By Jessica Yarbrough, Marketing & Communications Manager of Satori World Medical

Last Friday, the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions released its 2009 Medical Tourism Report, “Update and Implications, which serves as an update to Deloitte’s medical tourism study, “Consumers in Search of Value,” issued last year.

According to Deloitte’s findings in 2009, all indications show that as the cost of healthcare continues to rise, more Americans will seek alternatives to obtaining quality and affordable medical care and fuel the demand for global healthcare.

In the report, Deloitte forecasts that barring any tempering factors such as supply constraints, increased domestic competition, or governmental policies, outbound medical tourism (the practice of receiving medical care internationally) could reach upwards of 1.6 million patients by 2012, with sustainable annual growth of 35 percent.

One key driving factor fueling the industry’s growth is the emergence of medical travel programs that are being offered as a benefit option to individuals through their health plans. More U.S. employers are looking at medical travel programs as a way to reduce their employee healthcare expense while still providing access to high-quality providers at top institutions worldwide.

In the report, Deloitte highlights the introduction of pilot programs, whereby health plans and employers are offering global healthcare programs as a built-in benefit option for covered individuals, with the hopes that such plans will be expanded on a broader scale.

Satori World Medical has created a fully integrated, high-quality global healthcare program that can be easily added to an employer’s benefit plan design at no cost to the plan sponsor. What makes this program so unique is its innovative financial sharing model, whereby for the first time, the employee receives a direct and meaningful portion of the savings of medical tourism. By receiving care at any of the Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospitals in the Satori Global Network™, the employee is eligible for a deposit of thousands of dollars in an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). The money deposited is tax-free to the employee and can be used to fund their future medical expenses for several years.

According to Paul Keckley, the Executive Director for the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, “Medical tourism has transitioned from a cottage industry to an acceptable alternative for elective care that’s safe and cost effective if coordinated by reputable health plans and providers. “   He continues, “With health care costs increasing at six percent per year for the next decade, and medical tourism offering savings of up to 70 percent after travel expenses, we anticipate that the industry will recover from the current economic downturn and attain 35 percent annual growth in the coming years.  The concept of “value” in health care is not new.  Medical tourism represents another mechanism for value purchasers of health care services.”

Deloitte’s 2009 report is a solid indication that the demand for medical travel will continue to soar, and we’re glad to be at the forefront of delivering high-quality healthcare solutions that America’s workforce will value.

To learn more about Deloitte’s latest findings on medical tourism, you can download the complete 2009 report here.

By Jessica Yarbrough, Marketing & Communications Manager of Satori World Medical

Last Tuesday’s 14-9 vote in the Senate Finance Committee to move the fifth and final healthcare reform proposal through the panel brought the nation closer than ever before to assuring quality and affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans.

An important provision of the healthcare reform program is to create a new insurance marketplace – the Exchange – that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices. Additionally, new tax credits will be provided to help people purchase insurance and to help small businesses cover their employees.

“The Obama Plan: Stability & Security for all Americans” summarizes the Obama Administration’s key objectives for comprehensive health reform:

• Reduce long-term growth of healthcare costs for businesses and government
• Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of healthcare costs
• Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
• Invest in prevention and wellness
• Improve patient safety and quality of care
• Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
• Maintain coverage when individuals change or lose their job
• End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions

So how does global healthcare fit in?

As an active member of the global healthcare industry, one key topic of debate has been how healthcare reform will affect the demand for global healthcare programs.

In looking at how well aligned the guiding principles of medical travel are with the objectives of U.S. healthcare reform, I’m even more confident that medical travel will continue to play an integral role in bringing quality, affordable healthcare to Americans.

President Obama’s proposed $900 billion healthcare reform package promises to control rising healthcare costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and ensure high-quality healthcare. Each of these key objectives is achieved by global healthcare programs, such as Satori World Medical.

