Light in sight

by Neerja Singh | Destinations of the World News

In late July this year, Swiss Reinsurance company, one of the world’s largest reinsuring companies, tied up with World Medassist, a US-based medical tourism company to provide employers with the option to save on medical bills by sending employees abroad for treatment. Swiss Re is one of the nation’s largest corporate insurers, and services federal employees and large national companies.

It is the first time a major insurance company in the US has deigned to acknowledge a trend that the medical fraternity largely sniggers at. Ken Erickson, CEO of US-based Global Choice Healthcare says: “This medical tourism thing is nothing. It’s not happening. People who don’t have insurance are travelling abroad for treatment, but there is no large movement, no corporation is involved. It’s either recreation or desperation. It doesn’t count for anything.”

Sniggers and jibes aside, the fact remains that over 50 million people in the US are without insurance, and the issue is emotional enough to form a large part of the electoral agenda for both parties as the US goes to the polls in November. The irony is, the poorest who are living on state welfare are taken care of by Medicaid. Of those remaining, the luckier ones work in companies that shoulder the cost of paying the insurance premium, an average of US$5,900 per annum for a family of four. Those whose employers do not provide this facility either choose to go without insurance because they believe they are healthy, or sometimes just cannot afford it. Also, older people over 55 do not receive insurance even if they have the money. It is these two groups that make up the target market for medical tourism operators.

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Baby Boomers and the Health and Wellness Tourism Industry

Much attention has been fixed on the potential needs of the “baby boomer generation” which will be reaching its maturity in about the year 2013. Baby boomers are those described as having been born between 1946 and 1964, considered to be the largest generation in decades. Healthcare providers around the world concerned about the ability of current healthcare systems to take care of their medical needs.

Baby boomers are likely to face a multitude of health and medical issues, the most common including:

• Orthopedic – hip and knee problems
• Obesity – weight related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke
• Preventive care and maintenance – cancer screening, mammograms, diagnostic testing
• Anti aging issues – cosmetic and plastic surgery, anti aging and aging maintenance
• Mental health – stress management, depression
• Cardiac care

Health Care Providers Face Growing Demands

Baby boomers are naturally concerned about the availability of healthcare services in the future.  Rising healthcare costs, longer wait times, higher deductibles, and an increasing number of physicians hesitant to add new patients to their already overburdened patient rosters leave many seniors facing a health care dilemma. Health care providers are already overwhelmed by the demands of today’s consumers, and face shortages in nursing, general practice physicians and service providers not only in the United States, but around the world.

Large parts of elderly populations around the world don’t seek medical care because they are either uncovered by medical insurance or there and not enough service providers to provide for their growing and sometimes complex needs. However, the health and wellness tourism industry is an option available to seniors today and well into the future.

Health and Wellness Tourism

Health and wellness tourism is a growing trend in the medical and health care industry, as it offers individuals choices and options regarding quality and affordable care in a variety of international destinations around the world.

International medical care has become nearly synonymous with vacation travel to many state-of- the-art, world-class, and famous tourist destinations around the world. Formerly limited traditional medical destinations such as India, Thailand and Singapore have blossomed with growth in the 21st century  with newer, high-tech, and world-class facilities located in destinations from the Ukraine, Turkey, and Jordan, to South Africa, the Mediterranean, Switzerland, South America, and new Asian destinations such as South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.

Big Savings

Baby boomers traveling to international destinations may save tens of thousands of dollars on the same treatments performed in the U.S., Canada and Britain, while it the same time receiving state of the art, high-tech and qualified care. For example, single heart bypass surgery, depending on severity, may cost an average of $25,000 to 40,000 dollars in the United States, while an individual traveling to destinations such as India may receive such care for approximately $10,000.  A knee replacement in the United States may cost 35,000 to $40,000 per knee, while knee replacement surgeries and procedures in destinations such as Costa Rica, charge 1/4 to 1/2 same price, all the while providing certified, accredited, state of the art equipment and experienced and highly trained surgeons, and high-tech facilities.

