Joseph S. Barcie, M.D., Ph.D., president of CIMA Centralized Services

When International Hospital Corporation (IHC) set about building hospitals in Latin America, they no doubt had some faith in the adage "build it and they will come." What they didn't know was that the "they" that would arrive wouldn't be just the local community they expected to serve but also international patients looking for an alternative to the care available in their homeland.

Medical Travel Today recently spoke to Dr. Barcie about his role at IHC and his expectations for the organization's expanding international patients department.

Medical Travel Today (MTT): Tell me about your role at International Hospital Corporation and what it means to be in charge of centralized services?

Jose Barcie (JB): IHC started 12 years ago with our first CIMA Hospital in Mexico. CIMA expanded operations within Mexico and Central America and later acquired the VITA hospital group in Brazil.

The CIMA hospitals in Mexico and Central America operated very independently of each other. The VITA hospitals in Brazil, however, were a well-established group before they joined our system.  

I was hired by IHC to help make the hospital departments within the CIMA Hospitals operate well together as a system. I was charged with standardizing hospital services. For example, each hospital had its own departments for marketing, information technology, quality and safety, education, clinical research, and so on. These all needed to work together as a system. And that's what I did and continue to do.

MTT: You mentioned international patients. How much of your time would you say is devoted specifically to that area?

JB: Well, I'm very fortunate in that I have a very strong regional manager in Ms. Balbina Lankenau de la Garza. She came to us after working as the international patient coordinator for another company. She joined us a year ago. Because of her efforts and those of her team, I'm only devoting about 14 percent of my time to that area.

MTT: That still sounds like a good bit of your time.

JB: Yes, I suppose, but it's no longer devoted to the establishment of the department and hiring staff, but rather to development and expansion. We're constantly looking for more ways to serve our medical traveler. When I examine our competition, I see more than a few areas of concerns. We want to make sure we continue to do everything better, by constantly raising the quality and safety bar. I’m focusing a great deal on ensuring we provide the best continuum of care for all our patients, local or international.

MTT: Did you anticipate spending as much time and energy on medical travel issues as you currently do?

JB: No.  Although, everyone seems to think this would be a big growth opportunity, we were focusing our primary attention on the local community we serve.  Our hospitals were not developed for the purpose of attracting international patients, but soon we discovered that our hospitals were ideally located to meet the needs of those who were looking for the best and highest quality services close to home.

MTT: Earlier this year you noted that IHC first saw an increase in foreign patients five years ago. What's been the trend in terms of numbers of patients over the past year?

JB: In the past five years the number of international patients has been growing at a very steady rate without marketing and advertising. People are simply finding us through word-of-mouth. I believe this rate could be even higher if we actually spent some time marketing our services.

MTT: Are all your hospitals experiencing the same increase in international patients?

JB: Generally speaking all the hospitals are seeing the same rate of growth with regards to international patients. But, if I had to pick one as a leader, I'd say CIMA Costa Rica gets slightly more international patients. And that's probably because there are so many U.S. ex-pats living in Costa Rica who have direct communication with family and friends in the United States. I believe that if they have seen the hospital, they are a source of encouragement in terms of coming to CIMA San Jose for any treatment.

MTT: What do you have in the works in terms of marketing?

JB: We're currently evaluating several very interesting strategies. The end result is that more people will know about our attention to detail and passion for providing safe, quality healthcare at an affordable price. That’s why we say “It’s your safest medical care close to home ®.”

MTT: Where are the majority of your foreign patients currently coming from and how has that changed, if at all, over the past year or so?

JB: At the moment the vast majority of our patients come from the United States and Canada, with a small percentage coming from other Latin American countries like Argentina, Chile, and Panama.  Where patients come from hasn't changed much, but what they come for sure has.  In the early years most of our international patients came for cosmetic procedures and weight control procedures. While those numbers are still holding steady, we see more and more patients coming for more complex surgeries like orthopedics, cardiology, and neurology.

MTT: Tell me a bit about the Medical Value Travel Department?

JB: In order to better serve the international patient, we established the Medical Value Travel (MVT) as the regional office for our international patient care services offered by any of our hospitals, whether they are in Costa Rica, Mexico, or Brazil. It's based out of Monterrey, Mexico, because Monterrey is one of the three most important cities in Mexico and a modern industrial and business center with a strong relationship with the United States. The office, which is available 24/7, year round, is staffed by Ms. Lankenau and her dedicated staff. All of our hospitals are in daily contact with this office.

MTT: Do you all your international patients work through that office?

JB: Yes. We found that it’s less stressful for the typical patient to contact us there. The MVT team then works to find the appropriate physician and facility in our system that matches their needs, based on both specialty and proximity.

MTT: What does the creation of a Medical Value Travel department do to your relationship with other medical travel facilitators? Do you still partner with them?

JB: Yes. We firmly believe that having MVT benefits the medical travel facilitator by providing a central point of contact. They no longer have to contact so many different hospitals or doctors; it’s a one-stop shop for the facilitator. However, we're very slow to partner with facilitators. Right now sitting at my desk I have 18 contracts for review from medical facilitators.

The truth is that because there are no barriers to entry, anyone can become a medical travel facilitator. We feel it's necessary to do a very thorough background check of prospective partners for the sake of the medical traveler.  We can afford to be choosy. People are eager to work with us because not only are we the largest Pan-Latin American hospital group but we stand by our word to provide the safest medical care close to home.

And, I encourage anyone considering traveling abroad to make sure they do their homework, too. Don’t just compare prices.  Healthcare in foreign countries is not a commodity.

MTT: In addition to creating the MVT department this year in Monterrey, Mexico, specifically for international patients pre- and post-treatment needs, what other plans are currently in the works or being discussed to continue addressing the needs of this market?

JB: The decision to create the MVT department came about because of our desire to provide international patients with a complete service model with continuity of care, before, during, and after having their procedure. Towards that end we offer our patients continued support from all our staff and doctors before they arrive, during their stay, after discharge, while convalescing, and even after they return home.

MTT: Since we're at the start of a New Year, what product or service related to medical travel that doesn't exist today do you think might exist next year at this time?

JB: Maybe additional growth in the post-op care area. We would like to see more U.S. physicians and nurses get involved in this very young market.

About  Joseph S. Barcie, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Barcie received a B.A. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biochemistry. He also earned an M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration from the University of California, Irvine and an M.D.  from the University Autonoma Cd.Juarez in Mexico. He is an adjunct professor at Dartmouth School of Medicine, a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Most recently Dr. Barcie assumed a variety of senior level positions with HCA related to clinical services. He has served as a hospital chief operating officer for a large acute care hospital and has been a hospital chief information officer; he established a post-graduate medical residency program, is involved in forming continuing medical education programs, and helped create a group purchasing consortium in Mexico and the United States.

---

INDUSTRY NEWS

Mediescapes India is First ISO 9001: 2000 Certified Medical Value Travel Company

Mediescapes India is the first ISO 9001: 2000 Certified Company in the medical travel field in India, due to its exceptional management track record for “medical value travel.”
 
Mediescapes India offers world-class medical value travel, healthcare, and treatment solutions that connect people from around the globe to a vast network of major associated hospitals, clinics, and doctors.
 
The company promotes packaged medical value travel trips to its large international patient base from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Africa. It is professionally run and supported by international board-certified medical specialists. Additionally, it works with established hospitals in India that have been accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and/or the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Mediescapes India offers a prompt and personalized health care delivery system that includes services related to medical enquiry, evaluation, medical trip packaging, medical procedure, post-discharge recuperation, and follow-up.
 
Mediescapes India’s associated medical facilities are state-of-the-art, and its distinguished senior medical specialists have won international acclaim, with many having completed medical training and/or had professional experience in North America or Europe. In fact, some have won prestigious awards in their fields. Our associated nursing care is outstanding, often with a 4:1 patient- registered nurse ratio.

Healthplace America Introduces Surgery Benefit Management Savings of 30 to 50 Percent

LISLE, Ill.—Healthplace America is pleased to introduce Surgery Benefit Management to the health care industry. Healthplace America’s revolutionary flagship product, the Healthplace Surgery Benefit™, is the first and only comprehensive Surgery Benefit Management solution that delivers cost savings to employer health plans while enhancing employee benefits with quality and savings for surgery via all-inclusive surgery packages.

Surgeries account for 30 percent of U.S. health care costs, and costs are increasing faster for surgery than many other health benefits, such as pharmacy benefits. Furthermore, 75 percent of total surgeries are elective procedures, with up to one-third of those considered unnecessary, according to studies by Rand and Dartmouth.

“While a range of products and services are available for employers to manage their pharmacy costs and other health benefits, surgery costs and benefits have remained generally unmanaged…until now, with the Healthplace Surgery Benefit™,” says Healthplace America CEO Ken Erickson. “This is the innovation healthcare has been waiting for.”

The Healthplace Surgery Benefit™ is an easy addition to any existing employer health plan, providing members access to world-class U.S. health care facilities and surgeons who offer low, fixed-rate pricing for the opportunity to increase their patient database. As a result, employers realize up to 30 to 50 percent savings on major medical procedures — such as heart surgery, joint replacement, spine surgery, cancer care, bariatric surgery and more — while reducing re-admission and re-operations through high-quality outcomes the first time around.

Additional employer cost savings are received by eliminating unnecessary procedures through Healthplace America’s unique Expert Opinion Program™, included in the Healthplace Surgery Benefit™.

What’s more, greater predictability in expense forecasting is finally achieved in knowing the total cost of a claim prior to surgery.

With the Healthplace Surgery Benefit™, most employees share in the savings with no co-pays, deductibles, or coinsurance, all while receiving superior medical care. In many cases, members receive a cash incentive following surgery that translates into significant personal out-of-pocket savings.

Additional benefits of this all-inclusive surgery “package” include the assistance of a Personal Care Coordinator™ (to guide each patient throughout the entire surgical process), domestic travel, and upscale lodging accommodations for two – just to name a few of these benefits.

About Healthplace America

Healthplace America was organized to provide cost, quality, and experience management for the $700 billion surgery industry that has remained generally unmanaged. Healthplace America is the first – and only – business to design and implement a comprehensive Surgery Benefit Management solution for employer health plans through its innovative surgery package concept, the Healthplace Surgery Benefit™.   Call 877-858-0123 and visit www.healthplaceamerica.com

Belgium TPA, Vanbreda International, Opens Branch in Dubai

Dubai, UAE – As part of its strategy to further support its global growth, Vanbreda International, a market-leading provider and administrator of international health and employee benefits insurance plans, has opened an office in the United Arab Emirates.

Vanbreda International (Dubai) Ltd, Vanbreda International’s UAE subsidiary, is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The company’s office, located in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), will be headed by Mohamed Elaaidi, senior executive officer of Vanbreda International (Dubai) Ltd. He will be responsible for developing business and establishing partnerships in the Middle East and North African (MENA) regions.

Mohamed Elaaidi joined Vanbreda International from BUPA International. Priding itself on a track record of over 50 years in international health insurance, Vanbreda International is looking to partner with local and regional insurance companies and brokers to co-develop international health insurance products and to provide claims administration and customer service support for existing plans and products. Vanbreda International has the resources, knowledge, processes, and systems in place to support insurers and brokers in offering international health insurance coverage to existing and new client bases.

Vanbreda International has extensive product development expertise, which can help local players to set up international health insurance cover for an expatriate population that complies with applicable regulations and that is complementary to local health insurance. In addition, its International Standardization Organization (ISO) certified claims processing and administration are designed to serve an international clientele and to handle high volumes.