• Ability to control rising healthcare costs: The costs of healthcare internationally are substantially lower than the costs of comparable care in U.S. hospitals, on average 40-80 percent less per procedure (which factors in the costs of travel and accommodations for the patient and a companion). As such, medical travel programs offer employers the opportunity to control the rising costs of healthcare and make affordable healthcare options available to their employees.

Satori World Medical, for example, is designed to be added to any employee benefit plan design at no cost to the employer. Additionally, the employee receiving care through the Satori Global Network™ is provided with a 100 percent medical benefit, which includes no responsibility for any of out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays, deductibles, etc. One feature that is also unique only to Satori World Medical is the ability for employers to share a portion of the savings of global healthcare with their employee who elects to receive care through the Satori Global Network™. Typically, the employer will deposit funds into the employee’s Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). The deposits in the HRA are tax-free to the employee and tax-deductible to the employer. The funds deposited can then be used by the employee to offset his or her future out-of-pocket medical expenses.

• Ensure High-Quality Care: The growing access to high-quality medical care outside the U.S. has been one of the most important reasons for the increased interest in medical travel programs in the U.S. There are more than 200 Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospitals around the world, many of which have quality standards that rival leading U.S. hospitals. These institutions are staffed by U.S./U.K. or equivalently trained and Board Certified physicians and registered nurses that are fluent in English. They also offer state-of-the-art medical equipment and techniques, spacious private rooms with modern amenities, and excellent patient care and quality outcomes. Therefore, while the costs of care internationally are significantly lower than in the U.S., patients still have access to some of the best care in the world.

As U.S. healthcare reform becomes a closer reality for America, I am optimistic that the fundamental changes it offers will only further fuel the demand for global healthcare programs.

“Having worked in the U.S. health care industry for more than 10 years at Sharp HealthCare, the leading health care provider in San Diego and recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest honor for quality and organizational performance excellence, the care I received at Samitivej Hospital was beyond comparable to the level of care I would have received in any U.S. hospital. Satori World Medical’s kind and knowledgeable team also made all of the difference in terms of ensuring the ease and comfort of my surgery and entire travel experience. I would not hesitate to undergo another surgery through the Satori World Medical program.” – JP from San Diego, Ca.

JP, a 60-year-old health care executive from San Diego, first learned about medical tourism and Satori World Medical in April from his friend, who had also arranged to undergo a surgical procedure through the Satori program.

Prior to learning about Satori World Medical, JP’s plans to undergo a facelift had been postponed by the cost restraints of undergoing plastic surgery in the U.S. When his friend told him that he could save thousands of dollars on a facelift in a foreign country, he was immediately interested in the option.

From JP’s first phone call to Satori World Medical, it was only one month later that he was on a plane to Thailand to receive his facelift at Samitivej Hospital, a leading Joint Commission International(JCI)-accredited hospital in Thailand. Below is JP’s own account of his experience. By choosing Satori World Medical for care, JP saved $7,000 on his facelift versus what that same procedure would have cost him in the U.S.

“I first learned about medical tourism and Satori World Medical from my friend, who was also going through the Satori program. When I discovered how much money I could save (as much as 50%) by traveling outside the U.S. to receive my procedure, I didn’t hesitate to contact Satori World Medical.

From the very first phone call to Satori, I was extremely impressed with the knowledgeable and caring support that was offered by Satori’s team of professionals.  Satori’s Director of Travel, Kevin Poling, assisted me in planning all aspects of my trip. He was always accessible and in constant communication with me at all times throughout the entire process.

At first, I felt a bit of apprehension with undergoing surgery outside the U.S. However, I was quickly put at ease by Kevin who assured me of the high quality of care I would receive at any of the international hospitals in the Satori Global Network™, as well as the fact that I would have their support and guidance every step of the way. Satori handled every detail of my trip, including helping me choose the best destination for my procedure, making all travel arrangements, including my flights, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation. Satori also arranged all details of my medical care, including scheduling my procedure, transferring my medical records to my destination hospital, and scheduling follow-up care for me in the U.S. upon my return. Overall, the support I received from Satori’s team was very professional and personalized.

