People from across the globe and all walks of life are turning to medical tourism (also known as global health) to satisfy their healthcare needs. There are several main factors driving medical tourism. These can be divided into “push” and “pull” factors that are particular to the country of residence of the medical tourist, in […]

For medical travelers, there are many factors that come into play when choosing an international healthcare provider for their treatment. Quality, potential savings, quick access and the availability of a particular procedure are at the top of most people’s list. Additional factors may include proximity, familiarity with the language and culture and safety at the […]

As more and more patients cross borders to access healthcare services it is becoming increasingly important for hotels and other hospitality providers to understand their role in the patient’s medical tourism continuum of care.  In many countries it is common for patients to be interned a day or two at the hospital for the surgical […]

Nigel Whitfield is a 56 year old plant manager living in London’s west end. Two years ago he was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of the hip joint which, under Britain’s National Healthcare System (NHS), put him in a six-month queue for a hip replacement procedure. Within two months, however, Nigel’s pain was so severe that […]

A self-funded employer is a company that directly assumes the costs of its employee’s medical care instead of paying insurance premiums to an insurance carrier. In most cases the employer will design a plan that is similar to that offered by traditional insurance carriers that includes deductibles, co pays and exclusions. According to recent survey […]