PDF - Medical Tourism Magazine

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Yo u r
G u i d e
t o
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
M e d i c i n e
Medical Tourism
ISSUE 14
Are You Forfeiting
Millions in Revenue?
Pg 52
Medellin ~
The Spirit of
Latin America
Pg 27
Portable Medical Records~
Bumrungrad and
Microsoft Team Up
Pg 20
Medical Tourism
in the Ashes of
Healthcare Reform
Pg 44
© Copyright Medical Tourism Magazine
January/February 2010
1
THESE HOSPITALS ARE AMONG
THE BEST
INTERNATIONAL
HOSPITALS
ALL HOSPITALS ARE
MEMBERS OF THE MTA
IN THE WORLD
AFRICA
THE NAIROBI HOSPITAL
www.nairobihospital.org
AUSTRALIA
JORDAN
JORDAN HOSPITAL
www.jordan-hospital.com
THE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
www.specialty-hospital.com
HEALTHSCOPE
www.healthscope.com.au
ISTISHARI HOSPITAL
BRAZIL
MALAYSIA
HOSPITAL ALEMAO OSWALDO CRUZ
www.hospitalalemao.org.br
PRINCE COURT MEDICAL CENTRE SDN. BHD.
www.princecourt.com
COSTA RICA
INSTITUTE JANTUNG NEGARA
NATIONAL HEART INSTITUE
www.ijn.com.my
HOSPITAL CLINICA BIBLICA
www.hcbinternational.com
HOSPITAL – HOTEL LA CATOLICA
www.hospitallacatolica.com
GERMANY
DRK KLINIKEN BERLIN
www.drk-kliniken-berlin.de
INDIA
FORTIS HEALTHCARE
www.fortishealthcare.com
MEXICO
HOSPITAL CIMA CHIHUAHUA
www.hospitalcima.com.mx
AMERIMED
www.amerimed-hospitals.com
GRUPO ANGELES/ANGELES HEALTH
INTERNATIONAL
www.angeleshealth.com
NICARAGUA
HOSPITAL METROPOLITANO VIVIAN PELLAS
WOCKHARDT HOSPITALS www.metropolitanomedicaltourism.com
ASSOCIATED HARVARD MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL
www.wockhardthospitals.net
COLUMBIA ASIA HOSPITAL PVT. LTD.
www.columbiaasia.com
MOOLCHAND HEALTHCARE GROUP
www.moolchandhealthcare.com
ISRAEL
ASSAF HAROFEH MEDICAL CENTER
www.assafh.org
PANAMA
HOSPITAL PUNTA PACIFICA
www.hospitalpuntapacifica.com
SPAIN
USP INSTITUTO UNIVERSITARIO DEXEUS
www.dexeus.es
SOUTH KOREA
SEVERENCE HOSPITAL
YONSEI UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
www.yuhs.or.kr/en
SEOUL WOORIDUL SPINE HOSPITAL
www.wooridul.com
THAILAND
BANGKOK HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
www.bgh.com.th
BUMRUNGRAD INTERNATIONAL
www.bumrungrad.com
TURKEY
ANADOLU MEDICAL CENTRE
www.anadolumedicalcentre.co.uk
UNITED STATES
BAPTIST HOSPITAL
www.baptisthealth.net
HCA EAST FLORIDA
www.hcaeastflorida.com
JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
www.jhsmiami.org
BRAIN TUMOR CENTER,
JOHN WAYNE CANCER INSTITUTE
AT SAINT JOHN’S HEALTH CENTER
www.brain-tumor.org
MEMORIAL HERMANN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
www.memorialhermann.org
VIETNAM
FV HOSPITAL – FAR EAST VIETNAM LIMITED
www.fvhospital.com
SINGAPORE
MOH HOLDINGS
www.mohh.com.sg
2
in Motion
Editorial
PROGRESS
T
hese are very exciting times in the Medical
Tourism Industry. The industry has matured and
changed so much over the past few years. We have
seen it develop from a fragmented and disjointed industry
to extremely organized, much more educated, sophisticated
and stronger, thus headed in the right direction. Deloitte
has estimated a 35% growth in medical tourism each year
and we are seeing this growth already. More governments
are getting involved in supporting and growing medical
tourism in their country or region, and hospitals are putting
aside differences in competition to promote their region
and country. This will all result in growth for the industry.
In 2010, the Medical Tourism Association is spreading
its wings in the area of global healthcare and working
towards the improvement of healthcare in the public and
private sectors to provide high quality of care for local
populations as well as international ones. The MTA is also
expanding its educational objectives beyond the Medical
Tourism Magazine and the Health Tourism Magazine
with the publication of several instructional guides about
Medical Tourism and regional educational workshops.
With our partnership with several academic institutions,
the MTA will also be involved in several research projects
for 2010.
Exhibitors will also be able to have their meetings at their
exhibit booth for maximum exposure plus convenience.
I am particularly looking forward to the upcoming
Asia Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism Conference
in Seoul, Korea, April 13-15th, 2010. This Asia medical
tourism conference is a partnership between the MTA,
KHIDI and the Korean government. The MTA and
KHIDI have worked together to create a budget to bring in
international buyers from insurance companies, employers
and foreign governments to educate them on the high
quality of healthcare in Asia and Korea. We have a great
line up of speakers and some really high profile attendees.
www.asiamedicalcongress.com. KHIDI will be handling
the registration and sponsorship of this event so be sure
to check out their website http://www.medical-korea.org/
home/. I hope to see all of you in Seoul in April! n
We are also excited to announce that at this year’s 3rd
annual World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress
Renée-Marie Stephano is a Founder and
in Los Angeles, September 20-22nd, 2010, we have allocated
President of the Medical Tourism Association,
a large budget to bring in up to 200 “sponsored buyers” to
also known as MTA, the first international
the conference. And the theme of this year’s congress will
non-profit trade association for the medical
be “Progress in Motion” to celebrate the development and
tourism industry. Ms. Stephano also serves
as general counsel for the MTA and is Editor
continued growth in the industry. This year’s conference
of the Medical Tourism Magazine.
will have dedicated networking times two times per day,
where there is no general session and the focus will be
Ms. Stephano received her Juris Doctorate
on networking. Networking meetings will be held in the
degree in Law in Pennsylvania. She has a
Grand Ballroom for maximum space and noise reduction. background in international marketing and health law and then
went on to open her own law firm, spending six years serving
as general counsel for a US national healthcare administrator
which was the first US healthcare administrator to implement
medical tourism into both self-funded and fully insured health
plans in the United States.
Ms. Stephano works full time for the Medical Tourism
Association and is considered an expert in medical tourism. In
her role at the Medical Tourism Association, Ms. Stephano helps
countries and hospitals create strategic marketing plans and
helps identify target markets. She has helped many countries
and hospitals achieve their goals of attracting foreign patients
and international insurance companies. Ms. Stephano works
with global health care providers to maintain transparency with
respect to quality of care as they increase their flow of patients
and she also works with medical travel facilitators to establish
best practices to ultimately ensure patient safety. She may be
reached at [email protected]
3
MEDICAL TOURISM
EDITOR & PUBLISHER:
Renée-Marie Stephano, Esq.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS:
Jonathan S. Edelheit
Vivian Ho
Gabriella Vicuña
Chelsea D’Ariano
Sarah Martin
Dr. Prem Jagyasi
ONLINE MAGAZINE EDITORS:
Gabriella Vicuña
Chelsea D’Ariano
Sarah Martin
REGULAR AUTHORS:
Alex Piper
Michael Bina
Gabriella Vicuña
Dr. Prem Jagyasi
David G. Vequist
Jessica Johnson
Stephanie Falcone
Bill Cook
Dan Cormany
Vivian Ho
Chelsea D’Ariano
Sarah Martin
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS:
Susie Ellis
James McCormick
Ayushi Gummadi
Lic. Michael Quiros
Kenneth Mays
Nathalie Steiner
Jeffrey Apton
Robin Apton
Dr. Enes Hodzic
ART DIRECTOR:
Renée-Marie Stephano, Esq.
ART DEPARTMENT:
Dinier Quirós
MAIN OFFICES:
10130 Northlake Blvd. Suite 214-315
West Palm Beach, Florida 33412 USA
Tel:561-791-2000
Fax: 866-756-0811
[email protected]
www.MedicalTourismMag.com
REGIONAL OFFICES:
San Jose, Costa Rica
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Istanbul, Turkey
Seoul, Korea
Tel Aviv, Israel
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Copyright © 2009 by Medical Tourism Magazine.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without
permission is prohibited.
4
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5
Medical Tourism
AT A GLANCE
Editorial
Progress in Motion
3
These are very exciting times in the Medical Tourism
Industry. The industry has matured and changed so much
over the past few years. We have seen it develop from a
fragmented and disjointed industry to extremely organized,
much more educated, sophisticated and stronger, thus
headed in the right direction.
BY RENEE-MARIE STEPHANO
Features
FAM Trip to Chihuahua, Mexico ~ The Lady
of the Desert
12
Chihuahua has the support, infrastructure and dedication
to become one of the top Medical Tourism Destinations
of Latin America. The Medical Tourism Association was
delighted to participate in the Familiarization “FAM”
Tour in the beautiful country of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Facilitators, Consultants and Insurance Companies from
Canada and United States of America were in attendance.
BY JESSICA JOHNSON
Singapore ~ Destination Health: Outstanding
Clinical Outcomes and World Class Patient
Focused Care
18
Singapore is home to over 4 million residents; all of whom
benefit from a thriving biomedical industry, an integrated
healthcare structure, a large base of skilled medical
professionals, the latest in medical technology and an
international standard judiciary system. While all of these
attributes are commendable, and places Singapore on the
medical tourism, health and wellness map, there is one
aspect that places them on the forefront as a world-class
destination ~ that of the patient experience.
Stem Cells Technologies
in Medicine of the 21st
Century
8
In general, human tissues have a very limited
potential to regenerate. However, recent
progress in stem cell research and tissue
engineering promises novel prospects for
tissue regeneration in the nearest future. The
21st Century is a century of biomedicine, cell
biology, molecular medicine and stem cells.
BY DR. ENES HODZIC
Medellín ~ The Spirit of Latin America
27
The Medical Tourism Association hosted a Familiarization
Tour to the everlasting place of spring time, Medellín,
Colombia December 8th-12th 2009. Nine medical tourism
facilitators, insurance companies and agents from the
United States, Canada and the Caribbean explored the high
quality of the healthcare system, accreditation, warmth and
hospitality Medellín has to offer their patients.
Patient Survey ~ Bumrungrad International
22
BY STEPHANIE FALCONE
Portable Medical Records ~ Bumrungrad
Hospital and Microsoft Team Up To Help
Medical Travelers Get Continuity of Care
20
Bumrungrad was the first JCI-accredited hospital in
Asia and is one of the world’s most popular medical
destinations. The hospital’s introduction of HealthVault is
the latest in a series of innovations for medical travelers—
innovations that include online appointments, hotel-like
amenities and services, international medical coordinators
and information about what patients paid for procedures
on its website.
BY KENNETH MAYS
6
The Medical Tourism Association joined forces with
Bumrungrad International to conduct a survey on
international patients who sought treatment at Bumrungrad
Hospital in 2009, covering patient research patterns, the
most important factors for patients when traveling and
the types of procedures patients travel internationally for.
Korean Health Care for US Corporations
36
The country of Korea has developed into a modern,
industrialized and technologically advanced economy
that exports its products to consumers across the world.
Medical care in Korea has developed alongside the other
high-tech industries here and currently the medical
establishment provides care that is among the best in
the world. As a natural extension of the export-driven
economy and the outcome-oriented medical care industries
that exist here today, people from around the globe have
begun to travel to Korea for quality, affordable care.
BY JEFF CARTER
Medical Tourism
AT A GLANCE
Promoting the Korean Global Healthcare
Industry
38
“Global healthcare” refers to the growing international
trend towards the greater utilization of medical services
overseas rather than in home countries. It has been
reported that in 2005 alone, over 19 million people
worldwide traveled overseas to access medical services. In
fact, The McKinsey & Company projects that the annual
market volume of global healthcare will reach 100 billion
US dollars in 2010.
BY KYUNG-WON JANG
The Global Spa & Medical Tourism
Industries ~ Part II Evolving Models & Ways
to Work Together
46
The history of spas, defined as destinations people visit for
renewal of body, mind and spirit, and medical tourism,
the practice of people traveling across borders for medical
treatment, can be traced back thousands of years. Yet
each sector has a distinctly modern and rapidly evolving
incarnation that can be measured in mere decades and
years. While there are striking parallels between these
ancient, yet young industries, each brings vastly different
core competencies to the table.
BY SUSIE ELLIS
Economics
Mental Well-Being ~ A Discovery Into The Mind
65
Are You Forfeiting Millions in Revenue?
52
While the distribution of healthcare as a global service is
a reality in many countries, the US lags in development
because there are gaps in industry rules, ill-defined dispute
resolution mechanisms, billing transparency concerns, and
other significant issues that create unknown business risks.
As a result of these structural issues, national reputations
and international business brands are unnecessarily
jeopardized.
BY LIC. MICHAEL QUIROS
Medical Care ~ Israel’s Newest Tourist Attraction
63
BY DR. JAMES MCCORMICK
Medical Tourism in the Ashes of Healthcare
Reform
44
Healthcare Reform is dead in the United States. For
some of you who may not have been aware, it was all
because of the election of Senator Brown, a Republican,
in Massachusetts who by all rights shouldn’t have been
elected and whose election is being called the American
people’s desire to kill healthcare reform in its current state.
BY JONATHAN EDELHEIT
Medical Tourism Meets Volunteering Hands~
A Student’s Journey to Honduras
56
The Role of the Facilitator ~ Making Dental
Tourism Easier
40
BY JEFFREY APTON AND ROBIN APTON
The American religious communities have always
maintained a strong spiritual connection to Israel. Now
there is one more reason to visit this country: unequaled
medical care. Israel’s advanced medical treatments, some
of the best in the world, cost only a fraction of the U.S.
equivalent, while being the leading edge of medicine.
This makes it possible to receive quality care while also
experiencing the healing qualities of the Holy Land, all at
a substantial savings.
BY NATHALIE STEINER
News and Insights
In the world of medical care, treatment for even a minor
illness frequently runs into thousands of dollars. Medical
insurance is virtually essential to gaining access to medical
care. Compare that to the world of dental care. About
half of all Americans have no dental insurance (for seniors
that’s about 80%). The fortunate ones with insurance are
covered for basic twice-a-year cleanings, exams and x-rays.
It’s amazing how the world around us is in constant
change, from a cultural point of view to an environmental
perspective. It’s even more interesting how mankind
reacts to its surroundings in different ways, each time with
gradually increasing mental and physical consequences
including diseases to all kinds of stress-related affections.
Driving through the hills of rural Honduras, I experienced
my first wave of fearing for my life. I was crammed in
the back of a van, driving in the rain along dirt roads
that looked over the edge of cliffs. But when the van first
dropped us off in the rural community of Las Joyas, my
emotions instantly changed and the surroundings took
my breath away.
BY AYUSHI GUMMADI
An Interview with Brad Cook ~ Hospital
Clinica Biblica
58
Hospital Clinica Biblica is one of the most well known
hospitals in Latin America. Brad Cook is one of the major
reasons why the hospital has been receiving the lion’s share
of international patients to Costa Rica.
BY SARAH MARTIN
7
MEDICAL TOURISM
Stem Cells
Technologies in
Medicine of the
21st Century
By DR. ENES HODZIC
In general, human tissues have a very limited potential to regenerate. However, recent progress in stem cell research and
tissue engineering promises novel prospects for tissue regeneration in the nearest future. The 21st Century is a century of
biomedicine, cell biology, molecular medicine and stem cells.
D
iseased, degenerating or damaged organs and
tissues give rise to a wide range of chronic illnesses.
Patients suffering from such illnesses are currently
faced with a relatively short list of options including:
• Long-term drug therapy, which may allow a disease to
be managed but rarely cured
• Organ transplant, which there is a shortage of
• Medical devices such as pacemakers
8
Stem cell research offers enormous potential for major
advances in clinical therapy and could be used to replace
missing or damaged cells in important diseases.(2) Stem cells
offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement
cells and tissues to treat life-threatening diseases including
genetic disorder, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, stroke,
burns, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
(Table 1).
TABLE 1. Potential US Populations for Stem Cell-Based Therapies
The conditions listed below occur in many forms and thus
not every person with these diseases could potentially benefit
from stem cell-based therapies. Nonetheless, the widespread
incidence of these conditions suggests that stem cell research
could help millions of patients.
Conditions
Number of patients
Cardiovascular diseases
58 million
Autoimmune diseases
30 million
Diabetes
16 million
Osteoporosis
10 million
Cancers
8.2 million
Alzheimer’s disease
5.5 million
Parkinson’s disease
5.5 million
Burns (severe)
0.3 million
Spinal-cord injuries
0.25 million
Birth defects
0.15 million /year
Source: Perry D. Patients’ voices: the powerful sound in the stem cell
debate. Science 2000; 287:1423.
What are Stem Cells?
The term “stem cell” was proposed for scientific use and
has three defining features on which all can agree.(4)
1. A stem cell “self-renews”. When a stem cell is called
into action, it undergoes cell division. One daughter
cell remains a stem cell, while the other becomes more
committed to forming a particular cell type by a process
called “asymmetric division”.
2. A stem cell forms multiple cell types, making it multipotent.
3. A single stem cell completely re-forms a particular tissue
when it is transplanted within the body.
Prospective Clinical Applications of Different
Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells (ES) refer to the cells of the inner cell
mass of the blastocyst during embryonic development (Figure
1). ES are particularly notable for their ability to differentiate
into any cell type in the body and the ability to self replicate for
numerous generations. (5)
Krebsbach PH, Robey PG. Dental and skeletal stem cells:
potential cellular therapeutics for craniofacial regeneration. J
Dent Educ. 2002 Jun; 66(6):766-73).
However, at least two large obstacles stand in the way of
this goal. The first technical hurdle is difficulty in manipulating
the cells to reproducibly and predictably differentiate into the
desired tissue, and no other, clearly indicates the many basic
questions regarding the biology of stem cells that must be
answered. Another equally challenging question that must be
resolved is one of the law and ethics of stem cell technologies.
To date, little attempt has been made towards the use of ES in
dental, oral and craniofacial regeneration. (6)
Stem cell research offers enormous
potential for major advances in
clinical therapy and could be used to
replace missing or damaged cells in
important diseases.
Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells (AFS) can be isolated
from aspirates of amniocentesis during genetic screening.
While the potential therapeutic value of AFS remains to be
discovered, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated
that AFS have the capacity for remarkable proliferation and
differentiation into multiple lineages, such as chondrocytes,
adipocytes, osteoblasts, myocytes, endothelial cells, neuronlike cells and live cells. (7)
Umbilical Cord Stem Cells (UCS) derive from the blood of
the umbilical cord and there is growing interest in their capacity
for self-replication and multi-lineage differentiation. (8) UCS have
been differentiated into several cell types, such as cells of the
liver, skeletal muscle, neural tissue and immune cells. Although
UCS are viewed as neither embryonic stem cells nor adult stem
cells, their high capacity for multi-lineage differentiation is
likely attributed to the possibility that UCS are chronologically
closer derivatives of embryonic stem cells than adult stem cells.
Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells can selfreplicate and have been differentiated, under experimental
conditions, into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myoblasts,
adipocytes and other cell types, such as neuron-like cells,
pancreatic islet beta cells, etc. When bone marrow is aspirated
and cultured, a subset of adherent and mononuclear cells are
mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). To date, the majority of work
in this area has focused on the ability of bone marrow-derived
MSCs to differentiate into bone. Thus, in vitro expanded bone
marrow-derived MSCs may be a rich source of osteogenic
progenitor cells that are capable of promoting the repair or
regeneration of skeletal defects (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Stem cells derived from the inner cell mass
of blastocyst stage human embryos have been shown to
differentiate into several different cell types and have the
potential to one day replace or regenerate tissues. (Source:
9
MEDICAL TOURISM
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (AS) are typically isolated from
lipectomy or liposuction aspirates. AS have been differentiated
into adipocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, neuronal and
osteoblast lineages. AS can self-replicate for many passages
without losing the ability to further differentiate, however, the
ability to reconstitute tissues and organs by AS versus other
adult stem cells has yet to be comprehensively documented. (11)
A great deal of progress has been made in a relatively
short time as researchers and clinicians throughout the world
are exploring the promise of stem cell transplants for patients
with debilitating diseases and degenerative conditions. Despite
all enthusiasm about the discovery of stem cells and their
great potential, there also is no doubt that in many cases, the
applications of and the cures related to stem cells are not just
around the corner, as media would lead one to think. n
REFERENCES
Figure 2. Adult stem cells can be harvested from the bone
marrow and expanded in the laboratory. When loaded onto
appropriate scaffolds and transplanted back into a deficient
site, stem cells have the potential to regenerate bone structures.
(Source: Krebsbach PH, Robey PG. Dental and skeletal
stem cells: potential cellular therapeutics for craniofacial
regeneration. J Dent Educ. 2002 Jun; 66(6):766-73).
Although bone marrow-derived MSCs are inherently
heterogeneous, the “plasticity” of this population provides
unique scientific opportunities for investigating the role of
BMSCs in skeletal homeostasis, genetically modifying potential
stem cells, and the potential clinical utility of using autogenous
cell therapies to increase the rate and extent of bone formation
Tooth-Derived Stem Cells (TS) are isolated from the dental
pulp, periodontal ligament ~ including the apical region ~ and
other tooth structures. (10) Transplanted skeletal or dental stem
cells may one day be used to repair craniofacial bone or even
repair or regenerate teeth, (Figure 3).
1.
Virchow R. Die Cellularpathologie in ihrer Begründung auf
physiol. und pathol. Gewebslehre. 1858.
2.
Perry D. Patients’ voices: the powerful sound in the stem cell
debate. Science 2000; 287:1423.
3.
Maximov
A.
Ueber
experimentelle
Erzeugung
Knochenmarkgewebe. Anat Anz 1906; 28:609–12.
4.
Lakshmipathy U, Verfaillie C. Stem cell plasticity. Blood Rev
2005; 19(1):29-38.
5.
McCloskey KE, Lyons I, Rao RR, Stice SL, Nerem RM. Purified
and proliferating endothelial cells derived and expanded in vitro
from embryonic stem cells. Endothelium. 2003; 10(6):329-36.
6.
