After spending several months studying the evolution of "consumerism" in health care, I was interested to read the “Medical Leave” article in the latest Fast Company magazine. With costs soaring, consumers have been forced to take more control in their own health management. This battle leads some US citizens overseas.
In his article, Greg Lindsay notes “As many as half a million Americans streamed abroad last year in search of affordable alternatives for hip replacements or prostate surgery. And they went not for the post-surgical tanning but for the savings: up to 90% off the going rates in the United States.”
High deductibles or the lack of insurance is causing consumers to shop more wisely for treatment. It will be interesting to see if “Medical Tourism” will give way to “Globalized Health Care.”