The current economic downturn is testing one sector that has long been believed to be recession proof – health care. While not entirely unaffected, the medical tourism industry is weathering the storm in a composed manner. Low cost health care certainly has attributes that appeal to everyone.

Traditionally, patients from lower income families have traveled abroad to take advantage of lower cost health care and to minimize wait periods. The medical tourism industry is now seeing an increasing number of higher-income patient’s seeking health care overseas. Health care insurance providers are also seeing the benefits of outsourcing health care to accredited hospitals outside of their own borders. One of the largest health benefits companies in the United States announced a new international medical tourism product aimed at helping recession-struck Americans cut their healthcare costs. One significant feature about this product is that members can opt for non-urgent procedures at healthcare facilities in Thailand.

Despite being non-essential, cosmetic surgery saw an overall growth of 8%. The biggest news was the 17% increase in plastic surgery for men! Botox injections were administered almost 3 million times making it the most popular non-surgical procedure. Liposuction remains at the top spot for surgical procedures while breast augmentation comes in at a close second.

According to a study published by Deloitte Consulting in August 2008 the number of Americans travelling abroad for treatment will increase from 750,000 in 2007 to 6 million by 2010 and reach 10 million by 2012. The authors are forecasting a market in excess of $21 billion for developing countries in four years time.

Center stage is Thailand, where this year’s World Medical Health Tourism Conference is being held. Phuket, labeled ‘The Jewel of the Andaman’, is hosting the largest medical tourism event of 2009. The venue for this standout event will be the lavish Hilton Arcadia Resort set on 75 acres of tropical gardens located on Phuket’s West coast. The conference will be the perfect opportunity to solidify Thailand’s hold as the world’s top destination for outsourced health care. Metamorphosis Medical Retreats will be there expanding our network to provide you with even more choices and specialized services.

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