Krebsbach PH, Robey PG. Dental and skeletal stem cells:
potential cellular therapeutics for craniofacial regeneration. J
Dent Educ. 2002 Jun; 66(6):766-73.
7.
Prusa AR, Hengstschlager M. Amniotic fluid cells and human
stem cell research: a new connection. Med Sci Monit 2002;
8:RA253-257.
8.
Laughlin MJ, Barker J, Bambach B, et al. Hematopoietic
engraftment and survival in adult recipients of umbilical-cord blood
from unrelated donors. N Engl J Med 2001; 344:1815-1822.
9.
Alhadlaq A., Mao J.J. Mesenchymal stem cells: isolation and
therapeutics. Stem Cells Dev 2004. 13, 436–448
von
10. Marion NW, Mao J.J. Mesenchymal stem cells and tissue
engineering. Methods Enzymol 2006.420:339-361.
11. Moseley TA, Zhu M, Hedrick MH. Adipose-derived stem and
progenitor cells as fillers in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006. 118:121-128.
About the Author
Figure 3. Adult stem cells can be harvested from the dental
tissues such as the dental pulp and expanded in the laboratory.
When loaded onto appropriate scaffolds and transplanted back
into a deficient site, stem cells have the potential to regenerate
tooth structures. (Source: Krebsbach PH, Robey PG. Dental and
skeletal stem cells: potential cellular therapeutics for craniofacial
regeneration. J Dent Educ. 2002 Jun; 66(6):766-73).
10
Dr. Enes Hodzic graduated from the
Dentistry Faculty in Belgrade in 1971.
He specialized in Maxillofacial Surgery
at Military Medical Academy of Belgrade
where he also gained experience in plastic
surgery. In 1986 he was trained in the plastic
surgery ward at Rikshospitalet University
Hospital in Oslo, Norway. After returning
from Oslo he worked in Mostar’s hospital as
a maxillofacial surgeon. Dr. Hodžić opened the Private Dental
Policlynic Dr. Hodžić in Metković and its subsidiary in Rovinj
and In 2009 he founded the Center for Regenerative Medicine
in Rovinj. You may reach him by email at dr.eneshodzic@yahoo.
com and his website www.poliklinika-dr-hodzic.com.
50 million americans
need your healthcare
services.
the healthcare crisis in the u.s. presents opportunities
to those ready to offer solutions through medical tourism.
our services include:
• Consulting - Governments, Hospitals, Clinics and
Medical Tourism Companies
• Media/Public Relations - Communications plans targeting
specific audiences and markets
• Marketing Assistance - Brand building services that speak
to your target markets
• Marketing Workshops - Customized assistance for specific
market penetration goals
To find out how OneWorld Global Healthcare Solutions can benefit your organization,
please call 248-250-3221 or visit www.OneWorldGlobalHealthcareSolutions.com.
11
MEDICAL TOURISM
FAM Trip to
Chihuahua,
Mexico~
The Lady of the Desert
By JESSICA JOHNSON
Chihuahua has the support, infrastructure and dedication to become one of the top Medical Tourism Destinations of Latin
America. Derrell Connor from M3 insurance sums up this destination up by stating, “I was very impressed with both the
medical facilities, as well as the historical sites that we visited in Chihuahua. From the Cima Hospital to the Oncology
Center to Copper Canyon, the entire experience was excellent. The doctors, nurses and staff were very professional and
accommodating. It would certainly be a place that I would go to receive care, and feel comfortable doing so. I would
recommend Chihuahua and Cima Hospital as a destination to my clients.”
T
he Medical Tourism Association was delighted to
participate in the Familiarization “FAM” Tour
in the beautiful country of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Facilitators, Consultants and Insurance Companies from
Canada and United States of America were in attendance. The
broker companies in attendance included:
Surgical Trip
M3 Insurance Solutions
Medical Tourism Company
Debson Medical Tourism
MedVoy, Inc.
Global Benefit Options
ACCESS Global Healthcare
12
The trip included meetings with the Mayor, and Secretary
of Tourism and Commerce, hospital tours and a day of tourism
into Copper Canyon. Kemal Canlar from Global Benefit
Options states, “The facilities we toured were immaculate and
have an added benefit of geographical convenience to the US.”
The Secretary of Tourism and Commerce, Lic. Hector
Valles Alvelais, along with all the sectors of government and
The facilities we toured were
immaculate and have an
added benefit of geographical
convenience to the US.
tourism are in full support of the Medical Tourism Industry.
As Mr. Valles quotes, “Medical Tourism is a priority.”
The government has a strong interest and commitment in
supporting Chihuahua in this industry. They understand the
need to remain sensitive to international patients to help them
adjust to the new culture. They are also working with American
Airlines and Continental on more direct flights into Chihuahua,
including one from Phoenix, Arizona, among other initiatives
for tourism.
Chihuahua, Mexico
Chihuahua, located in Mexico, is the state’s capital. Its name
derives from the Tarahumara language meaning “between two
waters” or “dry and sandy place.” Founded on October 12,
1709, Chihuahua now has a population of almost 1 million.
Chihuahua lies on the western side of the Chihuahuan
Desert and has a semi-arid climate, making it cooler than
other portions of the desert at lower elevations. The average
temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.
Highly Impressive, Chihuahua Medical
City is truly a cutting edge high quality
affordable Healthcare cluster…
It is the twelfth largest city in Mexico and one of the most
industrialized, complete with companies such as Ford Motor
Company, Sumitomo Electrical and John Deere. The city is the
leading producer in minerals and zinc, and second in extracting
silver. Chihuahua is also the main producer of apples and nuts
in the country and a front runner in raising cattle and sheep.
The city’s commercial sector has been boosted by the growth
of the middle class. The nightlife in the city is lively, especially
in the City Centre, where some of the pre-revolutionary estates
have been turned into night spots and restaurants.
The culture in Chihuahua can still be found in some of its
preserved monuments from the 19th and 20th centuries. The
Temple of San Francisco, Federal Palace of Chihuahua (now a
museum) and Museo Casa Juarez are among some of the most
interesting places to visit. The city is noted for its charming
colonial architecture, integrated into a modern setting. Places
of interest include the Metropolitan Cathedral, the resting
place of St. Peter of Jesus Maldonado and the City Hall. If you
want to see the city in its entirety, Trolley el Tarahumara, a bus
that goes around to all the main museums and monuments in
the City Centre, is offered.
In 1922, 20,000 Mennonites came to Mexico from Canada
to settle on 247,000 acres of land in Chihuahua’s San Antonio
Valley. The city of Cuauhtemoc, which is located 65 miles
west of Chihuahua, is occupied by 50,000 Mennonites today.
They are best known for their fine cheeses and apple orchards.
There is a great variety of regional and international cuisine
throughout Chihuahua full of new and familiar flavors.
Medical City
Chihuahua Medical City is a strategy that brings together
the top hospitals and clinics in the city of Chihuahua Mexico.
Their mission is “to provide high-quality healthcare and
travel services to both the domestic and international market,
integrating the value chain sectors.”
Their hospitals offer the latest state-of-the-art technology
available in order guarantee service and quality. Their domestic
13
MEDICAL TOURISM
and international accreditation certifies their medical staff
and the hospital services they provide. Helen Cosburn from
ACCESS Global Health states, “Not only does Chihuahua
Medical City have state-of-the-art infrastructure and highly
skilled medical staff, they have also developed a comprehensive
medical tourism program with a strong focus on the details.
This attention to detail has created a patient-centered model
that focuses on the patient’s overall experience. This strategic
focus will drive Chihuahua Medical City to build a very
successful and sustainable medical tourism program that will
attract patients from around the world. Chihuahua puts the
hospitality in healthcare!”
CIMA Chihuahua
CIMA is an international healthcare center that uses
technologically advanced equipment, providing prevention,
diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for the well-being of
the regional, national and international communities in an
environment of excellence, dignified treatment, ethics and
efficiency that meets the needs of our patients while pursuing
competitiveness, profitability and organizational permanence.
CIMA is in the process of JCI Accreditation and expect to
be accredited by the summer of 2010. They currently have
certification of the ISO9001:2000, amongst others. Today, they
have 158 physicians in their medical staff towers, specializing in
40 different areas of medicine. CIMA has grown to 75 hospital
beds, 6 intensive care beds, 2 additional ORs, a 126-office
tower, heliport and plans to expand with the addition of 25 beds
and 20 medical offices this year. Tracy Nicholas from Medvoy
states, “Overall, I was extremely impressed with the quality of
doctors and facilities in Chihuahua. The fact that there are 150
physicians who are business partners in CIMA Chihuahua and
also practice medicine at that hospital underscores the cluster’s
overall dedication to providing high-quality medicine.”
Clinca Cumbres
Clinica Cumbres healthcare organization specializes in high
quality, safe outpatient services for patients at competitive
prices with the support of advanced technology, the latest
management systems and maintaining international operating
standards recognized by international certification entities.
They have 11 patient beds and specialize in Plastic Surgery,
Obesity, Assisted Reproduction, Angiology, Orthopedics and
more. They are certified by the Mexican General Health Board
and by the Joint Commission International.
Centro Oncologico de Chihuahua
The Chihuahua Oncology Center started operations
in November 2008, bringing together the experience of
CIMA and the Southwest Oncology Center, one of the most
prestigious cancer centers in the United States. TomoTherapy
is an accurate, fast, safe and comfortable technology for cancer
patients. It’s an image-guided radiation therapy that allows
physicians to see the exact position and size of the tumor in
real time before starting treatment. The core values of The
Chihuahua Oncology Center include Medical and Professional
ethics, respect for the patient, human quality and teamwork.
Traveling to Mexico for Medical Tourism
Chihuahua City is a quiet cosmopolitan town, but has
preserved the atmosphere and safety of a small community.
In recent years, Mexico has become a popular destination for
Medical Tourism, especially for American citizens, due to its
close and convenient proximity to the US. With their formation
of the cluster, Chihuahua provides creditability, accountability
and dedication to providing high quality of healthcare to
patients. There is a high rate of fluency of both English and
Spanish, and like most Latin American countries, Mexico has
14
an overall friendly and family oriented culture. Flights are
offered in abundance from the US and airfares are reasonable.
If you live in Texas you even have the option to drive, as it is
about a 3-hour drive from El Paso. One of the delegates on the
FAM Tour, Deepak Datta, from Medical Tourism Company
stated, “Highly impressive, Chihuahua Medical City is truly
a cutting-edge, high quality affordable Healthcare cluster
conveniently located two hours flight from Dallas, TX.”
Copper Canyon
Copper Canyon is one of the most popular tourism
destinations when traveling to Chihuahua. About a 3-hour
ride, Copper Canyon is made up of a group of six distinct
canyons located in the Sierra Tarahumara part of the state.
Home to 290 species of birds, 3,500 plants species and 400
wild medicinal plants, these exquisite canyons are longer and
deeper than the Grand Canyon in the United States. The most
popular way to explore the canyon is by a 6-hour scenic train
ride, via the Chihuahua Al Pacifico Railroad. Copper Canyon
can also be explored by way of hiking, biking, driving or even
by horseback. The government is in the beginning phases of
planning an international airport in Copper Canyon; a project
taking an estimated 18 months to complete. This will allow
access by train, plane or automobile. The traditional inhabitants
are the Tarahumara people, who sell their handicrafts and
unique homemade foods to visitors.
Chihuahua has the support, infrastructure and dedication
to becoming one of the top Medical Tourism Destinations of
Latin America. Derrell Connor from M3 insurance sums this
destination up by stating, “I was very impressed with both
the medical facilities, as well as the historical sites that we
visited in Chihuahua. From the Cima Hospital to the Oncology
Center to Copper Canyon, the entire experience was excellent.
The doctors, nurses and staff were very professional and
accommodating. It would certainly be a place that I would
go to receive care, and feel comfortable doing so. I would
recommend Chihuahua and Cima Hospital as a destination to
my clients.” n
About the Author:
Jessica Johnson is Director of Operations
f o r t h e M e d i c a l To u r i s m A s s o c i a t i o n .
Jessica provides operational support for the
MTA. Her responsibilities span the range
of administrative, financial, operational and
I/T support systems. She may be reached at
[email protected] or www.
medicaltourismassociation.com.
Get Noticed!
www.MedicalTourism.com
>> Visibility
>> Credibility
Advertisi
ng
packages
starting a
only $39 t
per
month
>> Value
>> No.1 internet resource for
patients, hospitals, facilitators,
insurance companies and
employers
15
For a free advertising kit call: 305•600•5763 Or email: [email protected]
Fun facts
Chihuahua
In 2001, while in search of silver and
zinc, miners in Chihuahua discovered
mineral crystals far larger than any
previously encountered. Some of these
monstrous Selenite crystals were nearly
six meters (20 feet) long.
FAM Trip Snapshots
From the Tour
MTA Delegation with Mayor,
Lic. Alvaro Guillermo Madero Muñoz.
From Left to Right (starting from top):
Eduardo Villa, Tom O’hara, Kemal Canlar,
Armando Portillo, Mayor Lic. Alvaro Guillermo
Madero Muñoz, Dr. Zoumanan Debe, Derrell Connor,
Lic. Luis Armando Peinado Machuca, Deepak Data,
Dr. Romeo Ornelas Woessner, Lic. Roberto Braham
Velasco, Jessica Johnson, Tracy Nicholas, Helen
Cosburn, Cristina Matan, Gabriela Garcia Manjarrez
“Chihuahua has excellent hospitals which
are JCI accredited or on their way to be
with top notch technologies. I found
the people warm and ready to welcome
overseas patients to benefit from their
knowledge. The physicians met have all
excellent credentials from the scientific
view point with excellent surgical
outcomes. Debson Medical Tourism will
not hesitate to promote and work with
Chihuahua healthcare cluster easily. I do
believe that what Chihuahua has to offer
fit well our goal and objectives. Visiting
the Canyon was impressive and the team
chosen by the MTA was good overall and
professional.”
– Dr. Zoumanan Debe,
Fun facts
The Copper Canyons are often
compared to the majesty of the Grand
Canyon in the United States, although
the Copper Canyons are over seven
times the size.
16
MTA Group
with the Secretary of Tourism and
© Copyright
Medical
Commerce,
Lic. Hector
VallesTourism
Alvelais Magazine
Dr. Jesus Arguelles Sarmiento, Helen Cosburn,
Dr. Zoumanan Debe
Operating Room at CIMA Chihuahua
Downtown Historical Chihuahua City
Kemal Canlar, Tracy Nicholas, Jessica Johnson,
Tom O’hara
Train Station in Copper Canyon
Kemal Canlar, Jessica Johnson, Helen Cosburn,
Tracy Nicholas, L.A.E.T. Javier Alejandro Mesta Ruiz
de la Pena, Lic. Armando Portillo Estrada,
Derrell Connor
From the Tour
“The hospitals and facilities in
Chihuahua were excellent. Its quality,
proximity and direct access from the
southwest US will make Chihuahua a
great choice for US patients.”
– Tom O’hara, Surgical Trip
Clínica Cumbres Tour
TomoTherapy Radiation Machine at Centro
© Copyright
Medical Tourism Magazine
Oncológico de Chihuahua
Lobby of JCI Accreditated
Clínica Cumbres
January/February
2010
17
MEDICAL TOURISM
Singapore ~
Destination Health:
Outstanding Clinical Outcomes and
World Class Patient Focused Care
Singapore is home to over 4 million residents; all of whom benefit from a thriving biomedical industry, an integrated
healthcare structure, a large base of skilled medical professionals, the latest in medical technology and an international
standard judiciary system. These foundational elements, among others, have contributed significantly to Singapore’s
longstanding reputation and healthcare capabilities as a bio-health hub and medical marvel destination in Asia. While all
of these attributes are commendable, and places Singapore on the medical tourism, health and wellness map, there is one
aspect that places them on the forefront as a world-class destination ~ that of the patient experience.
70-year-old Canadian resident, Marguerite, had a history
of scoliosis since her teens. Although she had undergone two
successful surgeries in the past, she still had recurrent back pain
that flared up occasionally. Over the years, her pain ebbed and
flowed, but became increasingly debilitating to the point where
she could no longer work full-time as a layout editor. Finally
in September 2008, Marguerite made her decision to travel
to Singapore for her back problem upon hearing of Parkway
Health’s excellent medical capabilities and healthcare facilities
in Singapore. Upon receiving the necessary clinical care and
pain management protocols she has been able to benefit from
an overall higher quality of life since treatment.
Another international patient, U.S. resident Annie
Bujakowski from Big Bear City, California flew over 9,000
18
miles for knee replacement surgery at Gleneagles Hospital,
Singapore instead of pursuing surgical treatment options in the
US. The surgery was performed successfully and achieved its
desired clinical outcome, while resulting in significant savings
to her employer as well.
Global agencies such as the World
Health Organization have rated
Singapore the best in Asia and top
ten in the world.
Patient-focused Care
Upon traveling to Singapore for medical treatment, it is
evident that patient-focused care is a core value. Medical
service teams throughout Singapore’s healthcare institutions
are well versed in serving international patients; providing
excellent clinical care, and highly effective customer care, all in
a delivery quotient that achieves the highest possible outcomes
in overall patient experience. They are guided by principles of
providing seamless and effective care; working to ensure that
the patient and their loved ones have a pleasant and comfortable
experience from pre-arrival to follow-up care.
It is Singapore’s high standards of
medical care and patient-centric
culture in their hospitals that draw
international patients.
Dallas, a 20-year-old Orlando native and four-time X-games
champion was a recipient of attentive care and medical expertise
while at Changi General Hospital (CGH) in Singapore.
Known for her daredevil aerial stunts, Dallas fractured her
left femur when attempting a `whirlybird’ - a back flip with an
overhead 360-degree turn. She was brought to CGH where
she underwent surgery for her fracture. Prior to her operation,
Dallas developed breathlessness and was diagnosed with acute
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to aspirating
water. She was then warded in the ICU of CGH. As a result,
it was discovered that Mr. Robin Friday, Dallas’s father, was
highly impressed with the coordinated care and integrated
diagnosis of medical disciplines at CGH.
“An outstanding medical team was assigned to oversee
Dallas’s care 24-hours a day, along with dedicated nursing
staff, dieticians, therapy specialists, room attendants and
administrative personnel who went above and beyond their call
of duty to address Dallas’s needs,” according to Mr. Friday.
“Upon her return home, her vascular surgeon in Orlando was
very impressed with Dallas’s records and her recovery. We are
very grateful to all the CGH staff for what and all they have
done for us.”
World-Class Medical Destination
It is Singapore’s high standards of medical care and patientcentric culture in their hospitals that draw international patients.
The experience by Dallas and her father - prompt service and
attention to customized healthcare needs, such as dietary
requirements, is a testament to why thousands of international
patients from around the world select Singapore as their
healthcare destination of choice. From basic health screening to
complex heart procedures, patients come to Singapore, assured
of world-class healthcare. Global agencies such as the World
Health Organization have rated Singapore among the best
regional healthcare centers in Asia and among the top ten in the
world. And again, at its core, it is this combination of a thriving
biomedical industry, an integrated healthcare structure, base
of skilled medical professionals, the latest medical technology
and an international standard judiciary system that have
contributed to building and expanding Singapore’s reputation
and capabilities as a leading-edge healthcare delivery hub and
medical marvel of Asia. n
Global Benefit Options (GBO) is a Medical Tourism Consulting firm
that specializes in developing strategic Medical Tourism Benefit
solutions for the US Health insurance market. GBO’s main focus
is US Health insurance carriers, Self Funded Employers, TPA’s,
Health Insurance Agents and other US health insurance “buyers”
to develop, design, implement, and enroll a tailored Medical Tourism
Benefit into the US health insurance plan for employees. GBO also
works with International Hospitals and healthcare providers and
Government organizations in helping them implement a medical
tourism initiative aimed at US buyers.
Global Benefit Options is the only consulting firm in medical tourism
with over 10 years of direct experiencein the US Corporate Health
Insurance Benefits Market. By working exclusively within the
United States insurance industry GBO’s marketing strategy, and
custom solutions produce efficient and effective resultsfor clients.
Global Benefit Options partners with a select few clients per year
interested in penetrating the US marketplace and having business
relationships with US health insurance companies, employers or
healthinsurance agents.
For more information go to:
www.GlobalBenefitOptions.com
[email protected]
PHONE:201-433-2222
19
MEDICAL TOURISM
Portable
Medical
Records~
Bumrungrad Hospital and Microsoft Team Up
to Help Medical Travelers Get Continuity of Care
By KENNETH MAYS
Bumrungrad was the first JCI-accredited hospital in Asia and is one of the world’s most popular medical destinations. The
hospital offers over a thousand specialists, 230 of which have been American board-certified. English is widely spoken and
over 120 interpreters are available for other languages. The hospital’s introduction of HealthVault is the latest in a series of
innovations for medical travelers—innovations that include online appointments, hotel-like amenities and services, international
medical coordinators and information about what patients paid for procedures on its website.
S
mart medical travelers and experienced international
hospitals know that treatment abroad is seldom
complete without follow-up back home. Effective
recovery may be as simple as changing dressings or as demanding
as physical rehabilitation. In any case, doctors need records of
diagnoses, tests, and treatment. The patient is mobile, but is
the information? Electronic medical records that can be shared
among providers are a key to more efficient healthcare in the
US and other countries. Such portable medical records will be
just as valuable to medical travelers.
Microsoft and Thailand’s Bumrungrad International
hospital announced at the Medical Tourism Association’s
Global Health Congress last October that they have begun a
phased rollout of a new service using Microsoft’s HealthVault,
20
an online personal health application platform. They plan to
offer the service to medical travelers at Bumrungrad beginning
early this year. By connecting HealthVault to its Microsoft
Amalga hospital information system (HIS), Bumrungrad will
empower patients to access their Bumrungrad medical records
online and maintain continuity with doctors back home.
Patients will be able to receive a copy of their medical
information generated at Bumrungrad—including test results,
medications and discharge summaries—into their individual
HealthVault accounts. Once their personal health information
is stored in HealthVault, the patient can provide it, as desired,
to other clinicians and caregivers, or use it with a wide range of
personal health applications.
“I think it’s a wonderful next step,” said Jack Taylor,
a 63-year-old private pilot who lives in California and has
traveled to Bumrungrad for treatment. Taylor was enlisted
to test Bumrungrad’s implementation of HealthVault using
information from visits he made to the hospital last summer and
is excited about the prospect of easily tracking his treatments.
