With the international health care market growing to become a $40 billion—$80 billion industry in recent years, more patients are traveling across borders to receive health care than ever before — and the U.S., for one, is becoming the most sought-after destination for the affluent, according to the latest Global Citizen Index™ X-Border Medical Treatment Edition.
In 2016 alone, some 300,000 international medical travelers sought treatment in the U.S. and, on average, spent $35,000 in the process. So, what exactly does a high-priced medical treatment in the U.S. mean? From chef-prepared gourmet food and private security to top-of-the-line luxurious amenities, medical travelers are engaging American businesses like never before.
Other key takeaways from the Global Citizen Index™ include:
– 45 percent of international health care patients in the United States are aged 55 and older.
– 44 percent of patients list quality of care as their main reason for medical travel.
– 33 percent of patients are seeking treatment for life-threatening conditions.
The PYMNTS Global Citizen Index™ also features an interview with Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders. Woodman told PYMNTS that there are a variety of difficulties facing inbound patients, including increased costs and vast cultural and linguistic gaps.
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About The Index
The PYMNTS.com Global Citizen Index™, a Flywire collaboration, focuses on the economic impact of Global Citizens, individuals who typically are experienced international travelers and have the wealth or discretionary income to support the pursuit of personal priorities, including cross-border education, health care and wellness for themselves and their family members, or other experiences outside of their home countries.
