Healthy Travel Media, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), and the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion (CKMP) announce the launch of Patients Beyond Borders: Korea Edition published in English for international distribution. The 220-page guidebook provides in-depth instruction for budgeting and planning a medical journey; detailed descriptions of 23 fully accredited hospitals catering to the international patient; profiles of health travel agents; and essential information on accommodations and traveling in Korea. Print and electronic versions will be available through retail and online outlets worldwide as well as KHIDI and CKMP.

“Korea’s favorable climate and relatively short flying times are attracting an increasing number of North American patients,” says author Josef Woodman. “And the more than one million North Americans of Korean descent—many uninsured—are finding Korea a high-quality, affordable alternative to healthcare in the US.”

Korea boasts expertise in a wide array of medical treatments, and the easing of visa regulations is encouraging patients from all over the globe to take advantage of 30–70% savings in some of the world’s most modern, technologically advanced medical facilities.

“Korea is bringing down its language, culture, and communications barriers, making international travel and healthcare easier for all,” says Dr. Keehyun Earm of KHIDI/CKMP. “We are anticipating over 50,000 medical travelers from 20 countries in 2008.”