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Under the pilot program, Serigraph members planning to undergo certainprocedures can enjoy access to an extended network of respected hospitals andhealth care providers in India. By electing to use the international benefit,members can receive care at accredited facilities at lower out-of-pocket costsfor common non-emergency procedures that could result in thousands of dollarsin total savings. The pilot program includes coverage of certain commonnon-emergency procedures such as major joint replacement, upper and lower backfusion, and other procedures that have significant cost differences betweendomestic and international providers.
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"Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is committed to findinginnovative solutions to our nation's health care challenges, and we arecontinually evaluating new concepts," said Dr. Michael Jaeger, managingmedical director for Anthem in Wisconsin. "Increasingly, our employer clientshave expressed interest in accessing foreign providers as a means to reducetheir claim expenditures, because they see medical tourism as a promisingoption for improving access to affordable, quality health care.
"We're proud to partner with Serigraph, a leader in workplace benefitsinnovation, on this pilot and believe the plan design we've structured willnot only empower members to be more involved in the care they receive, butalso help employers better manage their health care costs."
Members who choose to access this international option will have adedicated case manager who will coordinate all medical arrangements, includingscheduling and concierge travel service. All travel arrangements will bebooked and paid for, for both the member and a travel companion. The casemanager will also help make arrangements for any necessary post-operative careupon the member's return to the United States.
All hospitals within the international program are accredited by the JointCommission International, whose accreditation standards are based oninternational consensus standards and set uniform, achievable expectations forstructures, processes and outcomes for hospitals. The program also complieswith American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines for medical tourism.
"The market for many products and services has gone global -- why nothealth care," said Linda Buntrock, senior vice president at Serigraph. "Itwill be interesting to see the competition for customers in the market formedical services and how many employees in our medium-sized company takeadvantage of this opportunity once we have the program in place. We hope ouremployees choose to access the international medical tourism option, which hasthe potential to greatly benefit their household budgets by cutting down outof pocket costs while retaining their ability to receive quality care."
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name used byBlue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") and Compcare Health ServicesInsurance Corporation ("Compcare"), independent licensees of the Blue CrossBlue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of AnthemInsurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols areregistered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additionalinformation about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is availableat www.anthem.com .
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") underwrites or administersthe PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation("Compcare") underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare andBCBSWi collectively underwrite or administer the POS policies.
About Serigraph
From the company's beginnings in an entrepreneur's garage in 1949,Serigraph Inc. has become one of the largest specialty printers in the world.Serigraph has grown to global leadership in screen and offset printing onplastics. The company employs over 1,200 people in the U.S., Mexico, and Asiato service companies with operations all over the world.
Co-workers at all levels of manufacturing, sales, executive management andsupport areas have an unmatched work ethic, coupled with an eagerness to learnand build quality into their work. A commitment to community involvement andactivism are integral philosophies at Serigraph, with leaders from throughoutthe company involved in public and private organizations outside of work.
Serigraph's environmental ethic extends beyond meeting and exceedingregulatory edicts. The company has taken steps to retain the remaining ruralcharacter of its home in Washington County. Upon completion of the companyheadquarters in 1997, Serigraph undertook a prairie restoration project on theproperty. Preservation of green space and natural resources in the communityare core values of the company.
SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin
