With many of the providers being centrally located, you will visit as part of the Summit many of the hospitals and dental clinics.

You’ll have the chance to meet the dentists, doctors and their staffs. You’ll really get a feel of the quality of the providers and you’ll be able to interact and ask questions. Many past attendees will be returning for their third trip.”

Lake Geneva, WI (PRWEB) January 31, 2012

PROMED, the Council for the International Promotion of Costa Rica Medicine is once again hosting the 3rd Annual Medical Travel Conference in Costa Rican on April 22-26. PROMED is a private not-for-profit organization, which coordinates the quality control and international promotion efforts of the medical tourism industry.

Its goal is to ensure the quality of services provided by the private health industry in Costa Rica as the country becomes a major center for global medicine and medical tourism.

The purpose of this conference is to give insurance company executives, employee benefit mangers, health underwriters, insurance agents, third-party administrators, and other interested parties the opportunity to experience first- hand what the hospitals and physicians of Costa Rica and other Latin American countries have to offer.

This conference will generate more than 750 business meetings, and the organizers expect more than 400 participants and 75 exhibitors from throughout Latin America.

Top- level health care industry speakers, many from the U.S., will address topics related to the medical tourism industry and healthcare.

It is an ideal time for employee benefit providers, insurance companies, TPAs, health insurance agents and anyone who is concerned about the rising cost of health care to learn about the benefits of medical tourism, especially in nearby Latin America.

One of the main ways to bring down health care costs in the U.S. is for employers to offer a medical and dental tourism option.

Health care costs in the United States have exploded in recent years, and costs will continue to grow as more people’s health and dental benefits are cut and the number of doctor’s drop out of the system. However, these same procedures are very affordable in Costa Rica.

People are saving up to 70% on dental and medical procedures using internationally accredited providers in Costa Rica. Many people and/or employers who have to pay out of pocket do not realize they have other options like medical tourism, which can keep them healthy and save money at the same time.

Working with the finest private hospitals and physicians in Costa Rica will help people save hundreds if not thousands of dollars on certain dental and medical care procedures.

“If you’re considering Medical Tourism for your company or for your clients, the Medical Travel Summit in Costa Rica is the only Medical Tourism conference you need to attend,” said Tim Morales of Costa Rican Medical Care.

With many of the providers being centrally located, you will visit as part of the Summit many of the hospitals and dental clinics. You’ll have the chance to meet the dentists, doctors and their staffs.

You’ll really get a feel of the quality of the providers and you’ll be able to interact and ask questions. Many past attendees will be returning for their third trip.”

http://news.yahoo.com/costa-rican-medical-tourism-conference-san-jose-costa-080630543.html

Medical Tourism Resource Online

This travel often includes the transportation and lodging costs of a companion caregiver, such as a spouse or other adult relative to accompany the member. However, many large companies often include a domestic medical tourism option within their health care plans.

While financial savings is one of the objectives, in other cases those procedures which are most likely to have the highest positive outcomes may only be available in another city or state.

Furthermore, it is often the case were both financial savings and positive outcomes come together for the benefit of the plan sponsor as well as the member.

Domestic medical travel is frequently associated with medical centers of excellence which specialize in a limited range of disease conditions, yet employ leading edge treatment modalities.

These centers are generally located in metropolitan areas throughout the nation, sometimes in conjunction with research and teaching hospitals.

Facilities such as the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and MD Anderson Cancer Center are among the several institutions touted as being recognized for their frontline treatment procedures for diagnosing and treating especially difficult medical conditions.

While expenses associated with travel, transportation, and lodging do not make financial sense for routine and uncomplicated medical conditions; treatment for unusual and rarely seen illnesses may confound local providers, even if they are a specialist.

Misdiagnoses, unnecessary care, repeated or incorrect procedures may only exasperate the medical situation, resulting in lost productivity, wasted dollars, time, as well as ageist on the part of the member and family.

Negative outcomes could result in long term or permanent disability and/or even untimely and avoidable death.

Organizational policies connected to domestic medical travel must be clearly and comprehensively documented within carrier contracts, Schedule of Benefits, Summary Plan Descriptions, as well as general and specific documents and policies addressing paid, unpaid, and FMLA leaves.

