WellPoint Launches Medical Tourism Program

Globalization is a hot topic in the life sciences industry and an Indianapolis-based company is launching a new program advocates describe, at its most basic level, as the globalization of healthcare. Beginning January 2009, WellPoint will pilot an international "medical tourism " program that will allow members to access health insurance benefits for common elective procedures at designated facilities in India. The new initiative promises to save a staggering amount of money for the patients and employers and deliver high quality care overseas. While medical tourism has its share of critics, WellPoint leaders believe the new pilot program is an example of innovation.

"We're testing another way of doing things. We have to continuously attempt to innovate and look at new ways of solving old problems," says Razia Hashmi, chief medical officer for Anthem national accounts. "This is just another example of WellPoint innovating, and we're going to try to learn from it."

Through WellPoint's affiliated health plan in Wisconsin, the pilot program will be available to member employees at Serigraph, a specialty printing company based in that state. The potential savings for the entrepreneurial company are substantial. For example, a knee replacement surgery in the U.S. costs between $70,000 and $80,000, compared to $10,000 or less in India.

"The cost difference allows us to bill air travel and hotel accommodations and still be ahead in terms of cost," says Hashmi. "For a self-funded employer like Serigraph, it lowers the total medical bill and depending on how the program is constructed lowers the out-of-pocket cost for the member as well."

As part of the program , a member choosing to have a procedure performed in India will be assigned a case manager who coordinates all medical arrangements, scheduling and travel service. Travel arrangements to India for the member and a companion will be booked and paid for with no cost to the member.

WellPoint executives assure the safety and quality of the overseas medical procedures, because all hospitals within the international program are accredited by the Joint Commission International, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies health care programs for meeting certain performance standards. Additionally, WellPoint executives say the new program complies with the American Medical Association's guidelines on medical tourism.

"There's a curiosity and interest [from the members], but we won't really know how many people will participate until the program begins," says Hashmi.

More at: https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/life-sciences.asp?ID=107&Detail=True