International Healthcare and Medical Tourism

Common Concerns about Medical Travel

2009-02-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

While increasingly popular, medical travel is still a fairly new concept to most consumers, and those looking into medical travel inherently have a variety of concerns. This post addresses some of the common concerns that patients have about medical travel:

A. The security of Travel – Traveling overseas can be an intimidating process for many individuals. Fortunately, those that are traveling for medical purposes usually bring a family or friend, and are under consistent supervision by those managing their healthcare. Most countries abroad also maintain a lower crime rate, so security is not very often an issue.

B. Cost of Bringing a Friend or Family Member – Traveling with a friend or family member is highly recommended when traveling for a procedure. Even with the extra cost of another person, patients still save a significant amount of money.

C. Finding a Treatment Facility – For many patients, figuring out where to travel for a procedure can be difficult. Nevertheless, most countries participating in medical travel present a type of specialty treatment specific to their country. For example, Costa Rica specializes in cosmetic and dental procedures, while India specializes in joint or open-heart surgery. Finding a country with a specific specialty procedures has become increasing easy in recent years.

D. Complications upon Return – One worry that many patients have is dealing with complications after returning to the U.S. In order to avoid complications, most hospitals and doctors overseas recommend that patients stay for the duration of their rehabilitation and recovery. Doctors performing the procedure abroad may also correspond with doctors doing post-operative care at home.

References:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/01/13-smart-questions-and-quick-answers-about-medical-tourism.html

Motivation for Medical Travel

2009-02-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

For many, the major motivation of traveling abroad for medical reasons is the idea of saving money on a procedure that costs much more in the U.S. While this is generally satisfactory motivation for most, there remains a variety of other reasons why one might choose to travel overseas for medical care.

There are an estimated 85 million uninsured and under insured individuals in the U.S., and 120 million U.S. citizens without dental coverage. Those individuals can explore much less expensive options for healthcare overseas, often with more personalized care. Standard insurance does not cover many elective procedures in the U.S., which motivates patients looking for a cheaper alternative to consider medical travel. Another motivating factor is that foreign countries also permit some procedures not currently approved in the U.S., which is attractive to those faced with serious conditions.

Family is another motivator for many patients looking into medical travel. Some simply join a loved one for their procedure abroad, and others seek to help a family member benefit from medical travel.

There are many reasons for an individual to travel outside the U.S. for medical care. Every individual should asses their situation and motivation for considering medical travel, and plan accordingly.

References:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/01/6-types-of-patients-who-might-benefit-from-medical-travel.html

Three Quick Questions and Answers about Medical Travel

2009-02-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

How safe is healthcare abroad? - One of the most common questions about medical travel is whether it is safe to receive healthcare abroad. Those unfamiliar with foreign-based healthcare may perceive it to be less safe than American care. However, healthcare abroad is in fact much safer in some instances. Hospitals accredited by U.S. organizations, such as the Joint Commission, hold safety and care standards that are the same or higher than hospitals in the U.S.

What is the cost of overseas care vs. U.S. care? - The cost of traveling overseas for medical treatment is significantly less for most procedures costing more than $6,000 in the United States. The exact amount of savings depends on the type of procedure, travel expenses, and the country in which the surgery is taking place.

Which procedures are available abroad? - The availability of different medical treatments abroad has drastically increased in the last few years. Almost every procedure that is available in the U.S. is now available outside the U.S. as well. This includes major joint replacement, heart surgeries, cancer care, and a variety of others. In addition, doctors that perform the procedures receive training and accreditation within the U.S.

References:

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/01/13-smart-questions-and-quick-answers-about-medical-tourism.html

The Informed Patient and Medical Travel

2009-02-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, USNews.com posted a study of two different patients that saved a large amount of money by traveling overseas for their medical needs.

The first patient traveled to Ezcazu, Costa Rica to receive dental care that was too expensive in the United States. For $2,600 – minuscule compared to prices in the U.S. - she received care from an oral surgeon trained in the U.S. The surgeon used premium equipment and material for the surgery, and even with the cost of travel, she saved a significant amount of money by traveling abroad for the procedure.

The second patient traveled to Chennai, India for hip resurfacing, and was able to save over $40,000 by traveling overseas for medical care. He was able to bring his wife along and receive care in a high quality facility with exceedingly skilled doctors.

Though these are only two individual experiences, they exhibit the increasingly well-informed personality of the patient, and the growth in demand for medical travel. Patients are researching their options online, figuring out how to save money with medical travel, and experiencing great results.

