The Medical Tourism Association (MTA) recently launched an online version of their magazine. The MTA is the first international non-profit association. Their membership is made up of top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment.

Their new online magazine, Medical Tourism Magazine, is the industry magazine for the medical tourism, medical travel and health tourism industry. The online version will provide access to past issues and offer additional features beyond the printed version such as videos and audio interviews.

For advertisers, this expands the reach of the audience significantly, with a readership in the thousands from over 50 countries.

If you have an article you would like to submit, you can contact them via their web site.

It has been a very weird and hectic two weeks here in Bangkok. It is the first time an Anti-Government group has gone so far as to shut down 2 International airports. The activists, the PAD, are asking that the current Prime Minister, who also happens to be the brother-in-law to formerly ousted Thaksin Shinawat, resign from his post along with the current cabinet members on charges of corruption.

Their move to close the airports has caused absolute havoc in the countries capital. Tourists currently in Bangkok are stuck here and not very happy about the fact. People who had planned to come to Thailand are stuck in their “points of origination” as their flights into Thailand have been canceled.

Not only does this self-centered, short sighted move by the PAD damage Thailand economically, it will destroy Tourism here for years to come. And even more importantly, many of the businesses that have built their lively hood on Thai Tourism will slowly die a terrible death as long as this nonsense is allowed to carry on.

Medical Tourism will certainly feel the pinch of this crisis. People who travel for medical care need more reassurance than the everyday traveler. Anything that destroys confidence in the slightest bit will significantly hurt the Medical Tourism and Wellness Travel business. And Thailand’s socially elite PAD have certainly removed any signs of confidence for tourists, regardless of the reasons for travel.

Unfortunately, Thailand is not the only place in Asia to suffer from self-serving zealots. India, another very popular Medical tourism destination, has been dealt a brutal blow by a group of young terrorists. This atrocity is even more brutal because of the fact that innocent civilians and tourists to India were killed in cold blood in order to make some point to the rest of the world.

It is anybody’s guess as to what that message was supposed to be. But in reality, the message that was received was that no one is safe from the ignorance and arrogance of young men with guns wishing to pollute the world with their latest crusade.

As time goes on, there seem to be more and more people that are intent on the destruction and suffering of mankind rather than on ensuring a quality of life or improving people lifestyle. The events of the past few weeks have certainly destroyed the tourism industry for both Thailand and India, and no doubt other destinations as travelers will now more carefully consider their options.

I am filled with disgust for these activists, and sorrow for those who have been dealt an even more serious blow, the loss of life.

With 1.5 million people expecting to travel overseas for medical treatment, Insurance companies are evaluating their position for covering international medical treatments.

Wellpoint has announced this week that they will be looking to cover medical treatment abroad through their subsidiary, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, in a pilot program where they will be sending patients to India for treatment. Not only will they cover the treatment, but they will also be covering the air travel and accommodation for the patient and a companion. Follow-up care will also be arranged for once the patient returns home.

The move comes due to the fact that employers where pressuring Wellpoint about when they would launch such a program.

In an article published by the Associated Press, it was stated that “Wellpoint will be starting small but rapidly expanding the program. Initially, the program will be offered only to people who receive insurance through Wisconsin-based Serigraph Inc., a self-insured printing company that employs about 700 people in the U.S. Serigraph does business in India, which was part of the reason WellPoint picked that country”.

Plans to expand medical tourism to markets outside Serigraph and Wisconsin could happen as soon as next year, once Wellpoint evaluates the pilot.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield have been putting agreements in place directly with hospitals abroad over the past few months in preparation for the pilot. But there has been indications that they may also be looking for a Medical Tourism partner to assist in expanding the market.

They have also made sure that the quality of medical care is equal to that in the US. The program will comply with both American Medical Association medical tourism guidelines and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association service standards.

Wellpoint is not alone in their efforts. Aetna Inc. launched a medical tourism pilot program earlier in 2008 while Cigna Corp. and UnitedHealth Group Inc. representatives say they’re studying similar programs.

A recent article in Farang Pai Nai, an online news portal for Thailand, has indicated that the countries largest Medical and Health care Tourist facility is suffering from a drop in visitors. Bumrungrad Hospital, has indicated that it is “not expecting robust growth”. In fact, they will take the opportunity during this downtime to refurbish their rooms.

The reason for the downturn has been blamed on a “double whammy of Thai political problems and the global economic crisis”.

It is possible that many who have lost their jobs are laying low and protecting their liquidity. While those with jobs are simply keeping their heads down to maintain their income for as long as possible. But, it is my opinion that as people become more comfortable with the direction the global economy is taking, they will begin to travel again. Especially if it is to engage in medical treatments to help them save their personal wealth for as long as possible.

While medical tourism in Thailand may be suffering slightly, places like Singapore are still seeing an increase in the number of medical travelers. Countries like the Philippines and Malaysia are rolling out their medical tourism campaigns to attract the healthcare traveler.

It is still early days in the global crisis. Perhaps the next few months will add some clarity to the situation and the medical tourism industry as a whole.

