Medical tourism can produce significant discounts on care, writes U.S. News & World Report as part of its "Consumer's Guide to Medical Travel." Thousands of Americans — estimates range from 5,000 to 500,000 annually, if minor procedures are counted — leave the U.S. for surgery, especially if they are paying for the procedure themselves. For example, Brad Barnum, a 53-year old building contractor, had knee and hip replacement surgery in India for $23,000. Even after adding about $5,000 for airfare, passport, visa, and incidentals, the total was nearly 80% less than the $125,000 or more he expected it to cost in a U.S. hospital, reports the magazine.

Medical travel has captured the world’s attention and imagination, but a new McKinsey study suggests that the market isn’t as large as reported and that most medical travelers seek high quality and faster service instead of lower costs.