USCIPP identifies top 5 sources of medical tourists to USA

The US Cooperative for International Patient Programmes (USCIPP) has published the results of its 2016-17 annual survey of members, evaluating the international patient inbound US market. Canada, China, Kuwait, Mexico and Saudi Arabia are identified as the top 5 source countries for adult patients. The survey is not comprehensive, however, and does not cover all US hospitals and clinics offering healthcare to inbound international patients.

The National Centre for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) at Rush University is a non-profit organisation that operates the US Cooperative for International Patient Programmes (USCIPP) as a membership programme for 64 major US hospitals that operate in the international patient care market.

USCIPP conducts an annual survey of its members to evaluate the international patient and global healthcare collaborations markets and has now announced the release of its 2016–2017 annual market update.

The “2016–2017 Annual Survey of International Patient Programs in the United States” surveyed 59 hospitals and health systems with established international patient programmes that were USCIPP members. The survey aimed to collect information about their programme structures, operational and financial performance, patient volumes, and geographic regions of home residence for patients travelling to the USA for healthcare.

For 2016/2017 there were nearly 61,000 unique patients, reported by 50 organisations. 44 hospitals reported 17,140 inpatient and 152,304 outpatient visits (both include multiple visits by patients). Paediatric patients represented 24% of inpatient hospital discharges and 30% of outpatient visits.

By comparison, the 2014/2015 survey reported 50,000 unique patients. Although this may suggest inbound medical tourism is increasing, the time lag between 2016/17 and mid 2019 includes periods where politics and problems with US tourism may have actually reduced current numbers.

Of the 59 hospitals that participated in the 2016–2017 survey, 54% of international programmes or departments were established prior to 2011, and 14% were established prior to 2000. In addition to scheduling and coordinating appointments, international patient programmes provide interpretation services; 86% provide travel help, such as air and ground transport and hotel bookings, and 68% provide translation services to international patients.

The most common payment sources for international patient care includes self-payment, foreign embassy and government sponsorship, and international commercial insurance cover; the three payment sources representing over 80% of total international patient charges in 2016–2017.

In alphabetical order (as numeric order is not revealed) the 5 largest for 2016/2017:

Sources of adult patients

• Canada
• China
• Kuwait
• Mexico
• Saudi Arabia

Sources of paediatric patients

• Kuwait
• Mexico
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

Adult inpatient

• Canada
• China
• Dominican Republic
• Kuwait

Saudi Arabia

• Paediatric inpatient
• China
• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

Adult outpatient

• Bermuda
• China
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

Paediatric outpatient

• Kuwait
• Mexico
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

In alphabetical order (as numeric order is not revealed) the 5 most common treatments for 2016/2017:

• Adult inpatient
• Cancer
• Cardiology
• General surgery
• Neuroscience
• Orthopaedics

Paediatric inpatient

• Cancer
• Cardiology
• Digestive health
• General surgery
• Neuroscience

Adult outpatient

• Cancer
• Cardiology
• Neuroscience
• Orthopaedics
• Primary care

Paediatric outpatient

• Cancer
• Cardiology
• Neuroscience
• Orthopaedics
• Radiology

The survey is limited however – so the figures are not an indication of overall inbound numbers.

There are other US hospitals not in USCIPP that provide healthcare to inbound medical tourists, and there are many clinics offering cosmetic surgery, dental treatment and other services to international patients. Not all USCIPP hospitals take part in the survey and those that do can may be selective in the information they offer.