Medical Tourism in Thailand

Avoid long term debt caused by medical bills

2007-05-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

A Hip Resurfacing Surgery for just over $7,000! When Kathie Hagler’s medical tourism facilitator, Thailand4Healthcare, informed her she could get her hip replaced for only $7,143 she wondered if it was too good to be true. The only catch was she would have to travel to Thailand for her treatment - a move which eventually saved her over 80% off the price tag in the US.

Aware of the potential benefits of medical tourism - quality as well as savings - Americans are traveling increasingly to countries like Thailand, India, Singapore and next door, to Mexico for medical care. Surgeries in the US that can lead to years of debt and even bankruptcy are available at a fraction of cost outside the US. But some questions still remain - "How can it be so much cheaper there?" and "Is the quality as good as at home?"

The high administrative and labor costs in the US help explain the high cost of medicine in the USA. Other countries Thailand that are in the Thailand4Healthcare network have much lower cost of labor and so are able to offer a cheaper price. Not only less expensive but the quality of care and attention far exceeds that typically available in US hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Quality is of utmost concern when it comes to healthcare. But when you log on to www.medicaltourisminthailand.com or www.thailand4healthcare, you will see that the hospitals on its network are internationally accredited with JCI, JCAHO or ISO certifications. This essentially means that the same organization that monitors service quality and care in US hospitals also watches over those that are abroad. So the quality of care delivered is either the same or superior when compared with that back home.

Thailand4Healthcare researches the hospitals and doctors throughout Thailand to find the very best doctors and prices for particular procedures and treatments for their patients

According to Kathie Hagler, a 48-year old South Carolina medical tourist, "The quality of care is beyond excellence. On every level, from the first thing in the morning and throughout the day and night, it's personal and excellent."

Medical tourism is the solution for those who have been waiting for a health miracle and for those who think good quality care is not affordable. For Kathie, it meant the beginning of a new life. Thailand4Healthcare gave her hope when she had lost all hope. She exclaimed after her successful rehab, "I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my life. I went from having no quality of life back to a 100% life. The overall experience - I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Medical tourism with Thailand4Healthcare - It is your gateway to affordable healthcare.

Affordable Health Care

2007-05-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

Affordable Health Care Affordable health care is an important issue in the U.S. The National Coalition on Health Care says Americans spent $1.9 trillion on health care in 2004. The cost is rapidly escalating at more than three times the rate of inflation. By 2015, health care costs are expected to exceed $4 trillion.Many Americans have health insurance to help cover medical expenses. But as the cost of health insurance premiums increases, fewer people are able to afford the coverage. Increasing premiums are also hitting those with company sponsored group plans.

Many employers are passing the added cost onto their employees, who may be unable to absorb the increased cost and/or higher deductibles.The National Coalition on Health Care reports the number of people without health insurance in the U.S. has increased by 6.8 million over the past five years. Currently, 46.6 million Americans are without health insurance.Lack of insurance can place a patient at risk for serious medical problems. Patients may forego wellness visits, screenings for cancer or chronic medical conditions or follow-up care after an illness or surgery.

One-third of those who are uninsured report they have not filled a prescription in 2003 because they were unable to afford the cost of the medicine. The lack of timely care may mean patients who do eventually seek help are sicker and require more costly treatment. Many patients wait to seek help in an emergency room.Looking Elsewhere The high cost of health care is leading some people to seek medical care abroad – in such unlikely places as Thailand, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore or South Africa. The trend is being called, medical tourism.Ann Marie Kimball, M.D. is an Epidemiologist at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is also a Global Health Expert and the author of a book entitled, Risky Trade. Kimball says medical tourism appeals to three main groups of people.

The first group includes those who have no insurance or are self-insured and would be required to pay for the treatment out-of-pocket. The second group comprises patients who want to remain anonymous when having cosmetic surgery or a sex change operation. The third group includes transplant patients who are unable to find a suitable donor in the U.S.Financial savings are a big incentive for medical tourism.