As baby boomers face retirement and increasing health costs, they’re looking for affordable and timely healthcare options. Nearly 150,000 Americans traveled abroad in 2007 for international medical care, and numbers drastically increased throughout 2008 and 2009. According to the Medical Tourism Association, an estimated 23 million Americans alone will travel overseas for their medical care by the year 2017, with expenditures of nearly $80 billion dollars. The numbers of Britons, Canadians, and Middle Eastern citizens of countries such as Iran and Iraq, as well as Afrikaans, are seeking international medical destinations in Turkey, the Ukraine, India, and Thailand for affordable and quality medical care.

Anticipating a dilemma and growing dissatisfaction by consumers in the ability to provide adequate and quality health care to millions of aging Americans, a growing number of health insurance companies in the United States are offering Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP) and benefits enabling policyholders to travel to foreign destinations for their medical care in the hopes of relieving the burden on domestic health care. Medical tourism is the wave of the future, and the health and wellness tourism industry is able to meet the challenges of growing numbers of seniors seeking medical care in a multitude of fields.

Please Click here to request more information.

New Medical Horizons in Global Health Care

Health care in the 21st century offers more choices, opportunities, and options than ever before.  Not too long ago, medical tourism wasn’t taken very seriously, and the most common foreign destinations for travelers were limited to locations in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Today, medical tourism is the wave of the future in health care, with new facilities offering top class, state of the art and high-tech services in locations such as the Barbados, Costa Rica, Croatia, Jordan, South Africa and South Korea.

Physicians and surgeons providing services in excellent health care facilities, spas, and medical retreats now offer a wealth of options for individuals found in hundreds of regions across the world, attracting not only locals, but international travelers from the western hemisphere to quality and compassionate health care.

Cost perspectives in this new era of medical tourism offer affordable yet world-class treatments and procedures to individuals in a variety of medical fields, including orthopedics, obesity and weight loss, cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic and plastic surgical procedures, cardiac care, and stem cell research.

Individuals around the world can now access superlative healthcare without fearing bankruptcy. Europeans and inhabitants of Russia and Southeast Asia are flocking to superlative healthcare facilities in Turkey, Croatia, India, and Thailand and Singapore for cutting edge technology and effective treatments for a variety of illness and disease processes by compassionate, certified and accredited surgeons, medical staff, and facilities focused on the medical needs and comfort of international travelers.

According to the Medical Tourism Association, the next decade will bring an explosion in international healthcare capabilities and options, with over 16,000,000 Americans alone are expected to travel to foreign destinations for their medical care. An equal number of individuals from other countries around the world are also expected to travel to regional or international destinations as well.

The upcoming second Annual World Medical Tourism And Global Health Conference is expected to attract over 2000 attendees from 50 different countries, including healthcare experts, Health Ministers, Ministers of Tourism, presidents, vice presidents and medical experts from Africa, Russia, Japan, China, South America, and central European countries. Increasing numbers of insurance companies and insurance providers from around the world are adding medical tourism benefits to their policies. The uninsured and underinsured benefit greatly by these increased options for healthcare.

The Asian Medical tourism industry is expected to reach nearly $10 billion by 2013 and health tourism in Mexico, Central America and South America is not far behind. Countries in Central Europe are seeing the enormous benefit of providing world class medical facilities, procedures and travel packages to international travelers, among them Croatia, the Ukraine, and Turkey.

Increasing numbers of healthcare facilities around the world are now seeking international accreditation and certification by world-renowned organizations such as the Joint Commissions International and the World Health Organization, ensuring and enhancing confidence in services, education and training of healthcare providers around the globe.

The benefits and attraction of combining the best that tourist destinations have to offer with quality, affordable and effective medical procedures is attracting young and old alike.

PlacidWay, a medical tourism portal based in Denver, Colorado is dedicated to making affordable health care accessible to all, regardless of geography or culture. Providing reliable, up-to-date, and detailed information regarding medical procedures and techniques, facilities, and training and certification of doctors and surgeons from around the world gives people today more options regarding their healthcare choices.

Please Click here to request more information.

10,000 Private Networking Meetings Now Available at the World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress

Our brand new & exciting networking software has just launched. Attendees
are already using this incredible new software to schedule their one-on-one
networking meetings.

Attendees for the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress
are able to chose up to 50 companies to have pre-scheduled one on one
networking meetings with over the two day conference. Your invitations for
meetings will be accepted, which reduces significantly “no shows”. These
meetings will be pre-scheduled and will be up to ten (10) minute meetings.

Make sure you’re on the List:

• Attendees can begin setting up their profile: August 24th-31st.
• Attendees can start selecting their meetings: August 31st – September 27th.
• The computer system will match and schedule your meetings September 28th-October 2nd. Networking meetings will be turned off for this week!
• Attendees will be sent an email reminding them to log in and view their schedules. Attendees will be able to add, delete, modify, and print their schedules. New companies can register and ask for meetings, however spacing will be limited.
• Networking Meetings will be Closed and no other meetings will be pre-arranged after October 18th
• Online registration will be closed from October 19th-26th.
• Onsite registration at the door will cost $2,500 Conference only, $3,000 Conference + Workshops, and $1,500 for Workshops only. Based up on seat availability, seating not guaranteed.

This amazing software program allows you to maximize your time at the
medical tourism conference to maximize your networking and business
opportunities. If you want to have up to 25 networking meetings in one day
then you can do it within this system. Our one on one networking meetings
are some of the most valuable time spent at the World Medical Tourism &
Global Health Congress. With our new software system implemented this year,
we can offer this new and exciting program exclusively to our attendees.

You will find more information about the 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global
Health CongressT online at  <http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/>
http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com. We hope you will join us in October;
the industry looks forward to your active participation. Please save the
date to attend the 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health CongressT! To
find out more information about the Medical Tourism Association please go to
<http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com/>
hhp://www.medicaltourismassociation.com!

Health Tourism Events

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress
Event Dates : 26 October 2009- 28 October 2009
Contact : Melissa Skelton  Phone : +1 561 792 6676

The 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will connect you with top international hospitals, medical tourism companies and other professionals, Self Funded Health Plans and Insurance Companies and assist in the development of new relationships and valuable new contracts.

• Up to 100 Exhibitors and up to 2,000 Attendees
• Up to 200 U.S. Healthcare and International Insurance Companies Interested in Out-Sourcing Surgeries Overseas.
• Up to 5,000 One-on-One Networking Meetings Scheduled
• Industry Players from over 50 Countries
• Over 3,000 “Buyers” invited from the United States, Canada, Middle East, Europe, Asia, Russia and other countries looking at sending patients overseas

Please Click here to read more about Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress.

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress Announces the Pre-Conference Workshop on Financing Healthcare Projects

This workshop will explain how organizations looking to build or expand hospitals or clinics can obtain financing for these healthcare projects. In the current world economic climate it can be difficult to obtain healthcare financing, and this workshop will explain how and where to get financing and how to avoid receiving sub-optimal financing terms on projects, and how to obtain the best financing terms and rates. The workshop will also discuss utilizing financing to capital expenditures (capex), such as using financing to obtain and international accreditation.

The pre-conference workshop is Monday, October 26^th, 2009 at 8:00am- 5:00pm, with a break at 12:00-1:00pm for the networking lunch. The Exhibit hall opens conveniently at 5:00pm! This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering.

The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will take place on October 26-28th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles California USA!

This is the one event you cannot afford to miss!  Click Here to receive registration information.

Free Cleft Lip and Palate Surgeries at Global Medical Barbados

by Global Medical Barbados | PlacidWay

(08/24/09) Barbados – Global Medical Barbados, providing International Medical Services that save clients up to 75% on elective surgeries offers free reconstructive surgery for American, British, and Canadian children as well as those living in the Caribbean with cleft lips, palettes, and noses.

