Dear Friends and Colleagues:
As 2008 draws to a close, I can't help but reflect upon what a truly remarkable year it's been for the growth of international medical travel and global healthcare. Lest we forget, amidst the recent global turmoil, this past year:
- the American Medical Association released its "New AMA Guidelines on Medical Tourism;"
- two of the top management consulting firms—McKinsey and DeLoitte, released well-publicized reports on Medical Tourism, which continue to resonate throughout the industry;
- as predicted, insurers at last jumped into the medical tourism arena, with new plans introduced by Companion Global Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and WellPoint;
- the topic of medical travel received more than 100 million impressions in print and broadcast media, laying the foundations for a tectonic shift in awareness and attitudes toward medical and health tourism.
What's in store for next year? I believe we'll see:
- patients in significant numbers beginning to embrace medical travel plans offered by insurers;
- leading carriers offering attractive add-on plans for medical travelers, including insurance for complications and malpractice;
- a continued, aggressive build-out of international hospitals, particularly in Asia and Latin America;
- at least two additional brand-name US hospitals entering the global healthcare arena with plans to build or manage facilities abroad;
- an unabated rise in the number of JCI-accredited hospitals, and a redoubled focus on quality assurance in key medical travel destinations;
- a US media backlash in medical travel coverage, as the prospects of exporting medical procedures threatens the status quo;
- at least a half dozen surprising new corporate entrants into the medical travel arena—carriers, large employers and even trade unions.
Despite the worldwide economic downturn—or perhaps in part because of it—I expect we'll see a continued and steady rise in the number of medical travelers crossing borders for care next year, from the US and throughout the world. I am thrilled and honored to play a role in the growth of this important sector that has helped offer choice for so many. I look forward to another eventful year and continued growth in 2009 and beyond!
All best for the season, Joe
Healthy Travel Media Launches Second Edition of Patients Beyond Borders Singapore Edition
One of the world's safest countries now a world-class medical destination
Healthy Travel Media and SingaporeMedicine jointly announce the launch of Patients Beyond Borders: Singapore Second Edition. This book follows the success of the Patients Beyond Borders: Singapore Edition, published in July 2007. The Singapore Second Edition will be introduced at the Health Care Globalization Summit in Washington, DC. Continue reading
Patients Beyond Borders Korea Edition Launches in Seoul
"Land of Morning Calm" Is a Leading Medical Travel Destination
Healthy Travel Media and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) jointly announce the launch of Patients Beyond Borders: Korea Edition, published in English for international distribution. Supported by the Council for Korea Medical Overseas Promotion (CKMP), the 220-page guidebook offers an in-depth overview of Korea's 23 international hospitals, selected health travel agents, guest accommodations, and essential travel information. Continue reading
Premier Guide to Medical Travel Patients Beyond Borders: Singapore Edition Now Available in Arabic
Medical Travel Book Guides Middle East Travelers through Asia's Leading Medical Hub
Healthy Travel Media and SingaporeMedicine today launched the Arabic version of Patients Beyond Borders Singapore Edition, a comprehensive medical travel book aimed at educating Middle East patients about medical travel to Singapore. Continue reading
Medical Tourism: Surviving the Global Recession
BusinessWeek, 9 November 2008
"For years, some of Asia's premier hospitals have been popular destinations for US patients who either lack health insurance or can't get coverage for certain procedures. And recently there have been signs that insurance companies might start actively encouraging this trend to save on costs." Continue reading
Medical Tourism: Everybody's Guide to Affordable World-Class Medical Travel
US News and World Report, October 2008
In a continuing inquiry on international medical travel, the US News editors have compiled a series of excerpts from Patients Beyond Borders recently-published Second Edition. Continue reading
A guide for Americans seeking affordable medical treatment abroad
Los Angeles Times, 1 November 2008
"Improving quality and bargain prices are luring US patients to developing countries for increasingly sophisticated procedures." Continue reading
Booming trend is standard operating procedure
The Miami Herarld, 2 November 2008
"As the national debate over America's medical insurance system rages on, a quiet revolution is taking place behind the scenes. In growing numbers, the nation's 61 million uninsured and underinsured citizens are giving up on a system that doesn't meet their needs and are seeking medical treatment abroad." Continue reading
Medical tourism: A hit and myth affair
Arabian Business, 4 November 2008
"For all its press, medical tourism is still an unmapped market. Two hotly anticipated reports, released by data giants McKinsey and Deloitte earlier this year, gave starkly different pictures of the industry." Continue reading
Save as much as $65,500 by traveling abroad for your medical needs
International Living, October 2008
The world's leading expat magazine profiles the author's personal medical travel experiences, including valuable costs comparisons and patient planning information. Continue reading
Should you Travel for Healthcare?
Fitness Magazine, October 2008
The nation's leading health and fitness periodical provides information, tips and recommended reading on medical travel. Continue reading
|