In some places a medical procedure can cost as little as one-tenth of the same treatment in the U.S. Add in airfare, hotel stays, meals – even extra vacation tours – and the cost is often still significantly less than in the U.S. In one report, a patient needing a new heart valve was facing a $200,000 bill for the surgery if done in the U.S. He traveled to India and received the surgery for only $6,700. Lodging for post-operative care and airfare cost an additional $1,500. The total bill - $8,200 – was a fraction of what he would have spent had he decided to have the procedure at home.Some experts worry prospective patients will see only the cost savings and not the risks of medical tourism. Patients are away from family, friends and others who can provide comfort. This is even more of a concern if post-operative complications extend the stay.

Language barriers can lead to miscommunications. Cultural difference can be a difficult adjustment for some people. Patients may have a higher risk of infection. One study found transplant patients who went overseas for a new kidney had good kidney function and organ survival. However, the patients experienced a high rate of post-transplant infections. For six of them, the infections were life-threatening. If something goes wrong during the procedure, or a medical error is made, patients may have little recourse for damages. There is also the risk that if a patient develops problems later, doctors in the U.S. may be reluctant to provide follow-up care.Weighing the Risks Supporters of medical tourism say that while the destinations may not be considered “prime” tourist spots, health care quality is usually top-notch. Generally, the hospitals and clinics that cater to overseas patients have some of the best trained physicians – many of whom received their medical degree and board certification in the U.S. Over 100 foreign hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International, a partner of the same organization that accredits U.S. hospitals. (For a list of those hospitals, log onto http://www.jointcommissioninternational.com/10241 .)

Hospitals that actively seek foreign patients rely on word-of-mouth to get patients. So they go out of their way to ensure patients are happy with their care. There are often private, luxurious rooms and extra nurses and health care aides to assist patients.Patients who are considering overseas surgery need to do a thorough investigation of their treatment options and discuss the possible venture with their family health care provider. Kimball does not recommend medical tourism for transplant patients because they may be more at risk for acquiring an infectious disease on the plane ride home. However, common procedures that require minimal follow-up, like gall bladder removal, hernia repair, hysterectomy or joint replacement, may be viable options.

Kimball worries that as more countries cater to foreign patients, the cost of health care will become out of reach for the poorest in those countries. She is also concerned that companies seeking to lower their health insurance costs may one day require their employees to travel overseas for “cheaper” treatments.Several companies provide packaged services to patients seeking overseas surgery. Consumers need to make sure they read the fine print and understand the risks of overseas travel and total expected costs (including possible unexpected or uncovered expenses) before signing a contract.On April 26-27, the Joint Commission is holding a conference on the future of hospital care around the world. One of the key topics of the event is medical tourism.

Ironically, while many U.S. citizens are seeking medical care overseas, some hospitals in this country are a destination for some of the world’s wealthiest patients.

Medical tourism - a global trend

2007-04-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Every 30 seconds in the United States someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem — Harvard School of Public Health
by Lori Blackman and Allan Schweyer
Global Services

