Medical tourism, also known as medical travel or global healthcare, is the rapidly-growing practice of traveling across international borders to obtain medical care. Below are the top questions I am asked when speaking to clients regarding implementing a medical travel benefit into an employee benefit plan.

1.       What can a medical travel benefit provide my employees?

A medical travel or medical tourism benefit can provide your employees an additional option in their health plans. Typically, a procedure through Satori’s Global Network is 40-80% less than US hospital and physician fees including medical and travel costs. Your employees receive high quality healthcare with access to the top surgeons in the world and the employee can take a companion with them. There are no co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles passed onto the employee and your company can realize real significant savings.

2.       Why choose Satori World Medical?

Satori’s unique Business & Care model is unlike any other medical tourism company in the marketplace.  What sets Satori apart from other medical travel facilitators is Satori’s Global Healthcare Network. Our network is comprised of the “Best of the Best” hospitals around the world and our robust Quality Program, led by our full-time Chief Medical Officer, ensures optimal delivery of care. In addition, our proprietary Health & Shared Wealth Program shares the economic savings with all insurers, employers, and individuals, and our program includes world-class client services and a companion care program. Satori offers fixed price case rates that include air travel, luxury hotel accommodations and ground transportation for the patient and companion, all on a convenient single bill in US dollars. 

3.       Are there any costs associated with adding Satori World Medical to our medical plan?

There are absolutely no charges associated with adding Satori to a medical plan. Satori World Medical does not charge a Per Employee Per Month (PEPM), network access fee, or rental fee for our program.  There are no monthly or recurring costs for embedding Satori into a health plan. There is no downside to adding the Satori Global Healthcare Network. It truly is a new innovative benefit for employers to provide their employees.

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 Keith Mendoza, Director of Sales of Satori World Medical

The continual rise in employer-funded healthcare costs has prompted more U.S. companies to explore innovative alternatives to traditional health insurance plans. As such, insurance brokers and advisors are continually looking to partner with companies that can provide solutions that lower employers’ healthcare costs while offering benefit programs that their employees will value.

Employers are now integrating medical travel programs into their benefit plan designs. Through such programs, their employees have the option to travel to international Joint Commission International (JCI) hospitals to undergo select surgical procedures at an average cost of 40-80 percent less when compared to a hospital in the U.S. That 40-80 percent savings is generated even after factoring in all hotel accommodations and roundtrip airfare for the patient and a companion.

Through medical travel programs, the employee who receives medical care internationally is able to retain dollars they would have otherwise spent if they had chosen to have their procedure done domestically. Employers who have incorporated a medical travel program allow the individual to waive their copays, deductibles and coinsurances. Additionally, a feature that is unique to the Satori World Medical program is its financial sharing concept, whereby a portion of the savings of global healthcare is passed along to the employee through a tax-advantaged, employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). Because the savings of global healthcare are so significant, many employers are establishing HRA’s and funding a portion of the savings generated to their employees.

Here’s how it works: An employee selects the employer option to go to Mexico for a major medical procedure through the Satori Global Network™. All out-of-pocket cost for the individual are waived and the employer deposits a fixed dollar amount (between $5,000-$10,000) in the employee’s HRA, representing an employee’s share of the savings. The funds deposited are tax-deductible to the employer and tax-free to the employee. The employee can then use those funds to pay for future medical expenses, such as premiums, deductibles, co-pays, prescriptions, and more. The funds roll over annually, so essentially the employee can cover their out-of-pocket medical expenses for several years by choosing to go internationally for a major medical procedure.

Why medical travel is attractive to employers and their employees:

• Significantly reduces healthcare cost. Employers have the opportunity to save dollars on their surgical claims experience. Many medical travel programs do not charge a Per Employee Per Month (PEPM) or network access fee. Savings are based on utilization, so there is no need to invest dollars in the medical travel program up front.
• Gives moderate income employees the opportunity to hold onto dollars otherwise allocated for out-of-pocket expenses. Typically, medical travel programs waive all out-of-pocket expenses for the employee and offer a cash incentive. A medical travel option empowers employees with the ability to choose where they receive their care based on quality and price. Employees have the opportunity to avoid going into medical debt for a major surgical episode. 
•  Meets the needs of a culturally diverse workforce. A large share of the workforce in the U.S. is comprised of Hispanics, Filipinos, Asian-Indians, Vietnamese, and Chinese employees. Companies with largely diverse workforces have a vested interest in meeting the health and welfare needs of their employees.