“The company has already helped several insurance companies to launch and administer products from Morocco to Malaysia," says Wouter Reggers, chief operating officer of Vandbreda International. “I am delighted that we now have a footprint in this important and growing region. Vanbreda International had already built an extensive medical service provider network in this region to support and serve existing clients. We are convinced that opening a regional office will help us further roll out our service proposition to existing and new partners in the insurers and brokers community.”

Elaaidi adds, “I am very excited about starting up the Vanbreda International business in the UAE. I see various opportunities as Vanbreda International has a lot to offer to insurers and brokers in the region. With our presence in the UAE, and especially in the DIFC as a strategic platform, our company is well-positioned to serve the MENA region and meet the requirements of existing and new clients and partners.”

About Vanbreda International

Vanbreda International has over 50 years of experience in designing, implementing, managing, and administering cross-border health insurance programs and products for international organizations, multinational corporations and their international workforce. Vanbreda International advises on the most efficient funding arrangement and can help coordinate and administer self-funded plans.  We have agreements with an extensive network of medical care providers throughout the world.  With 350 employees, the company has offices and sales representations in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, China, and the UAE. Vanbreda International serves over 310,000 plan members on a 24/7/365 basis across 192 countries. In 2008 the company processed 3.6 million medical bills for a total volume of 410 million.  Visit www.vanbreda-international.com 

Treatment Abroad Owner Announces Partnership with NetDoctor

Intuition Communication, the owner of Treatment Abroad, has launched a private health care guide in an online partnership with Netdoctor, the United Kingdom’s largest commercial health information site.

NetDoctor attracts 3.4 million visitors per month and is owned by Hearst Digital, a division of the National Magazine Company.

In addition to Treatment Abroad, Intuition already operates a portfolio of health sites including Private Healthcare UK, the United Kingdom’s leading web portal for information on private treatment, the Harley Street Guide, Cancer Advice, Self Help UK and OHS Directory.

The new Private Healthcare Guide on NetDoctor will give 3.4 million monthly NetDoctor visitors access to an extensive resource of advice, information, and treatment options in the private sector both in the United Kingdom and abroad. The Guide contains over 1,500 pages of information on all aspects of private health care services including private doctors, private treatment, health insurance, and private hospitals.

The launch of the Guide on NetDoctor will also be a useful resource for self paying UK patients and the increasing number of National Health Service patient who are exercising their rights to access private healthcare both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
The Guide contains dedicated sections such as:

• Cosmetic Surgery Abroad
• Dentistry Abroad

The Guide will be promoted extensively within the NetDoctor site, and will attract a proportion of NetDoctor’s 3.4 million monthly visitors.

“We are really pleased to be launching the Private Healthcare Guide on NetDoctor,” says Bal Singh, publisher of NetDoctor. “There is an obvious synergy between Private Healthcare UK and NetDoctor - both provide clear, unbiased information that help patients understand their choices and treatment options, and both are written in clear English without using difficult to understand and often confusing medical jargon.”

Keith Pollard, founder and managing director of Private Healthcare UK, adds, “Having a Private Healthcare UK portal on NetDoctor gives us access to a much wider potential audience. In addition, we are providing some of NetDoctor’s 3.4 million unique visitors a month with easy access to extensive information on private healthcare and helping them make choices about private healthcare options in the UK and abroad.”

For more information please contact: Caroline Ratner 020 8209 0120 or caroline@carolinecomms.com.

About Private Healthcare UK

www.privatehealthcare.co.uk is a one-stop gateway to all aspects of private health care services, including private hospitals, private doctors, and specialists. The Web site’s Patient Advice and Education area contains information about operations and procedures and diseases and medical conditions. It also has many useful guides to various aspects of private treatment including a “Guide to Going Private” and “Questions to ask your doctor before an operation.”