After my initial consultation with Satori, I chose Samitivej Hospital in Thailand for my face lift procedure. Samitivej Hospital is particularly renowned for its excellence in plastic and cosmetic surgery.

When I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, I was greeted by my driver, who transported me to my hotel. When I arrived at my hotel, the Marriott Executive Apartments Mayfair, and checked in, I was very pleased with my amenities. The room was beautiful and completely comfortable.

The next morning, my driver picked me up at the Marriott to take me to Samitivej Hospital. The hospital was immaculate and very modern. My room was spacious and private, which was important to me. It even had a flat screen TV and a couch for guests, not to mention that the hospital offered room service from the restaurants within the campus!

But aside from the facility, the hospital’s caring medical staff was unbelievable. The nurses were fluent in English, eliminating any language barriers, and my surgeon was absolutely wonderful. He took the time to explain all details of the procedure and what to expect from the recovery process and had a very calming bedside manner.

The surgery went very quick and was relatively painless. It was only a couple hours later that I was comfortably back in my room recovering from surgery. After a quick two-day recovery period in the hospital, I then returned to my hotel to relax and recover. I even extended my stay in Thailand to enjoy the country for an additional week. I had a wonderful time!

Having worked in the U.S. health care industry for more than 10 years at Sharp HealthCare, the care I received at Samitivej Hospital was beyond comparable to the level of care I would have received in any U.S. hospital. Satori World Medical’s kind and knowledgeable team also made all of the difference in terms of ensuring the ease and comfort of my surgery and entire travel experience. I would not hesitate to undergo another surgery through the Satori World Medical program.”

By Ron Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Medical Officer, Satori World Medical

Recent news reports show increasing interest in medical tourism, or medical travel – but not just for uninsured patients seeking lower-cost care abroad. Several major US health insurance companies have started pilot projects offering medical travel, and others are considering it. Skyrocketing health care costs in the US has driven some of this interest. But is that the only reason?

I talked with Dr. Charles Cutler, who recently retired as the Chief Medical Director of National Accounts at Aetna, who developed a pilot international medical tourism program for Aetna, and who has joined the Medical Quality Advisory Board of Satori World Medical, the leader in Global Health Care Networks.

“The main reason is cost-savings for self-insured customers, such as Maine-based Hannaford Co. The benefits department of this multi-national corporation became aware of the cost differences in international care and a program was launched to send patients overseas for major elective surgery,” explained Dr. Cutler. Another reason is “disruptive market force” – as with the Hannaford program, faced with international prices, local hospitals lowered their prices. Dr. Cutler mentions a third reason: cultural issues. A large part of the US workforce is from a Mexican background; there are also large Asian Indian, Filipino and other nationalities. When faced with major elective surgery, they may wish to travel to their “home” country for care.

What are the challenges for US insurers going global? Just as with US providers, due diligence around the quality of the international institutions and physicians is important. Dr. Cutler says that “with something new, with financial incentives, there needs to be quality that is equal or better than the US. It’s just not feasible for health plans to do that due diligence, with the costs, extensive site visits, coordination of all the travel and other arrangements. It’s more cost-effective to have an organization perform those tasks, like Satori World Medical. It is more cost-effective to have Satori negotiate contracts, make travel arrangements, perform the due diligence to rigorous quality standards – including extensive site visits, to see that international hospitals meet or surpass US standards.

“It is important to see the facilities and experience the overall process if you are sending someone there” says Dr. Cutler. “The facilities need to meet US standards, have English-speaking staff and meet the expectations of US patients and companions.” Also, Satori is able to offer unique financial benefits through its Health and Shared Wealth Program.

Aside from the operational and logistical challenges – site visits, getting quality data from the hospitals, etc. – what are Satori’s challenges? Dr. Cutler: “There are some regulatory and legal issues, particularly with fully-insured plans. But the real challenge is working with the plans to overcome their objections: selling the concept.” That is becoming less of a challenge, as health care is commoditized, part of the global economy and everyone, including insurers, is becoming more comfortable with international health care.