The fact is that opportunities and innovation in healthcare delivery exist all throughout the world, whether it’s in India, Mexico or Singapore. Embracing these opportunities allows organizations to be at the forefront of providing innovative alternatives to lowering healthcare costs. Medical travel essentially is a cost savings strategy that is tangible, and just makes sense.

By, Keith Mendoza, Director of Sales of Satori World Medical

Approximately 1 million Californians cross the border every year to seek medical and dental care in Mexico, as reported in a study done by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research. Many U.S. Hispanic employees living along the border have taken advantage of the increasingly popular option of accessing health services in Mexico, given that procedures can cost as low as one third of the price in the U.S. Cultural and linguistic preferences are also other strong motivators for Hispanic employees seeking medical care across the border.

Through The Satori Cross Border Network™, employees will gain access to high quality providers which include SIMNSA – Sistemas Medicos Nacionales, S.A. de C.V. SIMNSA physicians and clinics in Tijuana, Mexicali, Rosarito and Tecate. Members can choose over 200 certified physicians across the U.S.-Mexico border. This gives U.S. Hispanic employees & their dependents, who prefer to receive their care in Mexico, access to quality medical care at a reduced cost. Moreover, all network claims are submitted to the plan sponsor in English using U.S. insurance industry standards.

Additionally, employees can choose Satori Global Network™ hospitals for non-emergency surgical procedures at our contracted JCI accredited hospitals, located in the Western Mexico and Costa Rica. Some of the surgical procedures available are Cardiac, Orthopedic, Bariatric and Spine.

Features & Benefits
• Over 200 primary care physicians and specialists along the California/Mexico Border
• Medical clinics are in close proximity to border
• Grupo Medyca, a state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center
• Provides practical and economical healthcare to both employers and their cross border workforce
• Online Lab Results through InterLab , one of the most modern and technically advanced laboratories in Mexico
• Digital Records give any participating physician the capability to view patient’s medical records online, 24 hours a day
• Information Safeguards meets specific HIPAA and other electronic medical record standards

Significant cost savings combined with the access to high quality, culturally sensitive facilities in Mexico makes a Cross Border program an attractive option to the California workforce.

For more information about The Satori World Medical’s Cross Border Network™, visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/crossborder or email Keith Mendoza at k.mendoza@satoriworldmedical.com

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Customer Service

Due to the high costs of plastic surgery in the U.S., many Americans are now packing their bags and heading to exotic destinations to have surgery at a fraction of the cost of what they would pay here in the states.

Countries all over the world such as Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico, and Brazil are world-renowned for their medical care. Plastic surgery is no exception. What’s the difference between cosmetic surgery in the U.S. and say in Thailand? One word, cost. The U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world, including plastic surgery. Average savings on care can be as much a 50% when compared with the U.S., while the quality of the care delivered rivals that of top U.S. hospital institutions.

The trend of medical tourism, Americans traveling outside the U.S. for medical care is becoming more common. Let’s look at the top plastic surgery procedures for these medical tourists:

• Breast augmentation: Involves using implants for fuller breasts or to restore breast volume due to a mastectomy following breast cancer or other illness.

• Tummy Tuck: A tummy tuck, also commonly referred to as abdominoplasty, is whereby excess fat and skin from the abdominal area is surgically removed. Tummy tucks are a type of procedure typically for medical tourists seeking weight loss and a tighter, slimmer waistline.

• Facelift: Facelifts are another common procedure for those looking to reduce wrinkles and the aging of the face and neck. Facelifts are popular among both men and women.

• Eyebrow Lift: An eyebrow lift is a surgical procedure designed to make an individual’s brow line and forehead regions more youthful. Both men and women (45-70 years of age) are common candidates for an eyebrow lift.

• Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is a procedure sought after by women and men of all ages who want to improve the shape and look of their nose. Rhinoplasty involves reshaping an individual’s nose surgically to achieve a more attractive look. Rhinoplasty is commonly performed in many hospitals and cosmetic surgery specialty centers around the world.

If you are interested in saving as much as 50% on your next cosmetic procedure, consider becoming a medical tourist. You can get the same high quality care you desire without breaking the bank.

For more information about Satori World Medical’s Plastic Surgery Global Network, visit http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/plastics/

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical

Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.

The fifth of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is New Delhi, the capitol city of India.