“At Bumrungrad, patients can get excellent care at a
fraction of the American cost,” said Curtis Schroeder, the
hospital’s group CEO. “And with HealthVault, they can share
their medical records with doctors on both sides of the ocean
— things like medical history, lab results and procedure details.
We see it as a great innovation supporting continuity of care.”
The hospital’s introduction of
HealthVault is the latest in a series of
innovations for medical travelers…
Amalga HIS also can pull a patient’s medication lists,
allergies and vital signs such as blood pressure and blood
glucose from the patient’s HealthVault record into Amalga HIS,
saving time for the patient and improving the completeness
and accuracy of patient information delivered to Bumrungrad
clinicians.
Bumrungrad will be the first international hospital to offer
connectivity to HealthVault; an innovation medical travelers
have been waiting for.
“It’ll make it easier for all parties concerned, for me, for
my doctor, to access the details online,” said Taylor. “I’m really
looking forward to this. Whether it’s for Bumrungrad doctors
to look at, or any other specialists, that’s a good thing.”
The world-famous Thai hospital is a natural early-adopter
of HealthVault for another reason: its long experience using
Microsoft’s Amalga HIS. Amalga is a comprehensive hospital
information system that provides rich integration of a patient’s
critical information, including registration, clinical systems,
laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, allergies and vital signs,
giving clinicians and administrators access to information
within and across departments. Once authorized by the patient,
Amalga HIS uses the ASTM Continuity of Care Record (CCR)
industry-standard specification to push medical information
into the patient’s HealthVault account.
“We believe empowering consumers with a copy of their
personal health data and facilitating continuity of care among
health care providers is critically important,” said Nate
McLemore, general manager, Microsoft Health Solutions
Group. “We’re pleased to be working with Bumrungrad, a
leader in international medicine, to offer these capabilities to
patients and providers.” n
About the Author
Bumrungrad International was the first
Joint Commission accredited hospital
in Asia, and has served over 3 million
international patients during the past
decade. In 2008 it was recognized by
the American Medical Directors of
Iinformation Systems (AMDIS) in its
annual awards for hospital information
technology. Kenneth Mays is Bumrungrad’s head of
Marketing and Business Development.
21
MEDICAL TOURISM
Patient Survey ~
Bumrungrad
International
Bumrungrad Patient Survey
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The Medical Tourism Association joined forces with Bumrungrad International to conduct a survey on international
patients who sought treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital in 2009, covering patient research patterns, the most
important factors for patients when traveling and the types of procedures patients travel internationally for.
Bumrungrad Patient Survey
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23
MEDICAL TOURISM
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24
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25
26
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medellín~
The Spirit of Latin America
By STEPHANIE FALCONE
The Medical Tourism Association hosted a Familiarization Tour to the everlasting place of spring time, Medellín, Colombia
December 8th-12th 2009. Nine medical tourism facilitators, insurance companies and agents from the United States,
Canada and the Caribbean explored the high quality of the healthcare system, accreditation, warmth and hospitality
Medellín has to offer their patients.
U
pon our arrival, after only a 3-hour flight from
Miami we were immediately welcomed with open
arms by representatives of the Medellín Healthcare
Cluster. From the moment we stepped outside there was a sense
of freedom and relaxation in the air. We came down through
the forested locale to a breathtaking opening, where we were
met by the astonishing view of the entire city of Medellín,
revealing the radiant lights from the hillsides to the mountain
tops. As we drove down the light-encrusted mountain it was
easy to imagine how one might fall in love with this city.
The familiarization tour was sponsored by the Medellín
Healthcare Cluster, organized with the goal of promoting
Medellín as a competitive medical tourism destination. The
Medellín Healthcare Cluster has set exceptionally high principles
for applicants seeking Healthcare Cluster membership. All
amenities must go through an intense application process
and avowal to go through or apply for the Joint Commission
International accreditation within the next two years to be
accepted. The Familiarization Tour included visits to some of
the top hospitals in Colombia such as: Hospital Universitario
San Vicente de Paúl, Hospital General de Medellín, Clínica El
Rosario, Centro Odontológico Congregacion Maríana, Clínica
Odontológica Promta, Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, Clínica
Cardiovascular, and Clínica Oftalmológica de AntioquiaColfan. In addition, participants had the opportunity to visit
State of the Art air-ambulance company SARPA.
The City of Lights
Colombia is located in South America bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering
the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama.
Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines
on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and
is persistently growing given the on-going development in
domestic security since 2002. Medellín is the second largest
city in Colombia, and Capital City of the State of Antioquia.
With countless tourism activities for visitors, Medellín serves
as a popular destination for international travelers. Medellín
has breathtaking views of this magnificent city from every
angle you may choose to look. During this time of year
the city of Medellín hires 2,000 employees to string lights
throughout the neighborhoods and countryside giving the
city a magical feeling. The city gathers local traditions such
as dancers, instrument players and multicolored characters as
lights. Medellín created this project to attract international
travelers, since most foreigners enjoy seeing unique places,
27
MEDICAL TOURISM
food, and attractions while in another country. These lights
are a tribute to the country demonstrating the most significant
landscapes and icons from the region. Shortly after, the project
was then implemented by other Latin American countries such
as: Venezuela, Honduras, and Ecuador. Medellín began the
renovation process in 2002, altering the aesthetic appearance
of this beautiful city. Medellín is committed to position itself
as one of the major players in the Health and Wellness sector
of the Medical Tourism Industry. Between the years of 2005
and 2006, the number of foreigners visiting Medellín grew by
33.4%, from approximately 71,000 to approximately 95,000
visitors, and grew another 20% half way through 2007.
Local Cuisine
To start, one must sample the baked corn arepas (flat corn
pancake) with butter and cheese alongside Colombian coffee.
Colombian coffee is the ultimate desired beverage and is said
to be the best in the world. Colombian coffee is primarily
grown in Medellín, neighboring towns, and more mountainous
areas such as Bogotá giving coffee a rich balanced flavor. Next,
empanadas are a must have while in Colombia. Empanadas are
typically made with shredded chicken, pork, beef, and ground
meat but can be found filled with potato and vegetables; served
with aji (hot sauce) and lime wedges on the side. In Colombia,
empanadas are sold essentially everywhere in the city.
Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl
Hospital Universitario San Vincente de Paúl is a nonprofit private institution with 96 years of experience and great
national and international recognition. Hospital Universitario
San Vicente de Paúl offers 648 beds to the public and is a
Colombian Leader in healthcare generating health research,
specialists in high complexity care, and experienced leadership
in transplants. The hospital has alliances with the main
universities in Medellín for education and research purposes
in the training of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and social
workers, management engineering and social communication
schools. Some of the hospital specialties include Cardiovascular
and Thoracic Unit, Oncology Unit, Bone Marrow Transplants
and Orthopedics.
Oral Home
Oral Home is a 24/7 dental clinic catering to emergency
cases and general services to the community. Oral Home is
not only a dental clinic, but has integrated the wellness sector
even into their basic services. Oral Home has a 24/7 emergency
mobile service which assists many international patients in
comfort and satisfaction. Oral Home is equipped with the most
advanced technology providing excellent results.
Hospital General de Medellín
Hospital General de Medellín is the only public hospital
in the entire Medellín Healthcare cluster. Hospital General de
28
Medellín is equipped with 423 beds, which provides intermediate
and adult critical care and pediatrics services. Among its many
achievements Hospital General de Medellín has become the first
public hospital of third level to achieve National Accreditation
(accredited by ISQUA) by the Social Protection Ministry of
Colombia. Hospital General Medellín was also ranked in
the 20 best hospital and clinics of Latin-America, ranked by
America Econmicas, and is also participating in the first phase
for the International Accreditation with JCI Standards that
was organized with International Quality Resources Health
Accreditation. The mission of Hospital de General Medellín
is a social enterprise of the state that provides health services
up to high complexity levels. Such services focus on patient
safety and provide affection, confidence and satisfaction while
promoting high-quality and good environmental practices.
Clínica El Rosario
Clínica El Rosario is a prestigious non-profit institution
of religious nature that belongs to the society of Dominican
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin of Tour.
Clínica El Rosario is a 240 bed multi-functioning hospital
with two headquarters in Medellín. Clínica El Rosario is a
pioneer in healthcare with a mission to contribute to life and
health recovery through a comprehensive secure, humane and
differentiated service with specialized personal and excellent
management that ensures value creation for the target social
groups, economic sustainability and performance in time.
Clínica El Rosario’s international specialty services consist of
Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, Heart Value Surgery,
and Radiology.
Centro Odontólogo Congregación Maríana
Centro Odontológico Congregacion Maríana is a nonprofit institution, with offices in the south and downtown areas
of Medellín to provide general and specialized oral health to
the public. Centro Odontológico Congregacion Maríana has
a total of 16 rooms and three operating rooms. Aesthetic
Dentistry, Oral Rehabilitation, and Dental Implants are the most
sought after by international patients. Centro Odontológico
Congregacion Maríana has a vision to consolidate in 2015 as
the renowned oral health institution in the city for its technical
quality and competitive pricing.
Clínica Odontológica Promta
Clínica Odontológica Promta has 21 years of experience
providing the highest quality in comprehensive oral health
services offering all dental specialties, with four clinics located
strategically throughout Medellín. Clínica Odontológica
Promta serves 10,000 patients a month and has the capacity
to treat 150 international patients, with 50 % of international
patients being treated from the US and 35 % from Spain.
Clínica Odontológica is conveniently positioned only steps
away from downtown hotels and only two blocks from popular
international lodging.
Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe
Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe is a non-profit institution
with a mission to provide an incomparable complexity in
the healthcare industry while contributing the most current
scientific knowledge within a structure of Christian humanism.
Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe is the first and only hospital
in Colombia to be both ISQUA accredited and receive the
excellence institution certification of high complexity level of
health in Colombia. Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe is a 255bed hospital specializing in Transplants, Advance Oncology,
Palliative Care, Orthopedics, and Cosmetic Surgery.
Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa María
Since 1966, Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca
Santa María has treated patients with cardiovascular diseases
in areas of prevention, diagnosis, invasive and surgical
treatment. Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca
Santa María is another leader in Colombia healthcare,
completing the first heart and lung transplant in Colombia
and is a national and international reference center. Centro
Cardiovascular Colombiano Cliníca Santa María is committed
to offering specialized services to its patients specializing
in areas such as Angioplasty without Stent, Cardiac Value
Replacement, Coronary Bypass Surgery, Cardiac Transplants
and Hemodynamics. Centro Cardiovascular Colombiano
Cliníca Santa María offers a total of 140 beds, 73 specialists,
and has proven to be a leader with the highest quality standards
in medicine.
Clínica Oftalmológica de Antioquia-Colfan
Clínica Oftalmológica de Antioquia-Colfan is modernly
designed for all patients to receive the most proficient care and
specializes in Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery, Refractive
Surgery and Corneal Surgery for international patients. Clínica
Oftalmológica de Antioquia-Colfan has a total of 59 specialist
physicians, allowing this innovative facility to receive additional
international patients.
Servicios Aereos Panamericanos “SARPA”
Sarpa is a charter airline company with offices in both
Medellín and Bogotá that offers charter services, air ambulance
services, domestic and international flights including load and
passenger transportation. Sarpa is the first and only Colombian
entity certified by the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority.
Sarpa has attended to international patients in countries
such as Aruba, San Marteen, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and
many more. This air ambulance group has 25 specialists,
five anesthesiologists and 10 emergency specialists for all
adult general illness, trauma, pediatric and newborns. Sarpa
goes over and beyond expectations with safe and dependable
transportation when it is most needed with revolutionary
technology and human warmth. n
About the Author
Stephanie is Membership Coordinator,
and involved in managing the Social
Media & Marketing Department for the
Medical Tourism Association. Stephanie
provides recruitment, coordination and
retention support for members of the
MTA. In addition, she supports the Health
Tourism Magazine. She may be reached
at [email protected] or www.
medicaltourismassociation.com.
29
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31
Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference Korea 2010
The Conference will feature:
•
•
•
•
•
April 13-15, 2010
Seoul, Korea
Up To 800 Attendees
US Health Insurance Companies & International Insurance Providers Invited
Industry Players From Over 25 countries
Highlighting The High Quality Of Care Available In Asia and Korea
The Top Medical Tourism Facilitators Invited
011.561.792.6676 (USA)
[email protected]
www.AsiaMedicalTourismCongress.com
Organized By:
A Medical Tourism Association
32
January/February
2010 Event
Sponsored
Global Congress
Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference Korea 2010
Dear Delegate,
Asia is one of the first regions in the world to promote medical tourism and create a brand name for
itself for having affordable and high quality healthcare and receives a majority of the medical tourism
patients traveling throughout the world. Seoul, Korea is one the emerging leading destinations for
medical tourism and global healthcare in the world. The 1st Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism
Conference Korea will take place April, 13-15th, 2010 in Seoul, Korea as a joint initiative between
the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) and Korean Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).
The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) is funded by the Korean government and
was established to support the Korean health industry. KHIDI develops the national strategies and
policies on global healthcare industry as well as promotes Korean healthcare brand “Medical Korea”
to the world.
The 1st Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference Korea will feature up to 800 attendees from
over 25 countries and will focus on the high quality of healthcare available in Asia. It will also bring
together the stakeholders involved in Asian medical tourism for intense networking event and
educational opportunities.
Conference Highlights
• Up To 800 Attendees
• US Health Insurance Companies and International Insurance Providers Invited
• Industry Players From Over 25 countries
• Highlighting The High Quality Of Care Available In Asia and Korea
• The Top Medical Tourism Facilitators Invited
Buyers VIP Program
Fill out the simple application online to enroll in the aBuyers VIP Program. The Buyer VIP Program
will be offering a predetermined number of discount registrations, free registrations, hotel room nights,
and flights to those who qualify.
Application available online at www.AsiaMedicalTourismCongress.com or call and/or email for
additional information!
Register Today!
$399 ~ Early Bird
$499 ~ After March 15th
011.561.792.6676 (USA)
[email protected]
33
Speakers
Ms. Jaehee Jeon
Minister of Health
Korea Health Ministry
Dr. Bupwan Kim
President
KHIDI
Ori Karev
Chief Executive Officer
UnitedHealth International
Laila Al Jassmi
CEO, Clinical Support Services
Dubai Health Authority
Renee-Marie Stephano
President
Medical Tourism Association
Rosanna Moreno
Executive Director
Scott Simmons
Director of TeleHealth
University of Miami
David Morgan
Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development, OECD
Jonathan Edelheit
CEO
Medical Tourism Association
Brad Cook
Intl Department Director
Clinica Biblica Hospital
Dr. Prem Jagyasi
CEO
Exhealth, Dubai
Jeff Carter
CEO
Patients Without Borders
Todd Fitz
HOK
Cagri Kanver
Senior Associate/Sr Consultant
HOK
Alex Piper
President
Dr. Bongsik Woo
CEO
Docs Tour
Hwang Lee
Manager Intl Patient Department
Wooridul Spine Hospital
Hee Tae Suk
Dispute Resolution in
Medical Malpractice in Korea
Tom O’Hara
CEO
Surgical Trip
Zahid Hamid
EuroMedical Tours
David Vequist
President,
Scott Edelstein
Partner
Squire, Sanders,& Dempsey
Jim McCormick
President
Premiere Medical Travel
JP Bos
Founder and CEO
Wellness Travel Company
Dr. Bernard J Park, M.D
President
Korean-American Medical
Association (KAMA)
Dr. Chul S. Hyun
President Elect 2011
Korean-American Medical
Association (KAMA)
Dr. Rick van Pelt, MD, MBA
Director, Global Programs
Director of Healthcare Consulting
[email protected]
34
Memorial HermannTexas Medical Center
One World Global
Healthcare Solutions
Center for Medical
Tourism Research
Partners Harvard
Medical International
35
MEDICAL TOURISM
Korean
Health Care
for US Corporations
By JEFF CARTER
The country of Korea has developed into a modern, industrialized and technologically advanced economy that exports its
products to consumers across the world. Medical care in Korea has developed alongside the other high-tech industries here
and currently the medical establishment provides care that is among the best in the world. As a natural extension of the
export-driven economy and the outcome-oriented medical care industries that exist here today, people from around the
globe have begun to travel to Korea for quality, affordable care.
T
he government of Korea, specifically the Korea Health
Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), has taken a
leading role in creating a global awareness of Korea’s
standing in the medical community. They have completed
several initiatives that, taken together, create a platform for
international customer satisfaction in the medical industry
and a delivery framework within which medical providers
must manage. This has created a standardized offering of
great medical care whose message has begun to resonate with
consumers in the US.
As the Medical Travel industry has matured over the past
several years, many experts agree that we are on the cusp of
a large scale adoption of medical travel by corporations in
the form of modified or expanded employee benefit options.
Patients Without Borders has worked closely with KHIDI to
develop several offerings that create an easy way to integrate
a Korea Medical Travel Benefit Option into any ERISA-based
self-funded group health plan. Among the offerings that have
been developed is an association plan for Korean companies.
In this article we will explore the self-funded group health
36
plan model, the increasing trend of adoption of medical travel
benefits by group health plans and what differentiates an
association plan model from a standalone plan design.
It is important to point out that the plan designs discussed
in this article have been adopted by several employers already,
including large multinational corporations, and are in the
process of being implemented by several more self-funded
groups at this time. This experience in the industry has resulted
in an offering that has been developed and then iteratively
refined over time to enhance its relevance to the corporate
buyer. The ongoing work with employers from many different
industry groups continues to bring innovative change to
this platform creating an evolving offering that is ultimately
designed by the consumer, not the supplier.
When an employer or other group that provides health care
coverage to its members (union, government, etc.) evaluates
its alternatives for funding that health care, they have several
options. In a very general sense, the two ends of the spectrum
are a “fully insured” health care plan and a “self-funded” plan.
Using a fully insured plan design means that the employer pays
a fixed premium to an insurance company to cover their group
and that any claims made against the group are paid by the
insurance company. Electing a self-funded plan design, for all
intents and purposes, means that the employer will assume the
role of the insurance company and will pay any claims made
against the group. This is a spectrum so there is a theoretically
infinite number of ways of designing a plan that uses some
aspects of both of the above, and a wide range of commercial
products that use partial insurance and partial self-funding to
optimize cost containment for the employer.
The government of Korea,
specifically the Korea Health Industry
Development Institute (KHIDI), has
taken a leading role in creating a
global awareness of Korea’s standing
in the medical community.
While insurance products are subject to state-by-state
regulation, when employers elect a self-funded plan design
they are subject to the federal regulations known as ERISA.
This alone can make a good argument for self-funding for
employers with facilities or employees located in many different
states because it enables them to create a single plan to cover
all of their US employees without needing to stay up-to-date,
or pay a national insurance company to stay up-to-date, with
the regulations of each state in which they operate. Using a
self-funded platform for providing employee benefits also
allows the employer a far greater degree of control over what
benefits are offered and exactly how they are offered, as well
as the ability to change the availability and coverage levels of
specific benefits within the plan at any time they see fit. It is
for these reasons and many more that most large employers
(those with more than 1000 employees) choose to self-fund
their health benefit plans. In fact, some groups as small as 30
members can comfortably self-fund their benefit plans so long
as the demographics and claim history of the group make it
financially attractive.
With an entire spectrum of plan designs available to
employers, the development of the Korea Medical Travel Benefit
Option needed to create a flexible, component-based product
that was capable of being integrated into any funding platform
in order to create a deliverable that would be appealing to the
largest possible number of employers. Patients Without Borders
has worked closely with KHIDI to design, sell, integrate and
deploy a component that has been shown to cleanly integrate
into health care plans both at renewal and during the in-force
plan year. This has been done without any impact or necessary
change to the employer’s current broker, stop-loss carrier, TPA,
claims process or any other part of the standard workflow for
the employer.
As work has progressed there has been substantial effort
put forth to develop products that bring maximum value to the
table for the corporate client. This has led to the introduction
of an association product for the Korean market. Developed
in exclusive collaboration with two of the nation’s largest
TPAs and with support from several of the leading reinsurance
carriers, the plan has been developed to include Medical Travel
as an integral component. The plan also carries some of the
most aggressive underwriting guidelines in use in the industry
today, many of which are simply unavailable in a standalone
plan. This association is open to any Korean company and
the sponsoring nationally-recognized TPA partners can handle
groups of any size.
As Korea becomes an increasingly desirable destination for
employers looking to reduce their health care expenses and
for employees in search of world-class medical outcomes we
plan to continue to develop and market innovative products
that maximize value for everyone in the complex health care
equation.
What really matters, though, once a medical travel benefit
has been adopted and made available to an employer group, is
that it is utilized by the individual employees. In our view any
medical travel benefit with which the employer does not enjoy
significant savings has served only as a false promise and a failed
experiment. It is for this reason that a proprietary program for
incentivizing and reaching out to the employees in the group
has been developed in order to generate and then maximize
utilization of the medical travel benefit. Though there has been
limited use of our medical travel benefits by employees, as we
deploy these new programs to our current and future groups
our aim is to generate considerable savings for the employer
clients.
As the global medical travel, insurance and group health
benefits communities learn more about Korea and the leading
medical care available here, it can be said with confidence
that a considerable number of patients will seek out Korea as
their destination. The collaborative efforts between Patients
Without Borders and KHIDI to educate some of the major
industry stakeholders with which we work have been met with
extremely positive feedback and as these efforts continue we
expect Korea to continue to positively surprise not only the
corporate buyer but also the traveling patient. n
About the Author:
With nearly 15 years of experience in corporate
management, Mr. Carter has experience
building international business relationships
and in building global teams spanning several
industries including pharmaceutical research and
development, commercial software and online
retail. Using his background in analytical sciences
and his experience as a global business executive,
he has helped bring the value of global staffing
strategies to large and mid-sized companies. As
the head of the medical travel facilitator Patients Without Borders,
Mr. Carter has built a worldwide team of experts and continues to
build a strong global network of hospitals and physicians.
37
MEDICAL TOURISM
Promoting the
Korean Global
Healthcare Industry
By KYUNG-WON JANG
“Global healthcare” refers to the growing international trend towards the greater utilization of medical services overseas
rather than in home countries. It has been reported that in 2005 alone, over 19 million people worldwide traveled
overseas to access medical services. In fact, The McKinsey & Company projects that the annual market volume of global
healthcare will reach 100 billion US dollars in 2010.
I
n the Republic of Korea, according to the Korea Health
Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), the number
of traveling patients using the nation’s medical services
grew dramatically from 7,901 in 2007 to 55,000 in 2009.
