MMedsolution – Medical Dental Tourism Resource On-line

Someone complained that he went to a corporate hospital for a minor injury and was subjected to every conceivable test for ailments that did not exist.

Not surprising since hospitals established by multinational corporates –or even national industrial houses – are set up at great cost which has to be recovered only through their beneficiaries.

They are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and trappings that can detect anything from a cyst to cancer.

It is not that your doctor suspected a strangulated hernia when you went to that mega hospital for a mild stomach ache.

He ordered those X-rays and CT scans and MRIs because he has to show that he has used the hospital diagnostic machinery to continue in service.

His survival is more at stake than yours. If you feel that the corner clinic with its friendly physician is not good enough, then you must pay the price for an opulent hospital which cannot stay alive without returns from its consumers – just like any other product.

Lifestyle diseases

Studies have shown that an ever growing elderly population coupled with growing income levels – added to a spurt in lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cardiac complications – will seek therapeutic help in these hospitals which are better suited for health tourism – the catchword in today’s medical parlance.

They are lavish. Special diets can be ordered. Special services can be commanded. Visitors may dine in style in well appointed restaurants. Their employers or insurance plans take care of the expenses.

Such insurance-related healthcare may profit doctors and hospitals. But, it sets off a new medical practice that was unknown in this country a few years ago, and which has its own risks and dangers.

A study conducted at the Harvard Medical school points out that “computerised patient records might actually encourage doctors to order expensive tests more often.”

This country has also become the favourite destination for foreign tourists seeking high quality medical services at a low cost. ‘Wellness tourism’ is advertised like any other brand.

“India offers treatment of complicated diseases at reasonable costs,” screams one advertisement. Or, another flaunts “ highly proficient team of surgeons treat you as per international standards.”

Not only do they offer high class surgery for the most sought after medical procedures like bypass, angioplasty hip or knee replacements among other things, but they also entice their customers with holiday packages in exotic tourist spots in the country.

If a bypass surgery costs $130.000 in America, the visiting patient can get away with $1,000 for the same in any one of India’s leading cardiac centres. He can have a $43,000 hip replacement for a mere $9000, a complicated $62,000 spinal fusion for a paltry $5000.

It has been estimated that the Indian healthcare industry will become a 280 billion dollar booming business within the next decade.

Instead of condemning the well established super speciality hospitals which cater to those who can afford them, why not pressurise governments to improve the condition of state hospitals to bring them on par in order to cater to the majority of patients who are poor enough to go bankrupt if disease strikes.

The National Health Policy of 1983 recommended “an integrated net-work of evenly spread speciality and super speciality services…through private investments for patients who can pay, so that the draw on government facilities is limited to those entitled to free use.”

According to the census of 2011, India’s population has gone beyond 1.2 billion. It is a fearful picture when one considers that we have not provided a proper working health care system for all. The majority population does not have access to the minimum health care.

Inadequate sanitation and dearth of clean drinking water adds to the spread of bacterial infections like hepatitis, dysentery or pneumonia which continue to plague our over crowded cities as well.

Last year, India shockingly developed a totally drug resistant (TDR) form of tuberculosis which, combined with the spread of HIV/AIDS poses a serious health hazard in the country. The Central government has also reduced funding for immunisation which leaves more than 50 per cent of our child population exposed to childhood diseases.

It has been estimated that about two million infants die in India annually before they even complete their first year of birth. Those who do, suffer extreme malnutrition that paves the way for other diseases.

Where do they go for medical support? Corporate hospitals? Or, ill managed, badly equipped corporation hospitals?

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/241636/wellness-tourism-health-care-system.html

Medical Tourism Resource Online

This year, hundreds of thousands of Americans will travel abroad, not to see ancient ruins or visit historic sites, but to undergo affordable medical care.

These medical tourists will go to Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica and elsewhere for everything from root canals to hip replacements.

And while this type of tourism has been around for decades, it’s become more and more popular as health-care costs in the U.S. continue to rise.

And if Obamacare is overturned by the Supreme Court — more average Americans may soon be medical tourists as well.

Paul Vehorn is a behavioral psychologist, host of the Paul Vehorn radio show, and a medical tourist who’s visited Thailand for two different procedures.