Unless the organization retains internal or external medical expertise, it is best to rely on the recommendations of the member’s specialty care provider(s) in consult with the carrier as to whether or not domestic medical travel is warranted.

Special attention should be paid as to who is permitted to travel with the member as a companion caregiver; this could include a spouse, domestic partner or an adult relative.

Non-adult children should be excluded. In the absence of a related or domestic partner companion, an organization may want to consider the use of a medical or home health aide to assist the member before, during, and after the travel period.

Again, it is best to rely on the recommendations of the member’s specialty care provider(s) when it comes to what type of companion would be required.

If the organization retains an EAP, it may be appropriate to make the member aware of and provide information about such services as requested.

The EAP is in the proper entity to provide assistance with legal and other services to address issues dealing with durable power of attorney, advanced living directives, wills, and living wills.

http://total-employee-rewards.blogspot.com/2012/01/domestic-medical-tourism.html

Medical Tourism Resource Online

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

The country has become one of the top medical tourism centers of the world. It is the leader of medical travel in Asia since it holds more than 40 percent market share of the Asian medical tourism industry.

The number of people visiting Thailand for treatment has been increasing rapidly since 2000 because the country not only offers low-cost medical services but also has an excellent tourism infrastructure.

The country is thus popular especially among travelers from North America and Europe for whom Thailand is easily accessible. Several airlines in UK for instance offer flights to Thailand from London at low prices making the medical trip all the more cost effective.

Another reason why people visit Thailand for treatment is because there are hundreds of hospitals in Thailand that offer high quality services to patients. Today, there are more than 15 hospitals in Thailand that are accredited by JCI.

Most medical tourists prefer local private hospitals because they have experienced and trained doctors and surgeons. Some of the most respected private hospitals in Thailand include Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Group (BHG) and Samitivej Hospitals.

Even though the private facilities in Thailand are expensive when compared to public hospitals, the price charged by them is much lower than the prices in hospitals in Western countries.

The total cost of a bypass surgery for instance in a good private hospital in Thailand is about $12,000. However, if the same surgery is done in United States the cost is more than $130,000.

Since there is a big price difference, many people who cannot afford treatment in their country prefer visiting Thailand.

Most hospitals in Thailand strive to create comfortable atmosphere for foreign patients. Both private and public hospitals thus have translators who can speak several foreign languages.

Many doctors and surgeons receive their education and training in USA and Europe. Many of the medical centers also offer private transportation from hotel to the hospital, regular checks on patients who are recuperating from surgery and emergency medical assistance upon arrival and departure.

http://www.tourism-review.com/thailand-holding-40-of-asian-medical-tourism-market-news3202

Medical Tourism Resource Online

“We are pleased to promote Costa Rica Dental Team as our dental services sponsor in Costa Rica,” said Ilene Little, CEO of Traveling4Health&Retirement.

“The sponsor selection was based on patient-generated reviews, interviews with the company leadership, and excellent ratings from our tour of the Costa Rica Dental Team facilities,” said Ilene Little.

Costa Rica Dental Team (CRDT) provides excellent care for local residents as well as international patients who choose to travel to Costa Rica for significant cost savings paired with a tropical vacation.

“When patients rave about their medical outcomes and a provider’s customer service, that gets our attention,” said Ilene Little, “We only promote and accept sponsorships from providers whose patients and professional peers recommend their services.”

Selecting a medical treatment provider catering to foreign patients is crucial to planning safe and cost-saving overseas medical treatment.

Traveling4Retirement&Retirement, the first resource of its kind connecting travelers interested in alternative planning for medical tourism, presents viable medical provider sources from around the globe.

Traveling4Health&Retirement is proud to introduce travelers to Costa Rica Dental Team as our selected sponsor of dental care in Costa Rica.

Traveling4Health&Retirement gives the latest information and news about affordable medical and dental care.

Traveling4Health&Retirement continues to spearhead the advancements in medical treatment sourcing, the only resource of its kind for travel and health advocacy.

According to Little, “Dental tourism is frequently a patient’s first experience with medical travel because the savings are substantial, and you can find quality dental services equal to, if not better than, what you can find locally.”