Number of Foreign Patients in Korea (Years 2007~2009)
Patients (No.)
Year 2007
Year 2008
Year 2009 (e)
7,901
27,480
55,000
1. No. of Foreign Patients (2007~2008) sourced by
healthcare provider members of Korea International
Medical Association (KIMA)
2. No. of Foreign Patients(2009) sourced by 616 medical
institutes
3. Foreign patients who are not eligible for National Health
Insurance (NHI)
Since 2005, the Korean government has strived to create
an environment that can facilitate a promising future for the
overall global healthcare industry, as well as to elevate the
domestic industry into a key national strategic field. In 2009,
the government further strengthened its active political support
and promotion of its global healthcare industry – designated as
one of Korea’s next growth engines – by investing in an overseas
campaign to promote, market, and raise awareness about
Korea’s advanced healthcare system, as well as by building an
international network so that more and more traveling patients
decide to come to Korea.
In contrast with other knowledge-based and value-added
industries, such as the IT industry, global healthcare is directly
concerned with the health of its patients. As a result, the Korean
38
Figure 1: Annual Projection of International Patients traveling to Korea
government aims to provide high-quality medical services that
can be differentiated from others by its improved healthcare
infrastructure and its commitment to the safety of foreign
patients.
On May 1st, 2009, a new medical act was passed, introducing
stricter safety measures to protect the growing number of
foreign patients seeking healthcare services in Korea. According
to this new law, medical institutes and facilitators that wish to
attract and treat overseas patients must have a minimum of one
medical specialist in each clinical department in order for that
department to qualify for registration.
In addition, facilitators must now have at least KRW 100
million in capital, guarantee insurance coverage of KRW 100
million or more, and have at least one office in Korea in order
to meet the new regulations. Influenced by the industry practice
of legal safety nets that are commonly used to compensate for
losses, these requisites are intended to limit entry to medium and
large-scale companies that can be more easily monitored, as well
as to indemnify international patients for the intentional and
accidental property damages in the process of medical tourism
to Korea. In order to ensure a truly safe and high level of medical
care for international patients, the Korean government issued
an amendment to the Medical Service Act this year, inducing
all facilitators to employ at least one medical or nursing staff
or global healthcare coordinator, helping guarantee a minimum
level of specialization. Additionally, the Government is in the
process of developing a series of policies to encourage healthcare
providers to purchase “liability insurance against medical
malpractice” to create a more efficient settlement system.
Medical Call Center Management
In order to increase customer satisfaction and enhance
service reliability, the Medical Call Center operates 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week throughout the country to deal with any
concerns international patients may have about the medical
services being provided to them in Korea. In addition to
monitoring complaints by foreign patients, the center offers
general medical information, provides referrals to multinational
providers and medical tourism facilitators (as well as to legal
counsel in the event of disputes or medical appeals), offers an
emergency hotline service with emergency medical centers all
over the country, and manages the comprehensive website for
Medical Korea: www.medicalkorea.or.kr. Medical Call Center
services are available in five languages: English, Chinese,
Russian, Arabic, and Japanese.
Resolution of Medical Disputes in Korea
Like Germany and Japan, the issue of liability in Korea
is settled based on the detailed jurisdiction underwritten law
and various precedents. As it involves a lot of time and money,
the Korean Government is evaluating the merits of Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR), which can resolve medical disputes
more effectively—improving methods of mediation and/or
arbitration. Currently, the Central Medical Assessment and
Mediation Commission, established by the Medical Service Act,
takes charge of disputes with international patients.
However, the Korean government is making efforts to
improve the speed, fairness, and transparency of the resolution
process by conducting advanced ADRs as well as by accelerating
new legislation associated with medical disputes. The legislative
bill ‘Act on Malpractice-related Damage Relief and Medical
Dispute Resolution’ was initiated by the Health and Welfare
committee under the National Assembly in 2009, and is now
pending in the Judicial Committee to be passed.
Once this legislative bill is enacted, the National Commission
for Settlement of Medical Disputes (controlled by an Expert
Review Panel composed of respected experts) will be established
by law, and can be utilized by both domestic and international
patients. As long as the patients seeking damages for malpracticerelated issues request mediation and/or arbitration, the National
Commission for Settlement of Medical Disputes can use its office
to investigate in regards to the cause of damage, negligence, and
establish any causal relationships. This change would be viewed
as a highly progressive move, as well as a way to significantly
reduce legal expenses. Furthermore, this new legislation would
introduce an innovative approach to the processing of medical
dispute settlements that would ease any apprehension a patient
may feel about taking advantage of medical services in Korea.
Promotion & Marketing of Korea’s Medical Services
Korea is recognized as one of the most advanced countries
in regard to medical human resources, medical technology and
medical facilities. Recently, medical doctors from the United
States traveled to Korea to take part in training courses within
specialized areas such as spine surgery, robotic surgery, and
organ transplantation, a role reversal that affirms Korea’s
growing status as a high quality medical service provider. To
further enhance our brand of medical care around the world, we
hope to promote Korea’s medical services so that its reputation
matches its evaluation.
In December 2009, the Korean government launched
the “Medical Korea” brand of medical service in Korea and
is leading an active promotional and marketing campaign
by holding a global conference and road shows, as well as
advertising abroad on television, the radio, and in newspapers.
Currently, Medical Korea plans to provide information
about the medical services in Korea overall and offer enhanced
interactive communication services for international patients in
five languages (English, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Japanese)
on its official home page, which will be launched in May 2010.
Until then, the website www.medicalkorea.or.kr stands apart as
a symbol of things to come.
The Korean Government is dedicated to building a network
among the government, medical providers and medical tourism
facilitators so that international patients can better understand,
access, and utilize medical services in Korea. For example, this
was the objective of the recent familiarization tour inviting
relevant parties such as insurance companies, medical doctors
and medical tourism facilitators from the Middle East, the
United States, and Russia to Korean healthcare providers. The
international medical training program for medical doctors in
other countries is another effort to strengthen relationships
with the medical workforce overseas in order to strengthen our
credibility.
In the case of the United States, the Korean government has
started to develop a Korean medical travel benefit plan for the
self insured that brings significant cost savings and increasing
employee satisfaction. Also, the government is promoting its
marketing activities which will create new medical insurance
plans in other countries than the US providing the healthcare
option in Korea.
We are committed to becoming a leader in medical tourism
and a role model in the international market to better serve
international patients in need. It is our firm promise that we
will contribute to improving our readiness to serve patients all
around the world through our advanced medical technology and
the infrastructure providing the best service for the international
patients traveling to Korea. n
About the Author:
Kyung-won Jang is currently the Director General
of the Global Healthcare Business Center in Korea
Health Industry Development Institute, which is a
national research institute under the Ministry for
Health, Welfare and Family Affairs of Korea.
Starting his career in 1995, he is known as an
expert in international affairs and global trades in the
bio-health industry. He was a Korean representative
of Codex General Principle & Food Safety Committee
until 2005. Currently, he is actively involved in a lot
of international activities including serving as the Secretary General for
the APEC Harmonization Center, Korean government delegate for APEC
LSIF, Pacific Health Summit Secretary for Korean Delegation, KoreaUS FTA Working Group Director, Korea-China FTA Pre-Negotiation
Representative, STS Kyoto Forum Secretary for Korean Delegation, and
Korea Health Forum Secretary.
Since 2008, he has been in charge of developing Korea Global
Healthcare Industry including national policy and law development,
international marketing, and internal domestic infrastructure development.
Recently, he was in charge of developing the national medical brand,
“Medical Korea” in order to promote Korean healthcare service around
the world.
For his expertise in global healthcare industry, he was appointed as the
executive director of Korea International Medical Association (KIMA) as
well as the general director of MTA Asia.
He achieved a doctorate degree in Engineering of GMP (Good
Manufacturing Practice).
39
MEDICAL TOURISM
The Role of
the Facilitator~
Dental
Tourism
By JEFFREY APTON and ROBIN APTON
In the world of medical care, treatment for even a minor illness frequently runs into thousands of dollars. Medical insurance
is virtually essential to gaining access to medical care. Compare that to the world of dental care. About half of all
Americans have no dental insurance (for seniors that’s about 80%). The fortunate ones with insurance are covered for
basic twice-a-year cleanings, exams and x-rays.
F
or those who need extensive dentistry either as a
result of aging, genetics, or lifestyle, fees ranging from
$10,000 to $50,000 and beyond are not uncommon.
These out-of-pocket expenses can be devastating whether
you are working and raising a family or just trying to enjoy
the Golden Years. The truth is that no one should ever avoid
needed dental care due to lack of dental insurance.
The current Health Reform Bill, to the extent it focuses on
dentistry, will not likely offer any relief. When all is settled,
seniors may find their already minimal Medicare Advantage
dental benefits entirely eliminated.
According to the National Coalition on Health Care,
an alliance of more than 70 organizations, about 40% of
Americans who sought healthcare abroad did so for dental
procedures. Despite the current economic climate’s negative
40
effect on dentistry both in the US and abroad, even the
American Dental Association (ADA) expects dental tourism to
grow once the recession ends.
For those who need extensive
dentistry either as a result of aging,
genetics, or lifestyle, fees ranging
from $10,000 to $50,000 and beyond
are not uncommon.
In spite of the numbers of dental tourists, dentistry also
receives less attention in the world of Medical Tourism. It’s a
jungle out there, and not in the eco-tourism sense. A GoogleTM
search for “dental tourism” came up with over a million
hits. Dentistry is usually treated as one of many healthcare
procedures thrown into the potpourri of treatments offered
by medical tourism companies. A possible reason for this: the
cost-per-procedure (and profit) of dentistry is much less than
for other medical treatments. Patients may feel comfortable
being “Do-It-Yourselfers” (DIY) when seeking dental care
abroad. After all, dentistry is not at the life-threatening level
of, say, a cardiac bypass, so they may feel they don’t need any
assistance.
However, given the number of dental tourists and their
specialized requirements, there is a necessary role for qualified
Dental Tourism Facilitators who can help patients navigate the
world of international dentistry and locate quality care abroad.
An effective Dental Facilitator can help patients in all aspects
of their experience, from choosing the right dentist at the right
price, to helping arrange lodging and tours within both the
budget and time constraints of the patient’s dental visit. When
The Four Ps of Dental Facilitation come together (Figure 1)
they offer the optimal dental experience for the patient.
A patient who believes that they can evaluate a dentist with
phone calls and email may be in for a surprise when they arrive
for treatment. Many people will not know the right questions
to ask, or the answers they should be hoping for. This is where
the Facilitator can make all the difference, if they have the right
set of professional skills.
Professionalism
Fig 1 ~ Four Ps of Dental Facilitation
A patient working with a Facilitator has the right to expect
that their guide to choosing dental treatment abroad would have
skills that match the task. Qualified Facilitators should have
backgrounds in dentistry and healthcare. They “talk” dentistry
and know the questions to ask dentists, including procedural
codes, names of materials used, etc. Such knowledge would
seem to be a given, but this is not always the case.
FACTORS RESULTING IN BEST PATIENT CARE
Product
Quality Facilitators meet the dentists they recommend in
person. Face-to-face meetings provide the most information. On
site, Facilitators with dental background check several things:
general condition of the office, equipment used, sterilization
procedures followed, staff members, training courses taken,
level of English fluency, and even the neighborhood location
of the offices.
The Dental Facilitator offers their knowledge to help
patients save time and avoid potential missteps. Anyone who
has ever put together his or her own vacation knows how
easy it is to make mistakes in a foreign place. The DIY patient
risks the increased chance of mistakes not only in their basic
travel choices of where to stay or what to see, but in the most
important decisions--those they are least prepared to evaluate,
“Who will treat me? Do I understand what they are offering me?”
According to the National Coalition
on Health Care, an alliance of more
than 70 organizations, about 40% of
Americans who sought healthcare
abroad did so for dental procedures.
The medical tourist may rely on Joint Commission (JC) or
other hospital accreditation to gain a sense of security about
their place of treatment. Dental tourists do not have that
same advantage. Dentists, generally work in solo practice
or in clinics. They are small business people, and formalized
accreditation of businesses of the size and quantity of dental
practices may present unique challenges.
When Pan American Dental Tours built its provider network,
we met practitioners with fine credentials and skills whose
offices or locations in town would have been unacceptable for
many patients. That vital piece of information would have
never been received through a phone call or e-mail.
Simply defined, the Dental Tourism Facilitator is a person
or company offering a service to prospective dental patients:
to help them navigate the world of international dentistry and
find the best quality care abroad, at the same time helping them
to realize major cost-savings.
With serious medical procedures, the “tourism” part
of medical tourism may be a misnomer. The dental tourist,
however, is likely to be ready, willing and able to sightsee right
before or even after his or her procedures. So in addition to
quality dentistry, the Facilitator may also offer lodging and
tour services on the ground.
While it is obvious that Do-It-Yourselfers cannot have
this depth of information, it may also be true that Facilitators
offering laundry lists of providers in multiple countries may
never meet their dental “partners.”
Meetings with local tour guides to establish their sensitivity
to patient’s needs, willingness to provide excellent travel help
and English proficiency is best done in person as well.
41
MEDICAL TOURISM
Knowledge carries a price, which is why the next “P” may
be the best for the Dental Tourism shopper.
Price
Dental tourists are by nature, and by the very act they engage
in, price sensitive. So the dental tourist will want to know that
not only can they work with a Facilitator to maximize their
experience, but they could potentially save money by doing so.
And again, Facilitators working with tour partners may
provide much the same service for clients with their travel
partners. Tour experts in the same city as the dentist, who
understand the special time needs of treatment will be the
patient’s eyes and ears on the ground.
A patient who believes that they can
evaluate a dentist with phone calls
and email may be in for a surprise
when they arrive for treatment.
Why would a patient not work with a Facilitator?
Place
There are many countries where the motivated dental
patient can go for quality treatment. An informed Facilitator
will (or should) have been in the country(ies) they recommend
to clients and will be able to share the important non-treatment
factors. Safety, access by air and ease of travel inside a country
are things to consider.
Having traveled around Central America, Panama can be
seen as the “go-to” location for dental work. Comparable
to Miami, Panama City is sophisticated, with tall buildings
balanced by picturesque historical sections and even an intown rain forest.
Travelers from the States may feel more comfortable
in Panama than other destinations in Central America. For
the patient who wants to tour, there is a diversity of nature
unsurpassed in the hemisphere, whether for island getaways
or eco-tourism in the jungle. The icing on the cake is that
they accept the US dollar: travelers will have no bothersome
conversions of money and credit card surcharges for the money
they spend. n
About the Author:
Jeffrey Apton, President.
As owner of two successful Medical Education
agencies working in the US and Internationally,
Jeff created numerous programs to deliver
better health care information to professionals
and consumers. Many of these programs
were featured in industry and national media,
including Pharmaceutical Executive, Newsweek,
CNN, BBC, etc. His clients were major pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies, including Pfizer, Merck and Novartis,
as well as non-profit patient advocacy groups. Jeff serves as ViceChairman and counselor for a Connecticut Chapter of SCORE,
a non-profit association that has helped over 8.5 million small
businesses owners across the US since its founding in 1964. Jeff
can be reached at [email protected]
Robin Apton RDH, MS, Clinical Coordinator.
Robin holds both BS and MS degrees from
Columbia University School of Dental and
Oral Surgery, Division of Dental Hygiene. She
has thirty years of experience practicing as a
registered dental hygienist (RDH) in a number
of busy periodontal and prosthodontic practices.
In addition to teaching at the University level
at Columbia and the University of Bridgeport, Robin has
owned and operated a dental employment agency that placed
professionals in offices throughout the New York region. Robin
can be reached at [email protected]
42
WHY SHOULD YOU ADVERTISE ON AN ONLINE MAGAZINE?
Did you know that...
>> Almost 70% of Americans search for medical information
online.
>> Over 113 million Americans search for health information
online.
>> Most Americans now gather information online through
search engines such as Google, Yahoo & Bing.
>> Keeps business flowing by advertising online in the Health
Tourism Magazine.
>> Advertise to your target audience and get more “bang” for
your buck, because of the reduced costs of advertising online.
>> Reach
thousands of potential clients, employees, industry
© Copyright
Medical Tourism Magazine
participants and other important publics.
>> Generate inquiries and sales leads from healthcare
professionals, buyers and sellers.
>> Increase your “Brand Name” reputation throughout the
country in Health Tourism Magazine.
>> Educate the world on your organization, what you provide,
and why it is unique.
>> Use the Health Tourism Magazine to communicate the vision
of positive improving the health and wellness of people today.
Please Contact:
10130 Northlake Boulevard, Suite 214-315
West Palm Beach, FL 33412 USA
Tel (561) 791-2000
Fax (866) 756-0811
Email: [email protected]
43
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical
Tourism in
the Ashes of
Healthcare
Reform
By JONATHAN EDELHEIT
H
ealthcare Reform was dead in the United States
and now it’s back and it looks like it’s going to
pass. What is amazing about healthcare reform in
the US is that it is actually not going to lower healthcare or
health insurance costs as initially promised, but will effectively
significantly increase the costs. By some research it is estimated
that the cost of health insurance for young people could be
raised by almost 70% each year. Even more amazing is that
healthcare reform legislation in the US will do nothing to
actually deal with the real reasons why healthcare costs are
so high and definitely is not going to have the major effect
that has been promised to the American people. Healthcare
reform is mainly going to try to force every American to buy
healthcare, waive pre-existing conditions and create healthcare
purchasing entities and strongly go after and regulate health
insurance carriers.
The Medical Tourism Association Board agreed with
Deloitte that Healthcare reform in the US would increase
healthcare costs tremendously and therefore grow medical
tourism faster. Everyone in the US would like to see healthcare
reform, but in a meaningful way, that actually addresses the
fundamental reasons why healthcare costs are so high, which
current healthcare reform doesn’t.
44
Some Interesting Research on Healthcare Reform:
19 million
Number of people predicted to lose their
employer plan (Lewin Group)
8 to 9 million
Number of people predicted to lose their
employer plan (CBO)
$11,543
Employer incentive to drop coverage for
a $30,000 a year worker with family [Tax
subsidy in the exchange minus tax subsidy
at work minus $2,000 fine] (IRET)
33 million
Number of people in traditional Medicare
at risk of losing access to care because of
$523 billion in cuts in Medicare spending
(Medicare Chief Actuary)
20%
Fraction of hospitals that would become
unprofitable after Medicare spending cuts
(Medicare Chief Actuary)
$100 million
Cost of Healthcare Reform mandates
for Caterpillar, Inc. in the first year alone
(Caterpillar, Inc.)
What does it mean?
What does healthcare reform passing in the US mean for
medical tourism? It is extremely positive. Healthcare reform
will increase the cost of health insurance for younger Americans
because healthcare reform artificially lowers the cost of health
insurance for elderly Americans and makes younger Americans
bear that burden. Healthcare reform does nothing to really address
actual healthcare costs, such as hospital stays, pharmaceuticals,
medical supplies, and medical malpractice reform.
One of the most important aspects of healthcare reform
is that it waives pre-existing conditions for Americans and
that all Americans must be treated fairly in regards to costs,
which means that under healthcare reform sick Americans
should be paying the same amount for health insurance as
healthy Americans. This means millions of sick Americans who
previously were denied insurance or couldn’t afford it now
will have access to it and that in order for the prices for sick
and healthy Americans to be the same, health insurance prices
have to rise. This means healthy Americans will be subsidizing
sick Americans health insurance costs. We have seen in several
states in the US, this type of group healthcare reform and how
it increases the cost of health insurance for everyone.
What does healthcare reform
passing in the US mean for medical
tourism? It is extremely positive.
Many US health insurance companies and employers had
put off their plans to implement medical tourism because they
were waiting to see if healthcare reform passed and if it did
pass what it actually meant. Health Insurance Companies have
been in a huge defensive position cutting all new initiatives and
projects, and fighting healthcare reform because healthcare
reform was going to cripple the insurance carriers and for some
threaten their very existence by putting them out of business.
Also, employers didn’t want to implement anything new,
because they didn’t know if the government was taking over
health insurance or certain things under healthcare reform
would be allowed or not allowed. Now that it looks like
healthcare reform is going to pass, we will see a new and excited
interest in medical tourism as employers and insurers look for
creative ways to stop what will be a very rapid increase in the
costs of health insurance in the US under healthcare reform.
It will be very exciting to see the renewed interest in medical
tourism from insurance companies and employers in the US
and to see this industry start to grow!
Ethnic Employers, the New Emerging Market
Another huge sector of medical tourism is “ethnic
employers.” Ethnic employers are employers who have
operations in multiple countries. We are in a global world and
business has no borders. Many companies are conglomerates
that operate all over the world. I predicted several years ago
that these ethnic employers would start leading the charge in
medical tourism and I have been encouraging governments
ever since to support it. A perfect example is Daewoo and
Woori Bank of Korea who this past year implemented medical
tourism for their US based employees to travel back to Korea
for surgeries under medical tourism. The Korean government
used its influence to open the doors for this to happen and this
will be an example to countries around the world to work with
local companies who have international offices to adopt medical
tourism programs. This could open the door to millions more
patients traveling in the future as international companies
allow medical tourism to their company’s headquarters in their
home country. Korea has a huge initiative in this area and in
2010 we will see more Korean conglomerates offering medical
tourism to their employees in different parts of the world. This
type of initiative should be taken up by other countries and
governments.
Projections for 2010
My projection for 2010 is that we will not only see more
growth in the medical tourism industry, but we will see a solid
foundation being built for massive growth of medical tourism
in the future. In 2010 we will see more US insurance companies
and employers will implement medical tourism. Also, we
will see more international insurance companies developing
more “global healthcare” policies allowing patients to travel
anywhere in the world for their healthcare needs. Also, we
will see some international health insurance companies wake
up while some continue living in the dark.
Some international insurers companies simply don’t put two
and two together. They are involved in medical tourism on a
constant basis but simply don’t realize that what they are doing
is medical tourism and don’t embrace it. Other international
health insurance companies simply put their head in the sand
like an ostrich and don’t want to be involved in medical tourism
or global healthcare. But times have changed and you either
change with the times or you fade away. Just like companies
said they would not outsource administrative and customer
service to overseas countries some o f these insurers are saying
they won’t outsource healthcare.
But, we are in a global world. If an employer wants to
do it and that international insurer won’t do it, they will find
another insurance carrier. This is actually happening right
now. Sometimes insurance companies get stuck in a rut of the
way they have always done things, and they need to get slapped
around a little to wake up and realize times have changed. This
is going to happen in the next few years and I firmly believe
that we will see “global health insurance policies” versus
“domestic health insurance policies becoming one of the fastest
growing policies throughout the developing world and even in
the developing world. n
About the Author
Jonathan Edelheit is CEO of the
Medical Tourism Association with a
long history in the healthcare industry,
providing third party administration
services for fully insured, self-funded
and mini-medical plans to large
employers groups. He may be reached
at [email protected]
45
MEDICAL TOURISM
Part II
The Global Spa &
Medical Tourism
Industries
By SUSIE ELLIS
The history of spas, defined as destinations people visit for renewal of body, mind and spirit, and medical tourism, the
practice of people traveling across borders for medical treatment, can be traced back thousands of years. Yet each sector
has a distinctly modern and rapidly evolving incarnation that can be measured in mere decades and years. While there are
striking parallels between these ancient, yet young industries, each brings vastly different core competencies to the table.
I
n the first installment of my discussion of the spa industry
and the medical tourism industry, we focused on some of
their similarities including their histories, yearly revenue
figures, terminology challenges, the need for more research,
and the valuable role of facilitators. In this second installment I
will suggest some ways these industries might be able to work
together productively - as well as outline a few pitfalls that I
feel should be avoided.
WHAT SPAS DO BEST
The core strength of spas is providing relaxation and destressing, as well as preventative health and wellness offerings.
They are destinations where people in fundamentally good
health focus on getting healthier, via fitness, nutrition, body
therapies and beauty treatments, sleep, mind-body modalities,
and at times complementary and alternative practices, etc.
Consumers associate spas and their staffs with care and
46
nurturing, and the spa environment is thoughtfully designed
to address and soothe all five senses – that is why you will
often find soft music, beautiful lighting, relaxing aromas, subtle
flavors and a healing touch. Every element is dedicated to
facilitate physical, emotional and spiritual rejuvenation.
While spa personnel may have expertise and credentials in
areas like massage therapy, beauty services, fitness training, hotel
management or spa management, and some are practioners in
yoga, acupuncture or ayurveda, licensed medical doctors are
not routinely part of the equation.
Spa-goers are usually called ‘clients’ or ‘guests.’
WHAT MEDICINE DOES BEST
A medical establishment’s overriding mission is providing
serious medical services in a safe, regulated environment by
highly trained, reputable doctors and staff. Medical tourism, by
definition, involves licensed medical facilities and professionals
to administer procedures the traveler is seeking. Hence, the
process is infinitely more complex and includes diagnoses, preoperation, surgical procedures and expert aftercare.
The emphasis is, first and foremost on safety and positive
medical outcomes, not necessarily on creating a relaxing
ambiance, nurturing environment or providing complementary
non-medical services.
Medical personnel are expected to be appropriately licensed
and there is a great deal of emphasis on high levels of education
as well as extensive experience.
Medical tourists are usually called ‘patients.’
CULTURES
While spas and medical establishments have differing
core competencies (which theoretically should make working
together quite synergistic), the greatest challenges are often
symptomatic of their differing cultures.
A study by SpaFinder Research
revealed that consumers
overwhelmingly prefer “the
expertise of medical professionals
combined with the ambiance and
caring touch of a spa.
With medical facilities’ laser-like focus on efficiency, the
fallout can be cold, sparse waiting rooms and short-tempered
staff behind sliding-glass windows separating the medical
experts from the patients. Spas on the other hand specialize in
customer-centric healing environments ~ the kind of milieu that
welcomes clients with a foot ritual and relaxing tea.
On the other hand, spa professionals are not required
to achieve a ‘medical level’ of expertise, and their often
unsubstantiated claims that spa treatments do such things as
‘pull out toxins,’ ‘eliminate cellulite’ or ‘balance chakras’ runs
counter to the medical establishment’s adherence to largely
evidenced-based medicine. This often precludes some medical
professionals from wanting to have anything to do with the
spa world.
CONSUMER DEMAND
Increasingly, as more people seek integrative approaches
to medicine as well as meaningful alternatives to current
healthcare models, it’s the consumer who is clearly articulating
a desire for a blend of both. A study by SpaFinder Research
revealed that consumers overwhelmingly prefer “the expertise
of medical professionals combined with the ambiance and
caring touch of a spa.” So it’s no surprise that we’re beginning
to see efforts to combine these distinct core competencies into
offerings that satisfy consumer demand.
While initially it may be this consumer demand that drives
the early intersections of medical tourism and spas, it is my
belief that, over time, it will be the improved medical outcomes
and satisfying experiences as a result of a blended model that
will be the more powerful adoption driver.
To that end, here are some suggested ways I see that spas
and medical tourism might be able to begin working together:
1. Spas As ‘Bookends’ For Medical Tourism
One of the easiest-to-implement ways for spa and medicine
to work together is to co-ordinate spa stays as an option on
either end of the medical travel experience. This ‘bookend
approach’ is a natural fit when there isn’t serious and complex
surgery involved, and indeed, pre and post medical-stay spa
visits are something that is already beginning to happen and
proving successful.
For instance, the medical tourist’s pre-procedure
accommodations can be booked at a hotel or resort with a
spa, or at a destination spa where all guests are emerged in the
spa experience. Alternately a pre or post stay at a facility that
doesn’t have a spa could be ‘paired’ with services from a local
day spa.
This offers numerous benefits in terms of both adjusting
from travel and preparing for the upcoming check up, test
or medical procedure. Relaxing spa treatments, anti-jet lag
management, healthy food, and mild exercise are examples
of spa aspects that physically, emotionally and/or spiritually
prepare patients for what lies ahead.
Likewise, these same beneficial offerings, along with the
nurturing staff and 24-hour service at the spa, are an attractive
plus for the post-procedure experience. In some cases, spa
treatments and supervised movement can accelerate recovery,
especially if coordinated between doctors and spa staff.
Additionally, beauty services prepare a patient to look and feel
their best before heading home.
Typically, only minor adjustments need to be made in spa
facilities or in their programming in order to accommodate
medical tourists.
Another benefit of incorporating spa treatments into the
medical tourism experience is the value for the medical traveler’s
companion(s). Companions serve as valuable support and
assistance to the medical traveler and a spa setting, which may
include some respite for them between their obligations, would
no doubt be very appealing.
Examples:
• A stay at the Chiva Som Destination Spa in Thailand
before and after checking into Bumrungrad International
Hospital for a medical procedure
• Staying at the Makati Shangri-La Manila Resort in the
Philippines, and using their Chi spa for pre-and post
hospital stays thus book-ending procedures performed
at Medical City Hospital
47
MEDICAL TOURISM
• Using S Medical Spa in Bangkok before and after a Lasik
procedure while staying at a hotel or in an apartment
without a spa
2. Medical Establishments Adding Spas Or Spa Services
Because of the powerful, universal popularity of the spa
experience, as well as mounting evidence that many of the
services they offer do indeed have health-enhancing benefits,
medical consumers have begun to actively seek out hospitals/
healthcare facilities which have more of a ‘spa feel’ - or those
that formally offer spa services. Increasingly, whether it’s a
hospital, a clinic, a doctor or dentist’s office, facilities that
incorporate elements of spa are gaining an edge. Welcome to
the epoch of the ‘spa-spital,’ the ‘hospa,’ the ‘dental spa,’ the
‘medi-spa,’ and such.
Examples:
• Beyond, a day spa at Hackensack University Medical
Center in New Jersey was one of the first examples of
this hospital spa trend.
• Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland began as a clinic/
hospital and recently added a full spa facility complete
with swimming pool, hydrotherapy, massage, beauty
services and the like.
• Dr. Renee Dell’Acqua is the pioneer of ‘spa dentistry’. At her Dental Studio in California she uses custom made
aromatherapy to help patients relax, has a massage
therapist on staff that offers foot and hand massages
during treatment, and uses many spa amenities such as
neck and eye pillows, chenille blankets and spa music to
create a most comfortable setting.
3. Spas Adding Medical Components
In some spas (especially in Europe) there has been a history
of medical doctor involvement from the beginning. Many
of those models have been changing from a government-run
operation to a private for-profit business in the past years. In
addition, spas without prior medical offerings have broadened
their offerings to include medical components whether oriented
toward wellness and prevention or cosmetics and aesthetic
enhancement. Terms such as medical spa, ‘medi spa’ (a term
trademarked by Dr. Bruce Katz, New York) and SpaRx
(trademarked by SpaFinder, Inc.) resulted.
Examples:
• Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Arizona, which opened
in 1979 as a sprawling full service fitness retreat,
subsequently added medical services. Today they have
what they refer to as ‘The Life Enhancement Program’
which is its own facility and has almost 20 full- time
medical doctors on staff.
• La Costa Resort and Spa, a world-renowned golf and
spa destination popular in California for half a century,
added a medical component more recently when Dr.
Deepak Chopra opened his first Ayurvedic-focused
‘Chopra Center’ on their premises.
• Harrods in London originally opened a traditional spa,
Urban Retreat. Later they added a medi spa, Renew
Medica, making the space now a huge and popular wellbeing haven.
4. Both Spa & Medical Blended From The Onset
As the synergies between medical and spas become more
evident, we are seeing newer projects that endeavor to integrate
both aspects right from the beginning. These hybrids are taking
a variety of forms.
Examples:
• The Malo Clinic Spa at The Venetian Macao-ResortHotel is an integrative wellness center which offers
48
both comprehensive medical treatments (six operating
theaters, a staff of 50 doctors, executive health checkups, cutting-edge dental medicine/surgery, cardiology,
plastic surgery, etc.) and full spa services (30 luxurious
spa rooms; wet and hydro facilities; a hair salon, ‘The
Beauty Lab;’ 100 spa therapists).
• The Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital in Michigan
was designed with advanced technology throughout
rooms and medical facilities, space for families to stay
overnight, organic healthy food and a culinary school
emphasizing healthy cuisine (they have plans for an
onsite greenhouse). The hospital’s wellness center
features a full menu of integrative medicine and spa
features that include acupuncture, massage, yoga and
relaxation classes.
• The Sha Wellness Clinic in Alicanta, Spain blends
traditional medicine and western approaches with a
macrobiotic diet. The medical team and professional
therapeutic consultants work together. They don’t claim
to be either a ‘medical center’ or a ‘spa’ – rather they
prefer the language ‘devoted to wellbeing.’
• Other interesting hybrids include The California Health
& Longevity Institute at The Four Seasons Hotel at
Westlake Village in California and Mexico’s Sanoviv
Medical Institute located on a picturesque spot on the
Pacific coastline. The facility has at times been referred
to as a “Ritz Carlton-like Hospital”
5. Wellness Or Health Tourism Models
‘Wellness tourism’ (or ‘health tourism’) is an emerging
category increasingly being discussed in both the spa and
medical tourism arenas. In fact it will be one of the key themes
at the upcoming 2010 Global Spa Summit May 17-19 in
One of the easiest-to-implement
ways for spa and medicine to work
together is to coordinate spa stays
as an option on either end of the
medical travel experience.
Spa in Thailand, United Kingdom’s Champneys resorts,
Lanserhof in Austria, Rancho La Puerta in Mexico and
Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Australia.
• Traveling to medical establishments for examinations,
testing and preventative or recovery services also
logically falls under the rubric of ‘wellness or health
tourism.’ Examples include getting a full physical
examination at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, banking
your own stem cells at hospitals in Kuala Lumpur or
the Philippines, or attending the post-partum recovery
program at Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa in Brazil.
• The creation of entire islands, cities and eventually
even countries dedicated to ‘wellness or health tourism’
seems right around the corner. Dilmunia Development
– a healthcare and leisure real estate project scheduled
to open soon in Bahrain will be called ‘Health Island.’
Offering state-of-the-art health care services in a resort
environment, it will feature clinics, spas, wellness
facilities, residential and leisure areas, hotels and
shopping centers, a sports medicine center, an alternative
medicine center, and a ‘wellness hospital’ and diagnostic
center.
POTENTIAL PITFALLS
Although facing a future of exciting possibilities, there are
also impediments to the successful collaboration of the spa and
medical tourism industries to look out for. One major concern
that simmers below the surface is that both are somehow bent
on invading each other’s businesses ~ that medical tourism
wants to get into the spa business, and spas want to get into
the medical arena. This is not only largely unfounded, but also
ill advised.
Istanbul, Turkey. While clear definitions or a consensus on
which term to use remain elusive, the overall concept is gaining
momentum. Generally, ‘wellness tourism’ incorporates the idea
of diagnostics and testing, as well as a preventive focus, and
often includes consumer education.
Working together successfully
necessitates that both the spa and
medical professionals acknowledge
the core competencies of the other.
One significant plus for the ‘wellness or health tourism’
model is that the concept is more expansive and tends to have
a more positive connotation than ‘medical tourism,’ which can
suffer from a narrow association with cosmetic surgery abroad.
Also, as the idea of ‘clusters’ develops (when clinics, hospitals,
medical institutions, spas, and related industries work together),
the wider net of ‘wellness or health tourism’ can prove more
inclusion, an advantage for tourism associations as well as
countries or regions around the world.
Examples:
• Destination spas around the world visited by people
crossing borders are a clear example or this model.
While these establishments are already properly engaged
in ‘wellness or health tourism,’ their target audience
remains largely unaware of the moniker. Some of the
best known destination spas that regularly welcome
international guests include the Six Senses Destination
With very different cultures and varying expertise in spas
and medicine, there is, in fact, evidence that prior attempts to
simply move into the other’s space can prove a very costly error.
Examples include the Sona MedSpa and Radiance franchises
in the U.S. which were both built by people with non-medical
backgrounds and subsequently went out of business. Other
examples include hospitals whose attempt to add a spa resulted
not so much in an integrated program with medical staff
collaboration assuring improved patient outcomes, but rather
functioning more like a small spa/salon in the hospital lobby
operating totally separate from the medical professionals and
more on par with a gift shop kiosk.
Another potential pitfall is that of not respecting each
other’s expertise. Working together successfully necessitates
that both the spa and medical professionals acknowledge the
core competencies of the other. For example, people from
the medical side should not fool themselves into thinking
that running a successful spa is easy. Equally important,
spa professionals should not imagine that simply engaging
a medical doctor to perform services in a spa will provide a
meaningful medical alternative for consumers.
Based on what we have seen so far in terms of successful
collaborations, it appears that maintaining some autonomy
between the spa and medical aspects in the design, operation
and management might be the best way to begin, with some
functions such as marketing, being integrated. What is needed
however is a sincere commitment on everyone’s part to work
together in such a way that the goal of improved patient/guest
outcomes and experiences serves as the guiding force and can
trump the historically unique culture friction which can result.
In time, it is reasonable to assume that there will be people
who have developed expertise in the new spa/medicine genre
which will make additional integration possible and easier.
49
MEDICAL TOURISM
Doing it alone is another potential pitfall. Twenty five years
ago few hotels had spas and almost no cruise ships had spas.
Today most 4 and 5 star properties have spas as do almost all
cruise ships. Over the past couple of decades, various models
evolved: some cruise lines set up their own teams to design,
build and manage their spas; others brought in consultants for
part of the process and decided to run the spa themselves. Still
others outsourced the entire operation from beginning to end.
It is worth noting that almost every single cruise ship with a spa
on board today has outsourced the operation and management
of their spa to a company with spa expertise. Steiner Leisure
has become the dominant player managing over 50% of all
cruise ships at sea today with Canyon Ranch becoming a
growing player in this market more recently. It appears as if the
economies of scale and vast experience a seasoned spa company
has to offer makes for a smoother operation and better bottom
lines for all involved.
In essence, spa enthusiasts are
likely to be prime medical tourism
candidates as they already have one
foot firmly on the first rung of the
‘seeking health improvement ladder’
so-to-speak.
Hotels and resorts have integrated spas in a variety of ways.
For decades there have been debates regarding the pros and
cons of branded spas and who runs them. While some hotel
or resort brands have developed their own spa brand (Shangri
La’s Chi Spa, Fairmont’s Willow Stream, or Hyatt Pure) there
are also many who have outsourced either the building of and/
or operation of their spas to companies such as ESPA, Mandara
or Six Senses to name a few. Some hospitality brands, most
notably Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, are
doing it alone by managing their own spas quite successfully.
While a variety of models will likely result, my prediction
is that in the end we will see more medical establishments
bringing in branded spa expertise and spas bringing in branded
medical programs with both working hard to collaborate and
grow together.
MARKET EXPANSION
While good opportunities are emerging for spas and
medical tourism to work together enhancing the offerings and
outcomes for each, the more exciting opportunity might be in
the growth potential of each market and the development of an
entirely new market that attracts new consumers who hadn’t
previously been involved in either medical tourism or the world
of spas.
In essence, spa enthusiasts are likely to be prime medical
tourism candidates as they already have one foot firmly on the
first rung of the ‘seeking health improvement ladder’ so-tospeak. Alternately, if medical travelers are introduced to the
benefits of spa experiences while abroad, they are probably
more likely to engage in spa activities both at home and on
future vacations.
Marketing is another area of opportunity. Spas can add
‘sizzle’ to medical tourism marketing. The popularity of spas
with global consumers (97% report a positive association
with the term ‘spa’ - see chart) can make the medical tourism
‘package’ that much more appealing – adding a unique and
attractive experience (the ‘tourism’) that is often missing in the
current ‘medical tourism’ equation. Spas are pretty good at
50
showcasing ‘wow’ factors – consider the underwater massage
rooms in the Maldives, 24-karat gold facials in Dubai, and
four- or even six-hand massages in Tahiti to name a few – each
regular media magnets.
Medical offerings can add credibility – and a whole new
dimension – for the spa consumer. From the lifesaving and
life-giving possibilities of stem cell banking, to relatively
minor procedures like Lasik or dental work – the concept
of incorporating medical diagnostics, procedures and even
surgery may become increasingly appealing for those who
travel to spas, rendering their time away from home even more
productive. In addition, the medical cost savings possible when
traveling to places where medicine is less expensive as well as
the possibility that some medical procedures are covered by
insurance can help offset the price of a spa vacation.
IN CONCLUSION
It’s early in the lifecycle of both the modern medical tourism
and the spa industries (and clearly we’re in the infant phase
of the two collaborating together). We can assume that even
more innovative models will evolve, more pitfalls identified and
more synergies will emerge. As global collaboration heats up,
and especially if patient outcomes and both sectors’ bottom
lines are positively impacted, I think it’s safe to predict that the
shared future of spas and medical tourism will be an unusually
bright one. n
About the Author:
As president of SpaFinder, Inc. and Editorin-Chief of its leading consumer website
SpaFinder.com, Susie Ellis is one of the
most respected analysts and commentators
on the global spa and wellness industries.
Recognized worldwide as a leading authority
on the evolving spa consumer, and sparelated health, wellness, beauty, fitness
and lifestyle trends, she heads up the most
prominent spa media, marketing, and research company and
is a frequent speaker at industry events. Ms. Ellis began her
career in spa at the Golden Door, California, and later became
the first spa director of the Greenhouse Spa at Donald Trump’s
Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. She has also served
on the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and
Sports, chaired by Arnold Schwarzenegger. She may be reached
at [email protected].
MedicalTourismCity.com
It’s Your Social Network
The Internet is overflowing with an assortment
of social networking sites to suit every individual’s
needs. From Friendster, Myspace, Facebook and
Twitter, the increased usage of networking sites
has been duly noted and a new form of social
networking for the Medical Tourism industry has
come forth in the form of MedicalTourismCity.
com.
MedicalTourismCity.com is a social networking forum created by the Medical Tourism Association to connect thousands around the globe
that are involved in global healthcare, medical
tourism, medical travel and health tourism so
that they can interact, network and share ideas
and thoughts, that will all work together to grow
the industry.
Launching its first network site, the Medical
Tourism Association created Medical Tourism
City as a global healthcare community whose
users would consist of international hospitals,
governments, medical tourism facilitators,
ministries of health and tourism, governmental
economic development entities, insurance
companies, employers, consultants, health
insurance agents, patients and others who
participate or are interested in the industry. The
role of the site is to promote and encourage
communication amongst all of these different
parties and elements behind medical tourism
and healthcare.
“The MTA launched the social network as
a way for people to find a common place to
communicate and grow the medical tourism
industry in a positive direction,” said RenéeMarie Stephano, editor of the Medical Tourism
Magazine and President of Medical Tourism
Association. “Anyone, anywhere in the world
can use the site freely. The most important part
is that users of the medical tourism city social
network will have access to meet business
people and colleagues online that otherwise
they would never be able to meet,” she added.
“You can blog, carry on discussions, live chat
and more.”
Just as in the format of other popular social
networking sites, MedicalTourismCity.com
allows its users to create personal profiles to
reflect their individual personalities to other
users in their network. By becoming a member
of Medical Tourism City, you can create your
own group or forum, related to the industry,
and write blogs and post messages. Another
feature is the ability to create a list of contacts
that could include international doctors, hospitals and other participants in the global medical
tourism industry, all with a purpose to network
or exchange information. A multimedia facet of
the site is the ability to post photos and video
on the site as part of a forum, group or personal
profile.
Finally, the biggest feature of the site is to
share information. Whether you are a hospital,
facilitator, government entity or someone just
interested in the industry, this site has something for everyone.
Medical Tourism City is projected to have
thousands of active users from all over the
globe before the end of the year. With its growth,
the site is expected to expand beyond issues of
medical tourism and reach out internationally
to encompass global healthcare.
To get started and to learn more information about this groundbreaking site, visit www.
MedicalTourismCity.com and log in and create
an account today. Try out of all its features and
add a photo to your profile or post a message
on a forum and share the information.
51
MEDICAL TOURISM
Are You
Forfeiting
Millions
in Revenue?
By DR. JAMES MCCORMICK
While the distribution of healthcare as a global service is a reality in many countries, the US lags in development because there are
gaps in industry rules, ill-defined dispute resolution mechanisms, billing transparency concerns, and other significant issues that
create unknown business risks. As a result of these structural issues, national reputations and international business brands are
unnecessarily jeopardized.
T
he case study below highlights critical issues for
businesses and countries exporting healthcare
to consumers. It is a real case. The events occur
commonly, but to varying degrees, during the normal delivery
of medical care. They are not unique to medical tourism
patients. What is unique in the case is the risk and powerful
consequences assumed by businesses and countries attempting
to build brands within the US.
