Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs
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.
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: There is so much about the way this article is written that is out of touch. "Milwaukee police break up rave party" - http://tr.im/EyJf 11/08/09 11:03pm
6 Responses to “Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs”
Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs…
With medical tourism a popular, and less expensive option for medical treatment, Insurance companies are launching programs that provide full coverage for medical treatment abroad….
Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs | Wellness & Medical Travel blog…
With medical tourism a popular, and less expensive option for medical treatment, Insurance companies are launching programs that provide full coverage for medical treatment abroad….
Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs | Wellness & Medical Travel blog…
With medical tourism a popular, and less expensive option for medical treatment, Insurance companies are launching programs that provide full coverage for medical treatment abroad….
Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs | Wellness & Medical Travel blog…
With medical tourism a popular, and less expensive option for medical treatment, Insurance companies are launching programs that provide full coverage for medical treatment abroad….
Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs | Wellness & Medical Travel blog…
With medical tourism a popular, and less expensive option for medical treatment, Insurance companies are launching programs that provide full coverage for medical treatment abroad….
Insurance Companies to offer Medical Tourism programs | Wellness & Medical Travel blog…
With medical tourism a popular, and less expensive option for medical treatment, Insurance companies are launching programs that provide full coverage for medical treatment abroad….
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