Your ‘to do list’ while in New Delhi:

• Visit the Akshardham Temple on the outer edge of the city
• Take a spin at Connaught Place
• Go watch the Dances of India – a nightly performance of regional dance
• Make your rounds shopping at Ansal Plaza
• Explore the back alleys of Chandni Chowk for great value on jewelry and more

Transportation

New Delhi is a planned city, and thus, has a vast web of efficient public transportation. Private vehicles make up less than a third of the total transportation demand within the city! There are over 15 subways, over 2,700 bus stops, and a metro railway that can get commuters from place to place quickly. Delhi’s bus system is the largest fleet of environmentally friendly buses in the world. Taxis are also readily available, however aren’t as widely used because the public transport is so easy to get along with. Rental car services are also widely available.

Shopping

Shop for great deals on designer brands where the locals shop – Ansal Plaza. Here you will find great high-end items that are unique, and there is a wide variety of items and styles that will not break the bank. If you are in search of handmade items, but do not feel like haggling with the locals, pay a visit to the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. This is a huge store, with six floors of goods ranging from paintings and clothing, to textiles and furniture.

Culture

Many places in Delhi (greater metropolitan area) radiate hundreds of years of Indian culture. Visitors should stop by the Jama Masjid mosque, which was built over 350 years ago, and took 14 years to complete. This giant mosque is the largest in India and its courtyard has a maximum occupancy of 25,000 people! Another sight to see is the Qutb Minar. This tall tower marks the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi, and the new Islamic ruling in India over 800 years ago. The construction of this tower spanned nearly 200 years, and it’s five stories rise to over 200 feet!

Dining

Like any other popular destination, India is home to the usual suspects of world cuisine. Italian, Asian, and even American food can be found in New Delhi… However, the Indian food in Delhi is hard to beat. Who would have thought? There are a lot of chicken dishes to be found here, from kebabs to butter chicken. Tandoori dishes are a favorite, as well as curry. Vegetarians will love India, as vegetables are an integral part of all indian food.

View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Delhi
[2] http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/delhi

Brad H., a 63-year-old man from Palm Springs, California traveled to Bangkok, Thailand in September to undergo a facelift. Below is a recap of Brad’s medical travel experience:

I had heard about medical tourism through friends and the media, and I knew that people were traveling to exotic destinations to have medical procedures. When I heard about Satori World Medical in San Diego, I really felt like this was the best company for me.

I contacted Satori and spoke with Kevin Poling, the company’s Director of Customer Service. Kevin was very knowledgeable and helpful. Initially, I had some reservations about the care I would receive but after I spoke with Kevin, I felt assured I would have a positive experience.

I decided to go to Samitivej Hospital in Thailand for my facelift. I can’t say enough about Satori’s staff, their customer service was outstanding. They handled every aspect of my trip and medical procedure, making all my travel arrangements and transferring my medical records. The service and support I received really helped me understand and feel comfortable about the process and what to expect from the experience.

I traveled to Thailand in September. I was really impressed with the quality of the hospital. I had never before seen a hospital room with so many amenities. My room even had a flat screen TV. The service at the hospital was exceptional. The medical and nursing staff were very attentive and my surgeon was great. He took the time to explain my procedure and the recovery process. I had my facelift and saved over $7,000 on my procedure! Overall I had a great experience and I wouldn’t think twice about doing it again.

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel of Satori World Medical

Satori World Medical offers many choices in destinations to receive medical care. Whether you are traveling internationally for a shoulder or knee replacement or even a cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, you and your companion can take some extra time on your trip to enjoy the amenities of your hotel and experience the rich cultural areas in which our International Centers of Excellence are located.

The first of the destination cities of the Satori Global Network™ I am highlighting is Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, and fifth largest city proper in the world with a population of 12.6 million. Istanbul is also a megacity, as well as the cultural and financial centre of Turkey [1].

Your ‘to do list’ while in Istanbul:

• Take a tour of the Bosphorus
• Take a quick city bus tour of Istanbul
• Experience shopping like you never have before
• Try some fresh seafood on the Bosphorus
• Listen to live music at one of many venues throughout the city
• Explore the cultural richness and history at one of Istanbul’s renowned museum
• Create your own adventure! Istanbul is home to many avenues and cosmopolitan districts which are just waiting to be explored… You won’t have to go far to find a new and exciting experience!

Transportation

Istanbul is connected via a series of railways, trams, funiculars, a light rail transit system, as well as busses, various motorways and plenty of sea transportation. The city is mostly surrounded by sea, so there are many ferry and sea bus systems available to explore surrounding areas, such as the Princes’ Islands.