About Intuition Communication

Intuition Communication publishes some of the UK’s most visited health care information sites including Private Healthcare UK, Treatment Abroad, and:

• www.harleystreet.guide.co.uk - provides comprehensive information about this world famous area of medical excellence.
• www.self-help.org.uk - a searchable database of over 1,000 self help organizations and support groups across the UK.
• www.treatmentabroad.com  - the UK's leading guide to health and medical tourism, covering over 40 destinations worldwide.
• www.treatmentinhungary.net - a health tourism site with a specific focus on Hungary.
• www.treatmentincyprus.com - a health tourism site with a specific focus on Cyprus.
• www.treatmentinspain.com - a health tourism site with a specific focus on Spain.
• www.canceradvice.co.uk – access to opinions and advice from some of the UK’s leading oncologists.

About NetDoctor

NetDoctor.co.uk is a collaboration between committed doctors, health care professionals, information specialists, and patients who believe that medical practice should be based on quality-assessed information and, wherever possible, on the basis of the principles of evidence-based medicine.

Over 250 of the UK's and Europe's leading doctors and health professionals write, edit, and update the contents of NetDoctor.co.uk. In addition to creating written content for the patient these same health professionals respond to user’s questions and concerns regarding their general health.

---

DESTINATION

Robin Elsham is busy preparing for a trip to East Asia. We look forward to his upcoming first-hand reports from South Korea. In the meantime, you may access previous stories at the following links.

• Guatemala
• New Zealand
• Monterrey
• Panama
• Philippines
• Malaysia
• Changes in air travel certain to cause major changes in medical tourism industry
• Inflation's Threat to Medical Tourism
• Adopting a Global Perspective

---

MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT: Rotator Cuff Surgery

Rotator cuff surgery is performed to repair tendon tears and to create room for the tendon and bursa. In addition to alleviating pain, surgery can restore strength to the shoulder and use of the joint.

While not necessary for all injuries, surgery is a good choice for shoulder weakness caused by complete tears. Surgery is also the go-to choice when an injury does not respond to other, less invasive treatments. A lack of response often indicates the patient has either partial or complete tears or subacromial roughness.

There are two typical procedures performed to resolve rotator cuff issues: rotator cuff repair and subacromial smoothing. Both can be performed arthroscopically and are sometimes performed in partial combination.

Most patients need to stay in the hospital for several days post surgery and are discharged with their arm immobilized in a sling. Recovery can take anywhere from three to six months depending upon the severity of the initial injury and the nature of the surgery. Pain is usually managed with medication, and patients are encouraged to participate in physical therapy in order to achieve the full benefit of the surgery.

COST COMPARISON
                                         U.S. COST                  Abroad
Rotator Cuff surgery              $ 35,000                   $ 5,000

Source: *WorldMed Assist

According to T. L. Harris, M.D., of PlanetHospital, they coordinate one to two procedures per month with most patients coming from the United States or Europe. Harris notes that recovery for rotator cuff surgery can "be lengthy and uncomfortable," and feels that this contributes to the relatively low patient numbers. However, for those that do decide to travel, the motivating factors can be tied to circumstances in their home country.

As Harris puts it, "Most of our U.S. patients choose to travel for the cost savings. On the other hand, our European clients are more interested in avoiding lengthy wait-times than in saving money. The most likely destinations for Americans are Panama, where we have an American physician, or Mexico. Europeans usually choose to travel to India or Belgium for the procedure."

Harris adds, "The patient profile for this procedure really runs the gamut. Our youngest patient was a 26-year-old male, but the average age is 42. Interestingly, we've only had one female patient out of 91 since November of 2006."

Is there a topic you'd like to see covered in our MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT? Please let us know. Send your thoughts to ahaar@cpronline.com

---

UPCOMING EVENTS

Asia’s Biggest Landmark Healthcare Congress – Global Health Conference (GHC) 2009—Announces Its Agenda

Disease management will directly impact the future models of care. But what shape and form these models will take is of question. Will we see more of specialized hospitals? If so, where will they be located? How will innovative ‘disruptive’ technologies help the future health care cities and hospitals cater to and deal directly with new disease management?

