society of actuaries 2009 health spring meeting a personal medical tourism experience june 8, 2009...
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Society of Actuaries2009 Health Spring Meeting
A Personal Medical Tourism Experience
June 8, 2009
Actuarial Management Strategies, Inc.AMS
Presented by: Alison J. Saifer, FSA, MAAA
ActuarialManagementStrategies, Inc.AMS
Copyright and Disclaimer
This presentation is for informational and discussion purposes. All material contained within this presentation is believed to be reliable and is based upon market experience and knowledge of Actuarial Management Strategies, Inc. (“AMS”). AMS does not certify to its accuracy or completeness. This document and its contents are proprietary to AMS and may not be copied or reproduced without the express consent of AMS.
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Background: Alison J. Saifer, FSA, MAAA
Health Care Consultant (Actuarial/Financial/Business) for:
Reinsurance Companies
Direct Carriers
MGUs
Attorneys
Investors
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Types of Products
Employer Stop Loss Limited Medical/ Mini-Med First Dollar, including High Deductible Plans Travel Carve Outs – Transplant, Dental, Drug, Vision Student Accident and Medical Blanket Special Risk Pet Insurance
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The Hot Topic of Medical Tourism
Everyone is talking about it, but is anyone actually doing it?
Many have determined that the potential for cost savings, even after accounting for travel and accommodations is significant
After looking at it from an actuarial perspective, decided to participate in an actual experience
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The “Mock” Trip
I’m Not a Doctor, I Just Think All Those Actuarial Exams Qualify Me to Act Like One!
May 27 – June 1, 2009
Bangkok, Thailand
Medical Services Needed…. All parts currently working…, so how about an
executive physical?
Traveled with an Insurer, Reinsurer, Reinsurance Intermediary
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Agenda
Tour of Bangkok Hospital
Meeting with Hospital Senior Management
Tour of Rehabilitation Clinic and Holistic Medical Center
Tour of Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
Meeting with a Group That Does Aphaeresis Treatments Not Available in the US
First Hand Experience with Some Medical Tests and Treatments
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What about the Tourism Component?
Dining Experiences
Tour of the City
Visit to the Bangkok Night Market
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Trip to Bangkok
After 26 hours of travel, arrive in Bangkok, tired, but excited
A concierge was waiting for us with a sign AT OUR GATE
Helped us with luggage, through customs and to a waiting car
Transportation to the hotel
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Bangkok Hospital – Meeting with Management
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Bangkok Hospital – Meeting with Management (continued)
JCI Accredited
In 2007, 37% of Patients Were International 9.4% are Americans – mostly expats living in Thailand
and surrounding areas
Most Doctors Have Excellent English Skills, so Language is Not a Big Barrier
“High Tech with a Light Touch” State of the art equipment Caring, dedicated staff with Thai hospitality
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Bangkok Hospital (continued)
No Waiting
No Shared Rooms – Extremely Clean and Quiet
Doctors Spend Time With Patients
Affordable, Even After Allowing for Traveling and Accommodations
Look After the Family, Not Just the Patient
No Visiting Time Restrictions Apartments available in the hospital
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Bangkok Hospital (continued)
Seamless Service Referral Center Concierge Services
Transportation from airport, to hospital Take people shopping, tourism trips Re-booking flights Stress free
Medical Coordination Communication with Referees
Patients go home with discharge folders
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Bangkok Hospital (continued)
Longer Inpatient Stays Than US Not rushed out of hospital
Re-Hab Patients May Stay at Hotel and Come Back Daily to Hospital
24/7 Service Saturdays and Sundays are very busy Routine operations may happen at 8pm
Hospital is the Center of Healthcare
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Bangkok Hospital (continued)
Package Pricing Getting you back home is part of their responsibility May advise you to stay longer before you are ready to
travel home Cost of Wait time before you are “fit to fly” included Doctors or nurses may fly back home with you
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Bangkok Hospital (continued)
Typical US Patients are: Well traveled Have passports Understand technology
Typical Procedures Include: Cardiac stem cell therapy Computerized diagnosis and radiotherapy for cancer Joint replacement surgery Clinical trials
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Bangkok Hospital Tour of Facility
Extremely Clean No Hospital Smell People Smiled and Greeted
You as They Passed By Rooms Were Large and
Comfortable, and “Hotel-Like”
Patients Drugs Kept in Locked Box in Patient’s Room
Photo Taken at Registration and Then on Every Page of Medical Records
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Bangkok Hospital Tour of Facility
Procedure Prices Posted on the Wall at the Hospital
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Bangkok Hospital Tour of Facility
Outpatient Dialysis Area
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Bangkok Hospital Tour of Facility