View the case study at http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/01/two-case-studies-in-medical-travel.html.

Following the Example and Innovation of WellPoint

2009-02-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Because of the rapid growth in popularity of the medical tourism industry, some U.S. health insurance companies are adding a medical travel offering to their plan. WellPoint Inc. – the largest U.S. health insurer by membership – recently announced an international medical tourism product for their members, and is currently testing it with Wisconsin-based company Serigraph, Inc.

According to WellPoint, those participating in the program have the option of receiving non-emergency procedures from highly qualified doctors and facilities in India. These non-emergency procedures include major joint replacement and additional surgeries that are extremely costly in the U.S. WellPoint estimates that members using the program will save thousands of dollars by participating.

Along with the benefit of low cost surgery overseas, members also receive a manager for their case. The case manager assists with the synchronization of travel, scheduling, the coordination of the actual procedure, and remains with the individual’s case through post surgical rehabilitation and other needed after-surgery care. WellPoint claims that all hospitals participating in the program meet standards set by the American Medical Association, and have gained certification from Joint Commission International.

WellPoint is setting a prime example for other companies in the health insurance industry. By offering this program, they are helping to legitimize medical travel, and provide U.S. citizens with a less-costly option for particular procedures.

View the WellPoint press release about their new medical tourism program at www.WellPoint.com.

References:

www.WellPoint.com

Medical Travel – Thoughts for Employers Part 2

2009-01-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

As discussed in - Thoughts for Employers Part 1, - medical travel represents a viable option for employers looking to cut costs in their healthcare plans without reducing quality of care. Many employers often save enough money through their medical travel program to initiate incentives for employees using the companies medical travel benefits. Some employers are able to cover all travel expenses and waive the deductible for their employees as incentives to travel abroad.

Employers are often concerned about whether or not their employees will want to travel overseas for a procedure, or stay in the familiar ground of the U.S. While an employer may add a medical travel option to their healthcare plan, it’s a not a requirement to travel abroad for the procedure. The employee always has the option of traveling overseas or staying within the U.S. Employees choosing to travel abroad do so because of the incentives provided by their employer and the high quality of care overseas.

In several countries such as India, Korea, Argentina, and Belgium, care may be better than care in the U.S. with more personalized attention from doctors and staff. Those that choose to travel for a procedure frequently experience better facilities and receive better care than they would by staying in the country. Furthermore, many doctors abroad receive training and certification within the U.S..

Studies are underway to see if employers who provide these benefits to their employees receive job inquires from more qualified and experienced people. Though some employers offer these benefits, others may not do to liability, complications, perceived steerage, and other legal issues. Employers should make themselves aware of the legal issues before they initiate an incentives or benefits plan.

References:
http://www.selectchoicenow.com/services.htm

Medical Travel - Thoughts for Employers Part 1

2009-01-28T06:00:00.002-07:00

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

Spiraling Healthcare Prices in the US

2009-01-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

The

U.S.

economy is experiencing dismal economic times for a variety of reasons, and one of the biggest is increased spending on healthcare. The cost of healthcare is spiraling rapidly upward in the

U.S.

, and is leaving many Americans without health insurance. Currently, the

U.S.

spends around 16% of its Gross Domestic Product on healthcare – an average of 6% more than other countries – and that percentage continues to grow. That means that other vital concern, such as the environment and education, are receiving less funding and attention.

Some might blame private health insurers and rapid increase in premiums for the decline in affordability of health insurance, but recent studies show that the underlying problem is much deeper. According to Paul Ginsburg of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the rise in medical spending is in large part a response to the increased use and development of medical technology(http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=35368). Use of new costly medical technologies and the development of them have risen exponentially, and the evidence shows that those technologies are not as beneficial as many healthcare professionals believe them to be. Care that is more expensive does not necessarily mean better quality care, and often the same patient diagnosis can be made without the use of expensive medical technology.

Experts are now looking at putting limits and guidelines on the use and development of new technologies in hospitals and physician services. The ineffective use of new tests, equipment, and other devices is driving healthcare costs up, and a good start to cutting those costs is the implementation of guidelines.

References:

www.healthbeatblog.org/2008/11/the-truth-about.html

http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=35368

Custom Insurance for Medical Travel Companies

2009-01-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Every medical travel facilitator organization should maintain a custom insurance plan to cover their inherently unique risk. Insurance for medical travel companies is not only important to prevent risk, but for credibility as well. Potential customers are more likely to work with a business that has the right type of insurance in place.

