Medical Travel - Thoughts for Employers Part 1

With the turn of each New Year, the medical travel industry becomes more expansive. The worth of the industry is now at estimates well over $60 billion, and is quickly growing So, who stands to benefit from the growth of the medical travel industry?


Employers are one group that may benefit tremendously by integrating medical travel benefits as part of their healthcare offering to employees. By adding medical travel as a benefit in their health plan, employers can save up to 50% on certain procedures for their staff. These procedures can include anything from heart surgery to hip replacement surgery. As many realize after a little research, employers can offer their employees the same or better quality care as they would receive in the U.S., but at a much lower cost.


American health carriers like Blue Cross Blue Shield have started to incorporate medical travel as an elective option for coverage - giving employers even more option in their choice of health care benefits. It’s no secret that the benefits of medical travel currently outweigh the financial costs for many employers. However, to compete with the overseas healthcare industry, many American providers have now started offering certain procedures at the same price. Business owners should consult with a professional firm to assess their situation and choose the right plan for their company.


References:
http://www.healthpopuli.com/2008/07/medical-tourism-primer-for-employers_18.html