About Medical Tourism
Risks of medical travel
The CDC identifies specific risks of medical tourism. Understanding them, and how to reduce them, is essential before you travel for care.
Risks identified by the CDC
All medical procedures carry some risk. These are the ones the CDC highlights for people who travel for care.
Communication
Getting care where you don't speak the language fluently can lead to misunderstandings about your care, your consent and your instructions after treatment.
What to check: Does the clinic have staff who speak your language, or will you need a medical interpreter?
Infections
Poor infection control can spread wound and bloodstream infections, and bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Transplants and blood transfusions can also pass on infections from the donor.
What to check: Ask how the clinic prevents infections and how it screens donated blood.
Drug-resistant infections
Highly drug-resistant bacteria and fungi have caused outbreaks among medical tourists, and the risk may be greater in some countries.
What to check: Tell your doctor at home where you were treated if you get an infection afterward.
Medicine and device quality
In some countries, counterfeit medicines and lower-quality medical devices may be used.
What to check: Ask which medicines and implants will be used, and who makes them.
Blood clots and flying
Surgery and flying both increase the risk of blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis. The CDC advises delaying air travel for 10–14 days after major surgery, especially chest surgery.
What to check: Ask your surgeon when it's safe for you to fly home, and plan your stay around it.
Follow-up care
If you have complications after you return, treatment at home may be expensive and may not be covered by your health insurance.
What to check: Arrange follow-up care and check your insurance before you go.
Preparing for your trip
These steps, based on the CDC's advice, reduce your exposure to the risks above.
See a travel medicine specialist
Book a visit at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to discuss your health, your procedure, and any vaccines or medicines you need.
Check your doctor and clinic
Check your surgeon's training and certification, and the clinic's accreditation. Treat any missing information as a warning sign.
Get the plan in writing
Ask the clinic for a written description of the treatment, supplies, follow-up care and costs before you travel.
Know your legal options
Find out what you can do if something goes wrong. You might not have the same legal options as in the US.
Plan how you'll communicate
If you don't speak the local language, decide ahead of time how you'll communicate with your care team, for example with a medical interpreter.
Bring your medical records
Take copies of your medical records and test results, and tell the staff about any allergies.
List your medicines
Bring enough medicine for the whole trip plus extra, in its original packaging, with copies of your prescriptions. List each medicine's brand name, generic name, manufacturer and dose: brand names differ between countries.
Arrange follow-up care at home
Before you leave, make sure a doctor at home can see you after you return, and know where you'll stay right after the procedure.
Get travel health insurance
Check what your insurance covers, and consider travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation to the US.
Ask which activities to avoid
Ask your surgeon and your doctor at home which activities to avoid around your procedure, such as swimming or hiking.
Collect your records before you return
Get copies of all your medical records from the clinic before you go home, translated into English if needed.
Keeping your money safe
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If you take more than $10,000 in cash into or out of the US, you must report it to US Customs.
- Never share your card PIN, and keep your card in sight when you pay.
- Tell your bank you're traveling, and check your card's limits.
- Check whether your card charges foreign transaction fees.
- Before you send money to a clinic, confirm its bank details by phone: scammers sometimes pose as clinics by email.
Have more questions?
Read our overview of medical tourism and answers to common questions.
Read the overview and FAQsDisclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before deciding on treatment abroad.
Sources
Facts checked on November 10, 2026.