Twenty years ago only a wealthy few traveled overseas for medical procedures. Most patients were from developing countries and most hospitals and clinics were American. Today, a more significant offshore health-care industry is forming; the patients are still wealthy by world standards but they are flowing in the opposite direction — from the West to East and North to South — and in much larger numbers.
Medical tourism is booming across South-East Asia and India . Already, private hospitals across Asia treat almost 1.5 million foreign patients per year, and the number is expected to be more than triple this decade. The nascent industry is fueled by long wait lines for elective (and often non elective) procedures, spiraling costs and sheer demand in the West, as populations grow older and live longer.
Nurse and physician shortages in North America and Western Europe are driving the costs of medical procedures higher even as wait times increase. Knee-replacement surgery, for example, averages about $50,000 in the U.S. compared to just $6,000 in Thailand . Everything from complex cataract removal to heart surgery can cost as little as one-eighth in India compared to U.S. costs, including travel and accommodation.
In India and Singapore , many hospitals have already attained U.S. Joint Commission International accreditation. Moreover, some facilities such as the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Center in India perform literally thousands of heart operations each year with a post-surgery mortality rate of only 0.8% — significantly less than that of most major hospitals in the U.S.
Already, health care is the number one government expense in Western nations with universal health-care coverage. In the U.S. it is a $2.2 trillion business that is growing more than 20% per year — faster than any other sector. By 2015, global health care will likely eclipse tourism (currently $6.5 trillion) as the world's largest industry.
WHILE THE FAST GROWTH OF MEDICAL TOURISM SEEMS CERTAIN, CONSUMERS ARE LIKELY TO BE THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES.
Given the pressure on Western health-care systems, it seems inevitable that offshore medicine will grow exponentially. The consequences of this growth are many with respect to the availability and demand for global health-care talent. Gone are the days when Indian and Asian physicians and nurses moved en masse to the U.S. , Canada and Europe . Today, the opportunity to work in new, state-of-the-art facilities, in places like Kerala ( India ) and Penang ( Malaysia ), are keeping local talent at home.
As with other types of services that have been offshored, medical tourism is currently driven by cost. This may remain the dominant driver for decades to come but as the developing world adds more facilities and global competition for patients intensifies, hospitals will begin to specialize and innovate. Some will focus on cardian versus cosmetic surgery, for example, or build a reputation in assisted reproductive technologies In this way, global medicine will mirror other industries that have been offshored before it.
Where government is a partner, countries and regions may attempt to develop similar specializations. Australia may have a natural advantage in skin cancer research and treatment, for example. The U.S.A. , Britain or perhaps Japan might lead the way in geriatric care and prosthetic technologies. India might focus on complex heart surgery. Specialization of this sort may lead to faster breakthroughs and cures for disease.
Hospitals and clinics worldwide will also differentiate on service in general. Five-star hotel-type rooms, gourmet food, on-site Starbucks, movie theaters, workout facilities, even spas are already appearing, as are small touches like limousine airport pickup and drop off and programs for accompanying family members
While the fast growth of medical tourism seems certain, no one can yet say where it will take us. But, on the whole, consumers are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries.

Have surgery, go sightseeing

2007-03-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

WOULD you be willing to have nonurgent medical procedures done overseas, if you could recover in a fine hotel and your employer not only picked up all the costs, but actually paid you for having the work done outside the United States?
You may be faced with that decision, if HR Magazine is right in its prediction that “medical tourism” will become one of the benefits corporations will be offering soon.
Medical tourism, or medical travel as it is also called, involves traveling to “respected medical facilities” in countries like India, Thailand or Singapore to have non-life-threatening medical procedures done, Betty Liddick writes. “It also often involves recuperation at a resort, or tourist destination, all for less than what treatment alone would cost in the United States.”
The price is obviously the appeal to employers. According to examples cited in the article “Going the Distance for Health Savings,” the cost of sending a worker overseas for procedures like removing a gallbladder can be at least 50 percent less than that of having the work done in the United States, even if the employer pays for the worker to spend recovery time in a fine hotel.
To encourage employees to go overseas, some companies are willing to give employees a percentage of what is saved in medical costs.
The crucial question about medical tourism, which Ms. Liddick describes as a “small but growing health care trend,” is, of course, whether the quality of care is equal to what could be received at home.
“No one knows the answer to that,” said one expert quoted in the article. “Frankly, we’re not in a position to meaningfully evaluate and compare American hospitals, let alone offshore ones.”

