North America holds an 18.02% share of the Medical Tourism Market , valued at USD 8,879.36 million in 2024. The region's role is multifaceted: it is both a significant source of outbound patients seeking affordable care abroad and a destination for inbound patients seeking highly specialized treatments available at world-class facilities. The United States, despite having one of the most advanced healthcare systems globally, has become a primary source of medical tourists due to exceptionally high domestic healthcare costs and insurance coverage gaps.

The cost differential driving outbound travel is staggering. A retired US couple flew to Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, and the Caribbean for cancer treatment at a cost of USD 18,807, saving almost USD 100,000 compared to US prices while bypassing Medicare constraints. A US patient chose a USD 4,000 hysterectomy in Colombia over a USD 15,000 to USD 40,000 treatment in the US. They cited economical, high-quality care, full English assistance, and debt-free recovery as key factors. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, some 400,000 Americans sought medical operations in Mexico each year, drawn by geographic proximity and cost advantages.

Mexico has emerged as a particularly popular destination for Americans seeking lower-cost dental and cosmetic services, supported by both geographic proximity and government efforts to promote health travel. Dental procedures, bariatric surgery, and cosmetic enhancements are among the most sought-after treatments. Canadian patients similarly travel abroad, often to Mexico, India, or Eastern European countries, to bypass long waiting times for procedures such as hip and knee replacements.

While the United States is primarily a source market, it also attracts inbound medical tourists seeking highly specialized care not available in their home countries. World-class facilities such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and MD Anderson Cancer Center draw patients from around the world for complex oncology treatments, advanced surgical procedures, and cutting-edge clinical trials. The United States' reputation for medical innovation and access to the latest therapies makes it a destination of choice for patients who can afford the premium costs. Despite high domestic prices, the quality of care, access to specialists, and availability of treatments not yet approved in other countries continue to drive inbound medical tourism to North America.