According to an article published in JoongAng Daily by Shin Sung-sik, Kim Mi-ju, Korea is becoming a popular medical tourism destination for foreigners after a law allowing Korean hospitals to market services to foreigners took effect last May.

Prior to the law’s passage, medical institutions were not permitted to team up with travel agencies who specialize in medical tourism. Additionally, Korean medical institutions were banned from marketing medical treatments to non-residents and travel agencies were forbidden to coordinate with hospitals to help foreigners travel to Korean hospitals and clinics.

Upon the passing of the law, international travelers visiting Korea for medical treatment skyrocketed, jumping from 15,000 in 2008 to 55,000 from January November of last year. Affluent foreigners are selecting Korea because of more affordable prices than in the U.S., without having to give up the quality of care.

Jang Gyeong-won, a director of the global health business bureau at the government’s Korea Health Industry Development Institute, said before the law on medical tourism was eased, most foreign patients came to Korea for plastic surgery and skin care. Now, more patients come for pricey medical treatment for such conditions as cancer and heart disease that can cost between 30 million won to over 100 million won.

A 74-year old Japanese woman was even recommended by an American doctor to receive spine surgery in Korea. The performance of this particular hospital spread by word-of-mouth, resulting in a 33 percent increase in Japanese patients receiving expensive treatment.

Jang is confident that the performance of Korean Hospitals is superior to those in Singapore, Thailand and India, based on patients seeking treatment for severe diseases.

The Medical Tourism Association officially releases Issue 5 of Health Tourism Magazine! This issue, “New Year, New You” features great articles such as Medical Tourism Comes to Macau~ World’s Largest Integrative One-Stop Wellness Center, The Caribbean ~ Next Health Tourism Mecca and Algarve~ No Longer Just a Sun & Sand Destination; A Wellness & Longevity Experience in Portugal.

The Health Tourism Magazine is the bi-monthly on-line publication, 100 % dedicated to educating and raising awareness in the Health & Wellness Industry primarily through the business-to-consumer approach. Each issue of Health Tourism Magazine will focus on all areas of health and wellness which not only compliment the treatment plans for patients receiving surgical procedures, but also provides the opportunity for improvement of the quality of life for the patients and individuals at large.

Read the entire issue of Health Tourism Magazine at www.healthtourismmagazine.com for the best Health Tourism destinations as well as new trends in the Health, Wellness and Spa world!

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

I recently watched an alarming video. Elizabeth Cohen, Senior Medical Correspondent for CNN, reports on ridiculous medical expenses that are wasteful, and could perhaps, be avoided. Can you imagine paying a whopping $1000 dollars for one toothbrush? According to this report, a hospital changed one of its patients that price. Do you think one Tylenol pill is worth $140? Another hospital reportedly charged a patient that amount for a single pill.

During the interview Cohen speaks with Cindy Holtzman, a billing advocate that deals with these charges a bit too often. Holtzman reveals that often times insurance companies do not pay attention to large charges unless they exceed 100k. Paying the bills, instead of investigating the reason for high cost, leads to higher premiums for those with insurance. One case in particular involved a patient who was charged for 41 IV bags after she visited the Emergency Room for 2 hours. She actually only used one bag, but due to error, was unnecessarily charged.

Don’t let medical waste lead to higher costs for you; do some investigating and save some money!

Watch the whole video here

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/health/2010/03/01/cohen.health.care.bills.cnn

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

As a Health Tourist, have you experienced first-class care in an eco-friendly spa or resort? Have you traveled to a country that prides itself on being “green”, for example, Sweden, Costa Rica, Norway or Switzerland?  If so, we want to hear about your experience! Medical Tourism Magazine, the “sister” publication to Health Tourism Magazine, is in the midst of creating a “Green Issue”.

In this issue, the Medical Tourism Magazine will address important sustainability issues affecting both the Medical Tourism and Health Tourism industry, and would like to include an article from your perspective. 

We want to feature your story on the quality of care you received from an eco-friendly spa/resort. Please respond to Chelsea@medicaltourismassociation.com or Sarah@medicaltourismassociation.com if you are interested in participating in our publication. 

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

The Medical Tourism Association along with KHIDI announces Ori Karev, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealth International as a speaker for the upcoming regional conference, the Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference Korea which will take place in Seoul Korea on April 13-15th 2010.  http://www.asiamedicaltourismcongress.com

More information on Mr. Karev can be found at: http://www.asiamedicaltourismcongress.com/speakers.html

The conference is a joint initiative between the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) and Korean Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). This Conference will feature up to 1000 attendees from over 25 countries bringing together the stakeholders for intense networking events and educational opportunities. The conference delegates would include worldwide selection of Healthcare Providers, International Insurance Providers, Employers, Top Medical Tourism Facilitators, Travel Agents and Referring Physicians.