There is quite a stir lately in the Philippines as many of the countries major cities are launching medical tourism campaigns. The latest entry is Makati City, Manila’s premier financial district. This small area of the capital city caters to foreigners and expats, with the most developed and high quality shopping and accommodation in the country.

Medical Tourism Makati is an association that has been created to promote medical tourism in the area. The purpose of the program is to encourage foreigners to sample the affordable products and services of the city’s hospitals, spas, cosmetic, dental and eye centers.

Mayor Jejomar Binay says, “We are one of the healthiest cities in the country. We have everything it takes to capture this sunrise industry of medical tourism.”

The Makati Tourism Foundation created the program with several local partners. This program will market the services of the Makati Medical Center, Beverly Hills 6750 aesthetic center, Smiles Designer and Gan Advanced Osseintegration Center, among others.

I think it was Benjamin Franklin that wrote, “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”. Well for most Americans, expensive health care could be added to that list as well.

It is a well known fact that America is one of the only countries where the doctors get wealthy from living off of the misfortunes of the sick.

Almost every other country in the world has a government sponsored medical program that makes it easier to pay for medical treatment. Sometimes there is no charge at all for medical treatment; the government simply picks up the bill. However, this has resulted in another problem. Getting health care when it is needed. In Europe, patients may need to wait as long as nine months to receive treatment.

But looking back at the Americans, and the recent promises made by the newly elected Obama, it seems that the potential solutions to the health care system are addressed as an issue that can only be resolved internally. In other words, “America is a super power, we couldn’t possibly hope to find any solutions beyond our borders”.

In my opinion there is tremendous potential to repair the US economy by looking “beyond their borders”. Examine the primary issues surrounding health care:

• Cost of health care is too high for most Americans
• Many cannot afford health insurance
• Many are uninsured
• Insurance is denied to people with pre-existing conditions

The possible solutions to such problem always end up with someone getting penalized:

• Government subsidies - penalizes the tax payer for medical care
• Prohibiting Insurance companies from charging higher rates for people with existing conditions means Insurance companies suffer and are at significant risk
• Taxing businesses for not providing insurance - the business pay but this will effect salaries and stock dividends for larger companies. The people suffer again.
• Setting up a federal health plan - I think everyone would agree that is going to take a lot of effort to get the issues around this resolved

Basically, with any kind of a reform like this, everybody suffers.

Rather than penalize everybody (except doctors) in the United States of America for a health care reform, why not spread the wealth around the globe - including the United States.

Have a look at the following graph showing the comparison of medical cost between the USA and Asia:

Medical costs for some of the most common procedures are astronomically higher in the US. This means that a person could book a first class seat on an airline, a room in a five star hotel, get their medical procedure done, and still pay less for it than if they had it done at home. And the patient would receive better care than they would at home with hospital staff that are every bit as experienced as the hospital staff at home.

My recommendation is to push medical tourism as a viable option for medical care to Americans. Why?

1. It will allow US insurance companies to cover individuals for medical procedures overseas. It also allows insurance companies to develop new products for individuals and businesses. These lower costs and make them more profitable, stimulating the economy.
2. It keeps the patients medical costs low, allowing them to keep more money in their bank accounts to spend on consumable items at home, and stimulating the economy.
3. It allows businesses more flexibility in offer their employees benefits for their holidays. This could translate to better productivity once they return from holiday healthy and well rested. This again leads to a better economical situation.
4. It relives the American citizen of tax burden from a complicated and unreasonable health care plan that may never be a reality.

Yes, this does mean that some of the hard earned cash from Americans goes to developing countries. The dollar amounts are minimal when compared with US medical spend today, with the reward to the US economy potentially substantial, if done properly.

My viewpoint of the medical system in the US is one of greed. There does not seem to be any real concern for the health of the average American.

I must apologize to the American doctor who will not be able to afford the summer house in the Caribbean. But perhaps American doctors should be content with one house like the rest of us.

If you are planning medical travel, the following are 10 points that we hope will help you in planning your trip.

1. Check the foreign hospital’s credibility by examining if they have an accreditation or affiliation. Look for an institution approved by the Joint Commission International, a respected, independent, nonprofit agency that accredits U.S. hospitals. Affiliations with well-known medical institutes are also a sign of quality.

Keep in mind that the JCI is a US institution, and not all foreign hospitals cater to just Americans. The institution may have other affiliations or an accreditation that is well respected in other regions of the world.

2. Select a full service hospital over a clinic when possible, preferably one that specializes in international patients. These facilities cater very well to the foreign traveler and have most services under one roof. They also provide a less stressful environment. As many patients have noted, “it is like checking into a five star hotel”.

3. Contact the hospital and request data about quality indicators such as morbidity rate, staph infection rate and nurse-to-patient ratio. Find out how many procedures of your type have been performed there. Some facilities specialize in certain procedures so your better off going to a facility that knows their stuff.

The hospital may not always give you all of the other data you request. Do not let this be your deciding factor in using the hospital. Many facilities have become targets for lawsuits and people seeking to get a free ride, so they are very cautious about giving out some of the information.