The future of health care delivery lies mostly in disease-based intervention programs. The health care cities and hospitals of the future will greatly benefit from a clearer understanding of how to effectively integrate disease management into future facilities and core competencies to be built.
Another contributing factor that will shape future care models is the growing number of highly valued patients globally – many of whom are crossing international borders in search of quality care and access.  How should hospitals convert their centers of excellence to cater to this growing sector? How can they adequately build capacity and expertise to ensure they are able to meet new and growing demands?

Leaders in global healthcare will be tackling these issues head-on at Asia’s biggest landmark health care congress, Global Health Conference (GHC) 2009, which will feature two co-located events, “Healthcare Cities & Hospitals of the Future” and “Crossing International Borders” (February 23-26, 2009, Singapore). 

For more information on the event, please visit www.magenta-global.com.sg/healthcare or kindly contact:

Attn: Ms Catherina Koh, Conference Director Magenta Global Pte Ltd
DID: (65) 6391 2539
Email: catherina.koh@magenta-global.com.sg with subject code “GHC-MTT”

For media inquiries, please contact:
Nathalie Visele
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +9715 04576525
E-mail: nathalie@theshamalgroup.com

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau to Sponsor the 2009 World Medical Health Tourism Conference in Phuket

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is set to sponsor the World Medical Health Tourism Conference: A New Way Forward, which will be held in Phuket, Thailand, September 2009.

TCEB’s participation and sponsorship in this internationally diverse networking event will aim to promote Thailand on an international scale as a medical tourism destination and a preferred venue for international meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition (MICE) events.
The whole of Phuket Island is getting behind the conference, which will cater to more than 1,200 delegates. Local supporters range from local community groups, tourism operators, and many of the major hoteliers and resort owners, namely Woraburi Phuket Resort, Millennium Resort Patong, The Moevenpick Resort, Karon Beach Resort of Kata Group, Aquamarine Resort, Cape Panwa Hotel, and Andaman Seaview Hotel group.

Phuket, dubbed as the medical tourism hub in Asia, is the ideal location to hold the conference because of its infrastructure, capacity to host a massive number of international guests, and the availability of cutting-edge technology and internationally trained medical experts manning their world-class medical facilities.

Sometime within the next month the floor plan or layout for exhibitors at the venue, Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa, will be published online and application forms will be available for the exhibitors to download from the Web site. Many pre-conference and post-conference activities have been planned for the conference, which early estimates expect to bring a windfall to Phuket of about $10 million over the two-week period. Interested parties are advised to visit the conference website: www.sosmedicaltourism.com for more information.

Alternatively, for more information call + (66)76-289-800, to request a printable registration brochure by email sosmedical@sosmedicaltourism.com or sosmedical@ymail.com

Date Set for Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress in Dubai: October 27-29, 2009

With the healthcare travel industry poised to play an important part in Dubai's growth strategy, the Institute for International Research (IIR) Middle East, the organizers of the first medical tourism conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which concluded in Dubai, recently have reported high levels of interest from a potentially huge international market.

"Research unveiled at the event indicated a global market of around two million medical travelers a year and an industry constrained by hospital capacity and lack of consumer familiarity with medical travel," says Sietske Meerloo, marketing manager at IIR Middle East and organizer of Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress.

IIR Middle East is also the organizer of the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, the region's premier event for Middle East healthcare that takes place in Dubai 27-29, October, 2009.

“Large numbers of hospitals and clinics around the world are attempting to tailor their health services to cater to medical tourists," Meerloo added. "Several major insurance companies offer a travel component in their policies, and governments are looking closely at policies to take account of the trend."

The health care event was officially opened by Haidar Al Yousuf, M.D., transition director at the Dubai Health Authority, who highlighted the importance the Authority is placing on the future of medical tourism. 

"As we look to develop our domestic health strategy, we also want to develop a joint strategy with our colleagues in the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), for the future of health tourism in Dubai," says Dr. Al Yousuf. "The health care sector in Dubai will become an increasingly attractive place for international health care investors, providers, services, facilities, and other health care professionals."