“We offer the ‘highest quality’ most affordable dental care in the world,” says Mike Lomax, President of Costa Rica Dental Team, “North Americans seeking world class dental care at deep discounts over most US pricing continue to seek us out, and have made us a leader in dental tourism.

We are pleased to be recognized by Traveling 4 Health & Retirement, and gratified to be invited to join this popular medical tourism information site.”

“I seriously thought about medical travel, because that was what was affordable,” says Cindi Lindquist, a Traveling4Health&Retirement member.

“My husband did a ton of research on the internet for my teeth,” said Lindquist, “We narrowed it down to three dentists, and I called each one of them.”

Cindi Linquist is one of an increasing number of U.S. citizens locating viable alternatives to high cost dental care. Knowledge about medical travel options, commonly referred to as medical tourism, is easily accessible through the Traveling 4 Health & Retirement website.

“Patients really are becoming more and more comfortable taking advantage of medical travel options for cost and quality considerations,” said a THR spokesperson.

Traveling4Health&Retirement is the definitive resource bringing together subject experts to inform members about the newest medical advancements in patient medical services and expert medical providers.

Traveling4Health&Retirement leads the industry with insightful, informative editorial and content about the advantages of medical travel and promoting health advocacy for patients who travel for medical treatment.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9328496.htm

Medical Tourism Resource Online

There are several new initiatives as part of the US government’s aim to make the country the top global destination for travel, to improve the economy, and discourage outsourcing to other countries.

The US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP) was recently launched as a means to increase the global competitiveness of US healthcare providers and to improve access to healthcare in the US for patients from around the world.

USCIPP is a partnership of the International Trade Administration of the US Department of Commerce, UHC, and Rush University.

The aim is for domestic providers catering to international patients to share best practices and potentially grow their business collectively.

In November 2010, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Rush University of Chicago, in partnership with the University HealthSystem Consortium, a three-year $500,000 Market Development Cooperative Grant to help increase medical travel to the country.

The idea is to stimulate growth through better data that tracks international patients and services, networking across institutions and the implementation of the best strategic business development practices.

The grant is intended to support President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double exports (any form of U.S. medical care purchased by people outside the country) by 2015. The aim is to create millions of U.S. jobs with the influx of thousands of patients with a vast array of needs.

Plans include establishing a forum for international patient programme, creating a standardized set of data elements to be reported on international patients, determining the value of medical care exports, hosting a series of meetings focused on strategies to increase the global competitiveness of US health care providers, and developing strategic relationships with ministries of health and private payers abroad

The federal government has been making determined noises about encouraging international travel to the USA. The new Brand USA is a public private partnership with the mission of promoting increased international travel to the United States.

The Department of Commerce is forecasting an increase in international arrivals of 6% a year in 2012-16. President Obama’s ambition is to make the USA the world’s top travel and tourism destination. In 2010, 59.7 million international visitors went to the America, generating some US$134 billion for the economy.

The USA remains the world’s second most visited, after France. The US administration and UNWTO estimate that 62.5 to 63.0 million international travellers visited the USA in 2011. Tourism is already the USA’s most important export service industry.

It is also seen as a way to boost job creation – an urgent priority in the current economic climate. Tourism represents nearly 3% of the country’s GDP and is responsible for some 7.5 million jobs, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Among the steps to be taken by the US administration to boost tourist arrivals is a streamlining of visa formalities. Efforts will be made to expand the Global Entry Program place this year, making it easier for frequent visitors to the USA (who have therefore already undergone a background check) to travel across US borders.

More countries will be invited to join the list of those whose citizens are allowed to visit America without a tourist visa under the visa waiver programme. Steps will also be taken to accelerate travel formalities for booming markets such as Brazil, China and India.

Medical travel has representation in the new travel and tourism strategy, with the appointment of Steven Thompson of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

Thompson is one of 32 member of the board, which advises the Commerce Department on policies and issues affecting travel and tourism.

Steven Thompson commented,” There is a growing demand for US health services coming from the international community. The adoption of travel policies that encourage and support growth in international travel are vital.”

http://floridamedicalretreat.com/350-usa-gets-organized-on-inbound-medical-tourism

Medical Tourism Resource Online

Stuck with an insurance plan that won’t cover the procedure and without $100,000 handy to pay out of pocket, the 37-year-old Dyer woman will have a minimally invasive spinal fusion in Bangalore, India.