And James Surowiecki is a journalist with the New Yorker. He explores what the bigger economic implications of medical tourism might be in his article entitled “Club Med.”

http://www.thetakeaway.org/2012/apr/12/rise-medical-tourism/

Medical Tourism Resource Online

Close your eyes and think about the word spa.

Did you visualize a steamy roman bath? Did it look relaxing?

Then maybe it should be in a hotel, said Abe Pizam, dean of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Even if it’s a medical spa.

“It was always a combination of leisure and health,” Pizam said. “It was not purely health.”

As Medical City grows and medical tourism grows in the Orlando market, hotels in the area may look to add medical spa services to their amenities. Pizam said some of the centers in India known for Ayurveda have clients that spend $10,000 a week.

“It’s a very profitable and sought after business,” Pizam said. “If we can have it in Central Florida, that would be great.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2012/04/pizam-medical-spas-in-hotels-a.html

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Minister Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles received Prof. Dr. S. M. Balaji at his Bel Ombre Tourism Office to echo his support to the coming 7th Biennial World Cleft Lip & Palate Congress set to be held in Seychelles from May 7-11, 2012.

Prof. Dr. Balaji is the Congress President and was in Seychelles to finalize details for the May Congress in the mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles.

“We are thankful that Prof. Dr. Balaji has chosen Seychelles for that congress. We have always believed in diversity in our approach to tourism.

This May Congress brings out the conferencing attractions Seychelles commands, but above all it can pave the way for our entry into the world of medical tourism,” Minister St.Ange said.

The 7th Biennial World Cleft Lip & Palate Congress is expected to welcome in Seychelles some 200 medical experts for their conference from May 7-11, 2012.

Source: Seychelles Ministry of Tourism & Culture

http://www.eturbonews.com/28754/paving-way-seychelles-medical-tourism

Medical Tourism Resource Online

Award Winner Andrew Bard from HCC Insurance Holdings

For the past nine years, Andrew Bard has been involved in the global benefits industry. During that time, he has learned the tricks of the trade and now, as the vice president of sales and marketing for HCC Insurance Holdings, he has shared some explanations and tips.

It takes a whole team of people in each company to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of overseas operation, Bard said.

Legislation is constantly being amended, so it is important to keep up-to-date on the latest alterations affecting American-based insurers and insurers that provide any United States benefits.

Bard said the biggest challenge facing the industry is the reoccurring changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was enacted into legislation by President Barack Obama in 2010.

The act reformed various aspects of the private and public health insurance realms, increased insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, expanded access to insurance and increased projected national medical spending while decreasing Medicare spending.

Although the law primarily affects American insurance companies, Bard believes it will have an extending effect on any insurance company with U.S. operations.

“As a consequence, over the next couple of years, you may see a constriction of insurance carriers that provide benefits for expatriates and foreign nationals,” he said. “Certainly, you will see the U.S.-based companies changing benefits, limits, etc.”

He said the key to building a successful partnership with clients is offering excellent service at a low cost. This is the mantra for his company, HCC Insurance Holdings. He said service is the number one driver behind customer satisfaction, followed by cost.

Bard provided some tips for implementing a successful global benefits plan:

Find a trustworthy and competent insurance broker with global experience

Stay involved in the process! Do not let the broker make all the decisions

Understand, in detail, the benefit plan you are buying

Always ask for references from both the broker and the insurance carrier

http://www.medicaltourismmag.com/article/award-winner-andrew-bard-from-hcc-insurance-holdings.html

Medical Tourism Resource Online

San Diego, CA, April 13, 2012 –(PR.com)– Satori World Medical will be participating at the upcoming State and Local Government Benefits Association (SALGBA) Conference in Burlingame, CA on April 15-18, 2012.

The company will be exhibiting the latest innovations in global healthcare, also referred to as medical travel or medical tourism, and how this approach can lower public sector employers’ healthcare costs, while offering a benefit that their employees will value.

Satori World Medical is excited to be sharing its value statement to the municipalities that are attending the annual conference.

In addition, Steven Lash, President and CEO of Satori World Medical will be holding an insightful session on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 11:15am on the topic of “Why the Public Sector is Looking at Medical Travel to Lower Healthcare Costs & GASB 45 Liabilities.”