The Case
The fictitious patient, Tom, seeks the best price possible
online for a medical procedure. Tom accepts care in Country
‘Z’ after email exchanges and an online interview. No local
facilitator assists him. Tom arrives without a complete
assessment. The receiving doctor requires additional tests
costing Tom more than planned. He has a complication at
home and is dissatisfied. His medical care options at home are
limited. Unable to find a solution, he goes to a radio station
52
and presents a biased story to a large audience undermining the
destination country’s brand, the hospital’s reputation and value
provided to patients seeking international healthcare.
From a business perspective, any country lacking an
organized market approach will collect a few hundred dollars
in tax receipts and forfeit millions of dollars in revenue. In
2007 the US spent $2.26 trillion dollars on healthcare, while
$4.1 trillion was spent worldwide1,2,3. The construction of
an orderly, process-driven, and seamless Global Healthcare
Services Distribution market could favorably shift the
consumer’s spending patterns. A movement of 0.01% in market
share represents a tremendous revenue opportunity.
Countries bear the greatest risk to the brand(s) they are
building. International companies and hospital brands entering
the global healthcare services market carry a significant
1
WHO Data /
2
OECD Data /
3
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/proj2007.pdf
amount of risk as well. Decades have been spent building
premium brands in corporate portfolios. Entering a relatively
unstructured industry and marketplace carries undefined and
potentially unmanageable risk. Brand damage can propagate
to other businesses units.
Process, Structure and Policies
Reduce Risk to Country and
Corporate Brands in the new Global
Healthcare Services Market.
Proactive coordination, development, and management
of these healthcare export services are in the best interests of
all the participating countries and their domestic companies.
The exportation of healthcare deserves, the same, if not more
attention, than other export industries. There is greater
oversight, quality assurance, process control, and compatibility
standards established in semiconductor chip manufacturing. The
standards in that industry developed with the realization that
the size of the organized market grew larger with collaboration
and shrunk with parochial disorder. The shared collaborative
reward of a Global Healthcare Services Distribution market
exceeds any singular market share acquisition.
Requirements to Stabilize and Ensure Market
Growth
>> National standards to define how facilities accept
patients
>> Patient care delivery and control systems
>> Dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms
>> Billing transparency processes
credentialed position: International Provider can be revoked
locally or at a national level for legitimate practice pattern
concerns, licensure lapses, or quality issues.
A systematic categorization of problems and complaints
can create an organized quality improvement approach. As
problems arise, categorize and track them under different subject
headings and the types of events. Over time as undesirable
events occur, patterns will emerge, problems will be identified
and solutions developed. These events may be classified within,
but separate from, routine quality improvement systems.
This separation allows for relatively rapid and accurate risk
identification, mitigation and quality improvement specific to
this industry and its collective development.
Dispute Prevention and Resolution Mechanisms
These systems should be initiated and managed locally.
Valuable customer service tools designed for healthcare
providers can improve doctor-patient relationships. There are
techniques with proven results that can reduce the likelihood
of a poor medical outcome from becoming a negative customer
service experience. Some costumer satisfaction issues will not
be resolved with these techniques. These cases can be addressed
by hospital leadership, or by local ombudsmen, to reduce the
negative impact. Extraordinary customer service is one of the
key differentiators offered by international service providers to
US consumers. It merits the same protections that all essential
brand components deserve.
From a business perspective, any
country lacking an organized market
approach will collect a few hundred
dollars in tax receipts and forfeit
millions of dollars in revenue.
National Standards for Patient Entry and Exit
Countries with businesses sending and accepting patients
should consider having a locally managed authorized list of
facilitators, physicians, and insurers. There is a compelling
interest in limiting the number and types of businesses allowed
to send and receive patients. Specific entry and exit processes
for patients should be defined and agreed upon. From both a
national and a medical facility brand perspective, the risk is
greatest when there are few or no controls to access facilities.
When a poorly managed case occurs, the outcome reflects most
heavily on the country and the facilities within that country.
The provider(s) typically fade out of the story line. Unknown
business risk exists to both country and facility brands when
there are no controlled access and exits points for the provision
of services.
Patient Care Delivery and Control Systems
We do not advocate for the imposition of a US-centric
patient care system. But a reasonable sense of comparable and
enforceable quality across borders protects everyone’s interests.
Medical centers and national certification bodies can use
existing processes to qualify their doctors and related licensed
providers. Existing credentialing processes typically include a
specific scope of practice with limits and definitions. A new
scope of practice: International Provider can organize efforts in
an aligned manner. A physician interested in providing elective
care to international patients can select that credentialing
option. Existing credentialing systems can be vertically
integrated to a national level in order to build a manageable,
enforceable equitable process that allows medical centers and
nations to allow participation, but protect their brand(s). The
Avenues to arbitration already exist and may be preferred
to control costs. Contractual language can help to control
risk and reduce disputes, but jurisdictional issues are difficult
to overcome leading to enforcement issues. Initially, it may
not appear to be in the interest of an individual facility or
country to yield power and authority to outside parties. But,
a collaborative standardized consensus based agreement and
mechanism for dispute resolution is essential. Sharing best
practices here makes tremendous sense as it encourages the
overall market to learn and grow.
Billing Transparency Processes
Before the patient arrives there should be a clear bill set
out for the services to be rendered. Hidden and undeclared
additional fees and charges are a bad practice. There is a valid
reason to charge for additional mandatory or unexpected
legitimate services. Infections, complications and operative
recovery issues are all legitimate services to bill for when
rendered. This point helps explain why the limitation of access
points is important to your reputation. Message consistency
begins and ends with your ability to enforce how the message
is delivered. Accepting referrals through resources unfamiliar
with your terms, conditions and charges allows for the potential
patient to misunderstand what the obligations are and where
additional charges may be added on. When qualified referral
services are in place, the business and medical risk to the
patient, facility and country can be controlled or minimized.
The entire process assures the consumer receives a clearly
defined fee structure and the potential for additional charges.
These issues can be addressed prior to departure to receive the
53
MEDICAL TOURISM
care. Options for aftercare insurance and other gaps can be
closed prior to departing for services.
Conclusion
The days of the “gold rush” approach to medical tourism
will end. There is room for more participants, additional talent
and new entrepreneurs, but a more structured mature industry
lies ahead. Competing for healthcare consumers across borders
and into domestic territories is a complex and challenging goal,
but appears rewarding and worthwhile in the end. International
Centers of Excellence that are worth traveling to for health care
can exist in the consumers’ minds. To establish them, we must
move away from unmanaged participants, underdeveloped
policies and ill-defined rules. A comprehensive strategic
approach is necessary to accomplish these goals.
Each dissatisfied person that leaves a country carries a
powerfully negative brand message. Domestic advocates,
lobbyists, providers and insurers who characterize this industry
as a threat will actively publicize these cases. They seize the
stories like Tom above and use their negative value. The
physician(s) and the facility involved are almost unimportant.
A systematic categorization of
problems and complaints can
create an organized quality
improvement approach.
The strategic use of a bad outcome and/or dissatisfied customer
is to broadly paint the country negatively. This simple stroke
destroys the quality and pricing power that exists in the
collective brand. The Toms that return are given the ability
to tell their stories to thousands, perhaps more, of empathetic
audiences that are more likely to believe his word of mouth
story. A priority must be established early on to defuse and
disarm the dissatisfied consumers before they vent publically.
In the end, each country’s reputation and their domestic
corporate brands are also placed in harm’s way. Patients rarely
lose public battles. n
About the Author
Dr. McCormick, originally from New York, is a practicing
Emergency Medicine physician in Los Angeles and has
remained Board Certified for the last 10 years. Prior to that,
he served for over 20 years in pre-hospital emergency services,
both ground and air based operations. Dr. McCormick
graduated from medical school at the State University of
New York Downstate in 1993 and completed his residency
in Emergency Medicine at the prestigious LAC+USC Medical
Center in 1997. Dr McCormick is a founding member and
co-inventor of the NuMask IntraOral Mask, a breakthrough
medical device for ventilating patients. His next direction
is a more strategic solution to the US healthcare challenges
with the launch of a medical tourism business called Premier
Medical Travel this fall. He is convinced that combining his
MD and MBA will help to unleash the tremendous benefits
this industry has to offer: our patients, our payers, our
country and our future generations. He may be reached at
[email protected]
54
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55
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical Tourism Meets
Volunteering Hands~
A Student’s
Journey to
Honduras
By AYUSHI GUMMADI
Driving through the hills of rural Honduras, I experienced my first wave of fearing for my life. I was crammed in the back
of a van, driving in the rain along dirt roads that looked over the edge of cliffs. But when the van first dropped us off in the
rural community of Las Joyas, my emotions instantly changed and the surroundings took my breath away.
S
et high in the mountains on an agricultural reserve,
Las Joyas is surrounded by picturesque views of pure
greenery unpolluted by modern day life. Standing in
stark contrast to the beautiful scenery is the rural, impoverished
community, consisting of shacks assembled with corrugated
tin, brick and mud and lacking the basic elements of electricity
and running water which I take for granted.
I found myself in Honduras as part of Global Brigades,
a student-led international service organization designed to
improve quality of life in developing countries through various
sustainable development projects. My team, composed of 16
students from the University of Southern California, came as
part of Public Health Brigades, which focused on redesigning
56
community infrastructure to decrease the prevalence of easily
treatable diseases, like diarrhea. In addition, we also engaged
Perhaps the most interesting
element of the Public Health
brigade was getting to the root of
medical problems and creating
sustainable solutions that would
last many years.
with the families in public health education and conducted
lessons for the community children every morning.
Perhaps the most interesting element of the Public Health
Brigade was getting to the root of medical problems and creating
sustainable solutions that would last many years and make a
significant impact in the lives of the families we worked with.
To that end, our main goal was engaging in four construction
projects: latrines (a type of outhouse connected to a large septic
tank), cement floors, clean-burning stoves, and pilas (large
water storage tanks). Prior to building the latrine, the families
would use the surrounding woods as their restroom, which in
turn, contaminated the drinking water and facilitate the spread
of parasites. The latrine thus effectively eliminated this issue by
creating a system of septic waste storage that would not affect
other natural resources.
Being able to work in this
community put a human face to
all the problems I had previously
read about, and it was this
humanizing of the issues that had
such a big effect on me.
Similarly, the families often slept on dirt floors, which
resulted in many cases of Chaga’s disease; an inflammatory,
infectious condition caused by a parasite found in the feces of
the reduviid bug. The cement floors that we built were easier
to clean, creating a more hygienic environment. The cleanburning stoves were designed to prevent respiratory diseases
in women and children, who spent much of their day cooking
tortillas over the stovetop and inhaling its toxic fumes. Lastly,
the pilas were designed to consolidate the water storage system,
which was particularly helpful during droughts or dry spells.
The pilas also provided a more efficient system of bathing,
washing dishes, and doing laundry, thus increasing the overall
hygiene of the family.
I never envisaged myself doing construction work, yet I
can confidently say that this was the most incredible trip of
my life, manual labor included. In my opinion, the best part
was working directly alongside local families to complete these
projects. Whether we were mixing cement, laying bricks, or
huddling together under tarp to keep away from the rain, there
was a strong sense of unity—as if class, language, and cultural
divides were negligible, and instead of a group of USC college
students mixing with local Hondurans, we were just a unique
conglomeration of friends.
Not only was this my first trip to Latin America, it was
also my first direct experience with medical tourism. Being
able to work on these public health projects and make a
sustainable impact in the lives of these community members,
particularly when it comes to dramatically reducing their
risk of infection of easily preventable diseases, was incredible
and gave me firsthand understanding of the problems which
many developing countries face and how medical tourism can
aid them. I genuinely believe that it is the smaller projects of
students and volunteers from all over the world that make a
sustainable difference in the lives of people like those I met in
Las Joyas. Being able to work in this community put a human
face to all the problems I had previously read about, and it was
this humanizing of the issues that had such a big effect on me.
Instead of being statistics, the community members were real
people. I definitely plan to return and engage in more service
trips, and I know without a doubt that my peers feel the same.
Visiting Honduras was a life-changing experience, and the
best part is that I know my life was not the only one that was
changed. n
About the Author:
Ayushi is a sophomore at the University of
Southern California where she is studying
Neuroscience, International Relations, and
Business Administration. She hopes to enter the
medical field in the health policy sector and one
day work for the World Health Organization on
International Health Issues. In her free time, she
enjoys dancing, spending time with friends and
family, and exploring Los Angeles.
Instead of being statistics,
the community members
were real people.
57
MEDICAL TOURISM
An Interview
with Brad Cook~
Hospital Clínica Bíblica
By SARAH MARTIN
Hospital Clinica Biblica is one of the most well known hospitals in Latin America. Brad Cook is one of the major
reasons why the hospital has been receiving the lion’s share of international patients to Costa Rica.
S. Martin: Tell us a little about yourself.
Mr. Cook: I was born in Costa Rica at Hospital Clínica
Bíblica of US parents. I had quite an adventurous childhood
growing up between Costa Rica, the United States and Brazil,
never quite knowing where home was. After finishing High
School in Costa Rica, I moved to Michigan where I not only
managed to survive the harsh winters but received my degree
from Calvin College. After graduation I was not quite sure
where to call home and finally concluded I would be best served
avoiding another Michigan winter and returning to Costa Rica
where my parents and siblings had settled down.
I spent my first three or four years there running and
developing a scuba business with a business partner before
finally settling down at Hospital Clínica Bíblica. After a few
years of business development, I was able to develop my own
company within the hospital running all the International
Insurance Billing and developing the Medical Tourism Project
for the hospital as the Director of the International Department.
S. Martin: Please explain your role at Hospital Clínica
Bíblica in Costa Rica.
Mr. Cook: My company runs the International Department
for the hospital and our duties include assisting foreign patients,
58
billing all the international insurance claims for the hospital
and doctors and coordinating and developing the hospital’s
Medical Tourism project.
S. Martin: What kind of growth have you seen in Medical
Tourism in the last few years?
Mr. Cook: We were quite concerned initially that the
financial crisis would have a negative impact on the number
of patients visiting our hospital and even though there was
an initial decrease things quickly returned to normal and
are now on the upswing. Overall there seems to be quite a
bit of momentum building in regards to medical tourism as
we have seen increased interest from insurance companies
and employers to research and implement Medical Tourism.
I think the financial crisis and health care debate raging
in the US have brought heightened awareness to medical
tourism and are acting as a catalyst that could catapult
the entire industry forward. Our hospital has entered into
several contracts with large American health insurance
companies specifically for them to send patients to us for
medical tourism. We also have had a significant increase in
contracts with medical tourism facilitators and our patient
flow is great. We are very excited about the future of medical
tourism.
S. Martin: What do you see as one of the biggest growth
potentials for medical tourism in the future?
Mr. Cook: Due to the high costs for healthcare in the US
I see the biggest potential growth coming from US insurance
companies and employers as they look to lower costs by taking
advantage of the huge savings and high quality available at top
hospitals overseas. Gradually, the barriers to traveling overseas
have been coming apart at the seams and I believe it is only a
matter of time before large insurance carriers and employers
include an international component to their plans.
S. Martin: Tell us why there is so much potential growth
for medical tourism in Latin America.
Mr. Cook: The most obvious reason initially is our
proximity to the United States and the overall comfort level
visitors feel, along with the familiarity with the Latin American
culture and its beauty. More important however, is the fact
that we truly have some great hospitals and healthcare systems
in our region that offer exceptional care at a fraction of what
you would pay elsewhere. Add to this the fact that our culture
is much more relational which means that doctors, nurses and
recovery hotel staffs invest the time and energy necessary to
build relationships and trust with patients.
S. Martin: HCB has a reputation of treating patients like
Royalty. What does HCB do that is different and sets itself apart?
Mr. Cook: There is not one thing that sets us apart but a
combination of a lot of little things that have a huge overall
impact on the patient’s experience.
We definitely pride ourselves on making our patients feel
special and the key to this has really been having a process in
place so every detail is covered and the patient can arrive, relax
and focus on their surgery and recovery. We have put together
an exceptional International Patient Program that walks the
patient through the entire process from their initial email all the
way to the follow up that occurs once they return home. Key in
all of this is responding to the prospective patient quickly and
with the proper information that allows the patient to make an
informed decision.
Our team includes a phenomenal group of physicians
that speak English fluently and are committed to lavishing
extra attention on our patients to ensure that they are truly
comfortable with the entire experience. On top of this, our
patient coordinators support the patient with rapid responses to
their emails and phone calls and by ensuring they are available
for questions through the entire process. They often become
like extended family for the patient during their medical visit.
We also have an association of recovery retreats and inns
in Costa Rica that provide amazing options and amenities
for the patient to recuperate in after their surgery. It is also
encouraging to international patients that most of our staff are
from the United States or have at the very least resided there
at some point in their life, so they not only speak the language
but are familiar with the North American culture and the high
expectations of American patients.
S. Martin: There seems to be a disconnect, where some
hospitals are doing really well attracting foreign patients,
while other hospitals or clinics are not having the same success.
Where are these other hospitals going wrong?
Mr. Cook: Obviously there are many internal and external
factors that influence whether or not your hospital is successful
at attracting foreign patients.
As the head of an International Program, you can work to
change the perception of your country as an attractive or safe
destination; however, you cannot change your location on the
map.
The greatest disconnect I see occurs when hospitals claim
they are committed to attracting foreign patients but then do
not follow through and put the necessary internal elements in
place to build and sustain a successful program.
Often, we hear patients and facilitators comment that they
chose our hospital simply because we were able to respond to
them quickly and effectively in their native language providing
the kind of relevant information they were seeking.
This entire process demands time and consistency and
requires a considerable amount of commitment on behalf
of the hospital. It is vital for any top hospital who wants
to be a serious player in medical tourism to have a fullyfunctioning international patient program or department that
understands the market they are trying to attract. In essence
the International Department is the face of the hospital when
it comes to promoting its medical tourism services. In concert
with the International Department the hospital must have
several other essential elements in place such as a dynamic
team of physicians who are truly committed to the program,
a website that can easily be translated into other languages for
accessibility to international patients, along with information
on your hospital, doctors, procedures and packages. The
International Department must also be able to coordinate
a variety of concierge type services such as transportation,
recovery facilities and interesting, local tours for patients and
companions.
In a nutshell you must deliver the total package to your
prospective patients because they become your greatest
marketing ally once they return home; word spreads quickly
in this industry. n
About the Author:
Sarah Martin is the Global Communications
Director for the Medical Tourism Association
and is also a Contributing Editor for both
Medical Tourism Magazine and Health
Tourism Magazine, as well as a regular
author for both publications. Although being
new to this industry, she is passionate about
the idea of a global network of healthcare
facilities and professionals and is excited for the future to
unfold in this dynamic environment. She can be contacted at
[email protected].
59
3rd Annual
World Medical Tourism &
Global Healthcare Congress
Los Angeles, California
September 22-24, 2010
Up to 2,000 International Delegates
More than 10,000 Pre-Arranged Networking Meetings
Up to 500 Buyers of Healthcare Services
Over 125 Exhibitors and Sponsors
Cocktail Receptions and Entertainment each Night
60
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[email protected]
www.MedicalTourismCongress.com
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The World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress
September 22-24th, 2010
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62
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical Care~
Israel’s Newest
Tourist Attraction
By NATHALIE STEINER
The American religious communities have always maintained a strong spiritual connection to Israel. Now there is one
more reason to visit this country: unequaled medical care. Israel’s advanced medical treatments, some of the best in the
world, cost only a fraction of the U.S. equivalent, while being the leading edge of medicine. This makes it possible to
receive quality care while also experiencing the healing qualities of the Holy Land, all at a substantial savings.
ISRAEL ~ A MAGNET FOR MEDICAL TOURISM
Israel has long enjoyed a reputation as a global leader in
medical R&D and high-tech applications that save lives and
improve the quality of life for millions. The country maintains
some of the highest standards of healthcare in the world,
available to both Israeli citizens and visitors from abroad. This
has given rise to a phenomenon known as medical tourism,
which is becoming a sophisticated part of Israel’s tourism
industry.
Last year, one and a half million Americans went abroad
as medical tourists. It’s an attractive option for those whose
insurance policies require the insured party to pay a portion
of the bill; the entire medical cost in some countries can still
result in a net savings. For those who do not have healthcare
insurance, traveling internationally is often the only way to
receive their necessary treatment.
It’s easy to see why Israel is high on the list for many
Americans. Israeli hospitals and clinics are offering foreign
visitors some of the best healthcare available in any Western
country, at costs approximately 65 percent lower than the
same treatment in the United States. Furthermore, many Israeli
doctors and other medical specialists were trained in the U.S.
and are recognized as world renowned authorities in their field,
with pioneering techniques and high rates of success.
Famous for its unique tourist attractions, Israel contains
thousands of years of history, religion, archeology and culture
matched by natural wonders and beautiful landscapes.
Additionally, high standards of comfort and luxury in hotels,
malls and fine dining encompass the experience of visiting
Israel as a medical tourist.
U.S. COMPANIES ARE TAKING NOTE
American businesses, in seeking better healthcare for their
work force, have begun offering medical tours to Israel as part
of their employee health insurance benefits. Not least among
the attractions for employees is the prospect of an all-expensepaid vacation in a beautiful Mediterranean climate as part of
the treatment package. Companies are hoping to attract and
keep valued workers with such “perks” in the benefits package.
For Americans with strong religious beliefs, the combination
is compelling. The justifiable pride in Israel’s contributions to the
world becomes quite personal when Christians and Jews from
63
MEDICAL TOURISM
around the globe benefit first-hand from Israeli achievements.
When the expenses are covered by medical insurance, a trip
to Israel that “would be nice someday” suddenly becomes a
reality. Even for those who finance the trip themselves, the
total price for both medical and sightseeing during recovery
is so compelling compared with U.S. treatment, it amounts to
a vacation that pays for itself – in a place that offers a deeper
meaning.
One of the most remarkable Israeli Medical Tourism
options is IVF treatment (in-vitro fertilization). Couples who
are unsuccessful in having children in the United States can
expect to pay more than $20,000 for IVF, usually not normally
covered by medical insurance. The same treatment is available
at 24 different fertility clinics in Israel for around $4,000,
with the added value of IVF specialists who have one of the
highest success rates in the world – between 35 and 40 percent,
compared with the global average of only 20 percent.
ISRAEL ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET FOR
MEDICAL TOURISTS
All of Israel’s hospitals have established Medical Tourism
centers, staffed by professional, multilingual personnel. The
treatments offered are comprehensive and include Orthopedics,
Oncology, Cardiology, Urology, Cosmetic Surgery and
rehabilitation from injuries, as well as treatment for obesity
and infertility. Moreover, the Israeli medical community is
home to some of the latest advances in cancer treatment, stem
cell therapy, genetic research and minimally invasive surgical
procedures.