PlanetHospital, a California-based leader in medical tourism, used the event as a platform to announce the official opening of its Jeddah Saudi Arabia office to serve inbound and outbound medical tourists from the Arabian Gulf region.

"The Gulf has the potential to drive growth in medical tourism," says Mohammed Alarifi, managing director for the new operation.  "It is not only a destination from where patients seek medical care abroad but is also becoming a medical tourism destination itself thanks to major hospital developments throughout the region."

The American Hospital Dubai also had high visibility at the event. There was "a lot of exchange of experience among colleagues from around the world," says Naser Saleh, director of marketing and sales. “On the conference side, the sessions were very informative."

Gary Miller, CEO of Health Travel TV, says the event had been important for them. "We have a unique product, and we’re the only broadcast media here dedicated to this area. I’m coming back to Arab Health in January."

Organized in association with the International Medical Travel Association, the Healthcare Travel Exhibition and Congress was supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. Platinum sponsors were Singapore Medicine. Gold sponsors were the American Hospital Dubai and Dubai Health Authority.

For details about Arab Health events, please visit: www.arabhealthonline.com

Companion Global Healthcare Expands Service to Include Hospitals in Mexico

Columbia, S.C. – Medical travel company Companion Global Healthcare Inc. announced today that its individual clients and U.S. employer groups now have additional options for saving money on surgery and other medical care while remaining closer to home.

Companion Global Healthcare President David Boucher said his company has accepted the CIMA Hospitals in Hermosillo, Mexico, and Monterrey, Mexico, into its network of accredited, international hospitals that treat American patients at affordable prices.

The hospitals are the first in Mexico to join the network.

Today’s announcement means Companion Global Healthcare will arrange travel, set appointments and provide other services to its individual clients and U.S. employer group members who choose treatment at either CIMA facility, as it does for clients traveling to any network hospital.

Rates at Companion Global Healthcare network hospitals are up to 90 percent less than those at U.S. hospitals, meaning individuals and self-insured employers can save tens of thousands of dollars on a single procedure.

The network includes 15 hospitals in India, Costa Rica, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Ireland, Taiwan and Mexico. All network hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), and all have completed Companion Global Healthcare’s extensive credentialing process.

“U.S. employers searching for ways to save on employee health care have encouraged us to bring into our network some accredited hospitals in Mexico, and we are pleased to announce our affiliation with CIMA Hermosillo and CIMA Monterrey,” Boucher said. “Both cities receive direct flights from multiple U.S. cities, making travel convenient for our clients.

“Both facilities are excellent additions to our network, offering employers and individuals more options for seeking a high standard of medical care at an affordable price.”

Both CIMA Hermosillo and CIMA Monterrey are owned by International Hospital Corp. (IHC) of Dallas, Texas. CIMA Monterrey is an acute-care hospital, providing a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic, emergency and surgical services. CIMA Hermosilla is one of Mexico’s main medical centers for cardiology.
“Quality and patient safety are the two most important considerations for the CIMA Hospital Group, just as they are for Companion Global Healthcare,” said Gary Wood, Ph.D., IHC’s board chairman. “It is those factors, and the convenient proximity of the CIMA hospitals immediately next door in Mexico, that promise to make our affiliation with Companion Global Healthcare a success.”

Employer groups interested in restructuring their benefit plans to include Companion Global Healthcare’s network and services should call 1-800-906-7065.

Media Contact: Billy Quarles, 803-264-5779

About Companion Global Healthcare

Companion Global Healthcare Inc. (www.CompanionGlobalHealthcare.com), headquartered in Columbia, S.C., provides assistance to clients who travel to its network hospitals, serving as a single launch point for appointments, travel arrangements, case management, medical travel insurance, follow-up care in the United States, and help with claims filing.

The company serves uninsured and underinsured individuals, as well as employers and insurance companies that have included the Companion Global Healthcare network in their benefit plans.