By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel, Satori World Medical

The most common questions I get asked when it comes to flying are: When is the best time to fly? Which seats have the most legroom? How early do I have to arrive at the airport?  Below are a few answers to those frequently asked questions, as well as some helpful tips to reduce your chances of encountering problems when flying.

• Fly in the morning. Typically, the least expensive and less delayed flights are the first flights out in the morning and red-eye flights. When choosing a flight that departs early morning, there is less likely to be a significant delay, when compared to an afternoon flight, which is a preferred time to fly. Once the air traffic systems experiences problems and delays, the domino effect can continue throughout the entire day.
• Reserve a good seat. Emergency exit row seats usually offer the most legroom and depending on the plane, “bulkhead seats” (seats that are directly behind a wall or curtain) can be slightly more spacious, since there is no passenger reclining their seat in front of you. If you want to experience the smoothest possible flight, reserve a seat towards the front of the cabin. Turbulence, as well as engine noise, is usually greater in the back of the aircraft.
• Arrive at the airport early. The general rule-of-thumb is to arrive at the airport for a domestic flight 60 minutes prior to the departure time if you are not checking baggage and 90 minutes if you are. Try to arrive 2 hours early when flying to international destinations. It is recommended to leave even earlier if you are flying with children, bringing a lot of luggage, or traveling during peak holiday seasons.
• Plan enough time between flights. It is tempting to book a connecting flight with the shortest layover, but make sure to leave enough time to exit the aircraft and make it to the other gate, which can be at the opposite end of the airport. To be safe, it is recommended to leave about an hour to an hour and a half between flights.

You can read more useful flying and travel tips here.

Happy Travels,

Kevin

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Traveling for people with back or neck pain can be demanding. Cramped airplane seats, carrying heavy luggage and sitting for an extended period of time can all aggravate the pain. The following tips can help reduce back and neck discomfort while traveling.

1.    Lift with your legs

Always use your knees and leg muscles to lift heavy luggage, rather than your back muscles. Also, remember to distribute the weight of a bag evenly on both sides of your body to avoid strains.

2.    Bring a pillow

Bring a lumbar support pillow to make your cramped airplane seat more comfortable and to support your lower back. You can also pack an inflatable neck pillow to help avoid neck strain during sleep.

 3.    Pack light

Not only is a heavy bag a burden to carry around, but it can also strain back and neck muscles when lifting into overhead bins or into the trunk of a car. Make sure to pack light and for less hassle, check all your suitcases. If you decide to take a carryon item, bring a bag with wheels and a handle.

4.    Walk around the cabin

Sitting in the same position for a long time can cause stiffness and back pain. Try to walk up and down the aisles of the airplane every hour. Also, try these in-flight exercises to keep your blood flowing during the flight.

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

A passport is your key to unlock the doors of international travel. Below are a few helpful passport tips before you travel abroad.

1. Apply early. Processing times can vary, but once you have applied for a passport, it can take approximately 4-6 weeks to receive it. However with an additional fee, you can get it within 2 weeks by applying for the expedited service. As of 2010, applying for a U.S. passport costs $135 and the fee for renewing one will cost $110.
2. Check the expiration date. Make sure your passport is up-to-date. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.  The U.S. Department of State recommends renewing your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Passports are valid for 10 years.
3. Sign your passport. Make sure your passport is signed and the emergency information page is filled out.
4. Check to see if you need a visa. Some countries require a visa to enter their country. Check the U.S. Department of State’s website to see if the country you are traveling to require a visa stamp.
5. Make a copy. Before you travel abroad, make a couple photocopies of your passport’s identification pages, just in case it gets lost or stolen during your travels. Keep one copy with you and leave the other one with someone at home.
6. Take advantage of the passport card. If your travel plans only involve land or sea border crossing (e.g.: Canada, Mexico, or a cruise to the Caribbean/Bermuda) you may want to purchase a passport card, an alternative to the regular passport booklet. The passport card is very convenient since it is credit card-sized and less expensive than a passport booklet. A passport card costs $55.

 Happy travels,

Kevin

Don’t forget to check your email for the December issue of Medical Travel Market Watch, or if you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit the home page of www.satoriworldmedical.com and enter an e-mail address in the newsletter sign-up field.

Below is part of the President’s Perspective segment from the current issue. To read the entire newsletter click here.

As 2010 comes to a close and reflecting on the events and activities this past year, I am reminded that innovation can be more evolutionary then revolutionary. This past year has seen health care reform become the law of the land and our economy (and the global economy) suffering the worst recession in several generations.  It has been quite a year.  Despite these incredible landscape-altering events, I see a continual and steady growth in the global health care sector and am bullish about the adoption curve for our program.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that was signed into law in March of this year changes the way health care is delivered and financed in the U.S. will play a significant role in the growth of medical travel.  Although the PPACA is phased in over several years with many key provisions not fully effective until 2014, we are already beginning to see the changes it will bring to businesses, insurance companies and consumers.  With the addition of 40 million Americans having access to health insurance, there will be increased demand for health care services. This coupled with an already existing shortage of nurses and doctors and an aging baby boomer population, queuing for medical care will be a natural by-product, making medical travel an attractive option.

Satori is always looking for suggestions, feedback and guest columnists for Medical Travel Market Watch. People with comments regarding the newsletter can send them to newsletter@satoriworldmedical.com.

Satori World Medical Partners with ICSVEBA as Medical Travel Facilitator

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Jet lag, a condition that results from long distance transmeridian travel, affects most travelers and even the most seasoned fliers. Symptoms may include fatigue, insomnia and headaches. It is said that it takes about one day per time zone crossed to adjust to the local time. Below are a few simple tips to reduce the effects of jet lag.

1. Rest beforehand. Get plenty of sleep the week prior to your flight. Adjusting your bedtime by an hour or two a day, a couple weeks before your trip, can also help you avoid the effects of jet lag.  Also, planning a flight that is scheduled to arrive at your destination as near to the time when you normally go to bed will help with the adjustment. While flying, remember to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as these can disrupt sleeping schedules.
2. Adjust your watch. Change your watch to the destination time immediately when you board the plane. This helps your body start changing its internal clock. You can start adjusting sleeping and eating hours on the plane to match the destination time.
3. Adapt to local time. Immediately upon arrival at your destination, try to adapt to the local time. If it is daytime, be active and get exposure to daylight. This is a great, natural way of allowing your body to adjust to the new time zone. Also, try to avoid afternoon naps and eating earlier or later than usual.

Read all travel tips here: http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/blog/category/travel-tips/

Happy travels,

Kevin Poling

In this month’s issue of Agent’s Sales Journal, Satori World Medical provides insight on why medical travel is a viable option for every health plan.  Below is part of the article “Innovations in Employer-Funded Health Care: Medical Tourism”.

Read the entire article in the November issue of Agent’s Sales Journal, or read it online at: http://www.asjonline.com/Exclusives/2010/11/Pages/Innovations-in-EmployerFunded-Health-Care-Medical-Tourism-.aspx

The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) addresses access, but most health care economists agree that medical expenses will continue to rise. As this happens, more employers will be forced to shift a larger portion of health care costs to their employees in order to remain profitable. Medical travel, which has received increased interest from U.S. residents and employers, is now a highly attractive and viable option to businesses and their employees that may help consumers deal with the increased load that they must bear.

Medical travel defined

The practice of travelling across international borders to obtain health care – medical travel, also known as medical tourism or global health care – has increased significantly in popularity over the past decade. Travelers seek both elective and specialized surgical procedures, such as joint replacement; cardiac, bariatric, and cosmetic procedures; and major dental work.

A number of factors are driving this trend, including:

• The high quality of international medical care and the ability to reduce a U.S. patient’s out-of-pocket expenses for typically high-cost surgical procedures
• The cultural diversity of the US workforce
• The ease of the adoption and integration of global health care benefits into a plan design

By Dr. Ron Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Satori World Medical

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. DVT risk is increased on long flights due to immobility in cramped seats. As I mentioned in the last health tip, drinking enough liquids, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, wearing loose clothing and physical activity can all help prevent DVT.

In addition to walking around the cabin of the aircraft every hour, try these simple in-flight circulation exercises to keep your blood flowing during lengthy flights:

1. Ankle Circles—Stretch your legs out under the seat in front of you. Lift one leg slightly and rotate your foot clockwise at the ankle and then counter clockwise. Repeat with your other leg.
2. Heel Raises—Lift the balls of your feet so that only your heels are on the floor. Hold this position for five seconds and then lower your feet. Repeat 10 times.
3. Knee Lifts—Sitting straight up, keep your knee bent and lift your thigh so that you’re flexing at the hip. Alternate legs.
4. Toe Curls—Curl your toes and release. Also try pressing your toes down against the floor or wiggling them inside your shoes.
5. Overhead Stretches – Raise both hands straight up over your head, as far as you can. Hold stretch for 15 seconds.

Have a safe flight!

Below is part of the article, “Healthcare Reform: Driving a Trend Toward Medical Travel” which was featured in the October issue of California Broker Magazine. Read the entire article in last month’s issue of California Broker Magazine, or read it online here: http://www.calbrokermag.com/october-2010-california-broker/#medicaltourism

The Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act (PPACA) is being phased in over many years with many provisions not becoming fully effective until 2014. But, we are already seeing the changes it will bring to businesses, insurance companies, and consumers. It will address access to healthcare, but most healthcare economists agree that medical expenses will keep rising.

As healthcare expenses continue to increase, more employers are being forced to shift a larger portion of healthcare costs to their employees. Medical travel is a highly attractive healthcare option for businesses and employees and it has been getting more interest from U.S. residents.

Understanding Medical Travel

Medical travel, also known as “medical tourism” or “global healthcare,” is not new, but it has become much more popular over the past decade. Simply stated, it is the practice of traveling across international borders to get healthcare. Travelers seek specialized elective surgical procedures, such as joint replacement, cardiac surgery, bariatric surgery, cosmetic procedures, and major dental work.

Some of the world’s emerging economic powerhouses are focusing on medical travel to help drive their economic expansion and employ their highly educated and skilled work force.

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Follow these tips to protect your credit while traveling overseas.

1. Call your bank. Before you leave for your trip, let your credit card company or bank know that you will be traveling out of the country. Banks constantly monitor their customers’ accounts for fraud, so an international charge can raise a red flag and have your card suspended and your purchases declined.
2. Research foreign transaction fees. It can be expensive to use a credit card abroad. Call the credit card issuing company to check on their foreign transaction fees. Some cards have lower transaction fees than others. However, some can add 3-5 percent to the cost of foreign purchases.
3. Pick a card compatible with your destination country. Not all credit cards are widely accepted in other counties. Research which credit cards are accepted in your destination country.
4. Do not bring all your credit cards. Do bring a couple credit cards, just in case one is not accepted or is lost or stolen.
5. Always bring a debit card. Not all countries permit cash advances on credit cards.
6. Carry local currency. Always carry some cash with you, just in case some smaller stores do not accept credit cards, have a minimum purchase amount, or your card is rejected. Use cash when making smaller purchases and credit cards for larger ones.
7. Save your receipts. Saving receipts can ensure you are tracking expenses and not being charged for something you didn’t buy. After you return home, be sure to double check your credit card statements. Make sure you are not overcharged on any purchases or see any suspicious charges.

Happy travels,

Kevin