Surgical care is available through the Charitable Foundation of Global Medical Barbados. Says Mr. Grafton Marshall, Chairman of the Global Medical Group, “We offer specialists in craniofacial surgery and are pleased to offer children from the United States, Canada and Britain free reconstructive surgery for cleft lips, palettes and noses. We realize that many needy children suffer from lack of funds or insurance coverage and offer this program under the organization’s charitable foundation to cover the cost of surgery, accommodations and meals for the child and parents, as well as air travel in a private jet.”

Primary services of Global Medical Barbados offer orthopedic, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, cardiac care, dental surgery, and health and wellness, anti aging and spa treatments. Global Medical Barbados recently partnered with PlacidWay, a growing medical tourism portal based in Colorado.

“We are pleased to announce our growing relationship and partnership with Global Medical Barbados and to welcome them into our health provider network,” says Pramod Goel, CEO of PlacidWay. “Their dedication to the health and needs of children is especially welcome, as is Global Medical Barbados Group’s 24-hour medical healthcare plan, convenient transportation and pick up from dedicated airport terminals near any major airport in a private jet. Offering, accessing and taking advantage of affordable health care for individuals around the world has never been easier.”

Cleft Lip Surgery, No Cost
A cleft lip, palate or nose is a congenital birth defect that occurs when the upper lip and tissues that form the roof of the mouth don’t develop or close properly. Some children are born with a minor groove in the upper lip while others experience a gaping opening in the lip, the roof of the mouth and even the nasal cavities. Many children born with the defect experience eating or talking difficulties, accompanied with the embarrassment and self-consciousness that these types of defects cause in appearance. Global Medical Barbados makes additional information regarding the free cleft lip, palate and nose reconstructive surgeries and services available on request. 

The Global Medical Group located in Barbados is the ultimate getaway for International Medical Services. Whether seeking for a breast lift, knee surgery or heart surgery in Barbados, physicians and staff at the Global Medical Group are prepared to meet such needs.

Global Medical Group offers services and perks unmatched by other medical facilities in the region including:

• Private jet and dedicated terminal pick up from anywhere near a major airport in the United States, Canada, and Britain
• A minimum of 3.5 to 4-star hotel accommodations, meals included
• One year free consultation access to your physician
• A ‘Companion Flies Free’ offer

The affordable prices offered by the Global Medical Group include private jet service, accommodations and meals as well as initial consultation, procedure and surgery costs, pre-op, post-op and follow-up care.

Please Click here to request more information from Global Medical Group.

The World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress Announces the Pre-Conference After Care and Continuation of Care Workshop

This workshop will cover what patients need in the form of after care and continuation of care. It will cover protocols and processes that need to be in place for after care, rehabilitation and physician follow up. It will also address issues such as coordinating medical records and the communication between the foreign provider and the domestic provider as well as issues such as privacy. The after care plan should already be in place prior to the patient ever traveling internationally for healthcare and is one of the most important aspects of medical tourism. This workshop will discuss how to successfully implement a aftercare program for your organization whether you are a hospital, clinic, doctor, insurance company, employer or medical tourism facilitator.

The pre-conference workshop is Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 8:00am- 5:00pm, with a break at 12:00-1:00pm for the networking lunch. The Exhibit hall opens conveniently at 5:00pm! This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The best Medical Tourism Conference of the year.” This is a comment they have heard over and over from delegates who participated in the first World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress which took place in San Francisco California September 2008. The 2009 World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress promises to match that sentiment and, at the same time, provide even more networking and advanced panel sessions for this international gathering.

The conference will feature up to 2,000 attendees, up to 200 speakers, and over 125 exhibitors. Don’t miss out on the 2nd Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress will take place on October 26-28th, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles California USA!

To learn more about Medical Tourism Congress in Los Angeles, please CLICK HERE

Choosing an International Medical Provider: Making a List and Checking It Twice

When looking for medical providers abroad, a multitude of factors and considerations need to be addressed by each individual. Assessing the services, benefits, and drawbacks of any specific provider need to be fully researched by a medical tourist in order to gauge the quality of services and effectiveness of treatments. Medical travelers also need to take into consideration such things as location, services rendered, and patient care, post-op support and follow-up.