Medical Tourism is booming in
Israel - the numbers this past year
were almost double those of the
year before.
Israel’s pool of quality doctors and surgeons draw from
international training and experience, in addition to broad
intercultural skills, ensuring patients feel safe and secure during
their treatments in Israel. An added advantage for North
Americans is that English is one of the official languages and is
commonly spoken in Israel.
Global Health Israel (GHI) is available to assist with the
logistics of navigating through the Israeli medical system
and arranging all aspects of travel, including flights and
accommodations.
ASSISTANCE IN ACCESSING ISRAEL’S
MEDICAL TOURISM
Global Health Israel is the organization representing the
Medical Tourism Association (MTA) in Israel. GHI networks
with American companies and religious communities to raise
awareness about Israel’s Medical Tourism, enabling patients to
take complete advantage of all possible opportunities.
GHI’s Vice President of Marketing, Ms. Nathalie Steiner
notes: “Medical tourism is booming in Israel - the numbers
this past year were almost double those of the year before.
Israel is recognized for some of the highest quality healthcare
anywhere in the world, with a higher than average success
record in certain disciplines. And even with the overseas airfare
and hotel accommodations, patients are still spending less than
they would for the same medical treatment in the U.S.”
64
Global Health Israel serves as a medical tourism operator,
connecting patients from abroad with the desired medical
specialists and government offices in Israel. GHI services cover
every aspect of the client’s stay in Israel, handled by a personal
representative: flights, visas, accommodations, day tours,
nursing attendants, and any other logistical assistance that may
be required. The GHI service relationship begins before the
patient leaves the U.S., and includes follow-up after the patient
has returned home.
American companies are beginning to integrate GHI’s
Medical Tourism services in their employee medical benefits
package, especially the IVF option. The insurance plan typically
covers all expenses for fertility treatment in Israel, including
flight, accommodations and local travel, for both the patient
and a traveling companion.
Patients can work with GHI directly to arrange their own
medical tour, for fertility treatments or other procedures. They
can also ask their employers and/or insurance companies about
including the GHI option as part of their health coverage.
The clear medical and financial advantages, plus a vacation
that pays for itself, guarantee that medical tourism to Israel will
soon become the preferred option for every American seeking
the leader in healthcare. n
About the Author
Nathalie Steiner is Vice President of
Marketing for Global Health Israel, Ltd.
(GHI), a leading Medical Tourism Service
Company in Israel working in close contact
with top specialists, top medical centers and
top service providers in Israel. GHI focuses
on US patients who seek high quality medical
services for affordable prices. Ms. Steiner also
serves as manager of the Israeli office of the Medical Tourism
Association (MTA). I n this capacity, Ms. Steiner is in charge
of promoting Israel as a prime destination for medical tourism
and is in close contact with top management of the leading
hospitals in Israel and officials in various governmental offices.
Ms. Steiner has funded GHI as a subsidiary of I.H.I. – Israeli
Scientific Instruments Ltd., and today it offers a wide range of
high quality services in Israel to medical tourists from around
the globe. She may be reached at Global Health Israel (GHI),
Phone: +972-3-9232202 ext 115, Fax: +972-3-9229750, Cell:
+972-54200302 and Email: [email protected].
MEDICAL TOURISM
Mental Well-Being~
A Discovery
Into The Mind
By LIC. MICHAEL QUIROS
It’s amazing how the world around us is in constant change, from a cultural point of view to an environmental perspective.
It’s even more interesting how mankind reacts to its surroundings in different ways, each time with gradually increasing mental
and physical consequences including diseases to all kinds of stress-related affections. What I am talking about is psychosomatic
conditions that may look completely normal, but upon further review cannot be treated with pills or conventional medicine.
W
hen this happens, it is often difficult to find the
right doctor to heal your illness, especially when
it is not meant to be resolved or treated by
medication in the first place. It seems as though doctors are
on prescription overload and are writing prescriptions left and
right without bothering to thoroughly examine the patient. In
fact, doctors aren’t even listening to what the patient is telling
them; they are simply too busy these days to give individual
care. Quick exams will suggest there is nothing wrong with the
patient, and yet the patient continues to feel the same symptoms
and does not know why or how this is possible.
Diagnosing Mental Illness
Hereby, the terms of “mental illness” and “mental fitness”
play a very important role. Questions arise such as: Why is it
hard to understand what happens to us? Why, even when you
think you are mentally fit, does it become so hard to fall asleep?
You lay there and think of all the things on your to-do list and
your mind just keeps on spinning. There is not a start and stop
point in the day; everything starts running together. These are
common issues mankind eternally faces.
In most cases, considering the hectic world we live in,
people no longer have time for themselves other than business
or money-related matters. Therefore over the years, the cost
of ignoring our mental health, which is often disguised as a
physical problem requiring pills and prescriptions, is that we
are not paying attention to the actual cause. Often times, illness
starts in the mind and travels and manifests itself in physical
ways, producing an outwardly ill individual. The symptoms
are treated rather than the causes.
Nowadays people are not only traveling overseas for
medical care, they are traveling more and more for mental &
Often times, illness starts in the
mind and travels and manifests
itself in physical ways, producing
an outwardly ill individual.
65
MEDICAL TOURISM
physical wellness, and simply to relax. They are, in essence,
enjoying life for a moment, out of their predictable routine.
In 1926, Ernest Holmes wrote “The Science of Mind”; the
title speaks for itself, and the author’s philosophy was that we
create our own reality. Several other authors have based their
writings on the paradigm of the mind; the enigma behind our
subconscious mind, including the importance of thoughts and
the power of suggestion. Once someone feels acts and thinks
sick, this tends to exacerbate their condition. As we delve deeper
in these waters we realize it is more complex than it seems and
the hidden, the repressed, the “forgotten”, comes to affect our
daily lives. As time goes by, a chain of events occur related let’s
say to a depression that has been chronic and unsuccessfully
treated. This depression can be treated with drugs, but after
some time, the pills are not doing this individual any good; in
fact they are just helping him go through life, confused and
in pain, but at least going through the motions. This is a very
common clinical case often treated with the same medicine,
no matter how different the cases may be. The truth is, no
matter how similar depression may present itself in different
people, each and every case is unique with different causes and
different solutions.
Individuals Require Individual Care
One case in particular involved an individual with a Major
Depressive Disorder, with a markedly diminished interest in
life in general, a serious loss of energy, insomnia, feelings of
worthlessness with inappropriate guilt, and almost all of the
symptoms provided by the American Psychiatric Association
for the DSM-IV. Her previous treatments were always related
to anti-depressives and drugs, and never treated from a
psychological point of view. Besides that, there was no parallel
treatment focused on therapy, decoding the past of this person
or attempting to identify the root of these symptoms.
More and more, people are
achieving mental fitness and
mental well-being, through
alternative therapies.
After seven local psychiatrists medicated her with very
similar medicines, her depression was actually getting worse
over time. She decided to start a different therapy, and after
approximately 10 sessions, after it was discovered that the
root cause was something she had experienced when she was
less than five. She had been sexually abused, and the details
are difficult to hear. As is the case with many sexually abused
children, she lived in fear and had never told anyone about this.
More than likely, she felt shame and guilt and had repressed the
memories herself. Upon discovering this was the cause, she was
treated with therapy sessions, and her doctor slowly weaned
her off the medication until she was completely medication free.
The main point is that it can be difficult to pair up with
the right doctor these days. Plus, we live in constant change,
and the medical practices around the world are so innovative
now, that it is common for one technique to get replaced by a
quicker and more effective procedure.
Therefore, as the medical tourism industry grows, so
does the health tourism industry, gaining in popularity as
preventative medicine is embraced by doctors and individuals
alike. More and more, people are achieving mental fitness and
mental well-being, through alternative therapies.
66
The Cure of the Future
It is interesting to look forward and think of all that is
going to be different. Perhaps the future holds a very different
outcome in medical tourism than we even imagine, but one
thing is for sure: it is necessary to understand that times are
desperately demanding a change in conscience. The healthcare
crisis that begs for a relief that medical tourism may be able to
provide. How many people have had life-saving experiences
through medical tourism? How many people have received
the medical treatment they needed for a fraction of the price?
And with a nice vacation in a tropical country alongside their
medical treatments or procedures, it is easy to argue the value
of medical tourism.
Exigent circumstances demand urgent and positive
solutions, and with the global economic recession we have
faced, increasing number of people are finding their answers
abroad, having exhausted possibilities in their own country.
They have decided to look elsewhere due to the weak economic
reality of several countries and their own economic difficulties,
including termination of health insurance, loss of jobs and
inability to pay for individual health insurance. These people
are joining the ranks of others called medical tourists and are
happy to go abroad for medical treatment.
Also, another similar yet different concept has developed,
called health tourism, as mentioned earlier in the article.
Cosmetic surgery, anti-aging surgery and general health and
wellness procedures comprise this industry, among others. As
more companies start to develop their international profile and
gain more exposure, we will also witness people leaving home
for psychological therapy, counseling, yoga and spa retreats. In
fact, they are being termed destination vacations and tend to be
complete with a spa package, including food, drink, room and
spa treatments. n
About the Author:
Lic. Michael Quiros is Director of Membership
for Latin America and operates out of the San
Jose, Costa Rica Office of the Medical Tourism
Association. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree
in Clinical Psychology and his role in the
MTA includes recruitment, coordination and
retention support for members in the Latin
America Region. Michael may be reached at
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASES
Homewatch CareGivers Opens New International Office in
Guatemala, Adding a Sixth Country to Its Global Network
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- (BUSINESS WIRE)
Homewatch CareGivers, the largest and most experienced
international franchise provider of full-service home care,
has opened its newest international location in Guatemala,
the sixth country within the Homewatch CareGivers’
network, joining the 180 locations in the United States,
Canada, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Panama.
“The caregiving issues facing families are universal.
Guatemalans experience the same struggles and stresses
confronting families worldwide,” said Homewatch
CareGivers’ President Leann Reynolds. “Helping families
by providing the highest quality home care services is our
mission, and we’re delighted to expand our mission into
Guatemala.”
The new office, located in Guatemala City and owned by
Juan Carlos and Patricia Lavidalie, will offer Homewatch
CareGivers’ hallmark home care services, personalized for
each client and focused on services that allow a family and
their loved one to have the comfort and security of home
while receiving the supporting care they need. Caregiver
services are carefully documented for each client in a
customized care plan. Every care plan is administered by
well-trained, compassionate caregivers who are dedicated
to helping families with the care they need, such as 24hour, around-the-clock care for a loved one who is dealing
with a chronic illness, assisting an individual with the
support needed at home to recover from a recent hospital
stay or medical procedure, providing safe and convenient
transportation to and from appointments, or stepping in
to help with emergency childcare when the unexpected
happens.
Currently, more than 14 million people reside in
Guatemala, with 3.5 million in Guatemala City. According
to the World Health Organization, approximately 5 percent
of residents are facing health issues that require in-home
care.
“Opening a new office in Guatemala is another strategic
milestone for Homewatch CareGivers,” added Reynolds.
“In addition to our presence in the U.S., the new office in
Guatemala, along with locations in Canada, New Zealand,
Costa Rica and Panama, is part of our global growth
plan. This positions our company to serve the needs of the
domestic populations, and also those clients who choose to
have medical procedures overseas in destination countries
such as Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, as part of the
growing trend in medical tourism.”
To learn more about Homewatch CareGivers, visit its
Web site at www.homewatchcaregivers.com.
67
M TA M E M B E R
HOSPITALS
Amerimed Hospitals
Rio Mixcoac #36 Office 1002 A
Mexico City 03230
Mexico
Telephone:52 55 55342411
Fax: 52 55 55342411
Website: www.amerimed-hospitals.com
Anadolu Medical Center
Anadolu Caddesi No: 1 Bayramoglu Cikisi
Cayirova Mevkii, Gebze, Kocaeli 41400
Turkey
Telephone: +90 262 678 5203
Fax: +90 262 654 0053
Website: www.anadolumedicalcenter.com
Assaf Harofeh Medical Center
PO Beer Ya’akov
Zerifin 70300
Israel
Telephone: 972-8-9779589
Fax: 972-8-9779526
Website: www.assafh.org
Bangkok Hospital Medical Center
2 Soi Soonvijai 7, New Petchburi Road
Bangkok 10310
Thailand
Telephone: (+66) 320 3000
Fax: (+66) 320 3105
Website: www.bangkokhospital.com
Baptist Hospital South Florida
8940 N. Kendall Drive Suite 601E
Miami Florida 33176
USA
Telephone: 786-596-4643
Fax: 786-596-3648
Website: www.BaptistHealth.net
Brain Tumor Center at St. John’s
Health Center
2200 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA, 90404
USA
Telephone: 310-582-7450
Website: www.brain-tumor.org
Bumrungrad International
33 Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana Nua),
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Thailand
Telephone: + 662 667 1000
Website: www.bumrungrad.com
Centro Medico Teknon
c/Vilana 12
Barcelona 08008
Spain
Telephone: (34) 932906310
Website: www.teknon.es
Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.
The Icon, 2nd Floor, #8, 80 Feet Road,
HAL III Stage, Indiranagar
Bangalore 560 075
India
Telephone: +91 080 4021 1000
Fax: +91 080 4021 1001
Website: www.columbiaasia.com
DRK Kliniken Berlin
Brabanter Str. 18-20
Berlin 10713
Germany
Telephone: 493030355210
Fax: 493030355319
Website: www.drk-kliniken-berlin.de
Fortis Healthcare
275-276 Capt Gaur Marg.
Sriniwaspuri,
New Delhi India 110 065
Telephone: 011-4229522
Fax: 011-41802121
Website: www.fortishealthcare.com
68
DIRECTORY
FV Hospital - Far East Medical Vietnam
Limited
6 Nguyen Luong Bang,
Saigon South (Phu My Hung)
District 7,Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM
Telephone: (84-8) 411-3333
Fax: (84-8) 411-3334
Website: www.fvhospital.com
International Patient Services
Telephone: (84-8) 411-3420
Email: [email protected]
International Guide: http://international.
fvhospital.com
Grupo Angeles/Angeles Health
International
333 H Street Suite 5011
Chula Vista, California 91910
USA
Website: www.angeleshealth.com
HCA East Florida Division
450 Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
USA
Telephone: 954-767-5722
Fax: 954-767-5793
Website: www.saludinternacional.com
Hospital Punta Pacifica
Boulevard Pacifica and Via Punta Darien,
Panama City
0831-01593, Panama
Telephone: (507) 204-8024
Fax: (507) 204-8010
Website: www.hospitalpuntapacifica.com
Institut Jantung Negara (National
Heart Institute)
145, Jalan Tun Razak
Kuala Lumpur 50400
Malaysia
Telephone: +603-2617-8200
Fax: +603-2698-2824
Website: www.ijn.com.my
Istishari Hospital
44 Alkindi Street
Amman, 11184
Jordan
Telephone: 96 265001000
Fax: 96 265698833
Jackson Memorial Hospital
1500 NW 12th Avenue Suite 829
Miami, FL, 33136
USA
Telephone: 305-355-5544
Website: www.jmhi.org
Healthscope
Ground Floor, 312 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne 3004
Australia
Telephone:610399267500
Fax:61399267599
Website: www.healthscope.com.au
Jordan Hospital
Queen Noor Street
Amman 11190
Jordan
Telephone: +962 6560 8080
Fax: +962 6560 7575
Website: www.jordan-hospital.com
Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz
Rua Jooo Juliao, 331 Paraiso
Sao Paulo, 01323 903
Brazil
Telephone: 5511 3549 1000
Fax: 5511 3287 8177
Website: www.hospitalalemao.org.br
Memorial Hermann
6411 Fannin C209
Houston, Texas 77030
USA
Telephone: 713-704-5515
Fax: 713-704-6493
Website: www.memorialhermann.org
Hospital Almater
Fco. I Madero No. 1060
Mexicali BC 21100
Mexico
Telephone: 686-523-8000
Website: www.almater.com
Moolchand Healthcare Group
http://moolchandhealthcare.com
Hospital Cima Chihuahua
Haciendas Del Valle No. 7120 FRACC.
Plaza Las Haciendas
Chihuahua, Mexico 31217
Telephone: 01152614-439-87-16
Fax: 01152614-439-27-59
Website: www.hospitalcima.com.mx
Hospital Clinica Biblica
Calle Central y Primera
Avenidas 14y16
San Jose, Costa Rica 1037-1000
Toll Free: 1-800-503-5358
Telephone: 506-522-1414
Fax: 506-257-7307
Website: www.hcbinternational.com
Hospital - Hotel La Católica
Frente a Tribunales de Justicia de
Giocoechea
San Jose, Costa Rica
Telephone: 506-2246 32 46
Fax: 506-2246 31 76
Website: www.hospitallacatolica.com
Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas
KM 9 3/4 Carretera Masaya, 250
mts. oeste
Managua, Nicaragua
Telephone: 305-396-2351
Fax: 505 2255-6909
Website:
www.metropolitanomedicaltourism.com
Prince Court Medical Centre Sdn. Bhd
39, Jalan Kia Peng
Kuala Lumpur 50450
Malaysia
Telephone: +603 21600000
Fax: +603 21600110
Website: www.princecourt.com
Sanoviv Medical Institute
2606-A Transportation Ave
National City, CA, 91950
USA
Telephone: 801-954-7600
Website: www.Sanoviv.com
Seoul Wooridul Spine Hospital
47-4 Chungdam-dong,
Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-100
Korea
Telephone: +82-2-513-8157 / 8385
Fax: +82-2-513-8386 / 8454
Website: www.wooridul.com
Severence Hospital
Yonsei University Health System
250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu
Seoul, Republic of Korea 120-752
Telephone: +82-2-2228-1482
Fax: +82-2-363-0396
Website: www.yuhs.or.kr/en/
The Nairobi Hospital
P.O. Box 30026
Nairobi, 00100
Kenya
Telephone: 254 020 2846001
Fax: 254 020 2728003
Website: www.nairobihospital.org
The Specialty Hospital
Ibn Hayyan St. - Shmeisani /Amman,
Jordan
P.O. Box: 930186 Amman 11193 Jordan
Telephone: (+962-6) 5001111
USP Instituto Universitario Dexeus
c/ Sabino de Arana, 5-19
Barcelona, 08028
Spain
Telephone: +34932274747
Toll Free:902-999-400
Fax:+34932274754
Website: www.dexeus.es
Wockhardt Hospitals
Associate Harvard Medical International
Wockhardt Towers, Bandra Kurla Complex,
Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
India
Telephone: 91-9980266553
Fax: 91-80 66214242
Website: www.wockhardthospitals.net
SPECIALTY, COSMETIC, & DENTAL
CLINICS
Barbados Fertility Centre Inc.
Seaston House, Hastings
Christ Church
Barbados
Telephone: 246-435-7467
Fax: 246-436-7467
Website: www.barbadosivf.org
Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry
Las Americas Shopping Mall, Store 215
Cancun 77500
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Telephone: 998 106 8106
Website: www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com
Centro Integral de Cirugia Plastica
“RENOVA”
3 Calle “a” 8-38 Zona 10
Guatemala 01010
Guatemala
Telephone: 502-2329-6363
Fax: 502-2329-6364
Website: www.renova.net.gt
Clinica Zaldivar
Dr. Roman Zaldivar
Calle El Mirador #4618
Colonia Escalón
San Salvador, El Salvador
Telephone: (503) 2263-2471
Website: www.clinicazaldivar.com
Dental Polyclinic Dr. Hodzic & Center
for Regenerative Medicine “MEDENT”
18, Istria Street
Rovinj, 52210
Croatia
Telephone: +385 52 842 500
Fax: +385 52 842 501
Website: www.poliklinika-dr-hodzic.com
El Paso Cosmetic Surgery
651 S. Mesa Hills Drive
El Paso, Texas 79912
Telephone: 915-351-1116
Fax:915-351-8790
Website: www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com
Integra Medical Center
Juarez 239
Nuo Progreso, Tamqulipas 88810
Mexico
Telephone: 899-937-0260
Website: www.integramedicalcenter.com
La Casa Del Diente
Av. Revolucion 3780 Local 1 Col. Terremolinos
Monterrey 64858
Mexico
Telephone: +8183499466
Website: www.lacasadeldiente.com
Lorenzana Dental Center
Pasaje Sagrado Corazon 826
San Salvador, San Salvador
El Salvador
Telephone: (503) 2263-4572
Facsimile: (503) 2263-4575
Website: www.doctorlorenzana.com
Rehab in Mexico
Ave. Alfonso Reyes 143 Norte, Colonia
Regina
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Mexico
Telephone: 52 81 8331 0911
Fax: 52 81 8331 0911 ext 1004
Website: http://www.rehabinmexico.com/
The Catholic University of Korea
Yeson Voice Center
The Institute of Performing Art
Medicine
Hyung-Tae Kim, MD, PhD
638-13 Ssanbong Build. 2nd Fl.
