Crossing borders for health care

Would you ever travel outside of the United States for medical treatment?

If the answer is yes, you’re among the ¼ of the U.S. population who said they would consider crossing borders to receive medical care.

A 2009 Gallup Poll found that 29 percent of Americans would consider traveling abroad for heart bypass surgery, hip or knee replacement, plastic surgery, cancer diagnosis and treatment, or alternative medical care, even though all are routinely done in the United States.

Of the survey respondents:

-29 percent would travel abroad for alternative medical treatments for a major medical problem.
-24 percent would seek cancer diagnosis and treatment abroad.
-15 percent would leave the country for orthopedic procedures.
-14 percent would receive heart treatment abroad.
-10 percent would seek cosmetic surgery in another country.

Those with medical insurance were less likely to consider receiving treatment in another country.

When respondents were told to assume the quality of care would be equal to that in the U.S. but at a significantly cheaper cost, more Americans were willing to consider traveling abroad.

Have you ever traveled abroad for medical treatment? If so, tell me about it in the comments section.

Or would you ever consider crossing borders for treatment? What types of treatment would you seek in another country?