Medical tourism is still small

Although there remains potential for huge growth in the industry, the number of people traveling the globe for medical treatment likely is far lower than commonly assumed, according to a study by consulting firm McKinsey & Co. Just 60,000 to 85,000 patients a year travel to another country expressly for inpatient hospital care each year, according to the study. In addition, most aren't seeking low-cost care in the developing world, but many of the medical tourists instead seek the latest treatments available in the United States and other industrialized countries.