How are US tariffs fueling the rise of medical tourism?

Key destinations include India, Thailand, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Recent shifts in US trade policy, particularly tariffs on imports from countries like China, are driving up healthcare costs and prompting more Americans to seek treatment abroad, according to GlobalData.

Key destinations include India, Thailand, Mexico, and Costa Rica due to lower costs and internationally accredited healthcare facilities.

For instance, a knee replacement procedure that can cost over $50,000 in the US is typically priced between $8,000 and $12,000 in India or Mexico.

“Whilst the intended impact of tariffs may not have been to affect healthcare, they do shape patient behaviour,” said Alexandra Murdoch, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData.

Tariffs on imported surgical tools, diagnostic equipment, and protective gear are raising costs for US healthcare providers, widening the price gap with overseas care and pushing more patients to seek treatment abroad.