United States Medical Tourism Market By Treatment Type (Cardiovascular Treatment, Orthopedic Treatment, Cosmetic Treatment, Bariatric Treatment, Dental Treatment, and Others), By Service (Public and Private), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.08 BIllion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.73%
Fastest Growing Segment	Cardiovascular Treatment
Largest Market	South
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.03 BIllion

Market Overview

The United States Medical Tourism Market will grow from USD 4.08 BIllion in 2025 to USD 6.03 BIllion by 2031 at a 6.73% CAGR. The United States Medical Tourism Market consists of the industry sector facilitating specialized medical care for international travelers entering the country and domestic patients seeking treatment overseas. Primary drivers fueling this sector include the availability of superior medical technologies and the global reputation of American hospitals for managing complex health conditions. According to the Medical Tourism Association, in 2024, 63.3% of patients surveyed reported that accreditation influenced their choice of provider. This preference for certified quality strongly supports US institutions that adhere to rigorous safety standards and attract patients valuing distinct clinical excellence.

Despite these strengths, the exorbitant cost of medical procedures in the United States presents a substantial challenge to broader market growth. High expenses often discourage potential international patients who can find comparable clinical outcomes in other nations at a significantly lower price. This pricing disparity limits the potential volume of inbound medical tourists and concurrently encourages the outflow of domestic patients to more affordable global destinations.

Key Market Drivers

The global reputation for clinical excellence serves as the primary anchor for inbound patient flows, particularly for high-acuity interventions. International travelers prioritize American institutions for their ability to manage complex medical conditions that require specialized expertise and multidisciplinary teams. According to Newsweek, February 2024, in the 'World's Best Hospitals 2024' rankings, United States facilities occupied four of the top five positions globally. This standing attracts high-net-worth individuals seeking superior clinical outcomes often unavailable in their home regions. Furthermore, according to the Mayo Clinic, February 2024, in the '2023 Annual Report', the organization provided care to more than 1.3 million patients from approximately 130 countries, highlighting the sustained global demand for United States-based specialized care despite competitive pressures.

Escalating domestic treatment costs significantly influence the market by driving the outbound segment. As healthcare expenses rise, many United States residents seek affordable alternatives abroad for elective, dental, and cosmetic procedures that are often not fully covered by insurance plans. This price disparity creates a robust market for foreign providers capable of offering comparable quality at significantly reduced rates. According to KTSM 9 News, June 2024, in the 'Medical tourism booming in Juarez' report, patients traveling across the border for dental care realized savings of up to 70 percent compared to domestic prices. Consequently, the sector is characterized by a dual dynamic where clinical prestige attracts inbound volume, while economic necessity propels the outflow of patients to cost-effective destinations.

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Key Market Challenges

The exorbitant cost of medical procedures in the United States constitutes a significant impediment to the expansion of the local medical tourism sector. While American healthcare providers offer exceptional clinical expertise, the substantial financial burden associated with treatment often deters international travelers. Prospective patients frequently bypass the US in favor of destinations in Asia or Latin America, where they can secure comparable medical outcomes at a fraction of the price. This intense price sensitivity drastically limits the volume of inbound tourists, particularly self-paying individuals who cannot justify the premium rates charged by US facilities.

Moreover, this pricing disparity actively fuels the outbound market segment, resulting in a loss of potential domestic revenue. US hospitals face massive operational overheads that necessitate high service fees, rendering them less competitive on a global scale. According to the American Hospital Association, in 2024, total hospital expenses grew by 5.1 percent, a rate that significantly outpaced broader inflation. This persistent rise in operational costs forces institutions to maintain elevated pricing structures, which concurrently discourages inbound travel and motivates budget-conscious American patients to seek more affordable healthcare solutions overseas.

Key Market Trends

Major United States employers are actively establishing domestic medical travel programs that contract directly with "Centers of Excellence" (COE) to improve surgical outcomes and control spending. Instead of relying on local networks, these corporations cover travel and treatment expenses for employees to visit top-tier out-of-state hospitals known for superior results in high-acuity procedures. This approach not only ensures consistent quality but also leverages bundled payment models to mitigate rising healthcare costs. According to the Business Group on Health, August 2024, in the '2025 Employer Health Care Strategy Survey', 35% of large employers plan to actively pursue Centers of Excellence as a primary delivery reform strategy to enhance value and efficiency.