Surgery in the sun lures patients to Thailand

2007-03-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

By Rosalind Russell BANGKOK, March 7 (Reuters) - When June Flowers woke up in her small Ohio town one winter's morning, unable to move because of back pain, she never dreamt she would fly to the other side of the world to undergo surgery that she couldn't afford at home. One of 40 million Americans with no health insurance, the part-time cashier who had never been outside the United States became a "medical tourist" to a hospital with a strange-sounding name in the Thai capital, Bangkok, a city she knew nothing about. "When we think of Asia, we think of run-down huts, poverty and disease," said Flowers, 47. Few places could dispel that image more forcefully than Bumrungrad International, a luxurious hospital with a Starbucks in the lobby and an Italian restaurant upstairs. From the graceful receptionists in tailored silk suits to the plush carpets and spacious rooms -- everything is designed to give the hospital the look and feel of a five-star hotel. Unable to pay the $30,000 that U.S. surgeons would charge to operate on her herniated disc, Flowers had spent more than three years trying to keep the pain at bay with chiropractic treatments and cortisone injections. Watching the "60 Minutes" television show in 2005, she learned about Bumrungrad, where most of the doctors are Western trained but the cost of treatment is about one eighth of that in the United States. It was a daunting but tempting prospect. "My son said to me 'Mom, don't you know that's a third world country?'. But the surgery there cost just $3,500. I knew right then I had to go." OUTSOURCING Thailand, famous for its beaches, temples and nightlife, is a leading destination for medical tourism. Bumrungrad offers everything from heart bypass surgery to chemotherapy and breast enlargement procedures. It treated 450,000 foreign patients last year -- more than any other hospital in the world. Competition is strong from the Apollo Hospitals group in India, which is also courting Americans looking for cost savings and Europeans unhappy with long waiting times at home. Health care could soon follow the flight of manufacturing, services and software development to the developing world where a lower cost of living translates to cheaper treatment, said Ruben Toral, Bumrungrad's marketing director. "We believe that medical tourism will eventually lead to medical outsourcing," Toral told Reuters. "Your corporation, your insurer, your government could send you here for surgery and make significant savings." Meanwhile, individuals are already outsourcing their own health care and encouraging friends and family to do the same in a word-of-mouth market. "This is where all my family will come now. If there is a problem, we will come here," said Mariam Taqi, a 62-year-old Kuwaiti woman receiving treatment for leukaemia at Bumrungrad. Like most patients, Taqi said she was impressed by the service in a country known for its gentle hospitality. "The nurses are so kind and sweet. Nothing is too much trouble." NEGATIVE REACTION Unsurprisingly, this potential revolution is not going down well with the medical establishment in the West. "When I told my doctor we were thinking about going to Thailand, he said he had serious concerns about the cleanliness of the place and the dearth of expertise. He refused to give me handover notes," 61-year-old Sherry Pinckley said. Pinckley, from an Alaskan fishing village, decided to go anyway, and had both her knees replaced at a cost of $10,000 per knee in February -- less than one fifth of the price for the same surgery at home. "The joke is that this is the cleanest hospital I've ever seen," said Pinckley, lying in bed in her spotless private room. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has expressed alarm about the phenomenon it calls "scalpel tourism", often driven by agents who offer a package of flights, hotel accommodation, surgery and sightseeing. It says its members are seeing more and more patients after botched cosmetic surgery jobs in countries such as Thailand. They say patients are often not told about the risks and have no recourse if things go wrong. "When I get involved it's usually been an absolute disaster," said Dr Anand Deva, a Sydney plastic surgeon. WEEPING WOUNDS One of Deva's patients is a woman in her 50s who went to Bumrungrad for a breast lift and tummy tuck. Five days after the operation and already discharged from hospital, she developed an infection in her abdomen and left breast. Doctors at Bumrungrad offered to readmit her but she had to foot the bill. Her confidence in the hospital lost, her budget already spent, "She got on an international flight, very sick, with weeping wounds in the tummy and breast," Deva said. The woman was admitted immediately to a Sydney public hospital to treat the potentially fatal infection. After several rounds of revisional surgery, she still has horrific scarring. "If you operate on someone and things go wrong you need to deal with the consequences," said Deva, a senior lecturer in plastic surgery at the University of New South Wales. "It's very convenient if there is a major complication to stick the patient on an aeroplane and send them somewhere else." But Bumrungrad, Asia's first internationally accredited hospital, denies that patients are "trading down" to a lower quality of care to save money. "Highlighting an isolated case, like this, misses the point entirely and plays into a stereotype that foreign doctors or hospitals are inferior," Toral said. June Flowers was so happy with her treatment that a year after her first operation she came back for a hysterectomy. She even made time for a little sightseeing with her sister. "You don't realise it's a hospital. It's like you're there for vacation," Flowers said from her home in Huron, Ohio.

Popularity of Medical Tourism is taking off

2007-03-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

DEAR SAVVY SENIOR: What can you tell me about medical treatments and surgeries that are available in foreign countries? I have a degenerative hip problem and need a hip replacement, but my insurance company won't pay for it, and I can't afford it on my own. -Underinsured and 60

DEAR UNDERINSURED: Today, more and more Americans are traveling overseas for various surgeries and medical treatments and are saving big bucks. Here's what you should know.

Health care abroad: Dismayed by high surgical costs in the United States, increasing numbers of Americans are boarding planes and traveling to countries like India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia for cosmetic, orthopedic and heart surgeries as well as other medical and dental treatments. And the savings are huge, averaging 40 to 90 percent less than what you'd pay here in the U.S., including the cost of travel, hotel and more.

