Russians are leaders in medical tourism in Germany
– How widespread is medical tourism in Germany?
– Germany is one of the most important destinations for medical tourism in the world. This is because, on the one hand, it has excellent medical infrastructure – a high density of hospitals, private medical practices, and sanatorium-resort facilities. The quality of medical care here is very high, thanks in part to the large number of university and specialized clinics equipped with the latest technology and using the newest treatment methods. On the other hand, prices for medical care in Germany are relatively low.
– Compared to which countries?
– Compared to the USA or, for example, Switzerland, where, according to our calculations, treatment costs are often three times higher. And that's without accommodation! Hotel services and food prices in Germany are also relatively moderate. In a number of Asian countries, medical care is also usually more expensive.
– Who exactly does Germany have to compete with in the Asian region?
– First of all, with Singapore, Thailand, and India. Overall, I would add that medical tourism is also developed in Turkey, Israel, and Belgium. Well, for cosmetic operations, people often travel, for example, to Brazil. As for Asia, there are actually many more medical tourists there than in Europe, but it is most often about plastic surgery, laser eye treatment, dentistry, and outpatient treatment, whereas people come to Germany mainly with serious, complex diseases: oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology. Orthopedic treatment is also in high demand.
– How many foreign patients come to Germany? And what is the economic impact of their visits?
– Their number grows annually by about 5–10 percent, and in 2013 (more recent data is not yet available) it amounted to 241 thousand people (both inpatients and outpatients). Their spending on medical care alone is estimated at approximately 1.2 billion euros. On accommodation, food, transport, translators, shopping, and tourist services, they spent, according to our estimates, at least the same amount, though probably much more.
– From which countries does the largest number of medical tourists come to Germany?
– In the last two years, the most patients have come from Russia. Next are residents of neighboring countries – the Netherlands, Poland, France, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland. There are also quite a few Americans and British. They all come because treatment in Germany, as I already mentioned, is significantly cheaper, and also because here you don't have to wait long for an appointment or surgery. We should also mention patients from Arab countries – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia. In fact, medical tourists come from all over the world – more than 170 countries.
– You constantly point out the relatively low cost of medical care in Germany. Why is that? Due to competition among numerous doctors and clinics?
– No, due to state regulation of prices. Both clinics and private practices bill according to uniform, clearly defined price lists for the entire country. And doctors are not allowed to charge foreigners more than German patients.
– How much might a particular operation cost in Germany?
– Removal of prostate carcinoma, which is exactly the operation many Russians come to Germany for, costs between 15 and 20 thousand euros. An artificial knee joint – approximately 12 thousand euros. Well, the cost of such a complex operation as a bone marrow transplant can reach 150–200 thousand euros.
– You say that Russia leads in the number of medical tourists in Germany. How many were there in 2013?
– Nearly 11 thousand inpatients and, according to our estimates, about 16 thousand outpatients. And they spent approximately 128 million euros on medical care alone. Thus, Russians account for a tenth of the total revenue from medical tourism in Germany.
– What kind of treatment is most in demand among Russians?
– Many patients from Russia come with oncological diseases. That's their main characteristic. Gynecological services are also very popular, especially artificial insemination. Quite a few Russian women come to give birth in German maternity hospitals. In general, Russians are treated in Germany for a wide variety of ailments.
– Are there any cities where medical tourism is most developed? Or are foreign patients evenly distributed throughout Germany?
– No, foreigners mainly go to cities where high quality medical care, including the presence of university clinics, is combined with high tourist appeal. These are the Cologne-Bonn-Düsseldorf region, Munich, Berlin, as well as small towns that specialize in receiving Russian patients – Baden-Baden or Freiburg.
– To what extent will the devaluation of the ruble and the growing economic crisis in Russia affect the flow of Russian medical tourists to Germany?
– In the short term and probably even medium term, we will likely see a reduction in this flow. In the near future, the number of Russian patients may decrease by about a third. True, among them there will be many who can afford to postpone a visit to the doctor for some time, since we are talking, for example, about dental treatment, eyes, or plastic surgery. The losses for the industry are unlikely to be particularly noticeable – we will see perhaps only a slowdown in the growth rate of the number of medical tourists in Germany, since Russians will probably be replaced by patients from other regions, for example from Arab countries.
– Especially since the euro exchange rate has fallen and continues to fall.
– And this, by the way, partially compensates Russians for the consequences of the ruble devaluation. As for the medium- and long-term outlook, the flow of Russian medical tourists will surely recover and grow. We see that Russians really like to go to Germany for treatment!