The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) is funded by the Korean government and was established to support the Korean health industry. KHIDI develops the national strategies and policies on global healthcare industry as well as executes a series of projects to promote Korean healthcare to the world such as media promotion on Korean healthcare and medical travel insurance program development. KHIDI runs three overseas offices in New York, Beijing, and Singapore for its regional marketing.  http://www.medicalkorea.or.kr

The Medical Tourism Association is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical tourism facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment. The Medical Tourism Association has three tenets: Transparency, Communication and Education. Medical Tourism is often referred to as medical travel and health tourism. http://www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

The Medical Tourism Association along with KHIDI announces Laila Al Jassmi of Dubai Health Authority as a speaker for the upcoming regional conference, the Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference Korea which will take place in Seoul Korea on April 13-15^th 2010.  http://www.asiamedicaltourismcongress.com

For information and speaker biographies please go to: http://www.asiamedicaltourismcongress.com/speakers.html

The conference is a joint initiative between the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) and Korean Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). This Conference will feature up to 1000 attendees from over 25 countries bringing together the stakeholders for intense networking events and educational opportunities. The conference delegates would include worldwide selection of Healthcare Providers, International Insurance Providers, Employers, Top Medical Tourism Facilitators, Travel Agents and Referring Physicians.

The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) is funded by the Korean government and was established to support the Korean health industry. KHIDI develops the national strategies and policies on global healthcare industry as well as executes a series of projects to promote Korean healthcare to the world such as media promotion on Korean healthcare and medical travel insurance program development. KHIDI runs three overseas offices in New York, Beijing, and Singapore for its regional marketing.  http://www.medicalkorea.or.kr

The Medical Tourism Association is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical tourism facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment. The Medical Tourism Association has three tenets: Transparency, Communication and Education. Medical Tourism is often referred to as medical travel and health tourism. http://www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

Medical Tourism City, the Largest Social Network in Medical Tourism and for Global Healthcare, announces that it has over 800 members from over 40 countries actively participating. The members of Medical Tourism City (http://www.MedicalTourismCity.com) include international insurance companies, health insurance agents, medical tourism facilitators, hospitals, clinics, governments, doctors, healthcare providers, consulting, pharmaceutical companies, medical supply companies and more.  

Medical Tourism City is a social media outlet that connects its users through a Global Healthcare Community.

“The global healthcare community has been a wonderful success. The social network provides a common place for people to meet, talk and negotiate regardless of what country or time zone they are in,” said Renee-Marie Stephano, Esq, President of the Medical Tourism Association.

The Medical Tourism Association (Medical Travel Association), also known as the Global Healthcare Association, is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment. Our Association promotes the interests of its healthcare provider and medical tourism facilitators members. The Medical Tourism Association has three tenets: Transparency, Communication and Education. For more information about the Medical Tourism Association please go to http://www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

The Medical Tourism Magazine releases podcast with Jessica Johnson, Director of Operations, Medical Tourism Association

Jessica Johnson, Director of Operations for the MTA, sits down one on one to discuss a FAM Trip, otherwise known as a Familiarization Trip. Ms. Johnson highlights some of the most valuable benefits as well as specific details regarding participation and arranging one of these remarkable tours. Don’t miss this important educational podcast by going to the Medical Tourism Magazine website. Click here to listen.

A Familiarization Trip is designed with the purpose of highlighting the quality of care within a specific region, allowing buyers to gain a patient perspective. Insurance companies, facilitators, and consultants will have an opportunity to visit hospitals and clinics as well as participate in tourism activities.

Countries hosting a FAM Trip are exposed to numerous benefits. “During a trip, the buyer will get to see first-hand the quality of healthcare the destination brings and will also get to create new relationships face-to-face,” says Jessica Johnson.

A country may set up a FAM Trip with the Medical Tourism Association by contacting Jessica Johnson at Jessica@medicaltourismassociation.com or by calling  (561) 791-2000

The Medical Tourism Association is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members with the common goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment. Our Association promotes the interests of its healthcare provider and medical tourism facilitators members. The Medical Tourism Association has three tenets: Transparency, Communication and Education.

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

A common struggle for most is the battle against the alarm clock. Can it really be time to get up already? Let’s face it…we’re all tired of being tired. According to a recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation, 40 percent of Americans are tired during the day, to the point that it interferes with their daily activities; 62 percent reported feeling drowsy while driving and 27 percent dozed off while driving during the past year. So where are we getting it wrong? Dr. Patrece Frisbee brings our bad sleeping habits to a head and provides easy solutions in ‘Lack Of Sleep: How To Battle The Epidemic’, published in Issue 4 of Health Tourism Magazine. This article is for men and women of every age, as sleep is vital to each and every individual regardless of our differences. You don’t want to miss this article! Read it now and sleep like a baby later.

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea

Spring time may be right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean we should become lax on our cold fighting habits. In the article ‘Feel Great During the Winter Season’, it provides great tips to stay healthy during the chilly months. Cold medicine and antibiotics may seem like your only option, but you can take the more natural route with aromatherapy and essential oils. Doesn’t a hot foot bath sound more soothing than a trip to your pharmacist? Check out this article in Issue 4 of Health Tourism Magazine by Cristina Proaño de Carrión for an aromatherapy guide that will leave you feeling healthy and refreshed. After all, you don’t want to still be battling sickness when spring is blooming!

Stay Tuned…

Chelsea