Shinsadong, Gangnamgu
Seoul, 135-896, South Korea
Telephone:82-2-3444-0550
Fax: 82-2-3443-2621
Website: www.yesonvc.com
Wintergreen Center for
Rehabilitation AB
Kyrkovage 13
Nykroppa 680 90
Sweden
Telephone: 004659041888
Fax: 004659041889
Website: www.wintergreen.se
WorthyMed
Virrey del Pino 2530
Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires,
C1426EGT
Argentina
Telephone: Toll Free USA 1-866-816-9971
Fax: +54-11-4786-0560
Website: www.worthymed.com
MEDICAL TOURISM
FACILITATORS
Ageless Wonders Panama
PO Box 832-0786, Panama city
Marbella, Flamenco Bldg., No. 2-B
Rep. of Panama
Telephone: 507 832 7289
Fax: 507 269 0550
Website: www.agelesswonders-pma.com
Alliance of Worldwide Medical
Partners, LLC
10800 Biscayne Blvd Suite 201, 1
Miami, FL
USA
Telephone: 305-891-2199
Fax: 305-892-2595
Website: www.wmpmedical.com
Buenos Aires Partners
Olga Cossettini 1660, Suite 309
(1107) C.A.B.A. Buenos Aires - Argentina
Tel: +1 312-212-3939
Tel: +54 11 5787 7309
Fax: +54 11 5787 7909
Website: www.buenosairespartners.com
BYZAlliance Medical Travel & Medical
Consulting
Hakkiyeten Caddesi. Unimed Center
No: 8/10 34349 Fulya - Istanbul
Turkey
Telephone: 90 212 240 82 99
Fax: 90 212 231 39 56
Website: www.byzalliance.com
1200 McGill College Avenue Suite 1100
Montreal QC H3B 4G7
Telephone:1-877-900-DEBS(3327)
Website: www.debsonmedicaltourism.com
Global Health Israel (GHI)
32 Shaham St., P.O. Box 7790
Petah-Tikva
Israel
Telephone: 972 3 9232202
Fax: 972 3 9229750
Website: www.globalhealthisrael.com
Global Health Travel
Cassandra Italia
80A O’Shannassy Street
Sunbury, VIC 3429
Australia
Telephone: +613-9744-5872
Fax: +613-9740-4243
Website: www.globalhealthtravel.com.au
Health & Leisure (H&L)
9th Floor Ayala Life-FGU Center
Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226
Philippines
Telephone: + 632 813 4527
US Number: (818) 748-8735
Fax: + 632 840 0719
Website: www.healthandleisure.net
International Healthcare & Wellness
Crater 503, Pedregal De San Angel
Mexico City 01900
Mexico
Telephone: +525552560786
Website: www.internationalhealthcare.com
Max Global Consulting Services
House # 220, Street Charay Hesa Doham-eKartiparwan
Kabul Afghanistan
Telephone: +93 706 272 491
Medical Services of Costa Rica
Hacienda Los Reyes, casa 241 primera
etapa, La Guacima, Alajuela
Costa Rica
Telephone: 00506 22203596
Fax: 00506 22203596
Website: www.medicalservicesofcostarica.com
MedicalTour International Co. Ltd.
2-3-9 Sawamura
Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0877
Japan
Telephone: +81 263-882810
Fax: +81 263-882322
Website: www.medical-tour.jp
Medical Tourism Corporation Med
Tourism Co, LLC
7000 Occidental Road
Plano, TX 75025 USA
Telephone: 1-800-661-2126
Fax: 800-661-2126
Website: www.medicaltourismco.com
MedTral New Zealand
Steve Nichols
Mercy Specialist Center
100 Mountain Road
Epsom
Auckland 1149
New Zealand
Telephone: 64-9-623-6588
Fax: 64-9-6236587
Website: www.medtral.com
MedVoy Inc.
1917 King Street
Denver Colorado 80204
USA
Telephone:720-771-6760
Facsimile: +1-866-254-0108
Website: www.medvoy.com
Pacific Medways, Inc.
101 California Street,
Suite 2450 San Francisco, CA 94111
United States of America
Telephone: +1 415 839 8005
US/Canada Toll Free: +1 866 598 9410
+1 866 598 9410
Fax: +1 415 839 8005
Website: www.pacificmedways.com
Pan American Dental Tours
30 Raymond Road
North Salem, NY 10560
Telephone: 914-485-1026
Fax: 206-984-1889
www.panamdentaltours.com
Patients Without Borders, LLC
304 Newbury Street, Suite 364
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: 800-290-0197
Fax: 617-437-9655
Website: www.patientswithoutborders.us
Philippine Medical Tourism, Inc.
Eva Trinidad
2nd Floor, Goodwill Building,
393 Sen, Gil Puyat Ave.
Makati, Philippines 1200
Telephone: 632-897-5813
Fax: 632-898-3977
Website: www.philmedtourism.com
TRAVEL AGENCIES
Millennium Travel
263 Cloverleaf Court
Ann Arbor MI 48103
USA
Telephone: 734-330-3449
Fax: 734-661-6141
Website: www.millennium-travel.com
Well-Being Travel
Anne Marie Moebes
71 Audrey Avenue
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Telephone: (516) 624-0500 X2312
Fax: (516) 624-6024
Website: www.travelsavers.com
GOVERNMENT/
HEALTHCARE CLUSTER
EXPORTSALUD
Centro Comercial Campestre Local # 1
Paseo General Escalon
El Salvador, San Salvador
Telephone: (503) 2263 1232
Fax: (503) 2263 1232
Website: www.exportsalud.org
Premium Health Solutions
Horst Bruggraber
Operngasse
2 Vienna, Austria
1010
Telephone: +43 1 51651 83
Fax: +43 1 513 44 24
Website: www.phs-austria.com
Health & Wellness Tourism
Commission, Agexport
15 Ave. 14-72, zona 13
Guatemala City 01013 Guatemala
Telephone: 00 502 2422-3400 ext 3418
Fax: 00 502 2422-3400
Websites: www.healthwellnessguatemala.com
www.export.com.gt
SPA-MED-HOLIDAY
Cecile Billiet
Edificio Reforma Obelisco, St. 1106
Av Reforma 15-54, Z9
Guatemala City 01009
Guatemala
Telephone: 00 502 2332 4648 /
00 502 593 79 438
Skype: spa.med.holiday
Website: www.spa-med-holiday.com
Korea Health Industry Development
Institute
57-1 Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu
Seoul 156-800 KOREA
Telephone: +82-2-2194-7459
Fax: +82-2-2194-7380
Website: www.khidi.or.kr
Website: www.koreahealthtour.co.kr
Surgical Trip, LLC
Thomas O’Hara
7491 North Federal Highway,
Suite C-5, #293
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Telephone: (800)513-8996
Website: www.SurgicalTrip.com
Medellín Cluster Servicios de Medicina
y Odontología
Medical and Dental Services Cluster
41 N 55-80 Plaza Mayor - Entrada Norte
-- Piso 3
Medellin, Colombia 0000
Telephone: 57 4 261 36 00 ext. 113
Fax: 57 4 513 77 57
Website: www.comunidadcluster.com
The Wellness Travel Company Pte
Mr. JP Bos
17A Jalan Klapa
199329 Singapore
Telephone: +65-6293-8990
Fax: +65-6293-8963
Website: www.wellnesstravel.com
Plataforma Turistica de Madrid
Plaza de la Independencia,6, Planta 3
Madrid 28001
Spain
Telephone: +34912767235
Fax: +34912767223
Website: www.madridnetwork.org/turismo
Veiovis
93 S. Jackson St. #28310
Seattle, WA 98104-2818
USA
Telephone: (671) 646-6012
Vung Tau Tourist Sanatorium
Medicoast
Nguyen Thi Mai
165 Thuy Van St. Thang Tam Ward
Vung Tau City, Viet Nam
Telephone: 84.64.853857 or 64.510756
Fax: 84.64.852395
Website: www.medicoast.com.au
WorldMed Assist LLC
Wouter Hoeberechts, CEO
1230 Mountain Side Ct.
Concord, CA 94521
USA
Telephone: 866-999-3848
Fax: 904-369-1044
Website: www.worldmedassist.com
Programa Disfruta Salud Peru
Avda. Republica de Panama
San Isidro, Lima 3647
Peru
Telephone: 511 222 1222
Website: www.peruhealth.org
Surgery Facilities Resources
PO Box 9500 Gurnee, IL 60031
USA
Telephone: 847-775-1970
Fax: 847-775-1985
Website: www.surgeryfacilitiesresources.com
69
M TA M E M B E R
CORPORATE MEMBERS
CORPORATE GOLD MEMBERS
Istishari Hospital
44 Alkindi Street
Amman, 11184
Jordan
Telephone: 96265001000
Fax: 96265698833
Memorial Hermann
6411 Fannin C209
USA
Telephone: 713-704-5515
Fax: 713-704-6493
HOK
60 E. Van Buren 14th Floor
Chicago IL 60605
USA
Telephone: 1-314-421-200
Fax: 1-312-782-6727
Website: www.hok.com
Konesens Research
389 Palm Coast Parkway SW, Ste. 4
Palm Coast, FL 32137
USA
Telephone:1-866-533-9808
Fax: 1-888-533-4883
Website: www.konesens.com
RC Pharma, LLC
2 Pidgeon Hill Drive Suite 340
Sterling VA 20165 USA
Telephone: 703-444-0955
Website: www.rcpharma.us
Stem Cell Growth Inc.
AB Complete Medi-Tour LLC
1060 S. Japlin Way
Aurora, CO 80017
USA
Telephone: 720-529-8474
Fax: 720-748-1047
AllMedicalTourism.com
70A, Club Street,
069 443
Singapore
Telephone: +44 (0) 845 057 4039
Fax: +44 (0) 845 057 4039
Website: www.AllMedicalTourism.com
Altera Health, Inc.
4 Coachman Court
East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816
USA
Telephone: 917-699-6300
Angels of Flight Canada Inc.
10-799 O’Brien Drive
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6X7
Canada
Telephone: 705-743-5433
Fax: 705-741-5147
Website: www.angelsofflightcanada.com
AMF Risk Management Solutions
300 Congress Street
Quincy, MA 02169
USA
Telephone: 617-770-0917
Website: www.amfrms.com
ASISER (Asisa Servicios Integrales De
Salud, S.A.U)
Av. Manoteras 24, 2nd Floor
Madrid 28050
Spain
Fax: 34917329769
Website: www.asiser.es
70
DIRECTORY
Atlantic Health Group
1415 North Loop West
Houston, TX 77008
USA
Telephone: 713-236-8017
Fax: 713-236-8010
Website: www.atlantic-health.com
Bloomtrek
1419 Chase Lane
Irving Texas 75063
USA
Telephone: 1-214-228-0854
Fax: 1-888-495-8396
Website: www.bloomtrek.com
Cape Health Destination
PO BOX 29, By-Den Weg
Vlottenburg, 7604
Western Cape, South Africa
Telephone: 0027-21-8813603
Website: www.capehealth.co.za
Carpatia Group Pm
2 Burebista, BID14, SC 3, 4th Fl, Apt.
79-80
Bucharest 031108
Romania
Telephone: +40213228308
Fax: +40213228459
Website: www.carpatiagroup.com
Catalunya Turisme
Passeig de Gracia, 105-3a
Barcelona, 08008
Spain
Telephone: 34 934 849 900
Fax: 34 934 849 888
Website: www.catalunyaturisme.com
ChoiceNet International
777 Brickell Avenue PH. 70
Miami FL 33131
USA
Telephone: 305-530-8600
Fax: 305-374-6641
Website: www.choicenetinternational.com
Clements International
1 Thomas Circle NW, 8th Floor,
Washington, DC 20005
USA
Telephone: 202-872-0060
Fax: 202-466-9064
Website: www.clements.com
Cosmas Health, LLC
3619 South Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
USA
Telephone: 417-894-3359
Website: www.cosmashealth.com
Commission of Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools International
3600 Market St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651
USA
Telephone: 215-222-8454
Fax: 215-495-0277
Website: www.cgfns.org
CMN
150 Commerce Valley Drive West, 9th
Floor
Thornhill, ON L3T 7Z3
Canada
Telephone: 905-669-4333
Fax: 905-669-2221
Website: www.cmn-global.com
CostaMed Clinics
Calle Primera Sur No 101 Colonia Adolfo
Lopez Mateos
Cosumel 77600
Mexico
Telephone: (987) 872-9400
Debson-ITS
466 Strathrona
Westmount Quebec H342x1
Canada
Telephone: 1-888-933-2ITS(487)
Website: www.debsonits.com
Gooch & Associates
POB 588, 224 Pond View Drive Ste G
Centreville, MD, 21617
USA
Telephone: 813-340-2277
Website: www.gooch-inc.com
Dentalight LLC
711 Bald Hills Road North
Round Top, New York 12473
USA
Telephone: 518-250-2550
Fax: 208-955-6187
Website: www.dentalightimplants.com
Hayes, Inc.
157 S. Broad Street
Lansdale, PA 19446
USA
Telephone: 215-855-0615
Fax: 215-855-5218
Website: www.hayesinc.com
El Salvador Medical
VIPSAL 1224 PO Box 025364
Miami, FL, 33102
USA
Telephone: 503-22634572
Website: www.elsalvadormedical.com
HCPro, Inc.
200 Hoods Lane
P.O. Box 1168
Marblehead, MA 01945
USA
Telephone: 978-317-6478
Fax: 781-639-0085
Websites: www.hcpro.com
www.greeley.com
e-Medsol Pvt Ltd
34/1121 A, 129 BMRA
Balakrishna Menon Road
Cochin 682025
India
Telephone: 091-484-3250706,
9846170036
Website: www.emedsol.biz
Health Link Central America
3a Avenida “A” 20-75 zona 10
Guatemala 01010
Guatemala
Fairmont Specialty
5 Christopher Way
Eatontown 07724
USA
Telephone: 732-676-9886
Fax: 732-542-4082
Health Links International
11435 Drummond Court
Dallas, TX 75228
USA
Telephone: 214-564-7341 U.S.
Fax: 888-235-0208
International Fax: 425-974-7902
Website: www.healthlinksintl.com
Free Health, LLC.
Telephone: 561-792-4418
Fax: 561-792-4428
Website: www.freehealth.com
Health Travel Guides
600 Townsend Street, Suite 120e
San Francisco, CA 94103
USA
Telephone: 415-412-4811
Website: www.healthtravelguides.com
Gallup
111 South Wacker Suite 4850
Chicago IL 60603
USA
Telephone: 312-288-2432
Fax: 312-357-0856
Website: www.gallup.com
Global Alliance for Healthcare
146 Martin Street
Carlisle, Massachusetts 01741
USA
Telephone: 978-318-0040
Fax: 978-318-0339
Global Benefit Options
10 Park Avenue, PO Box 25
Caldwell, NJ 07006
USA
Telephone: 201-433-2222
Fax: 973-226-7774
Website: www.globalbenefitoptions.com
Global Healthcare Alliance
617 North Magnolia Ave
Orlando, FL 32801
USA
Telephone: 407-330-2515
Fax: 775-269-6424
Homewatch CareGivers
7100E. Belleview Ave., Suite 303
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
USA
Telephone: 303-758-5111
Fax: 303-758-1724
Website: www.homewatchcaregivers.com
Ilan Geva & Friends
340 East Randolph Street Suire 4306
Chicago, IL 60601
USA
Telephone: (312) 861-1300
Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre
Post Box #3, Ittigegud Post, Lalithadripura
Mysore, Karnataka 570010
India
Telephone: 0091-821-2473266,263,437
Fax: 0091-821-2473590
Website: www.ayurindus.com
Global Health Solutions, LLC
358 West Lake Drive
Edwardsville, IL 62025
USA
Telephone: 618-444-1552
International Board of Medicine and
Surgery
P.O. Box 6009
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
USA
Telephone: 813-966-1431
Fax: 813-925-1932
Global Surgery Providers, Inc.
284 South Main Street Suite 1000
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Toll Free: 1-877-866-8558
Telephone: 1-770-475-4100
Website: www.globalsurgeryproviders.com
International Healthcare by Design
40 Annesley Ave
Toronto, Ontario M462T7
Canada
Telephone: 416-696-0000
Fax: 416-696-0011
Kahler Grand Hotel
20 SW Second Ave
Rochester, Minnesota 55906
USA
Telephone: 507-280-6200
Fax: 507-285-2586
Website: www.kahler.com
Operations Worldwide Ltd
Trans-World House, 100 City Road
London, EC1Y2BP
United Kingdom
Telephone: +4402078710172
Fax: +4402078710101
Website: www.yoursugeryabroad.com
Medi Globe Inc
Telephone: 314-812-2772
Fax: 314-812-2505
Website: www.mediglobeusa.com
Passport Medical Inc.
#355 W Olympic Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Telephone: 800-721-4445
Fax: 866-716-4449
Website:www.passportmedical.com
MedicalTourism.com
SJO 6767, 2011 NW, 79th Avenue, Doral
Miami FL 33122
USA
Telephone: 305-600-5763
Fax: 305-397-2893
Website: www.medicaltourism.com
Mediline
Ahi Evren Cad., Ata Penter, No. 1, Kat G2
Maslak, Istanbul 34398
Turkey
Telephone: 90 530 403 5251
Website: www.medilineus.com
www.medilineeurope.com
Medipassion Healing Inc.
33 Place Des Outaouais
L’ile Perrot, QC J7V8K7
Canada
Telephone: 514-577 7451
Fax: 1-800-410-0279
MedPro Bavaria GmbH
Falkenbach 75
Freyung 94078
Germany
Telephone: +49 8551 913528
Fax: +49 8551 913456
Website: www.medprobavaria.de
MedTravel Ecuador
Av. de los Shyris 2811 e Isla Floreana
Quito, Ecuador
Telephone: 593-2 2433307
Fax: 593-2 2445364
Website: www.medtravelecuador.com
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and
Popeo
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02081
USA
Telephone: (617) 348-1757
MOH Holdings Pte Ltd
83 Clemenceau Ave., #15-03 UE Square
Singapore 239920
Singapore
Telephone: +65-6622-0956
Fax: +65-6720-0980
Website: www.mohh.com.sg
NursesNow International
Av. Hidalgo 2609 Col. Obispado
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64800
Mexico
Telephone: +528181234849
Fax: +528181234851
Website: www.nni.com.mx
OneWorld Global Healthcare
Solutions LLC
300 East Club Circle Boca Raton, FL
33487
USA
Telephone: 248-250-3221
Fax: 248-547-7769
Website:
www.oneworldglobalhealthcaresolutions.com
Perot Systems Services
Mariano Otero 1249 WTC Torre Atlántico
Piso. 7
Col. Rinconadas del Bosque
Jalisco 44530
México
Website: www.perotsystems.com.mx
Physicians Alliance Limited
#3 Grosvenor Close, Shirley Street, PO
BOX EE17022
Nassau
Bahamas
Telephone: 242-326-4460
Fax:242 326 8874
Website: www.physiciansalliancelimited.com
Pragma Health LLC
4406 E Gatewood Road
Phoenix, 85050
USA
Telephone: 480-208-7497
Fax: 503-218-7497
Premier Healthcare Professionals Inc
2450 Atlanta Hwy, Suite 601
Cumming, GA 30040
USA
Telephone:678-460-1008
Fax: 678-460-1009
Website: www.travelphp.com
Premiere Medical Travel Company, LLC
James McCormick MD
6303 Owensmouth Avenue, 10th Floor
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-2622
Telephone: 818-917-6189
Fax: 818-936-2101
Private Medical Care International
308 N. Main
Barrington, IL 60010
USA
Telephone: (847) 842-0222
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors
Bureau
701 Pike Suite 800
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: 206-461-5828
Website: www.visitseattle.org
The Lloyd Law Group PC
4637 Chabot Drive Suite 102
Pleasanton, California 94588
USA
Telephone: 415-238-2300
Website: www.lloydlawpc.com
Sebilo (Pty) Ltd
Postnet Suite 454, Private Bag X9,
Benmore
Johannesburg 2010
South Africa
Telephone:+27835792367
Fax: +27866535610
Website: www.sebilo.co.za
Transmed Tourism LLC
7629 Wynndel Way
Elk Grove, 95758
USA
Telephone: 916-752-5539
Fax: 916-647-4876
Website: www.transmedtourism.com
SenditCertified
7810 Ballantyne Commons Parkway,
Third Floor
Charlotte, NC, 28277
USA
Telephone: 888-957-2999
Website: www.senditcertified.com
Spain Medical Services
c/ Menorca, 2 bl. 6-1A
Las Rozas, Madrid 28230
Spain
Telephone: +34 693 902182
U’REKA S’CAPADE SDN. BHD
No. 726, Wisma Yoon Cheng, Unit A-5-1
(Level 05), 4 1/2 mile, Ipoh Road
Kuala Lumpur, 51200
Malaysia
Telephone: +6 03-62586321/+6 0362525388
Fax: +6 03-62505040/+6 03-62515144
Website: www.urekascapade.com
UBIFrance-French Trade Office
3475 Piedmont Rd. NE, Suite 1840
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
USA
Telephone: 404-495-1667
Fax: 404-495-1696
Website: www.ubifrance.fr
Spur Interactive
3701 Kirby, Suite 1290
USA
Telephone: 713-357-7101
Fax: 281-664-4745
Website: www.spurinteractive.com
Stackpole & Associates
1018 Beacon Street, Suite 201
Brookline, MA, 02446-4058
USA
Telephone: 617-739-5900
Website: www.stackpoleassociates.com
Sunflower Health Travel International
4850 Sapphire Way
Cypress CA 90630
USA
Telephone: 714-600-8485
Sunshine Medical Tourism, LLC
18950 US HWY 441 Ste. 205
Mount Dora, FL 32757
USA
Telephone: 352-638-3578
Website: www.SunshineMedicalTourism.
com
Proglobal Today Inc.
362 Maple Avenue
Washington, PA 15301
USA
Telephone: 724-328-3139
Fax: 724-222-9525
Surgery Host
Ermita 1588-A
Zapopan, Jalisco 45046
Mexico
Telephone: + 52 33 35639981/82
Fax: +52 3336471806
Website: www.sugeryhost.com
Puerto Rico Med Links
PO Box 1622
Morovis, Puerto Rico 00687
USA
Telephone: 787-270-4060
Fax: 787-270-4061
Website: www.prmedlinks.com
Surgery Solutions Abroad
100 Pine Ln
Oak Ridge, 37830
USA
Telephone: 865-441-5432
Fax: 865-481-0194
Website: www.surgerysolutionsabroad.com
re:group inc.
213 West Liberty St. Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
USA
Telephone: 734-327-6606
Fax: 734-327-6636
www.regroup.us
The Crowne Group, Inc.
1552 Boren Drive, Suite 100
Ocoee, FL 34761
USA
Telephone: 407-654-5414
Fax: 407-654-9614
Website: www.crowneinc.com
Touchpoint
118 E 26th Street, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55404
USA
Telephone: (612) 743-2346
UCLA School of Public Health
EMPH Program
10960 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1550
Los Angeles, California 90024
USA
Phone: 310-267-5600
Fax: 310-312-1711
Website: www.emph.ucla.edu/index.asp
URAC
1220 L Street NW Suite 400 Washington,
D.C. 20005 USA
Telephone: (202) 216-9010
Fax: (202) 216-9006
Website: www.urac.org
URUHEALTH
(Health & Tourism in Uruguay)
Dr. Marcelo Rodriguez
Av. Ricaldoni 2452
Montevideo 11600 Uruguay
Telephone: (+598) 27114444
Fax: (+598) 27114444
Website: www.uruhealth.com
US Risk
10210 N. Central Expressway Suite 500
Dallas, TX, 75231
USA
Telephone: 214-265-2460
Website: www.usrisk.com
Via Belleza
Av. 15 Las Delicias No. 59-330
Maracaibo 4005
Venezuela
Telephone: 58 414 3606 725 n
71
72

PDF - Medical Tourism Magazine

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