The benefits are there: quality, service, cost-savings, “disruptive” competition, increased patient choice, cultural affinity – so interest in medical travel by US insurers will continue. And Satori World Medical is here to help.

By Steven Lash, President & Chief Executive Officer of Satori World Medical

Satori World Medical was pleased to announce on Wednesday that it has formed a relationship with GreenWood International Insurance Services (GWI), a Managing General Underwriter company based in Boston. Through this new association, our company is able to better serve self-funded employers seeking to offer Satori World Medical’s global healthcare program to their workforce.

As a result of this new relationship, GWI may provide its medical stop-loss underwriting services to employers that choose to offer Satori World Medical’s global healthcare program as an additional health plan benefit option for their employees. Medical stop-loss insurance is designed to help protect self-insured employers from absorbing a majority of the costs associated with high cost claims.

Satori World Medical’s relationship with GWI enables self-funded employers to ensure that international claims are provided for in stop-loss agreements, helping self-funded employers that choose to offer medical travel benefit programs to their employees address the financial liability concerns associated with an insured patient that is traveling abroad for care. This collaboration aligns directly with our company’s core commitment to provide high-quality, cost-effective global healthcare programs, and the necessary contracts and services to enable employers to easily add our program into their existing employee benefit plans.

Added Joseph Sullivan, President of GreenWood International Insurance Services, Inc., “The rising costs of healthcare continue to place a tremendous burden on U.S. companies. Therefore, we fully support innovative programs, such as Satori World Medical, designed to reduce the costs of healthcare across the board.”

For more details about Satori World Medical’s relationship with GWI, please view Satori World Medical’s full press release issued earlier this week.

By Keith Mendoza, Director of Sales, Satori World Medical

When I attended SIIA 29th Annual Educational Conference & Expo last week in Orlando, a large, annual trade show event for the self-insurance/alternative risk transfer industry, I was extremely excited to see the high level of interest among attendees in medical travel. This was evidence to me that global healthcare programs will play a viable and meaningful role in providing quality, affordable healthcare solutions for America’s self-insured employers and their workforce.

Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc. (SIIA), which hosts this annual event, is an industry association dedicated to serving all members of the self-insured market, including self-insured employers, captive insurance companies, risk retention groups, TPAs, industry service providers, and global healthcare entities/facilities. Self-Insurance has become an increasingly attractive option for many employers due to the rising costs associated with healthcare and Workers’ Compensation insurance.

In speaking with attendees about medical tourism, it became especially clear to me that while the idea of reducing healthcare costs for employers and their employees is compelling, the global healthcare models that will succeed in the self-insured marketplace will be those that 1) ensure high-quality care for participating employees and 2) offer a real incentive for employees to travel internationally for medical care. Satori World Medical’s program specifically meets both of these requirements.

• Medical Quality: Satori World Medical’s Quality Assurance Program™ has been built to provide access to high-quality care and promote safety for every patient who undergoes a surgical procedure through its program. Satori World Medical only contracts with international hospitals that are JCI-accredited and has a full-time Chief Medical Officer on staff that has personally visited and performed due diligence at each of the international hospitals within its network. Additionally, the company has an active Medical Quality Advisory Board (MQAB) comprised of physicians who are proven leaders in their sub-specialty field. Satori’s MQAB helps to establish guidelines around medical travel eligibility.

• Incentives for Employers and Employees to Participate: Unlike any other medical travel benefit program available today, Satori World Medical is the first to actually provide a direct and meaningful financial incentive for employees who choose to receive care internationally through its program. By undergoing a surgical procedure at a participating, in-network international hospital, the patient is eligible to receive thousands of dollars of savings via an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). These HRA funds can then be used to offset future medical expenses such as deductibles, copays and more. The HRA funds are tax-free to the employee and tax-deductible to the employer.

It is promising to see such a positive response to medical tourism within the self-insured marketplace, and to recognize how well our program meets the specific healthcare delivery needs and challenges of today’s self-funded employers.

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