Australians heading overseas for medical procedures are now more likely to have travel cover, research from Insure&Go shows.

Only 33% of survey respondents would take such a trip without proper insurance, a significant drop from the travel insurer’s 2023 findings, when 69% of people said the same.

Younger people are most likely to make the trips without sufficient insurance: 49% of respondents aged 18-34 would go for treatment even if they knew related complications would not be covered.

Overall, willingness to consider having medical procedures overseas has dipped, from 57% of respondents in 2023 to 54% now.

Dental work remains the most popular type of procedure, with 56% of people willing to head abroad for such treatment.

This is followed by life-saving or life-extending cancer treatments not available in Australia, cosmetic or plastic surgery, and orthopaedic surgery.

Cost savings are the main motivator, replacing shorter waiting times as the top reason.

Insure&Go commercial and marketing director David Mayo says people are increasingly aware of the risks around medical tourism.

“Undergoing a medical procedure overseas requires careful consideration of the risks involved,” he said.

“Should complications arise during or after the procedure, returning to the overseas provider for further treatment may be necessary, which can substantially increase the total cost of care.

“For anyone planning an overseas medical procedure, surgery or treatment, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered before travelling, so you can plan for any potential risks and costs.”