What Health Insurance Companies Have Medical Tourism Options

Medical tourism is the practice of traveling to another country to obtain medical treatment and care. In recent years, some health insurance companies have begun offering medical tourism benefits to provide policyholders with access to healthcare services abroad at significant cost savings compared to prices in the United States. If you are wondering what health insurance companies have medical tourism options, here is a comprehensive overview of this trend and the major providers that include these benefits.

What is Medical Tourism?

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Medical tourism involves patients traveling outside of their home country to access medical care, procedures, treatments, and services. There are several key reasons why an individual may choose to go abroad for medical treatment:

Lower costs – In many popular medical tourism destinations, patients can get various procedures performed for just a fraction of what it would cost in the United States. The savings are especially significant for uninsured patients who would otherwise face very high medical bills.
Faster access – Wait times for certain elective, non-emergency procedures can be significantly shorter in other countries compared to the U.S. This allows patients to get needed surgeries and treatments done more quickly.
Services not available – Some medical services, technologies, devices, and procedures are not yet approved or readily available in the U.S. Patients may travel to access these experimental or emerging treatments.
Anonymity – The privacy laws and patient confidentiality practices in some medical tourism destinations often better protect patient anonymity, especially for sensitive or stigmatized procedures.
Vacation – Some individuals choose to combine a medical procedure or treatment with a recovery vacation to make the trip more worthwhile and enjoyable. The procedure takes place first, followed by recuperation in an exotic destination.
Avoiding wait times – For non-emergency procedures like joint replacement surgery, wait times in countries with nationalized healthcare can be very lengthy. Medical tourists can bypass these delays.

Some top medical tourism destinations include Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Brazil, Malaysia and others. The most common procedures that patients travel for include:

Dental procedures – crowns, implants, veneers, bridges, etc.
Cosmetic/plastic surgeries – breast augmentation, facelifts, liposuction, etc.
Orthopedic surgeries – knee/hip replacements, rotator cuff repair, spine surgery, etc.
Fertility treatments – IVF, surrogacy arrangements, etc.
Weight loss surgeries – gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, etc.
Cardiac care – angioplasty, heart surgery, stents, etc.
Cancer care – prostate cancer treatment, oncology services

When considering medical care abroad, it is vitally important for patients to thoroughly research the hospitals, clinics, physicians, and specialists they are considering to ensure they are reputable, legitimate, and offer excellent quality of care. Accreditation from recognized international organizations like Joint Commission International (JCI) or Trent Accreditation Scheme is a strong reference point for facility quality.

Health Insurance Companies Offering Medical Tourism Benefits

Here is an overview of some of the major health insurance companies and providers that offer medical tourism benefits as part of certain policies:

Anthem

Offers medical tourism benefits through GlobalCare program
Covers approved care outside the U.S. if:
- The service is approved and legal in the U.S.
- Quality meets Anthem’s standards
- Service is unavailable locally
- Service can be obtained safely abroad for lower cost
Access to vetted, credentialed hospitals and coordinated care abroad
Must be pre-approved by an Anthem case manager

UnitedHealthcare

Global health benefits managed through UnitedHealthcare Global division
Offers medical tourism options through GlobalAccess program
Emphasis on quality care coordination across borders
Access to accredited hospitals and facilities in approved countries
Coverage includes logistics support like travel and translations
Typically available for self-funded plans; check with employer

Cigna

Global health benefits managed through Cigna Global division
Provides medical tourism benefits through Cigna Global Patient Services program
Focuses on patient facilitation, transportation, and coordination of overseas care
Helps identify accredited, qualified overseas providers
Arranges medical transport, visas, lodging, and translation
Offered on group plans as an optional rider in some markets

Aetna

Offers international care coordination through Aetna International division
Aetna’s medical tourism options are branded International Healthcare Services
Helps locate quality, reputable, accredited providers abroad
Covers travel, lodging, transportation and translation services
Must be approved in advance by an Aetna case nurse manager
Available as a riders on certain plans; check coverage details

Humana

Global health benefits through Humana Global division
Provides international medical travel coverage through Humana Global program
Focuses on patient support, coordination, quality assurance
Contracted hospitals and medical facilities located across the globe
Transportation, in-country concierge, and translator services
Typically offered as an optional rider on group plans

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Some BCBS companies partner with GeoBlue to offer medical tourism options
Links to quality accredited facilities and doctors abroad
Must be approved in advance and meet eligibility criteria
Confirm specific international coverage details with BCBS provider