“I feel really good about the decision,” she said. “It’s a little scary, but that’s OK.”

The fear is quelled by hope that the ever-present pain, pinching and numbness will be gone in hours and that a healthier life will come after physical therapy.

The married mother of two, who also is a breast cancer survivor, is among the growing number of people seeking cheaper medical treatment overseas.

She arranged the surgery through New Hampshire-based medical tourism company Healthbase Online Inc.

CEO Saroja Mohanasundaram said the company has handled medical travel for more than five years. The firm started with hospitals in five countries and now works with 21.

“It’s all due to customer demand,” she said.

The company links patients with doctors who offer medical, cosmetic and dental procedures. Facilities and doctors must meet local and international standards, Mohanasundaram said.

The company does cost and doctor comparisons, and the patient chooses one.

Tacke had a conference call with her neurosurgeon, who often travels to the U.S. to give medical talks and even did his clinical fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit.

“It’s not like I picked a name out of a hat,” Tacke said.

Tacke, who had a discectomy in 2007, is covered by her self-employed husband’s insurance policy. But the discectomy — the surgical removal of herniated disc material that presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord — puts her in a “pre-existing condition” category. She signed a document stating medical treatment to her spine would not be covered.

In 2009, the pain returned, and an MRI showed things had worsened. She tried cortisone shots and physical therapy, to no avail, and has leaned on narcotic painkillers and muscle relaxers since then.

She said going abroad for care is the best option for her. The 2010 major federal health care overhaul does not fully take effect until 2014.

“To be asked to hold on for two more years, it’s not a way to live,” she said.

Americans traveling to India pay about 80 percent less for treatment than they would here, Mohanasundaram said.

“It’s just a different country and time zone,” she said. “Other than that, they will have the same quality and the same experience.”

Tacke said in the U.S. she would have paid up to $100,000, not including physical therapy, for her surgery. In India, it will cost $16,000, including the surgery, meals, airfare, transportation and the post-surgery hotel stay for her and her mother-in-law.

Mohanasundaram said the hospitals have a separate wing for international patients. The rooms have an extra bed for the patient’s companion, as well as Internet access, TV and DVD player.

Some people picture the impoverished parts of India when Tacke mentions her trip, but she is quick to show them websites for the modern hospital and upscale hotel where she will recover.

Dr. Alexander Stemer, president and CEO of Medical Specialists Centers of Indiana, said people who partake in medical tourism have a willing suspension of disbelief.

“They are choosing to ignore the possibility that something can go wrong after their return,” he said.

Stemer said he understands why an uninsured person in constant back pain would seek treatment in another country, but he cautioned there are significant risks.

If something goes wrong, there is no recourse. In America, people can review their medical records and file a lawsuit.

“You forfeit that when you go to India,” Stemer said. “What do you do if you’re not quite right? Who would handle the consequences?”

A hospital can’t be judged based on the pictures on its website, he said. Many foreign countries do not have the same set of standards as the United States.

Foreign hospitals aren’t required to report post-operative infections, for example.

“You’re left with a certain amount of uncertainty,” he said.

He suggests uninsured people try to negotiate their medical bills, asking providers for the same discount they would give an insured person, before considering treatment overseas.

Professor Samuel Flint, associate director of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Northwest, said he has not seen many systematic studies of medical tourism. Anecdotally, it appears safe.

“(The industry) is not filled with wild tales of people having their kidneys taken out and (they) don’t realize it until they’re on a plane,” he said. “You can get some well-trained physicians and very state-of-the-art hospitals.”

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/ cd3553f2176f420daebb032bcfbecb3f/IN–Exchange-Cheaper-Medical-Treatment/

 Medical Tourism Resource Online

The new report , “Medical Tourism Research: Facts And Figures 2012”, separates fact from fiction.

According to report author, Ian Youngman, “Few of the oft quoted ‘facts’ are close to being accurate. Few of the countries regularly claimed as market leaders are the true leaders.

Some of the most successful countries are the least noisy, and often not dependent on claims of huge savings in healthcare costs. The reality is much more interesting.”

