 'take a good long look' at specializing in growing short-haul markets in the Southwest and Southeast for medical travel to Mexico and Central America." Read More

Taiwan taps China for lucrative medical tourism market
BBC News, 31 March 2011
"The middle class in China is growing far more rapidly then the Chinese healthcare system can keep up with," says Woodman. Read More

Nip & Tuck: medical tourism on the rise
ABC, 18 March 2011
Patients Beyond Borders speaks out on the savings and benefits of traveling to Monterrey, Mexico for medical care. Read More

Malaysia's healthcare value and quality go hand in hand
eTurboNews, 3 March 2011
"Few 'outsiders' know of Malaysia's progress in the medical field... 'Malaysia is one of the few destinations that offer the trifecta for English-speaking medical tourists: excellent healthcare, low costs, and English spoken throughout the country.'" Read More

Helseturisme med bismak
MandagMorgen, 14 February 2011
The increasing health tourism market gives a number of developing countries access to greater revenue. But this rapidly growing market for the purchase of health services across national boundaries can also contribute to the impoverishment of the health sector in many countries. Read More

Medical tourism pros consider impact of healthcare reform
Travel Weekly, 25 January 2011
"It is still unclear how health care reform will play out in the US, let alone in the global medical tourism marketplace—whether having more or better coverage will encourage Americans who might have sought medical procedures abroad to get the health care they need in the US instead, or whether the US health care system will in fact become more strained, pushing even more people to seek alternatives abroad." Read More

Medical Tourism for Plastic Surgery, Fertility Treatments, Dental and Primary Care
Yahoo! Associated Content, 19 January 2011
"Although medical tourism has received a lot of attention for its nip-tuck-type trips, you can get both medically-necessary and cosmetic treatments done by talented physicians around the globe." Read More

Outlook 2011: 1.6 Million Medical Travelers = Enticing Opportunities
Travel Market Report, 3 January 2011
"Medical travel is poised to become a profitable niche for travel sellers willing to invest in education, training and marketing in an industry that currently includes an estimated 1.6 million travelers." Read More

After Surgery to Slim Down, the Bills Can Pile Up
The New York Times, 31 December 2010
"Some people without insurance coverage choose to have bariatric surgery in Latin America or Asia, where the cost is 40 percent to 70 percent less than in the United States, according to Josef Woodman, author of Patients Beyond Borders, a consumer guide to medical tourism." Read More

Taiwan Wants to Touch Your Heart
China RealTime Report, 7 December 2010
"Speaking to reporters over the weekend, President Ma Ying-jeou said the government planned to get serious about drawing visitors to the island, not for its night market eats or museums, but to undergo medical procedures like heart surgery or fertility treatment." Read More

News Highlights from 2010

Taiwan cashes in on medical tourism
The Straits Times, Singapore, 12 November 2010
"But, as Mr Woodman told a press briefing organized by the task force, Taiwan has one major edge: geography. 'You could focus just on the mainland Chinese audience and have more medical tourists than you know what to do with,' quipped Mr Woodman." Read More

Medi-Spas Get a Facelift
AsiaSpa, September 2010
"'With the Asian spa scene proliferating at a spectacular rate it is unsurprising that Asia-based spa owners and groups are interspersing deep tissue massages and exfoliating facials with blood and urine analyses, stress tests and genomics,' says Josef Woodman, author of medi-tourism guidebook, Patients Beyond Borders." Read More

Sea, Sun, and Scalpels: Brazil's Bid to Be the Four Seasons of Medical Tourism
Fast Company, 31 August 2010
"Brazil, which has seen the number of foreign patients rise from 48,000 in 2005 to 180,000 last year—and is growing at a 30% clip year-over-year—is poised to draw still more from its neighbors and the US thanks to shorter flights and a bump from futebol." Read More

Medical Tourism Today: Patients Beyond Borders
Peter Greenberg Worldwide, 18 August 2010
"Ever considered going to Bangkok for knee surgery? How about Mexico for dental work? Peter recently chatted with Josef Woodman, the author of Patients Beyond Borders, a guide to medical tourism, about the trend of traveling abroad for affordable health care." Listen to the interview

The Top 10 Medical Travel Destinations
International Living, 1 June 2010
"Many vacationers already know Chennai, India, for its long sandy beaches and Costa Rica for its rich, tropical landscape. But both places are also among the top 10 destinations for medical tourism." Read More

Traveling Abroad for Medical Care
AARP, June 2010
"International medical travel is growing in popularity due to cost savings and, for many Hispanics, language and cultural reasons. Dr. Elmer Huerta explains the importance of researching the quality of doctors and hospitals before making a decision to receive medical care overseas." Read More

Aided By A New Book Lauding Its Low-Cost Hospitals, Turkey Has Launched A Drive to Attract Medical Tourism
Frommer's, 3 March 2010
"'Think Turkey.' That's the novel message of a new, Turkey-specific edition of Patients Beyond Borders, the book that has brought a great deal of attention to the possibility of seeking low-cost medical treatments in foreign countries." Read More

Growing Reasons to Consider Medical Tourism
US News & World Report, 12 February 2010
"Medical tourism, largely grounded last year by the sharp economic downturn, is expected to make a comeback as people begin to feel more positive about their finances." Read More

News Highlights from 2009

"Medical Tourism" to Grow as Thrift Prevails
The Street, 10 November 2009
"Post-recession thrift, health care reform and the aging baby boom generation will likely lead to a surge in overseas 'medical tourism.'" Read More

A Global Guide to Medical Tourism
Oprah.com, 9 November 2009
Oprah introduces her audience for the first time to medical tourism; Patients Beyond Borders author lends advice to patients considering travel overseas for medical care. Read More