Apartments Available in the Hospital for Family Members or Patients with Outpatient Procedures
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Bangkok Hospital Tour of Facility
Starbucks Coffee and Au Bon Pain in Hospital
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Holistic Medical Center
Integrated with Medical Care
State of the Art Equipment
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Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
JCI Accredited
40% of Patients are International Japanese, then American Mostly expats living in Thailand or surrounding areas 10% of revenue from medical travelers
Thai Patients are Upper and Upper-Middle Class
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Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (continued)
Karaoke in Room
Internet in Room
24 Hour Hot Line to Nurses Station Using Skype and Web Cams – Face to Face Communication After Discharge
Connectivity Externally - Pre and Post Care Facilitated Through Web
Consult with doctor face to face before patient comes to Thailand
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Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital (continued)
Apartments Available in the Hospital – About $80
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Day 2 – Tour of City
Concierge Services Provided Us Transportation, Tour Guide
Visit to Grand Palace
Wonderful Thai Food
Incredible Hospitality
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Day 3 - Patient
Concierge picked us up at hotel at 7:30 am for 8 am appointment on SUNDAY (appointment had been made electronically from home)
7:50 am check-in at International Medical Center Desk – handed us voucher for Starbucks or Au Bon Pain so we could eat once we were finished with lab work
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Day 3 – Patient (continued)
8:05 am called and all vitals, blood and urine taken
Water available at every turn
8:20 am finished with lab piece and head upstairs for chest x-ray
Waiting for us, no paperwork, NO WAIT
The longest wait we had was the time it took us to change into hospital gown for chest x-rays
Were told we could come back in 1 hour for consult with the Doctor
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Day 3 – Patient (continued)
8:40 am – Cappuccino and Croissant at Au Bon Pain
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Day 3 – Patient (continued)
Appointment at 9:40 am with Dermatologist Refused escort to other building – all signs in English, so
no problem finding it! Arrive at 9:05 am Called into patient room at 9:25 am
Doctor was waiting for ME in the room Consult over at 9:45 am, when exam and all my
questions were answered in English Cost 750 baht - $22
Services requested – all prices explained Were a fraction of costs in USA
NO WAIT for Services All services provided by friendly, attentive and
knowledgeable professionals, including the Physician
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Day 3 – Patient (continued)
Payment was made and our concierge was waiting for us with a sandwich and water bottle
But first, back to the International Medical Center for our test results
Check in at 11:40 am (with no appointment)
Called to speak with Physician at 11:45 am who went over in detail the results of all the labs and showed me my chest x-ray
I had come down with a sore throat, so after an additional exam was given a prescription for an antibiotic and headed out at 12:00 pm
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Day 3 – Patient (continued)
Pharmacy was around the corner. Arrived at 12:00 pm and was on my way with my filled Rx at 12:05 pm
Back at the IMC, I was provided a hard copy of all my results and told that a formal report would be done in 1 hour and that I could pick up or it could be emailed to me
Concierge then provided for a last delicious, authentically Thai meal, a trip to the night market, and transportation back to the airport at 4 am Monday morning
Another concierge met us at the airport and facilitated us through the check-in and customs process
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Day 3 – Patient (continued)
Cost of the Check-Up Including: Physical exam CBC Blood sugar Liver Function Test Kidney Function Test Lipid screening Urine Analysis Chest X-ray Physician Consult of Results Full Written Report
$2,600 Baht or $74
Unparrelled, Courteous and Timely Services – PRICELESS!
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Patient Experience
All Professionals I Came in Contact with (perhaps 20) had Excellent to Fluent English
All Care was Provided Professionally, Politely and Efficiently
All Facilities Were Immaculately Clean
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General Observations
Always Felt Safe, Cared For and Never Left Stranded The Food was Delicious – No One Got Sick and All
Enjoyed the Cuisine The City was Interesting and Culturally Rich The People Were Incredibly Hospitable, Attentive and
Professional All Hotels, Restaurants and Sights We Were Exposed
to Were Very Safe and Excellent by American Standards
Never Experienced a Language Barrier The Medical Care was Efficient, Professional and
Provided in a Superior Manner to that of the US
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Most Important Questions
And If I Really Needed a Medical Procedure, Would I Go Back?
ABSOLUTELY!
Only True Down-Side for Me was the Long Trip, But the Care, Quality and Opportunity to Visit a New Country and Experience the Culture Made It Worth While
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Thank You !
Alison J. Saifer, FSA, MAAAPresident
(215) 862-8390
Actuarial Management Strategies, Inc.AMS