Since medical travel companies contain risks unique to their industry, it’s important that their insurance plan is tailored accordingly. Medical travel companies should have policies that include:

Professional and General Liability Insurance – General liability insurance should be part of every business insurance plan. Due to the litigious nature of many countries, and the ease in which a medical mistake can turn into a lawsuit, professional liability insurance is essential for medical travel companies. Professional liability covers the cost of litigation and court fees due to a lawsuit.

Personal Accident Insurance – Personal accident coverage is another insurance that medical travel companies should hold. It covers any accidental death or disability during the clients travel. In the event of death or disability, the family or client is reimbursed for a fixed amount.

Custom insurance is vital for the livelihood of a medical travel company. Owners of a medical travel business should find the provider and plan that suits their company best.

What is Medical Travel?

2009-01-02T09:55:00.003-07:00

With the cost of health care steadily on the rise globally, many have been seeking less expensive solutions for their medical needs. Citizens of the United States have especially been looking for a more cost effective and quality way to receive treatment, but American citizens are not the only group benefiting from medical tourism. Medical travel traveling outside of one's home country to receive quality, affordable health care has quickly become a commonplace resolution for both individuals and companies looking to save on their health care plans.

Originally geared towards expensive elective cosmetic type surgeries, medical travel now encompasses a broader spectrum of surgical treatment including hip surgery, cancer care, and other complex procedures; and it offers the same high-quality care that one would receive in the United States at a more affordable price. In fact, companies and individuals can save up to 80% on their healthcare by initiating some kind of alternative international healthcare plan.

The global health care market continues to grow as the demand for inexpensive quality medical treatment quickly rises. Because the market for global health care is becoming so vast, companies and individuals should seek consultation on the correct international health care for their specific situation.

The Importance of the Joint Commission International

2008-12-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Everyday more insurers, employers, and consumers are selecting a medical travel package to add to their health insurance plan. As the medical travel industry grows in major countries, the standard of care across the world continues to grow as well. Nevertheless, many wonder how new hospitals and doctors are measured, and who sets the standards for medical travel?

The Joint Commission International is one major organization helping to keep a standard of care for international health care. On their website, they describe themselves as a “non-profit organization focused on improving the safety of patient care through the provisions of accreditation and certification services.” They also offer education and advisory for organizations across the globe.

Joint Commission International uses a set of standards and tools to evaluate and present point of reference for hospitals and doctors. Hospitals and doctors overseas accredited and certified by the Joint Commission are often the best, and give insurers, employers, and consumers a sense of comfort when traveling for medical purposes.

The Society for Quality in Health Care accredited the Joint Commission International in 2007, providing them with even more legitimacy. Now, the Joint Commission International has accredited more than 220 health care facilities in 33 countries, and is continuing to work towards a high standard of patient care across the globe.

References:
http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/about-jci/
http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/

U.S. vs. Other Countries on Chronic Illness

2008-12-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

According to a study published by healthaffaris.org, the U.S. is drastically lagging behind other countries in care for the chronically ill. Chronically ill patients in eight different nations including Britain, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and the U.S. were asked about their experiences with healthcare in their country. Patients surveyed had conditions including cancer, diabetes, depression, and heart disease.

Chronically ill U.S. patients have the most complaints about their healthcare system. Over half claimed to abstain from some form of medical treatment or care due to the high-cost of care in the U.S., and over 40 percent spent more than $1,000 out of pocket on healthcare needs in the last year. In addition, 1/3 of patients claimed that they received delayed test results, incorrect diagnoses, or the wrong medication. Compared to other countries in the survey, the U.S. is far behind on treatment for the chronically ill.

The rise in U.S. healthcare costs and the decline of quality care is providing more reason for Americans to consider medical travel. Healthcare in the U.S. for chronically ill patients is much worse than other nations with similar economic status, and this is pushing Americans to look towards medical travel as a solution.

References:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4AC10720081113

The Expansion of Medical Travel in South Korea

2008-12-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

South Korea is quickly increasing their stake in the medical travel industry with a variety of innovative solutions. Currently admired by medical travelers of Southeast Asia, South Korea is now focusing on expanding their medical travel program and reaching out to the U.S., Japan, and China. Recently, they announced a goal of attracting 100,000 medical tourists per year by 2012.

South Korea has already built a stellar reputation around their specialty in plastic surgery, but is quickly gaining recognition for their future in stem cell research and biotechnology. With over $400 million ($430 billion won) invested in stem cell research, South Korea is hoping to be among the top three in the field by 1215.