Most people opt for surgery abroad because they're uninsured or underinsured, too young for Medicare and can't afford the huge medical expenses in this country. It's estimated that more than 500,000 Americans have already traveled abroad to have surgery or receive medical treatments and the trend is rapidly growing.

Finding help: The best way to research this overseas medical option is to work with a medical tourism agency. These are U.S.-based companies that can guide you through the entire process, including putting you in touch with doctors, arranging surgeries, booking your travel and handling all the details and logistics while you're there. They can also arrange follow-up care with a physician once you return home. Here are a few top agencies to help you get started:

• PlanetHospital (www.planethospital.com)

• GlobalChoice Healthcare (www.globalchoicehealthcare.com)

• MedRetreat (www.medretreat.com)

• IndUShealth (www.indushealth.com)

What to know: Some specific areas you'll want to carefully check into before you make any decisions include:

• Doctor qualifications: Many of the larger overseas hospitals have physicians who trained in the U.S. or other Western nations, including doctors who are board-certified, meaning they have passed strict tests for their specialties. Check to see where your doctor was educated and trained. The American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org) is a helpful resource. It's also wise to spend some time researching your prospective doctor. Big hospitals catering to American patients have Web sites listing physicians with their biographies and contact information.

• Accreditation: Check to see if the overseas hospitals you're considering have been internationally accredited. You can do this at the U.S.-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations at www.jointcommission international.com.

• Communication: Check to see how widely English is spoken by doctors and nurses at the hospital you're considering and the availability of translators.

• Patient's perspective: Talk to other people who have undergone surgery overseas both at the hospital you're interested in visiting and with the doctor you're considering. The medical tourism agency you work with can provide you a list of contacts.

Savvy resource: A useful new book on this topic is "Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Tourism." It's currently available for $22.95 at www.patientsbeyondborders.com or call (866) 686-2229.

Send senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.

Jim Miller

Savvy Senior

Thailand - medical tourism hub

2007-02-27T18:20:00.000-08:00

Bangkok (OPENPRESS) February 27, 2007 -- Intending to prove its clear advantages as a medical tourism hub and a leading center for spa and wellness industries in Asia Pacific region by presenting the latest innovations and trendiest technology in the sectors involved, Thailand prepares itself to play host to a large international gathering of exhibitors, buyers and experts in Proud Asia 2007, the First International Trade Exhibition & Conference on Medical Tourism, Spa & Wellness Industries which will be held on 27-30 September 2007 at Hall 9, Impact Convention Center, Muangthong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. With Production Management & Services Co., Ltd. and Impact Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. co-organizing this big event, Proud Asia 2007 takes on the challenging role to cater to the needs of medical, spa and wellness industries in the whole region with the participation of some 300 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors from Singapore, Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong, as well as participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, Korea, Australia, Japan, USA and Canada.

"Thailand has distinct advantages in several key industries, among which are medical tourism, spa and wellness industries. We are proud to be the first to launch an exhibition catering to these major industries in the international market," said Ms. Natprapa Yokputtaraksa, Managing Director of Production Management & Services Co., Ltd.The event will feature innovative technologies that promote quality medical, and spa services as well as those related to beauty and wellness. Aside from these, Proud Asia 2007 includes highly informative workshops, seminars and product demonstrations.“Beauty business will continuously grow as both men and women care about their looks,” President of Thai Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Surgery, Dr. Thada Piamphongsan, said, adding that Thailand has more advantages than other countries in Asia when it comes to offering the best quality medical and beauty services but at cheaper rates.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), at least five million tourists come to the country annually for medical treatment. Various plastic surgery clinics could attest that the number of both Thais and foreigners undergoing dental and plastic surgeries, lasik, and other physical enhancement procedures is increasing. Aside from these, Thailand has earned its reputation as an excellent location for spa services. Mr. Apichai Jearadisak, President of Thai Spa Association re-affirmed the growing trend of spa service in Thailand, highlighting the growth in Thai spa business and citing in particular the emergence of a number of new spa operators especially those so-called “day spa”.“The growth of spa business is a good sign that tells us that we can respond to customers’ needs,” Mr. Apichai added pointing to Proud Asia 2007as an excellent venue where the international community can actually see the advancements that Thailand has taken the field of medical tourism.

