Tag Archives: health insurance

Looks like Panama may bite off more than they can chew..

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In a recently published story, the government of Panama is now offering medical  insurance for all tourists to Panama for free.  This insurance is not  ‘Complication Insurance’ which is offered by private surgeons in Colombia and other countries for patients traveling specifically for medical tourism.  Complication insurance covers all possible medical complications resulting from medical procedures at the designated clinic or destination..

No – Panama is taking the European and socialized medicine approach and is offering general medical coverage for ALL short-term travelers to Panama.  (The long-term exclusion is a wise move given the numbers of Americans and other overseas residents who make Panama their retirement home.)  This insurance resembles typical travel policies in that it covers injuries, accidents and other medical situations that may occur while on vacation..  I just hope the Panamanian government hasn’t underestimated its tourists and their injury/ illness potential.

Now readers – don’t get any wild ideas.. This is not the time to stress that ‘trick knee’ while hiking to visit the Naso-Teribes..

Meanwhile, Costa Rica is making a pitch for more corporate clients such as Pepsi-Cola.  These multi-national corporations can potentially bring hundreds of millions of healthcare dollars by diverting their employees to medical tourism destination such as Costa Rica.  (Like Colombia – Costa Rica is an ideal destination for North Americans due to proximity, quality and diversity of services available.)

A new medical center for Bogota?

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There’s a new article over at IMTJ about a new medical facility being built in Bogotá – but it’s not the facility itself that is interesting (sounds like a new private cosmetic surgery mega-clinic).

It’s the statistics within the article that caught my eye.  I’m not sure how accurate these statistics are, but if true – it confirms much of what we’ve been saying here at Bogotá Surgery.  I’ve placed a direct quote from the article below:

“According to Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism the most popular treatments sought by visitors are heart surgery (41%), general surgery (13%), gastric band surgery (10%), cosmetic surgery (10%), cancer treatment (6%), orthopedic treatment (4%, dental care (2%) and eyecare (1%).”

If this information is even remotely accurate – it confirms what many of within the medical tourism have been saying – and contradicts much of the popular media reports.

People aren’t just going overseas for breast implants and face-lifts – people are going overseas for essential lifesaving treatments, and procedures to improve their quality of life.

This is an important distinction to  make, but many people tend to see cosmetic procedures as frivolous, and consider the issues around medical tourism, and travel health to be equally unconcerning*.  So when they see flashy news stories (good or bad) about patients having overseas surgery (which the media usually portrays as plastic surgery) they shrug and change the channel.

Hmmm.. patient died of liposuction in Mexico (or Phoenix or India..)  Or Heidi whatshername had 26 procedures at a clinic overseas..

But as these statistics show – that’s not the reality of medical tourism – and that’s what makes all of the issues around it even more important.

People may not get fired up about insurance coverage for medical tourism for cosmetic surgery – but what about tumor resection?  or mobility restoring orthopedic procedures? Or as cited above, life-saving heart surgery?

When put into this context – the government (President Obama’s) stance against medical tourism looks a little less democratic – particularly given the state of American healthcare.

* This is not the opinion of the author – but an accurate reflection of statements made in multiple articles and news stories

 

In other news:  Joint Commission take note:  The Indian Health Commission plans to perform surprise health inspections of Indian facilities to ensure quality standards.  (Joint Commission announces their impending visits months ahead of time.)  Joint Commission is the organization that accredits most American hospitals.

Interview with Sanivisit in Reston, Virginia

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This morning I met with executives from Sanivisit, a new medical tourism company based here in Reston, Virginia.  This company is affiliated with the Colsanitas corporation in Bogotá, Colombia.

I met with Mr. Alberto Ospina, a native Bogotano and President of Sanivisit and his colleague, Ms. Monica Wainbarg, Medical Tourism Advisor.  Both of them were very gracious and interested in this project.

I was surprised and pleased to see that both of these individuals have certainly done their homework.  In this past, I have had mixed experiences with medical tourism companies.  Some have been excellent, but others like the LaMontes, (interviewed for Cartagena surgery project) were blatant opportunists with little understanding or caring about the specialized needs of the medical tourist.

This was not the case with Sanivisit.  Both of the executives I met with have personally visited and met with all of the physicians involved.  They have toured and inspected travel facilities, and have arranged for VIP services for their clients.  As Mr. Ospina explained, “I’ve been in every hotel, measured the rooms, talked to the staff.  I make sure that rooms are clean, and comfortable.  I make sure that there is room for wheelchair accessibility. I talk to everyone. I make sure that everyone involved knows what we are doing.”

This includes arranging for transportation, diagnostic testing, doctors appointments, private nursing care after surgery, and even physician house calls, if needed.

Right now, they are trying to get the Colsanitas hospitals included in some of the medical tourism pilot projects (as alternatives to India) with several health insurance companies.  As readers know, several other large health insurance companies already support and encourage medical tourism excursions, and have establish separate divisions to assist medical tourism efforts.  (Unfortunately, in many cases these divisions exclusively work with Indian hospitals.  As we’ve discussed at Cartagena Surgery on multiple occasions, and published elsewhere on-line – India is a less than ideal location for American patients for several reasons.)

Since the company is in its infancy. the next year will be the trial by fire for Colombian medical tourism, Sanivisit and Colsanitas.  They seem like genuine, and caring individuals.  I wish them the best of luck.

In the future, I hope to interview some of their returning clients for readers here – to get their perspectives and experiences.

Disclosure: 

For the sake of absolute transparency and honesty, I would like to disclose that I have offered several of my articles on Medical tourism to Sanivisit for their use (with no compensation or remuneration.)

Update: October 2011

Sanivisit participates in medical tourism conference