COLUMBIA, S.C., July 31 Amid rising health care costs, U.S. companies increasingly are weighing the money-saving benefits of including international medical travel coverage in their employee health plans. Some of those employers also are concerned about possible risks associated with offering such options.
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With that in mind, medical travel facilitator Companion Global Healthcare Inc. today announced an agreement with an insurer that allows its employer group clients to purchase low-cost insurance policies to cover possible liability resulting from the employer's decision to offer workers an international medical travel benefit.
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"This new coverage raises the comfort level of some employers that are considering a global option for their employees as a way to save dramatically on health care without sacrificing high standards for care," said David Boucher, president of Companion Global Healthcare.
Based in Columbia, S.C., Companion Global Healthcare offers self-insured employers and their workers medical travel concierge services and an international network of accredited hospitals that treat American patients at prices far lower than those in the United States.
"All hospitals in Companion Global Healthcare's overseas network are accredited by the Joint Commission International, and most have U.S. board-certified physicians on staff," Boucher said. "But unintended outcomes are possible at any hospital, including even the best facilities in the United States and around the world. Employers that have turned to Companion Global Healthcare for help in purchasing a medical travel benefit for their workers want to make sure they have a solid risk-management plan to protect themselves and their employees."
Companion Global Healthcare will market the employer liability policies through Columbia, S.C.-based Custom Assurance Placements Ltd. The policies protect employers against liability in the event of accidental injury resulting from a medical procedure, or in case of a travel accident. Limits are available up to $5 million.
Also through Custom Assurance Placements, Companion Global Healthcare offers no-fault medical travel policies to its individual clients who are not part of an employer-sponsored health plan.
About Companion Global Healthcare
Companion Global Healthcare Inc. provides medical travel assistance to clients who seek treatment at any of its 19 network hospitals and three dental clinics around the world. The company serves as a single launch point for appointments, travel arrangements, case management coordination services upon return to the United States, medical travel insurance, and help with claims filing.
All network hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International, and provide surgery and other care at rates up to 90 percent less than those in the United States.
The company serves uninsured and underinsured individuals, as well as employers and insurance companies that have included the Companion Global Healthcare network in their benefit plans. Employer groups interested in restructuring their benefit plans to include Companion Global Healthcare's network and services should call 1-800-906-7065.
SOURCE Companion Global Healthcare Inc.