Medical Tourism: Update and Implications - 2009 Report
Deloitte, 23 October 2009
Deloitte Center for Health Solutions cites JCI and Patients Beyond Borders as "neutral overseers" in recently released medical tourism report update. Read More

Renowned hospitals lead medical tourism
The Korea Herald, 26 August 2009
In the second of a two-part series on medical tourism in Korea, The Korea Herald reviews Korea’s leading international hospitals and medical travel destinations. Read More

Book to boost nation's healthcare profile
New Straits Times, 7 July 2009
"Malaysia is set to raise its profile in healthcare travel through an international guide on medical services in the country." Read More

Medical tourism: Have illness, will travel
CNN, 26 March 2009
"Josef Woodman, author of Patients Beyond Borders, a guide to medical tourism, told CNN that two to three million people travel outside their home country for treatment each year, while consultancy firm Deloitte calculates that 750,000 Americans traveled abroad for treatment last year." Read More

Going Abroad to Find Affordable Health Care
The New York Times, 21 March 2009
"The cost of surgery performed overseas can be as little as 20 percent of the price of the same procedure in the United States, according to a recent report by the American Medical Association." Read More

Singapore backs healthcare to heal financial trauma
The Daily Star, 15 March 2009
"As the global recession hits Singapore's manufacturing and shipping business, the government of the city-state now focuses on attracting more international patients to its world-class hospitals with competitive price offer to help maintain its economy." Read More

News Highlights from 2008

Medical Tourism: Surviving the Global Recession
Business Week, 9 November 2008
"For years, some of Asia's premier hospitals have been popular destinations for US patients who either lack health insurance or can't get coverage for certain procedures. And recently there have been signs that insurance companies might start actively encouraging this trend to save on costs." Read More

Booming trend is standard operating procedure
The Miami Herald, 2 November 2008
"As the national debate over America's medical insurance system rages on, a quiet revolution is taking place behind the scenes. In growing numbers, the nation's 61 million uninsured and underinsured citizens are giving up on a system that doesn't meet their needs and are seeking medical treatment abroad." Read More

A guide for Americans seeking affordable medical treatment abroad
Los Angeles Times, 1 November 2008
"Improving quality and bargain prices are luring US patients to developing countries for increasingly sophisticated procedures." Read More

Special Report: Need Surgery? Call a Travel Agent
Men's Health Magazine, October 2008
"Hospital care in the United States is expensive, and rates of surgical complications and infections can be high. Those are just three reasons why your best option for surgery might be overseas." Read More

Riz Khan on Medical Tourism
Al Jazeera English, 8 September 2008
Noted international talk show host Riz Khan interviews the author of Patients Beyond Borders on the pros and cons of medical travel. Watch on YouTube

The Top Five Countries for Medical Travel
Foreign Policy, August 2008
"Experts project the international market for medical travel to explode in the coming years as more Americans and others, fed up with high costs and long wait times, seek everything from knee and hip replacements to bypass surgeries." Read More

Book Lauds Nation's Medical Tourism
Taipei Times, 30 July 2008
"Taiwan is meeting the health needs of its people. Rated as having the second-best health care system in the world, it also offers tourism opportunities." Read More

Under The Knife In Bangalore
CBS News, 3 May 2008
"If he could have, Brad Barnum would have kissed the ground when he climbed out of the car in Ruidoso, New Mexico, at the end of March. But the 53-year-old building contractor had undergone major remodeling himself—and his new knee and two new hips ruled out kneeling for a few more weeks." Read More

Check in, Check up
Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, April 2008
"With its world-class and luxurious medical facilities at affordable prices, Asia may become as popular for medical tourists as it is for holidaymakers." Read More

News Highlights from 2007

Globalizing Healthcare Q&A: Preparing for a Surgery Abroad
NPR, 14 November 2007
Patients Beyond Borders author responds to questions about preferred medical travel destinations, costs, and potential complications. Read More

Patient Travelers
Forbes, 20 October 2007
Forbes reports on the rising trend of medical travel, with focus on JCI accreditation and India’s Wockhardt Hospital. Read More

Passport to Cheaper Health Care?
Good Housekeeping Magazine, October 2007
"You can have surgery for less than half the price, but only in countries where you wouldn't drink the water. Is 'medical tourism' a brilliant solution—or a too-risky business?" Read More

Operation Vacation: Big Savings Have More Overseas Travelers Mixing Surgery With Sightseeing
The Washington Post, 9 September 2007
Inspired by Patients Beyond Borders, Washington Post staff writer Cindy Loose accompanies a patient to Thailand for a heart surgery. Read More

Prescriptions for Problems? Is It Safe to Get Your Healthcare Abroad?
Fox News, 15 July 2007
Fox News anchor Catherine Herridge interviews Josef Woodman and Peter Lavine on the pros and cons of international medical travel, hospital accreditation and more. Watch the interview

Medical Tourism's Popularity on the Rise
Financial Times, 22 June 2007
"'When I returned from my tour of 20 hospitals overseas, I showed my son the slides, and he kept asking if they were photos of my hotel,' Woodman says. 'In fact they were all pictures of the wards.'" Read More

Road Reads: Patients Beyond Borders
The Washington Post, 15 April 2007
“Forget shady Mexican clinics for phony cancer treatments. Today, more than 100 American-accredited hospitals around the world—particularly in Asia—offer complex, high-tech treatments, often in luxurious hospitals and recuperation centers... Woodman’s book is a practical guide to planning a medical trip.” Read More

Sun, Sand and Scalpels
The Economist, 8 March 2007
America’s soaring healthcare costs are creating huge shifts in global healthcare services. Asian hospitals, filled with international medical travelers, are expanding facilities and services to keep up with demand. Read More