By Amy Koroba
Medical care can be expensive and out of reach, especially when your local clinic includes limited options and price ranges for the treatment you are looking for, which isn’t covered by insurance. A possible solution to that problem? Medical tourism.
What is Medical Tourism?
Medical tourism is the practice of travelling to another country to receive medical care. Medical tourism often involves combining medical treatment with leisure activities, allowing patients to explore and experience the culture of the country they are visiting.
While this practice may sound new and intimidating, medical tourism is a growing industry. Its current value is $38.2 billion in 2025, and by 2032, it is estimated that the market size will be $162.8 billion.[1]
There are also companies like PyraMedicine that serve as an agency planning patients’ trips, including treatment, accommodation, flights and local tours. Through our services, we make medical tourism accessible to millions of people worldwide.
Why Travel? The Appeals of Medical Tourism
- Technologically Advanced Care
Going abroad increases the variety of treatment options. Some countries may excel in certain types of operations due to their cultural, historical or economic background. For instance, no-needle IVF, an injection-free alternative to traditional IVF, is a recent development in the medical industry and is not commonly offered in many clinics around the world. However, countries like Egypt have a rapidly growing fertility industry and offer no-needle IVF treatments more commonly than in other countries.
- Cheaper costs
Especially for treatments that are not covered by typical insurance, medical expenses can become quite a large financial burden. Medical tourism offers treatments in other countries, which can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars. For instance, LASIK surgery, which typically costs $2000-$4000 to receive in the US, only costs around $800-$1500 in Egypt. [2] A common question that comes up is “Why travel for cheaper care if the trip will cost me a lot of money?” However, even after factoring in flight, accommodation and the treatment, many patients will still save a notable amount.
- Decreased Waiting Time
Popular surgeries often come with a long waiting list, and in extreme cases, these waiting times can go up to multiple years just to receive a consultation. For example, the waiting list in the National Health Service in the UK has grown to 7 million, and many patients travel abroad for quicker care in other countries. [3] Medical tourism allows patients to optimise their time and receive treatments quickly by flying them to clinics in countries where private healthcare has little to no wait.
- The Travelling Aspect
As its name suggests, medical tourism is not just for treatment. During their stay, patients have the opportunity to explore the country and recover from their treatment.
Evaluating the Risks – What Evidence Really Shows About Medical Tourism
- Lack of Direct Communication
In hindsight, travelling abroad for medical care raises concerns about the language barrier and miscommunication between the patient and medical staff. This may hold in some countries that don’t commonly admit international patients. However, many destinations which are common for medical tourists have adapted to the new clientele. They train their staff to be capable of communicating with their patients in English. With proper research and precautions, worry about communication can and will be mitigated.
- Diseases and Safety Control
Different countries have various safety protocols and patient protection laws regarding medical care. This variation creates risks for patients receiving their care in a country with little regulation and low standards. One way a patient can find a safe hospital is through safety certifications around the world that provide a standard of safety that the hospital is recognised to follow. For example, Joint Commission International is an organisation that accredits hospitals through its safety standards. Along with these qualifications, patients can consult with their local doctors to ensure that they are capable of the trip. Patients can also use travel insurance to mitigate the risks of medical tourism.
- Continuity of Care
As medical tourism involves travel to receive treatment, many worry about post-operative care and checkups after they return. However, with the development of telemedicine, patients can now connect with medical staff online and receive consultation and care even after returning to their home country.
Still Worried? Here’s How PyraMedicine Can Help
Medical tourism is a promising solution to the rising cost, wait time and limited availability of healthcare around the world, and it comes with an enjoyable trip that allows patients to create memories and experience a new culture. Additionally, the common concerns listed above can be reduced and even eliminated with the right research.
However, patients may still feel intimidated by the idea of foreign medical care. Searching for safety qualifications, coordinating travel, and other processes that come with medical tourism can be overwhelming when done alone.
This is where specialised medical tourism services like PyraMedicine can help. We arrange patients’ treatment, airport transfer, flights, accommodation and tours in their destination. We also provide consultations to ensure accurate communication and will support their patients even after the treatment is finished. Our services in Egypt offer individually-tailored packages that match patients with internationally accredited doctors and clinics. Through our guidance, patients will access high-quality and quick healthcare with certainty that their trip will be well-organised, safe, and enjoyable.
Resources
- Fortune Business Insights. (2024). Medical Tourism Market Size, Growth | Research Report [2028]. Www.fortunebusinessinsights.com. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/medical-tourism-market-100681
- LASIK Surgery in Egypt – PyraMedicine. (2025). Pyramedicine.com. https://pyramedicine.com/procedures/eye-surgery/lasik-surgery-in-egypt/
- News Desk. (2025, August 28). Rethinking healthcare abroad: Why more UK patients are choosing India and The Medical Travel Company. Health Tech World. https://www.htworld.co.uk/news/rethinking-healthcare-abroad-why-more-uk-patients-are-choosing-india-and-tmtc-sb25/?
