by Stefania Revelli
WHAT’S HAPPENING
- As overseas medical attention appeals to more Americans, U.S. employers are adding offshore treatments to their employee benefit incentives (Bloomberg.com 3.26.08).
- Maine-based supermarket chain Hannaford Bros. offers its 9,000 employees the option to have hip and knee replacements in Singapore, yielding cost savings of 75%. Travel expenses and up to $3,000 in out-of-pocket expenses are included.
- Driven by employer requests, more insurance companies, including Aetna and Cigna, are evaluating overseas partnerships with healthcare providers (Fast Company 5.08).
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
- The lure: top-quality doctors, high-tech equipment and low costs make for an easy green light. The hesitancy: Savvy consumers (er, patients, employees) are accustomed to doing their research and will expect employers to have answers to some tough questions on safety, follow-up treatment and legal ramifications.
RESOURCES