Proud Asia 2007 offers the maximum exposure to exhibitors and the highest advantage to buyers and visitors in terms of rates and the opportunity to witness cutting-edge technologies and innovative products and services from the world’s leading experts in the fields of medical tourism, spa and wellness. Impact Convention Hall will provide the ideal venue to accommodate all participants who are expecting proof of Thailand’s ability to host such a big international event. Extending its all-out support in holding Proud Asia 2007 in an effort to make the country, as the region’s MICE hub is Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or (TCEB), through its director for exhibition, Mr. Vithaya Sintharapantorn. "Proud Asia 2007 is definitely not just the usual exhibition event on beauty and health care products and services we see here and in other countries. What makes this event extraordinary is the fact that we are going to have a grand showcase of the latest innovations of products and services in the field of medical tourism, spa and wellness. Everybody will be here—the expert in medical tourism, the best spa and wellness providers, and the most highly interested buyers. “The event promises to be a big one for both suppliers and buyers and the most important thing is that it will be held right here in Bangkok. This means that the Kingdom will again have the chance to prove to the international community that Thailand has sufficient MICE infrastructure to be the best venue for this kind of trade exhibition and conference.

Proud Asia 2007 is a huge event that will help the country achieve its goal of becoming a regional hub for exhibitions and conventions business and Mice market," said Mr. Vithaya. Proud Asia 2007 is also supported by key bodies and associations from both government and private sectors, including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Thai Spa Association, Thai Society of Cosmetic Dermatology & Surgery, The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Spa Wellness Association Singapore.In addition, asiaSpa will be the exclusive publication for Proud Asia 2007 while Beauty Cosmedica and Nation Beauty Magazine have been chosen as supporting publications.

Interested exhibitors please contact Production Management & Services Co., Ltd. at Tel. +662-455-9344, Fax. +662-455-9345 or e-mail us at info@pmsco.org or visit www.proudasiathailand.com for more information about the exhibition and conference.Media Contact:Natprapa YokputtaraksaProduction Management & Services Co., Ltd.Tel: +662 455 9344Fax: +662 455 9345Email: natprapa@pmsco.orgPornpavee KullamaPenner-Madison & Company LimitedTel: +662 716-5246 ext. 103Fax: +662 716-5250Email: pornpavee_k@penner-madison.com

West VA Hospitals oppose Medical Tourism Bill

2007-02-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

Legislators are considering a bill providing incentives for state employees to go to other countries for medical procedures.

But state officials are not sure if the incentives would save any money.

The West Virginia Hospital Association says such a measure could financially harm the state's hospitals and put patients in danger.

Nationally, it's becoming a popular way of getting cheaper health care.

According to the National Coalition on Health Care, an estimated half-million Americans engaged in "medical tourism" in 2005.

Ten state delegates, including House Majority Leader Joe DeLong, D-Hancock, recognize the trend.

They are sponsoring a bill that authorizes the Public Employees Insurance Agency to waive co-payments and deductibles and provide round-trip airfare and lodging expenses to the foreign country where the patient has the procedure done.

The bill is meant to reduce the state's costs for medical care. The bill says the incentives would be offered only if the foreign procedure were cheaper than the procedure here.

The bill is pending in the House Banking and Insurance Committee.

"PEIA is unsure of the overall potential for cost savings," said spokesman Diane Holley. "In some cases, there's potential for the state to lose money."

Holley said it's the travel expenses provided in the bill that gives PEIA officials pause. Officials haven't even really crunched the numbers on this bill yet, partly because they weren't asked to.

The state already receives substantial discounts from health care providers, Holley said.

Besides the travel costs, there would be the administrative costs for PEIA, she said. And then there are the liability issues of sending people to different countries for what PEIA has heard are between 30 and 50 percent cheaper procedures.

Tony Gregory with the hospital association said they're most concerned with patient safety. If a patient goes overseas and has surgery done, for instance, there's little follow-up care because local physicians would have trouble communicating with foreign ones, he said.

The notion of such "medical tourism" flies in the face of Gov. Joe Manchin's push for citizens to lead healthier lifestyles, according to the hospital association.

