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It should come as no surprise that in recent years, the number of Canadians seeking medical tourism abroad has risen steadily.

Long wait times for urgent procedures, limited or no access to specialized, experimental or new treatments, and the high cost of certain out-of-pocket procedures in Canada vs. abroad are the main drivers of this exponentially growing trend.  

Patients Going to Another Province

Some Canadians opt to leave their own province where a given service is available and is covered by provincial medicare to pursue the same service in another province and pay out of pocket. Why? Because the waiting time in their province is beyond what they’re prepared to wait. They are not permitted to pay for it privately in their own province. So instead, they are travelling to another province where clinics and hospitals now set aside times for surgical procedures for private payors from other provinces and from abroad. 

Unfortunately, while we hear that it’s happening a lot, the statistics are hard to come by.  It’s a sensitive issue because, for example, Canadians are currently waiting on average 8 months for procedures like hip and knee surgeries (from the time their GPs are referring them to a specialist to the time they actually get into the operating room). The “tourists” paying out-of-pocket are in essence, skipping to the front of the line and adding to the wait times for the province’s own patients.

Patients Leaving the Country

Canadians seeking medical care abroad are a lot more measurable and are engaging in medical tourism in what is likely much higher numbers than reported. From 2017 to 2021, Canadians spent as much as $2.3 billion on out-of-country health care. According to reports published by the Fraser Institute, over 50,000 Canadians left the country in 2022 and that was a big jump over the previous years. The numbers continue to climb dramatically.

Are you travelling with a medical condition? Make sure you follow our 9 crucial tips so you can travel safely and in confidence!

Bon Voyage!

Treatments Most Sought After by Medical Tourists

With some treatments done abroad coming in at upwards of 80% lower than the out-of-pocket price in Canada, it is not surprising to understand why cost savings is the leading reason that Canadians are flying out-of-country. In many cases, they’re combining a procedure with a vacation. For example, Turkey is now a leading destination for hair transplantation.

Here is a list of the most sought-after treatments abroad:

  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Dental surgery
  • Fertility treatments
  • Organ and tissue transplantation
  • Cancer treatment
  • Experimental treatments (ie. stem cell treatments)
  • Cardiac surgery
  • Bariatric or weight loss surgery
  • Second opinions and diagnostics where time is of the essence.

While many of these services are sought out due to cost savings, another major factor driving this tourism is to pursue treatments that are either new or experimental, or not yet available in Canada. Every country has its own regulatory structure for healthcare services and medications. In a public healthcare system such as we have in Canada, it’s not surprising to learn that the country isn’t always willing to invest in the latest and greatest.

Pursuing a treatment you’ve heard about that is only offered in Germany, for example, can be accessible if you do the research yourself and if you’re willing to pay for it. Here are a few of the more common examples found through research on the Web (including Wikipedia):

  1. Stem Cell Therapies: Certain stem cell treatments are not yet approved in Canada.  Examples include therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and orthopedic issues.
  2. Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Treatment: Some Canadians with multiple sclerosis have sought the “liberation procedure” abroad, a treatment not available in Canada due to insufficient evidence of its efficacy.
  3. Fertility Treatments: Some countries have more permissive guidelines for procedures such as surrogacy and certain assisted reproductive technologies.
  4. Experimental Cancer Treatments: Patients sometimes travel to access novel cancer therapies or clinical trials not offered domestically.
  5. Advanced Cardiac Procedures: Innovative cardiac treatments, including specific types of surgeries or interventions not yet standard in Canada, are sought by some patients abroad.

Where Are We Going?

There are many reasons why Canadians choose certain countries for their medical tourism. Reasons can include: proximity to Canada, cost savings (even with travel figured in), immediacy with which treatment can be booked, proven expertise in the treatment, a beautiful setting, access to treatment not yet available in Canada, return to native culture and language, and even quality of care.

For these reasons the following destinations are preferred by Canadian medical tourists: United States, Mexico, India, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Costa Rica, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Israel and Brazil.

Risks of Medical Tourism

While there is no shortage of very happy and satisfied patients who have pursued treatment abroad, it’s important to bear in mind that medical tourism has its own set of risks. Here are some of the things to consider:

  • Standards of care vary from country to country, and indeed from doctor to doctor. You don’t want to come home to find that you’ve contracted Hepatitis or an antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to the low hygienic standards experienced abroad.
  • The quality of care will vary as well. Licensing and credentialing may have less stringent requirements in certain countries.
  • Flying immediately after surgery can increase your risk of blood clots.
  • If you don’t speak the local language, you may not have a clear understanding of what is happening.
  • If something goes wrong, your legal recourse may be very limited.
  • Post treatment follow up can be a challenge once you’re back in Canada if there is an adverse reaction.
  • The cost is more than the procedure itself. Don’t forget to figure in the cost of travel, hotel, meals etc. 

Whether driven by cost savings, access to cutting-edge or unavailable treatments, or simply the convenience of timely care, the trend of seeking healthcare abroad is on the rise. However, this growing phenomenon comes with significant considerations and risks.

Prospective medical tourists must weigh the potential benefits against the challenges, including varying standards of care, legal limitations, and the complexities of follow-up care. With careful research, informed decision-making, and a clear understanding of the journey ahead, medical tourism can be a viable solution for those seeking better health and well-being beyond Canada’s borders.

~Read more from The Health Insider~

The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

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Elan is the Founder of The Health Insider and Editor-in-Chief as well as President and CEO of RSRS, one of Canada’s largest health records repositories. Having worked extensively with both health practitioners and patients alike over the years, Elan has come to understand the importance of the patient’s proactive and collaborative involvement in their own health management.

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