A summary and table of contents can be downloaded from IMTJ. Key conclusions from the report include:

In most cases, medical tourism is regional not international, and often within a country.
Many medical tourists do not seek out the cheapest destination.
The three most popular European destinations are also the most expensive ones.
The USA attracts as many inbound medical tourists as it generates outbound medical tourists.
Most medical tourism is for cosmetic, dental or fertility treatment.

The 2012 edition of Medical Tourism Facts and Figures has over 500 pages of updated information, including data from countries where no figures were previously available.

All figures are analysed for truth or fiction, and gaps in knowledge are highlighted. For each of the 137 listed countries, the report provides (where available) an overview, basic country facts, medical tourism numbers in and out, targets, destinations and sources, research reports, promotional bodies, plans and problems.

For anyone wanting the real picture of the vibrant and expanding medical tourism industry, or who wants to avoid the mistakes of others, the new report is a must read.

The report normally costs £900, but is available at a discounted rate of £800 until 31 March 2012 through International Medical Travel Journal.

About Ian Youngman
Ian Youngman is a writer and researcher specialising in medical tourism, healthcare and health insurance. He writes regularly for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and on-line services.

He publishes a range of market reports and undertakes research for companies. An ACII, with an honours degree in Economics from the University of Liverpool, Ian was a co-founder of The General Insurance Market Research Association.

He also has widespread experience within the insurance industry at management level, working for brokers, a bank and an insurance company.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9275834.htm

 Medical Tourism Resource Online

Your friend mentions that they shop at a new store because the pricing and quality is better. When you get in your car to drive to the store and purchase your groceries you follow the same routine that you follow on a regular basis. The thought of going past your old grocery store to a different store at a lesser cost and higher quality comes to mind, but it is a longer drive and you have never been in that store before.

This same concept applies to health care, hospitals, and physicians, you feel comfortable with your past ways and familiarization. To go outside this normality seems like a lot of unnecessary effort. If you have no other choice because of the cost, lack of access or treatment specialty the concept of medical travel is more appealing.

Health care reform is going to inspire physicians, health systems and hospitals to look at alternative ways of delivering their medical product,” said Nick Christos, Chief Marketing Officer of Elite Underwriting Insurance (one of the largest providers of reinsurance and stop loss to self funded employers, in a interview with the Medical Tourism Association.

http://www.mtmweb.biz/blog/2012/the-intersection-of-health-care-and-medical-travel/

Medical Tourism Resource Online
http://mmedsolution.com/

Medical strategies are different from marketing campaigns. Medical Strategies are use to catch the attention of numerous medical tourist that needs complicated medication while marketing campaigns are intended for casual international health and wellness traveler.

The psychological profiles of international patients seeking medical procedures that are complex require marketing plans featuring competent, confidence building messages rather than the “fun in the sun” campaigns designed for medical travelers seeking low acuity treatments. Understanding the different between these two market segments is vital to achieving success in the medical tourism industry.

There are differences in motivational factors among individuals having an orthopedic or cardiac procedure compare to someone having a minor cosmetic on dental medication. Understanding their differences is essential for marketing campaign creations that will catch the attention of numerous health travelers.

More and more countries are now placing vast priority on medical tourism as their identify the importance to the industry. Competition on attracting international patients that needs serious medical treatment is

As more and more countries identify medical tourism as a national priority, competition for international patients who require complex care are a ripe target in that they purchase high cost, high margin medical care as well as staying in country for an extended period of time. These types of international visitors are a substantial value added to the local economy and are going to be the focus of more and better targeted marketing efforts, Marketing tips and other helpful hints will be provided as part of Mr. Stackpole’s presentation to help organizations secure the types of clients they seek.

Established in 1991, Stackpole & Associates provides marketing, market research, and business development solutions for providers, consumers, and customers in healthcare, senior living and human services. For the medical tourism industry, Stackpole & Associates can help businesses identify prospective clients globally with a focus on the US, UK and Canada, and then ensure that the products and services offered to those customers carry the right message in the right way. The company is an active member of the Medical Tourism Association.

Mmedsoolution Medical Tourism Resource

Dimebon Results Medical Trials

www.mmedsolution.com