Medical Tourism: Where to Go, What to Expect, and What to Avoid

When you hear medical tourism, the practice of traveling to another country for medical treatment, often to save money or access care not available at home. Also known as healthcare travel, it’s not just about getting a cheaper surgery—it’s about navigating different systems, insurance rules, and real-world risks while staying safe. Millions of people do it every year, but most don’t know what they’re getting into until they’re already overseas.

One big thing to understand is how healthcare systems, the organized way a country delivers medical services, whether public, private, or mixed. Also known as national health programs, they vary wildly—from fully free care in countries like the UK and Canada to systems where tourists pay full price upfront. Then there’s travel health insurance, a policy designed to cover emergencies and treatments while abroad, separate from regular health plans. Also known as international medical insurance, it’s not optional if you’re flying out for care—Medicare doesn’t cover you outside the U.S., and even private plans often have big gaps. And don’t assume a country with free healthcare welcomes tourists. Many places restrict non-residents from using public hospitals, even for emergencies.

Some travelers head to Europe hoping to use the EHIC, the European Health Insurance Card that gives access to state-provided care in EU countries. Also known as European reciprocal healthcare, it’s not insurance—it’s a limited safety net, and it won’t cover everything from dental work to planned procedures. Others go to Canada thinking it’s easy for Americans, but the truth? You can walk into an ER, but you’ll get billed later—often at full private rates. And while places like Thailand or India offer low-cost surgeries, the trade-offs include language barriers, inconsistent standards, and no legal recourse if something goes wrong.

It’s not all risks, though. Countries with generous sick leave policies, laws that guarantee paid time off for illness, often tied to stronger overall healthcare. Also known as employee health protections, they signal a culture that values recovery—not just speed tend to have better outcomes for everyone, including visitors. And if you’re a U.S. senior, knowing where Medicare, the U.S. government health program for people 65 and older. Also known as federal senior healthcare, it’s mostly useless overseas unless you’re in very limited emergency cases might still help you avoid disaster.

Behind every story of a $10,000 knee replacement in Mexico or a heart stent in India is a checklist most people never make: Did you verify the hospital’s accreditation? Did you get your records translated? Did you confirm your insurance will even pay? This page pulls together real, practical guides on what works, what doesn’t, and what no one tells you until it’s too late. You’ll find answers about where you can actually get care, how to pay for it, and which countries are truly safe bets—or traps waiting to happen.