“Healthcare costs continue to escalate at a record rate and containing these costs has become a critical issue for public sector employers,” said Steven Lash, President and CEO, Satori World Medical.

“By offering a medical travel benefit, city and state municipalities can contain costs while offering their retiree populations a high-quality medical benefit option.”

SALGBA is a national organization for public sector benefits professionals.

The SALGBA annual conference is a gathering of executive directors, benefits administrators, as well as other benefits professionals looking for exhibits by medical, dental, and life insurance companies, third party administrators, and benefits consultants.

Visit Satori World Medical at booth #108 during the conference for a chance to win a Kindle Fire. To schedule an appointment to meet with a Satori team member during the conference, please contact sales@satoriworldmedical.com or call (619) 704-2000.

About Satori World Medical:

Satori World Medical’s Global Network™ is comprised of International Centers of Excellence with leading physician specialists.

Satori delivers all travel related services, while lowering overall medical expenses for both the patient and the plan sponsor.

Satori, through its patented Health & Shared Wealth Program™, is the only global network that can offer sharing of the savings, including a 100% medical benefit to insured patients that choose to have surgery outside the United States.

All physicians and medical facilities in the Satori Global Network™ are required to meet Satori’s rigorous quality standards which meet or exceed U.S. standards.

For more information on Satori World Medical, call +1 (866) 613-9686 or visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com.

About Steven Lash:

Steven Lash is a frequent lecturer on healthcare trends, innovative healthcare strategies, medical travel, and employee health benefits at numerous industry seminars.

Mr. Lash has spoken at University of San Diego, Ahlers Center for International Business “Medical Travel: Globalization of the Healthcare Market,”

Health Care Globalization Summit on the topic of “The Economic Value Proposition For Adopting International Medical Coverage – Internal Corporate Cost Savings,” the World Health Care Congress on

“International Partnerships for Health Care Delivery Innovation,” the Financial Executive International San Diego Chapter, and the Employer Health & Human Capital Congress on “Employer Need to Knows for Incorporating Medical Tourism into Employee Benefit Design.”

http://www.pr.com/press-release/405038

Medical Tourism Resource Online

Thailand is the leader in medical tourist arrivals holding more than 40% share in Asia medical tourist arrivals in 2011. Its medical tourism market was around US$ 2 Billion in 2011 and it is expected to be more than double by 2015.

Thailand has world-class medical facilities with its high-profile private hospitals and clinics. Thailand has been one of the favorite medical tourism destinations for all over the world.

This may be primarily due to the cultural heritage, state-of-the-art medical facilities, personalized hospitality and reasonable medical costs. The country takes pride in having the first hospital to receive the first JCI accreditation in Asia.

It has highest number of JCI accredited hospitals in Asia.

Renub Research report titled “Thailand Medical Tourist Arrivals, Medical Tourism Market & Forecast to 2015 provides a comprehensive analysis of the Thailand Medical tourism market covering in detail various aspects such as foreign patients’ arrivals, revenue from foreign patients, competitive landscape and market share of the foreign patients’ arrivals & revenue from foreign patients.

The report also entails major drivers and roadblocks of Thailand medical tourism market.

Key Topics Covered in the Report

- Number of medical tourists arrival in Asian countries (India, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines)

- Medical Tourism market in Asian countries (India, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines)

- Number of medical tourists arrival in Thailand

- Medical Tourism market in Thailand

- Major Drivers and Roadblocks of Medical Tourism in Thailand

Data Sources

This report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research and in-house analysis by Renub Research team of industry experts.

Primary sources include industry surveys and telephone interviews with industry experts.
Secondary sources information and data has been collected from various printable and non-printable sources like search engines,

News websites, Government Websites, Trade Journals, White papers, Government Agencies, Magazines, Newspapers, Trade associations, Books, Industry Portals, Industry Associations and access to more than 100 paid databases.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/research-markets-thailand-medical-tourist-172400312.html

Medical Tourism Resource Online

The Lebanon Ministry of Tourism is focusing on a new trend of tourism – sustainable tourism – in order to promote economically and socially the different regions of Lebanon all year round.