When looking for medical providers abroad, some of the first questions an individual may want answered include:

• Convenience – where is the facility located?  How will I get there?
• Customized services – will the facility be able to meet my specific needs?
• Acknowledging risks – what are the risks involved not only traveling to this destination, but of my specific surgical procedure or treatment? Is staff at this facility open and honest about all potential risks of such procedures or treatments?
• Providing unique solutions – will the facility be able to cater their services to meet my specific needs?
• Are they open to the prospect of working with me to solve my particular problem or issue?
• Quality of service – is this facility accredited and approved not only according to their country’s accreditation levels, but also by international accreditation facilities such as JCI (Joint Commission International)?

The Joint Commission is an American healthcare accreditation organization that evaluates medical facilities based on standards of care. The international branch of the Joint Commission inspects facilities and takes into consideration key factors before offering their “stamp of approval”.  Such considerations include but are not limited to:

• Medical staff credentials and training
• Nursing staff credentials and training
• Medication Management
• Infection Control
• Environment of Care
• Patient Rights
• Provision of Care Treatment Services

Read the complete article on Medical Tourism Abroad

Global Healthcare Options in Today’s Depressed Economy

by PlacidWay
March 12, 2009, Denver, CO: Individuals who have lost their jobs, and their health care benefits, worry about how they’re going to receive essential medical care and treatments without losing their life savings, their homes, or their retirement funds. There is an alternative, says Pramod Goel, founder and CEO of PlacidWay, a popular online resource for foreign medical travel and medical tourism. “Whether traveling to Mexico, Costa Rica, India or Thailand, there are choices – people don’t have to be constrained by local healthcare providers.”

PlacidWay continues to expand by adding international healthcare providers and facilities to their network on a daily basis – accredited and experienced facilities, physicians and surgical specialists in a multitude of medical fields including but not limited to cardiac care, obesity treatments and procedures, orthopedics, cosmetic and plastic surgeries, dental and fertility treatments.

Offering not only backgrounds of popular medical tourist destinations, PlacidWay offers treatment and procedures information, and comprehensive information about medical facilities throughout the world, including highly acclaimed clinics and hospitals found in Asia, such as India, Thailand and Singapore, as well as Mexico and South American destinations like Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Certified treatment facilities in South Africa and Central Europe offer affordable medical care for travelers from Italy to Croatia, Hungary, Turkey and the Ukraine.

Says Dr. Dheeraj Bojwani, President of Forerunners, “India continues to expand high-quality, low cost and excellent customer care service oriented health programs. Our partnership with PlacidWay enables and strengthens our ability to deliver the best solutions for medical travelers seeking affordable healthcare abroad.”

“PlacidWay continues to provide resources to educate healthcare consumers on vast spectrum of options that are available, giving a rare opportunity to folks to seek and experience a multitude of global healthcare options that are available even in today’s economic conditions,” says Goel.

Growing numbers of foreign medical travel destination providers are accredited by JCI and ISO organizations, and follow guidelines designed by the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety Standards in order to compete in today’s growing field of medical tourism.

Whether consumers are looking for affordable IVF treatments, heart care or bariatric surgery, medical care abroad offers affordable options for Americans & Europeans concerned about the future of their healthcare needs. PlacidWay offers in-depth information on medical treatments and procedures, wellness programs, and cost comparisons of such treatments. Case studies and articles written by medical experts from around the world provide PlacidWay customers recent and accurate information and transparent price quotes surrounding specific treatments at a variety of destinations.

Ms. Denise Hoogervorst, Director of Surgical Bliss, states, “Visitors from abroad are impressed by world class medical facilities, surgeons, and specialized care that South Africa offers. With rand currently being weak against US dollar, South Africa has become a very attractive medical tourist destination. Our relationship with PlacidWay helped us expand awareness of the South African health tourism programs to a worldwide audience.”

Explore the world of medical options at the click of a mouse. For free information regarding global health care options for individuals and families concerned about medical care and up-to-date information describing specialists, services, techniques and procedures for healthcare provider facilities around the world, visit www.placidway.com.