"Over the last couple years, West Virginia's governor has taken some positive steps in promoting wellness and personal responsibility as a way to reduce the long term costs of certain types of chronic illness," Gregory said. "A proposal such as this would really, in the long run, add to those costs because of the lack of continuity of care."

Patients harmed by a foreign physician would have little or no recourse if they wanted to file a medical malpractice suit, Gregory said.

Fresh from surgery, a patient might not get the rest they need if they're tempted to go out and see the sights of where they've been sent, Gregory said. And long flights aren't the best things for surgery patients in recovery.

From a financial standpoint, the hospital association believes the bill is counterproductive to Manchin's "Open for Business" way of thinking.

Simply put, the state's hospitals would lose business if patients were encouraged to go overseas for procedures that can be done here.

"Certainly, there would be some challenges hospitals would face if that were the case," Gregory said.

Contact writer Justin D. Anderson at justin@dailymail.com

Touring to cheaper medical destinations

2007-02-21T18:33:00.000-08:00

The Norman Transcript

Dear Savvy Senior: What can you tell me about medical treatments and surgeries that are available in foreign countries? I have a degenerative hip problem and need a hip replacement, but my insurance company won't pay for it, and I can't afford it on my own.

-- Underinsured and 60

Dear Underinsured: Today, more and more Americans are traveling overseas for various surgeries and medical treatments and are saving big bucks.

Here's what you should know:

Healthcare abroad

Dismayed by high surgical costs in the United States, increasing numbers of Americans are boarding planes and traveling to countries like India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia for cosmetic, orthopedic and heart surgeries as well as other medical and dental treatments.

And the savings are huge, averaging 40 to 90 percent less than what you'd pay here in the U.S., including the cost of travel, hotel and more.

Most people opt for surgery abroad because they're uninsured or underinsured, too young for Medicare and can't afford the huge medical expenses in this country.

It's estimated that more than 500,000 Americans already have traveled abroad to have surgery or receive medical treatments and the trend rapidly is growing.

Finding help

The best way to research this overseas medical option is to work with a medical tourism agency. These are U.S. based companies that can guide you through the entire process, including putting you in touch with doctors, arranging surgeries, booking your travel and handling all the details and logistics while you're there.

They can also arrange follow-up care with a physician once you return home.

Here are a few top agencies to help you get started:

PlanetHospital (www.planethospital.com)

GlobalChoice Healthcare (www.globalchoicehealthcare.com)

MedRetreat (www.medretreat.com)

IndUShealth (www.indushealth.com)

What to know

Some specific areas you'll want to carefully check into before you make any decisions include:?

Doctor qualifications -- Many of the larger overseas hospitals have physicians who trained in the U.S. or other western nations, including doctors who are board-certified, meaning they have passed strict tests for their specialties. Check to see where your doctor was educated and trained. The American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org) is a helpful resource. It's also wise to spend some time researching your prospective doctor. Big hospitals catering to American patients have Web sites listing physicians with their biographies and contact information.

Accreditation -- Check to see if the overseas hospitals you're considering have been internationally accredited. This ensures that the hospitals have translators, qualified doctors and nurses and are up to American standards for safety and cleanliness. You can do this at the U.S.-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations atwww.jointcommissioninternational.com.

Communication -- Check to see how widely English is spoken by doctors and nurses at the hospital you're considering and the availability of translators.

Patient's perspective -- Talk to other people who have undergone surgery overseas both at the hospital you're interested in visiting and with the doctor you're considering. The medical tourism agency you work with can provide you a list of contacts.

Legal rights -- Look into how medical malpractice is handled in the country you're visiting. Find out how cases are typically handled if something goes wrong and ask the hospital what rights you have as a patient. Usually your options are limited.?

Savvy resource: A useful new book on this topic is "Patients Beyond Borders:? Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Tourism." It's currently available for $22.95 atwww.patientsbeyondborders.com or call (866) 686-2229.

Tips for travelers

For many older travelers, getting sick or injured while in a foreign country and not being able to find a reliable doctor is a big concern.

Before your next international trip, you can ease your mind by joining the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (www.iamat.org).

They provide their members access to a worldwide network of physicians who speak English and have agreed to affordable prearranged fees. Membership is free.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC's Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" books.

US Hospitals concerned at medical tourism

2007-02-16T19:34:00.000-08:00