Deloitte found that "medical tourism" is a hot trend among U.S. health care consumers. Nearly 40 percent said they would travel outside the country for medical treatment, if the quality was comparable and the cost was cut in half.

But the level of interest differed widely by gender, age group, ethnic category and types of insurance the respondents carried. Most notably, men are much more likely than women to consider a trip abroad for treatment, by a margin of 44.5 to 33.3 percent. Additional highlights:

By Age Group:

• 51.1 percent of Gen Y would engage in medical tourism
• 41.9 percent of Gen X
• 36.7 percent of Baby Boomers
• 29.1 percent of Seniors

By Ethnic Breakdown:

• 56.8 percent of Asians are likely to go abroad for less expensive medical treatment
• 51.1 percent of Hispanics
• 37.8 percent of Caucasians
• 36.9 percent of African-Americans

By Insurance Category:

• 40.1 percent of those with commercial insurance
• 29.9 percent of those with Medicaid
• 28 percent of those with Medicare

Related Content:
Overview: Disruptive Innovation in Health Services
Research: Medical Tourism: Emerging Phenomenon in Health Care Industry
Survey: 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers
Fact Sheet Library: Health Care Consumerism
Overview: Center for Health Solutions