4. Have a look at the doctors on staff at the facility. Make sure the doctor treating you is board certified, either in his or her own country or in a country with reputable medical care. Most facilities offer a doctors credentials in limited form online, so their website is the best place to start.

5. Speak with the doctor before treatment. Ask as many questions as needed until you feel comfortable with them. If you are not sure what to ask, have someone with medical knowledge sit in on the phone call. If you feel comfortable with your own physician, you could have your local doctor consult with the doctor from the foreign facility.

6. Make sure the hospital staff speaks your language. This is not an issue for the top quality hospitals. If the facility you are considering has a problem, it is best to find another option.

7. Consider using a Medical Travel Facilitator. Many of these companies make bookings for Medical travelers on a regular basis, so they know what to look for and what questions to ask. An experienced Facilitator can:

• arranging appointments and telephone consultations
• booking travel
• assist with passports and visa issues
• book accommodation
• arrange post-operative care
• provide in depth information about your destination

Some facilitators charge you a fee, while the well established companies receive a commission from the hospital. Find out what the situation is regarding the hospitals fees. Get a detailed list of what is included. Also take a moment to consider how the trip will be paid for. Some procedures can max out the credit limit on your credit card even at a discounted rate. So check to see if your insurance company will cover some of the cost, or if you need to arrange for a bank transfer prior to your trip.

A good facilitator will also suggest you consult with your local doctor, if the procedure requires it. In most cases, they will NOT make the determination on the best doctor for you. But a well experienced facilitator will setup the conference calls with you and one or more potential doctors to let you make the choice yourself.

It is a good idea to ask the facilitator detailed questions about the country you will be traveling to in order to avoid culture shock.

8. Take along a partner on your trip. No one wants to travel alone anyway. This should be a person that will support you and take care of anything should an emergency arise.

9. Plan for some recuperation time. Also, make arrangements in the unlikely event that you will need to extend your stay.

10. Consider going first class with all of your choices; doctors, flights and accommodation. Your comfort and recovery is every bit as important as the expertise of the surgeon.

We have linked some of the highest quality hospitals in Asia in the side bar on the right. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. We can even help to recommend a facilitator if so desired.

Medical Tourism, or medical travel, has grown in popularity largely due to the low cost of medical treatments. But medical tourists are not the only ones looking at the bottom line.

A recent article in the American Statesman, by Corey MacLaggan, indicates that some insurance companies are beginning to take notice. Large insurance moguls, such as Aetna and United Healthcare, are considering paying for patients to go overseas for medical care. One of the major signs that major insurance companies are considering this comes from Wockhardt Hospitals. Officials here said that “major insurers are requesting data that show how well the Indian company’s hospitals treat patients”.

If insurance companies are willing to consider medical travel as a serious option, this could mean explosive growth for the industry.

Many people with insurance have found that their existing policies do not cover overseas medical treatment. But, insurance companies such as Aetna are already developing health insurance plans that allow patients to travel overseas for care as part of their health plan.

The article states one example in company called “Hannaford, a self-insured grocery chain in New England and New York whose health plan is administered by Aetna. This year, in what Aetna calls a pilot program, Hannaford started giving employees the option of going to National University Hospital in Singapore for knee and hip replacements. Hannaford will waive the co-payment, saving the employee $2,500 to $3,000. Hannaford will also pay for the plane ticket”.

Companies like BlueCross BlueShield are suggesting that they may recommend that patients go overseas for medical care. This is a controversial move and legislation in states like Texas are trying to make it illegal for insurance companies to encourage medical travel.

There is still much skepticism about medical tourism. But one thing is for certain, the medical tourism and travel industry is set to grow in the next few years. It is doubtful that even the political greed so common in the United States can prevent this.

Making the decision to travel to another country for medical treatment is big one. It is important that thorough research is done while planning your trip.

This video from the “Riz Kahn Show” addresses, at a very high level, some of the issues and risks associated with medical travel. Riz discusses medical tourism with three well renowned experts in the field of medical travel;

• Josef Woodman, author of Patients Beyond Borders,
• Vishal Bali, CEO of the Wockhardt Hospital Group in India,
• and neuroscientist Dr Wise Young from Rutgers University

The video is a little disappointing in that many points were rushed in order to keep to the allocated time. However, the points that were made provide food for thought for anyone researching their medical travel options.

Information like this is helpful in narrowing down your options. Ultimately, the decision to have a medical procedure done overseas should be discussed with your doctor or a medical professional.

Announcement: We have added a new category to our blog “Testimonials”. This category will contain press clippings and statements from individual patients about a specific medical tourism or wellness facility.

Today, our post comes from My Sinchew (mysinchew.com) out of Malaysia.

The experience of checking into one of Thailand’s premier medical facilities is likened to checking into a five star hotel … with the exception of a few nurses in crisp white uniforms. The article identifies many statistics about medical tourism in general. But the article provides further details about the capabilities and patient demographic of both Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital.

If you are considering either of these facilities in your medical or wellness travels, this article may provide some useful data to helping you make your final decision.