Tours

Many tour programs are available, especially throughout the summer months, when tour boats take many tourists up the Bosphorus, while making stops on the Asian side and in Anadolu Kavagi. There, tourists can enjoy live music and dine on fresh fish. City bus tours are also available throughout Istanbul, and often cover most popular areas of the city within a couple hours. This gives tourists an opportunity to seek out areas of interest, and easily return to explore them more thoroughly.

Shopping

Istanbul is a shopping Mecca, and tourists can find anything from modern world class brands, to spices, jewelry, and more in any of the cities shopping districts. Many places such as the Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar are known for finding one of a kind items, as well as a vast selection of crafts and pottery from the thousands of shops and vendors located within. Modern shopping malls are also found throughout the city, and shoppers can treat themselves to luxury items from around Asia, Europe and also a large collection of world-famous fashion brands.

Culture

There are many entertainment options throughout Istanbul, as the city is becoming increasingly rich in cultural, social, and tourist-friendly activities. Year round, one can catch an opera, ballet, or enjoy Turkish theater, while seasonal festivals offer world class orchestras and concerts featuring many world famous musicians.

There are many renowned museums throughout the city, including the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, which is one of the largest archaeological museums in the world. Istanbul Modern is an art museum which frequently hosts exhibitions from famous artists worldwide (not to mention a great website!). There are also other historical museums which feature vintage machines and transportation vessels from the past including trains, submarines, aircraft, and other items. Truly a great collection of both modern and past perspectives! [2]

Dining

Istanbul is known for its seafood and wine houses, which can be found lining the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea on the southern end of the city. There are also numerous cafes, pubs, taverns, and open air spaces, in which tourists can experience live music and local talent first hand. Contact us today to speak to a Travel Care Coordinator and get started on your medical travel experience.

View more of Satori World Medical’s popular destinations

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul
[2] http://english.istanbul.com/

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 Steven Lash, President & CEO of Satori World Medical

Last week in South Lake Tahoe, California, Satori World Medical was proud to sponsor The California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) 27th Annual Fall Conference and Training Seminar.  CAJPA, founded in 1981, is the premier organization setting standards for cooperative and fiscally responsible governance enabling California local agencies to work together in the area of risk management.  CAJPA represents public entity Joint Powers Authority’s (JPA) that provide risk management services and insurance programs to cities, counties, school  districts and special districts.  A JPA, is a government-regulated public entity formed by two or more public agencies.  CAJPA members employ over 800,000 people and provide local government services to nearly all California residents.  Despite the current economic climate CAJPA’s annual conference continues to be the largest educational meeting for the risk management pooling industry in the nation.

Today’s skyrocketing costs of healthcare in the U.S. continue to place a tremendous financial burden on California’s public sector entities and their workforce.  At Satori World Medical, we believe in providing innovative solutions to lowering the cost of healthcare for both private and public entities.  Based in San Diego, California, our company was excited to present our global healthcare program to the key decision makers for California school districts, fire agencies, housing authorities and other entities.

Medical travel benefit options are becoming increasingly appealing to more employers, especially within the public sector space.  With the rising cost of healthcare, especially for early retiree populations and the need to lower GASB 45 liability coupled with the current budget crisis in California, there is now more than ever a greater need to find ways to lower healthcare expenses without eliminating choice, quality or benefits.  Through our program, public entities can offer their workforce a 100% new medical benefit at no cost to the organization.  The employer saves real dollars on their claims expense and the employee gets an additional choice as to where to obtain their healthcare and receive an economic benefit.

Through Satori’s Health & Shared Wealth Program™, the individual who selects to go internationally for a covered non-emergent surgical procedure has no out-of-pocket expenses, all co-pays and deductibles are waived.  Additionally, their employer will fund between $5,000-$10,000 into a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) which the employee can then use to offset future medical expenses.  What’s unique about a HRA is the funds deposited are tax-free to the employee and tax-deductible to the employer.  HRA funds roll over annually and can be used toward future out-of-pocket expenses such as co-pays, deductibles, premiums, prescriptions, and more.  Our program is so novel, that we have filed a patent around the business model and method.

The response from the public sector community has been extremely positive.  Employers love our quality programs, our patient centric philosophy and being empowered to give their workforce an additional healthcare option with a direct financial reward to the consumer that ultimately makes the decision.  Our membership with CAJPA and our sponsorship of their annual conference, demonstrates our commitment to providing high quality, innovative healthcare solutions to the public sector space.  We are very excited to be a part of this organization.