1st Edition

Handbook of Medical Tourism Program Development Developing Globally Integrated Health Systems

By Maria K. Todd Copyright 2012
    256 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by Productivity Press

    256 Pages
    by Productivity Press

    This handbook prepares readers to build the medical tourism service line, integrate physicians and other service providers, develop a safe and effective quality and patient-centered infrastructure, document processes and workflows, evaluate reimbursement contracts, and measure outcomes.

    What is Medical Tourism?
    Programs within the global healthcare domain
         Medical Travel options
         Medical Tourism for elective and cosmetic cases
         Globalized health sourcing for medically necessary services
              Case Appropriateness
              Coordinating the Continuum of Care

    Who are the stakeholders?
    Patients
    Foreign and Domestic Hospitals and Physicians
    Healthcare Accreditation Bodies
         Many options available from which to choose
    Insurance Plans and Employers
    Self-employed individuals
    Government Ministries of Public Health, Economy, Tourism, and Foreign Export
         Numerous health policy implications
         Sustainability implications in the local setting
         Infrastructure concerns
    Underwriters, Actuaries, Brokers and Insurance Agencies
    Legal counsel
    Immigration officials
    Medical Tourism Facilitators and Travel /Transportation Providers

    The Internationally Integrated Health Delivery System
    Elements of the System
         Quality and Accreditation
         Provider Credentialing and Privileging
              Which standard is required?
         Marketing the Network
              Print
              Web-based
         Service Line Development
         Revenue Cycle Implications with Third-Party Reimbursement
              Preauthorization and Precertification
              Billing, Coding, Claims submission, Follow up
              Denials and Appeals Management
              Investigational and Experimental Procedures
              New Technology to Some; Standard of Care for Others – But Who Pays? 
              Revenue Management Staff Training and Development

    Development of the Medical Tourism Network
    Medical and Hospital Provider Network Development
    Representative Agreements, Contract Laws, Tax and Currency Issues
    Reimbursement Agreements with Employers, Insurers and Governments
    Quality, Safety and Medico-Legal Liability Issues
    Tort Liability and Negligence

    Working with Facilitators
    Fee-for-service
    Commission-based arrangements

    Developing a Facilitation Agency In-house
    The four domains of Medical Tourism Facilitation
         Travel Agency Operations
         Web-based and Traditional Marketing
         International Business
         Medical Case Management

    Confidentiality and Patient Medical Privacy and Security
    Basics you must know and comply with

    Case Management
    Prior to Departure
    On Arrival
    At Discharge
    Return to the Gateway City and Coordinated Aftercare

    Working with Health Plans and Insurance Schemes
    Major Players
         United States
         Australia
         National Health Service (UK)
         Canada
         European Union
    Others

    Working Directly with Multinational Employers
    What is at stake?
    Employers’ Major Concerns
    Whom to Approach and how

    Client Satisfaction Issues After the Trip
    Satisfied Customers tell One; Dissatisfied Customers tell Ten
         Follow up and defining the value outcome
         Techniques to encourage repeat business
    Appendix: Bibliography
    Additional Resources

    Biography

    Maria K. Todd, MHA, PhD, is the CEO of Mercury Healthcare. Dr Todd's background includes postgraduate degrees in Health Administration, and more than 30 years of healthcare industry experience. Her professional experience includes work as a HMO provider relations coordinator, an Independent Practice Association (IPA), Physician Hospital Organization (PHO), and Management Services Organization (MSO) developer and executive director, contract analyst and negotiator, medical group administrator, surgical assistant and EMT, hospital business office manager, health law paralegal and certified mediator. She is the author of the industry's bestselling book, IPA, PHO MSO Development Strategies: Building Successful Provider Alliances (1997, McGraw Hill and the HFMA, Chicago).

    Dr. Todd has led the project management of more than 150 integrated health delivery systems, many still in successful operation today, and is a highly-regarded international healthcare industry consultant and contract negotiator who authored hundreds of journal articles, several white papers and nine professional trade books. Since 1989, she has presented more than 2700 US and International educational presentations and keynote addresses on topics ranging from managed care contract analysis, integrated delivery system development, medical tourism, contracted reimbursement, and global healthcare program development.

    In her role with Mercury Healthcare, she leads the world's first and only globally integrated health delivery system® making its vast integrated provider network available by contract to a variety of payers of health benefits, including insurers, third party administrators or employers. Mercury also grants access to individual consumers seeking local care and domestic and international health travel for elective healthcare and related services, and manages logistical coordination and medical case management services for clients.

    The Medical Tourism Industry has a great but, as of yet, unrealized potential to transform the way global healthcare is delivered. After much press and many start ups, no one has yet developed the ideal system to connect patients and providers on a global basis. Perhaps, had her book been available earlier on, the Medical Travel Industry would look completely different today. Dr. Todd writes with much wit and grace and explains the elements required to succeed in this difficult but essential business. Following her suggestions and implementing her ideas are as important to Medical Tourism as following a detailed recipe is to cake making. In either situation, the end result can be very tasty or a disaster. My experience tells me there are many bad cooks in the Medical Tourism arena. Dr. Todd is the Chef’s Chef of this industry. To be a successful Medical Tourism cook, I recommend a short course in her kitchen!
    —Armando Baez, FLMI, General Manager – China, Global Benefits Group / "Insurance Without Borders"; Board Member - Self Insurance Institute of America

    Maria crafted this hands-on guide from the lessons that she learned and her wide-ranging proficient experiences in both clinical and non-clinical aspects, from the view of a patient, a consumer, a health administrator, and a marketing person. This Handbook, therefore, demonstrates a concrete practical roadmap in developing true 'medical tourism health delivery systems' in the real-world that puts an emphasis on patient safety, quality, service, and accountability.
    —Chatree Duangnet, M.D., F.A.A.P., Chief Executive Officer, Bangkok Hospital Medical Center, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Plc., Thailand

    The Handbook provides the reader with detailed information and practical tools on program development, all conveyed with the author’s unique wit. Ms. Todd shows that, if understood and implemented correctly, all stakeholders in international medical travel can have their cake and eat it too.
    —Margaret A. Bengzon, Group Head-Strategic Services, The Medical City (TMC), Pasig City, Philippines