The hotel and restaurant sectors are growing to match the growth of tourism flow towards Lebanon, which benefits from 200 km of coastline and 2 mountain chains, with a peak culminating over 3,000 m in altitude.

Lebanon, whose origins go back to the beginning of history, is a small country of 10.452 km2, and has the best skiing in the world, explained proudly Mr. Fady Abboud, Lebanon Tourism Minister.

Over half of Lebanon’s land is composed of mountains and are covered with snow, making Lebanon’s ski grounds among the best in the region.

This winter, going skiing in Lebanon has become a very popular edition – especially to European residents in Middle East and UAE, Minister Fady Abboud said.

Moreover, Après Ski is unique in Lebanon, best in the world, he added.

And more and more, Arabs and Saudis have discovered the commodity of having a country nearby for a weekend of snow without having to travel to Europe.

Especially Arab families are enjoying the snow, in a country where everybody speaks Arabic, with restaurants open until very late and snow lasting until April.

In Lebanon, you can ski in the mornings in the mountains and go to the beach in the afternoon – this is very unique, he said. And Lebanon’s cuisine has is it all and is considered the best of the region.

“Beirut is safe and busy,” confirmed Nazira El Atrache, General Manager of Hotel Le Bristol in Verdun, Mme Curie Street, Beirut, today. “The Le Bristol Hotel is a landmark in the heart of Beirut’s commercial district, where the European and American tourists take off towards exploring archeological wealth and benefiting from the natural proximity of the mountain and the sea the same day.

“Business in hotel Le Bristol Beirut is still doing very well in spite of the unrest in Syria. We had a very good quarter,” said Mrs. El Atreche, “with major guests coming from Europe, Turkey, and the United Nations delegations, and more to come, hopefully.

Most of our corporate business is pharmaceutical related in terms of exhibitions and product launching.”

During the last years, incoming tourism from Arab countries has risen to 60 percent and is now number one. Twenty-five percent of arrivals are coming from Europe, and the rest are coming from the USA.

“Brazil is also a very important market with an ongoing economic success. We are targeting on the over 5 million Lebanese people living in Brazil,” outlined Mr. Abboud.

The best hospital in the whole South America is in Brazil – it is Lebanese. “We are also targeting on medical tourism and new strategies,” the Minister said, “Or take Carlos Slim – the richest man in the world – he travels to Lebanon to see the house of his grandfather – that is the best promotion for our country.”

In the April issue of Forbes, an article states: Carlos Slim Helu retains the title of world’s richest man for the third year in a row despite a fortune that’s $5 billion smaller than a year ago – primarily ¬because of a lower share price for telecom giant America Movil, which accounts for more than half his net worth. In April, the company was fined $1 billion by Mexican regulators for monopolistic practices, but is appealing the decision.

Lebanon is a small country with the majority of the Lebanese population residing abroad. Luckily, however, you will find nearly 4 millions living in Lebanon, whereas over 15 million Lebanese are living around the world.

Lebanon is a country shaped by 10,000 years of history. The legacy of the past is clear from the variety of archaeological sites in every corner of the country.

From a Phoenician Sarcophagus, to Roman Temples, to Crusade Castles, and Mamlouk Mosques, everywhere you go, evidence of the country’s rich and varied past comes to light.

Cities like Byblos, Baalbeck, and Tyre are treasures of human history and civilization.

The country’s archaeological past can be discovered in the National Museum, with highlights include the sarcophagus of Ahiram, King of Byblos, which is inscribed with the earliest known example of the Phoenician alphabet.

Byblos, one of the world’s oldest cities, has been inhabited since Neolithic times. Tyre is thought to be one of the oldest urban areas in the world.

Phoenician cities included Byblos, Baalbek, and Tyre, and these ancient cities are inscribed on the World Heritage list.

Phoenicians were seafarers and traders. They used the North Star as a point of reference for navigation. That is all history, but it explains why Lebanese have been merchants ever since and all over the world.

However, Lebanon is always renovating itself, not only politically – but also in tourism and has won recently the Award for Most Beautiful & Best Designed Stand this year at EMITT ((East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition) in Istanbul.

