Medical Tourism An International Healthcare Guide For Insurers, Employers and Governments
By RenĂŠe-Marie Stephano, Esq. & Jonathan Edelheit
MEDICAL TOURISM
Foreward From the top down, our Company leaders believe in staying on the leading edge of health care, and therefore, are committed to continuously searching for alternative solutions to offer to our employees and to their families. We understand that employees should have a “choice” in selecting the benets that best t their budget and lifestyle. This is “smart” business. After all, we are asking employees to lead healthier lives, to make smarter decisions in utilizing managed-care networks, and to be more accountable for the health care decisions that they make. Fortunately, we are self-funded. Our employees know that we are able to design our health care plan, and more importantly, to incorporate “choice.” For example, for over a decade, we have partnered with The Mayo Clinic as our domestic medical tourism destination. Within the past year, we have been in the discussion stages for designing an international medical tourism benet. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica on a FAM Trip sponsored by government ofcials and hosted in conjunction with the Medical Tourism Association. It’s amazing to witness rst-hand that the medical, dental and plastic surgery centers meet the same accreditation and quality standards (including safety and ISO certication) that we require (or expect) in the U.S. In Costa Rica, approximately 80% of the physicians are educated in the U.S. and, the language barrier was not an issue at all. However, it is astounding that the cost for a hip or knee replacement is one third of what it would cost in the U.S. This is an eye-opener for employers. Missy Jarrott, Director of Human Resources, Chatham Steel Corporation
ISBN-10 978-0-982744-0-5 © 2010 Global Health Insurance Publications Special thanks to Gaby Vicuna and Jessica Leopold for their assistance in editing and research.
Copyright © 2010 by Global Health Insurance Publications All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form, whether in print, electronic, or other form without prior written consent and permission from the author or publisher. DISCLAIMER The content of this book is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, legal advice, diagnosis, treatment or recommendations of any kind. Patients, Insurance Companies, Employers, Governments, Agents and Consultants should always seek the advice of qualied professionals with any questions or concerns about healthcare or treatment. Neither the authors nor any of the content of this book is meant to recommend or endorse specic hospitals, countries, medical treatments, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information. Some of the information for this book was gathered by third parties. We advise readers to do their own research and due diligence, make their own informed decisions and seek their own legal advice. When this book refers to an “American” patient this use is an example. Feel free to replace this with any country when reading this book.
3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I want to thank everyone involved in the medical tourism industry that have worked diligently to grow this industry in an upward and responsible manner. I also would like to thank the hundreds of loyal Medical Tourism Association Members from around the world that continually strive to improve the quality of and access to healthcare, as well as to provide the best patient experience possible. This industry is ďƒžlled with dynamic and amazing individuals and it is my honor and privilege to work with them. The medical tourism industry has an amazing future, providing new and improved opportunities in healthcare. I look forward to working together as an industry to promote the education of healthcare, and the transparency of quality and pricing of healthcare services, making it available to all.
Renee-Marie Stephano
4
MEDICAL TOURISM
INTRODUCTION
By Jonathan Edelheit
Medical tourism industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the healthcare industry. Millions of patients are traveling for healthcare each year, spending billions of dollars. These numbers keep growing year after year. Many countries are experiencing a healthcare boom in which rst-class modern hospitals are being built with cutting-edge technology, backed by experienced, well-trained physicians, surgeons and nurses. As this growth in healthcare infrastructure spreads around the world, so does the condence of patients who are packing their bags, selecting a travel companion and traveling to another country for medical care. The industry has a positive impact on healthcare throughout the world. Because of the potential for growth, hospitals are investing in advanced medical technology, diagnostics, cancer treatment and other areas. As hospitals modernize themselves and increase their healthcare infrastructure, doctors are returning to their home countries in order to practice medicine. These “high-tech,” innovative hospitals are also beginning to compete with one another, thus creating global competition in pricing and quality. The end result is increased quality at affordable prices for both the foreign and local patients. The goal of this book is to provide knowledge and direction to insurance companies, employers, and governments around the world who are involved or interested in implementing medical tourism, as well as to patients crossing borders for healthcare. This book analyzes the trends in patients traveling overseas, what procedures are being performed 5
and in which countries they are seeking care. It also provides insight and guidance as to what insurance companies, employers and governments need to consider prior to implementing medical tourism into their healthcare or health insurance plans. We have not provided a list of hospitals or healthcare providers in this book. as the list continues to grow. Hospital information changes constantly
6
due to expansions, renovations, accreditation, the addition of new expert surgeons, investment in new advanced technology, performance of cutting-edge medical procedures and for other reasons. For an upto-date list of some of the best hospitals please visit the Medical Tourism Association’s website at
www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com.
MEDICAL TOURISM
Chapter 1
Introduction to Medical Tourism
12
What is Medical Tourism?............................... 13 Domestic Medical Tourism.............................. 16 Dental Tourism................................................ 17 Procedures Sought by Traveling Patients....... 19 Where are Patients Traveling From?...............20 Medical Procedures and Cost Comparison..... 22 Inbound Medical Tourism to the US................ 26
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 2
The Medical Tourism & International Healthcare Patient 28
Patient Perspective ~ Medical Tourism Drivers....29 The Total Patient Experience.............................. 30 International Patient Centers.............................. 31 Patients and their Companions...........................32 After Care and Continuation of Care...................34 Global Patient Medical Records..........................35 Individual “Cash Paying� Patient Marketplace.....36 The American Medical Tourist.............................38 US Baby Boomers, Retiring Foreigners, Retirement Communities & Assisted Living Facilities................................................................ 40
Chapter 3
Patient Survey Insights into Medical Tourism 42
Gallup Poll and Medical Tourism.....................43 Medical Tourism Association Patient Surveys...44 7
Chapter 4
The US Insurance Industry and Medical Tourism 52
US Health Insurance Marketplace & Medical Tourism...........................................................53 The Ethnic Employee or Ethnic Insured......... 56 Self Funded Healthcare Plans & Employers...60 Educating the Employee and Insured.............66 Providing Incentives for the Insured............... 68 The Role of US Health Insurance Agents....... 71 Patient Waivers.............................................. 72 US Healthcare Reform................................... 73 AMA Guidelines on Medical Tourism.............. 76 American College of Surgeon Guidelines on Medical Tourism............................................. 77
Chapter 5
International Insurance Marketplace
80
Opportunities with International Insurance Companies and Multinational Employers with Global Health Insurance Policies...................... 81 Medical Tourism Opportunities with Expatriate Healthcare and Travel Insurance...................... 82
Chapter 6
Taking the Next Step in Medical Tourism
84
Choosing a Destination..................................85 Medical Tourism Facilitators...........................87 Familiarization Trips (“Fam� Tours).................92
8
MEDICAL TOURISM An International Healthcare Guide for Insurers, Employers and Governments
The definitive guide for any international insurance company, multinational employers, health insurance agent or government who is involved with patients and insured who travel to other countries for healthcare. This book explains why patients are traveling for healthcare, what medical and dental procedures they are traveling for and what countries patients are traveling to. It will provide an understanding of the medical tourism and international healthcare marketplace and teach you what you need to understand in order to implement a successful international healthcare plan. >> Understand How and Why Insurance Companies, Employers and Governments Have Implemented Medical Tourism & Cross Border Healthcare >> Learn the Quality of Care available around the world >> Overview of What Countries are at the Forefront of Š Global Health Insurance Publications
International Healthcare