However, South Korea is not only focusing on innovative fields of medicine, they also offer a variety of tradition Korean alternative treatments for medical travel.
The medical travel industry is bound to benefit greatly from the aspiration of South Korea. Patients traveling to South Korea for medical travel experience top-notch technology, and outstanding care for much less than in the U.S. Estimates put a stay in U.S. hospitals at 13 times more than in South Korea.

South Korea’s innovation and investment in the medical travel industry has put them at the top of the list for patients looking for surgery abroad.

Reference:
http://www.koreahealthtour.co.kr/eng/korea-medical-travel.jsp

Risk Prevention for Medical Travel

2008-12-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Traveling overseas for medical care is certainly a cheaper solution for many American consumers, but it brings with it a variety of concerns. While every surgery carries an inherent risk, there are additional risks when traveling abroad that consumers, employers, and insurers should consider. These may include complications with the procedure, cultural differences, and language barriers.
One case, as illustrated by Niko Karvounis on Healthbeatblog.org, tells of a woman who traveled to Thailand for plastic surgery only to return to the U.S. and discover that the surgery had gone wrong. Because the surgery was performed in Thailand, she was not successful in taking legal action.

While certain risks are unavoidable, there are many ways to prevent them. Some of these include:

Research – The internet is a place with readily available information on doctors, hospitals, and travel options. Patients should research their options online as much as possible before traveling overseas, receive recommendations via word-of-mouth, and investigate any potential problems before traveling.

Accreditation – U.S. or internationally known organizations, such as Johns Hopkins and the Joint Commission International, accredit the top hospitals abroad. Employers, insurers, and patients should use hospitals accredited by a known organization.

Training and Certification – Many doctors working overseas in the medical travel industry receive training and certification in the U.S. Insurers, consumers, and employers should fully research their potential doctor’s credentials, and verify their training and certification.

References:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/10/01/13-smart-questions-and-quick-answers-about-medical-tourism.html

The Effect of Medical Travel on U.S. Healthcare

2008-12-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

The increase in American medical travel has sparked a heated debate about whether it is beneficial to the U.S. healthcare system. Advocates of medical travel, such as GlobalChoice, believe that Americans seeking less costly medical care abroad will lower the cost of healthcare in the U.S. – naming it as a solution to rising U.S. healthcare costs. Essentially, employers and insurers pay less for procedures abroad, and as a result leave less demand for expensive U.S. care. This gives the cost of U.S. healthcare nowhere to go but down.

Those against medical travel ascertain that it may damage the healthcare system in America – lowering the cost only by 2 percent, providing insurers with too many extra duties, and leaving some patients without the care they need. They claim that because U.S. healthcare costs relate to supply-side issues and not demand, the cost of U.S. healthcare will not sufficiently decrease. In addition, those that travel abroad for medical care are often those who pay into the U.S. system - helping to pay for the elderly, poor, and others who can’t or don’t want to travel for care – and are essentially increasing costs for those groups by spending healthcare dollars in other countries.

The medical travel industry only continues to grow, and the absolute effect it has on the U.S. healthcare system is yet to be seen. Either way, healthcare in the U.S. will have to cope with the increase of medical travel, and the pros and cons that come with it.

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2008-12-05T15:16:00.000-07:00

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Examining Medical Travel in Panama and Mexico

2008-12-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

The cost of healthcare is steeply climbing in the U.S., and consumers are looking for less expensive alternatives close by. Panama and Mexico are two nearby countries that offer a variety of healthcare opportunities for American patients looking to travel and save money on care. Both Panama and Mexico specialize in specific procedures that patients benefit from.

Panama – Panama is not only a country known for its beauty, but also for outstanding healthcare. U.S. citizens save an estimated 50% on medical care by traveling to Panama. Panama offers top care in the fields of dentistry, plastic surgery, cardiology, optometry, orthopedics, and assisted reproduction. Hospitals in Panama provide physicians trained in the U.S., and supply top-of-the-line medical technology and equipment. Panama hospitals are affiliates with a variety of international organizations such as Johns Hopkins International, Harvard Medical Faculty, Baptist Health International of Miami, and other well-known organizations.

Mexico – Many Americans are traveling across the border to receive quality dental and plastic surgery procedures. Mexican dentists have been increasing in popularity due to their high quality of care and significantly lower cost. Bariatric and weight loss procedures have become popular among U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico for care as well. These procedures often cost 75% more in the U.S., and hospitals in Mexico meet all requirements for medical travel while using the latest technology.

References:
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/medical-tourism-in-mexico-and-panama-392199.html