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.