During the last months, Lebanon has become extremely popular in Turkey. Turks are now discovering Lebanon, which is only an hour-and-a-half of flight time, with no visa needed.

Because of this, flights from Istanbul to Beirut have risen from 2 daily flights to 6 daily flights and are always full, said Khaled Aridi, Sales Manager, Incoming Dept of NAHHAL, TheHolidaymakers, Beirut.

In Berlin at ITB, the Lebanon stand stood out among the crowd, with its new fresh white design. And that is no coincidence! The Arabic name for Lebanon is Lubnan, which means white – the color of the Lebanese snow-covered mountains.

Lebanon is working hard to recapture its crown as the “Paris of the Orient.”

http://www.eturbonews.com/28785/lebanon-tourism-focusing-new-trends

Medical Tourism Resource Online

The difference between a trade and a profession is defined by the self regulation. The so called ethical restraint differentiates a job and adds value as a profession.

The medical profession has earned this trust by centuries of ethical practise by the profession in general.

Granted, that there are few bad apples, but still the statistics overwhelmingly support the above view.

The medical tourism, although not a new profession as we think, is certainly not yet yet in the stage of self regulation yet.

This is partly due to the Internet based approach by the profession. Many medical tourism companies are none but a bunch of sales people selling cheap surgeries.

Now, how can we think of enforcing ethics with this opportunistic group of people?

The first step could be facilitated by initiating the changes in the management. Unless that company is run by people who has deep understanding of the current global health care system and are willing to follow ethics, this goal will be far from reality.

Mr. Bob Talasila, the founder of the World Medical and Surgical LLC remarks- ” We see these temptations everyday- but it is the genuine concern for the patient and identifying the professional ethics with your self respect is the way to go.

You need to have formal education and professional pride to accomplish that. Unfortunately, you can’t expect that with most medical tourism companies.

http://worldmedicalandsurgical.blogspot.com/2012/04/medical-tourism-company-and-ethics.html

Medical Tourism Resource Online

Motorcyclists in Michigan can now ride without a helmet after Gov. Rick Snyder (R) signed legislation Friday repealing a 35-year-old safety requirement.

By backing the bill, Governor Snyder made Michigan the 31st state to provide that option. Motorcyclists who want to ride without a helmet must be 21 and have passed a motorcycle safety course within the past two years.

The new requirement also is a boon for the insurance industry: motorcyclists must carry at least an additional $20,000 in medical insurance.

Snyder framed his decision as one of individual liberty: “While many motorcyclists will continue to wear helmets, those who choose not to deserve the latitude to make their own informed judgment,” he said in a statement released Friday.

Safety advocates bemoaned the decision, saying that safety studies show helmet laws lower health-care medical costs and increase public safety.

A March 2012 study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor found that, had the Michigan law been repealed in 2009, the average cost per crash involving a motorcyclist would have increased 48 percent, from $213,770 to $317,031.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2008 showed that motorcyclists who do not use helmets are three times more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury in a crash than those who are wearing helmets.

Tom Constand, a spokesperson for the Brain Injury Association of Michigan in Brighton, said the repeal is “unconscionable.”

However, motorcycle advocates in the state say the change is necessary to boost tourism and that personal safety should be a matter of choice for each rider.

Jim Rhoades, the legislative director of the Michigan chapter of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education, said in a statement released Friday that road safety “lies in rider education, car driver awareness, and license endorsement.”

Mr. Rhoades said Michigan lost “millions of dollars” each year due to the helmet requirement. Also supporting the repeal was the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, a trade association representing bars, restaurants, and other liquor vendors in the state.

“Every year we watch our customers ride into neighboring states and very few motorcycles ride” because of the previous law, executive director Scott Ellis said in a statement.

The federal Highway Safety Act of 1966 required all states to have a motorcycle-helmet law on their books so they could qualify for highway construction funds and other federal safety programs.

Today, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws mandating helmet use for all riders, but most states’ laws vary regarding the age of riders and if helmets are required for all low-power cycles such as scooters and mopeds.

Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire are the only three states that have no motorcycle helmet laws, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, Va.

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/will-michigans-repeal-motorcycle-helmet-law-bring-bike-tourism

Medical Tourism Resource Online