Other Insurers

Smaller insurers may partner with external medical travel facilitators
Employer-based self-funded plans can sometimes opt-in to medical tourism
Veterans Administration has approved limited overseas care options

How Medical Tourism Benefits Work

For health plans that include medical tourism benefits, there is usually a defined process that policyholders must follow to access covered care abroad:

Consult with doctor – Discuss proposed treatment and get referral to an eligible overseas provider
Notify insurer – Contact insurer to request treatment abroad
Get pre-approval – Insurer confirms coverage details and often sets a cost coverage limit
Care coordination – Insurer facilitates referrals, scheduling, travel arrangements, etc.
Pay any cost-shares – Member pays any applicable deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance
Receive treatment – Get the approved medical care from the overseas provider
Submit claims – Provider invoices insurer directly; member pays any balance
Follow-up care – Receive any required post-procedure follow-ups back home

It is important to check an insurer’s specific medical tourism benefit requirements for limitations on covered services, destinations, providers, and other criteria. There is often a formal approval process.

Pros and Cons of Medical Tourism

Medical tourism provides opportunities to access care globally, but also has some downsides to consider:

Potential Advantages

Significant cost savings – Avoid the excessively high cost of procedures in the U.S.
Shorter wait times – Faster access for non-emergency surgical procedures
Anonymity – More privacy for some treatments or conditions
Combination vacation – Chance to recover comfortably in a new destination
Top facilities – Access to internationally accredited, high-quality hospitals
Coordinated travel – Flights, transfers, hotels arranged by provider
New experiences – Opportunity to visit and explore foreign countries

Potential Disadvantages

Less legal recourse – Laws may favor providers; litigation is difficult
Quality variability – Thorough research is required to identify best providers
Travel health risks – Chance of complications from flying after surgery
Language barriers – Communication difficulties can impact care
Follow-up limitations – Continuity of care may be disrupted
Cultural unfamiliarity – New environments abroad can be challenging
Ethical concerns – Medical tourism can strain local healthcare systems
Pre-existing exclusions – Some conditions may not be covered

Overall, consult closely with your doctor and insurer when evaluating the pros and cons of medical tourism. Make sure it makes sense based on your specific health needs and travel considerations.

Key Factors to Review When Considering Medical Tourism

If exploring medical tourism options, here are some key factors to carefully research and consider:

Cost comparisons – Weigh the total procedure cost against having it done locally
Provider credentials – Thoroughly vet the physicians, surgeons, dentists, and specialists
Hospital accreditation – Confirm facility meets expected quality standards
Physician training – Review medical school, residency, fellowships, years in practice
Board certifications – Confirm doctors are board certified in their specialty
Procedure reviews – Look at success rates, infection rates, complication rates, outcomes
Patient experiences – Read reviews of medical tourists about their care
Travel logistics – Evaluate the arrangements for flights, airport transfers, accommodations
Care coordination – Understand the process for medical records, follow-up, handling emergencies
Malpractice policies – Review how disputes, negligence claims, and liability are handled
Language access – Ensure excellent translation services are available

Doing diligent research on these factors will help identify the best medical tourism options and avoid potential pitfalls.

Key Questions to Ask About Medical Tourism Benefits

Those exploring medical tourism should ask their health insurer some key questions:

Which countries and facilities are approved partners?
What procedures, treatments, and conditions are included or excluded?
Is there a minimum cost savings threshold to qualify for coverage?
How are overseas hospitals and providers vetted for quality?
Who is the care coordinator that facilities travel and arrangements?
What is the full process and timeline for getting pre-approval?
Are all travel costs like airfare, lodging, and food included?
Is a companion’s travel covered? Are there any companion fees?
What are the requirements and coverage for follow-up care back home?
How are medical records handled and shared across borders?
Who coordinates emergency medical care abroad if needed?
What legal recourse exists if there are complications or errors?

Getting answers to questions like these provides important details for individuals to consider when deciding if medical tourism is the right choice based on their specific health needs and personal factors.

Conclusion

Increasingly, leading health insurance providers like Anthem, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are offering medical tourism benefits to expand access to approved medical procedures and treatments outside of the U.S. at significant cost savings.

When thoroughly researched and arranged under the guidance of trained medical tourism coordinators, procedures abroad can be an option for certain non-emergency medical services. But medical tourism carries risks and is not appropriate for everyone. Consult closely with your primary doctor to see if traveling internationally for a procedure makes sense from a health perspective. Check carefully with your insurer about specific coverage details, legal protections, follow-up care, and emergency contingencies. While medical tourism provides an additional pathway to care, weigh the full costs and benefits when determining what is right for your medical needs and circumstances.