Providers are concurrently prioritizing the integration of telehealth technologies to streamline the medical tourism experience for international patients. By utilizing virtual consultations for pre-operative assessments and post-discharge follow-ups, hospitals can significantly reduce the necessary duration of a patient's physical stay in the United States while maintaining high continuity of care. This digital connectivity reduces logistical barriers and fosters long-term relationships between foreign patients and American specialists. According to Cleveland Clinic, February 2024, in the 'Facts & Figures 2024' report, the health system facilitated over 1.1 million virtual visits, evidencing the massive scale at which premier institutions are operationalizing remote care capabilities to serve a broader patient base.

Segmental Insights

Cardiovascular treatment currently stands as the fastest-growing segment in the United States medical tourism market due to rising global demand for specialized cardiac care. International patients frequently choose American facilities for complex procedures such as bypass surgery and valve replacements, driven by superior clinical outcomes. The stringent approval processes maintained by the Food and Drug Administration for new cardiac devices and therapies instill high levels of trust regarding patient safety. Consequently, the availability of these regulated, high-quality medical interventions continues to attract a growing volume of inbound medical travelers seeking reliable heart treatments.

Regional Insights

The South United States holds the leading position in the national medical tourism market, primarily due to the high concentration of advanced healthcare facilities in states such as Texas and Florida. This region benefits significantly from its geographic proximity to Latin America, which facilitates a steady influx of international patients seeking specialized care. The presence of globally recognized institutions, such as the Texas Medical Center, anchors the region's infrastructure and draws substantial inbound traffic. Additionally, the density of Joint Commission-accredited hospitals in the South provides necessary quality assurance, further consolidating the region's dominance in the sector.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Cleveland Clinic expanded its international presence by welcoming Radiochirurgia Zagreb as the first European member of the Cleveland Clinic Connected program. This collaboration allows the Croatian specialty hospital to access Cleveland Clinic's clinical and operational expertise, enhancing its safety, quality, and patient experience standards. The partnership enables clinicians at the member hospital to consult with United States-based specialists on complex cases and access educational resources. This development reinforces the trend of leading United States medical institutions establishing global networks to maintain relationships with international patients and standardize care delivery across borders.
• In June 2024, Carrum Health announced a significant expansion of its Centers of Excellence network, specifically focusing on cancer care services. The company, a digital health marketplace that facilitates domestic medical travel for self-insured employers, grew its network to include over 400 specialized facilities across the United States. This expansion aimed to provide broader access to high-value cancer treatment for employees, allowing them to travel to top-tier providers with bundled payment models. The initiative highlighted the growing importance of value-based care and employer-sponsored medical tourism within the United States, offering patients reduced costs and improved health outcomes through curated provider partnerships.
• In April 2024, the Mayo Clinic Platform expanded its global distributed data network, Mayo Clinic Platform_Connect, through a collaboration with major international health systems. This expansion included partnerships with Seoul National University Hospital in South Korea, SingHealth in Singapore, and UC Davis Health in the United States. These organizations joined existing members to create a global network that enables secure access to de-identified clinical data. The initiative aims to advance medical tourism capabilities by fostering cross-border research, improving patient care through AI-driven insights, and streamlining the sharing of medical expertise between the United States and international healthcare providers.
• In April 2024, Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami achieved Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) with Excellence for Medical Travel Services. This accreditation recognized the hospital's commitment to delivering high-quality care and safety for international pediatric patients. The hospital's Global Health program was evaluated on its ability to manage the unique needs of medical travelers, including cultural sensitivities, communication, and care coordination. This achievement underscores the institution's position as a premier destination in the United States Medical Tourism Market, validating its operational processes for managing the complex journey of patients traveling from abroad for specialized treatment.

Key Market Players

• The Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Mayo Clinic
• Cleveland Clinic
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• UCSF Health
• New York-Presbyterian Hospital
• Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital

By Treatment Type	By Service	By Region
Cardiovascular Treatment Orthopedic Treatment Cosmetic Treatment Bariatric Treatment Dental Treatment Others	Public Private	Northeast Midwest South West

Report Scope:

In this report, the United States Medical Tourism Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• United States Medical Tourism Market, By Treatment Type:

• Cardiovascular Treatment
• Orthopedic Treatment
• Cosmetic Treatment
• Bariatric Treatment
• Dental Treatment
• Others

• United States Medical Tourism Market, By Service:

• Public
• Private

• United States Medical Tourism Market, By Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West