Americans get bigger incentive to seek medical treatments in Singapore

A new agreement between ParkwayHealth and a US-based healthcare network may have more Americans choosing Singapore as their preferred overseas healthcare destination now.

The three hospitals operated by ParkwayHealth - Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles and East Shore hospitals - have become the first medical institutions in Singapore to join the US-based health care network, Companion Global Healthcare Inc. based in South Carolina, allowing American patients to receive treatment at pre-negotiated, in-network rates that are even lower than those typically charged at hospitals in the US.

Clients of Companion Global Healthcare Inc. now have the option of travelling to Mount Elizabeth, Gleneagles or East Shore hospitals in Singapore, where they can access a wide range of medical and surgical services, including joint replacements, open heart and cardiology surgery, and invasive cancer treatment.

"This marks a significant milestone in the global reach of Singapore's healthcare," said Dr Jason CH Yap, Director of Healthcare Services for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). "Singapore has long been the leading medical hub and healthcare destination of choice in Asia. It is therefore not unexpected that Americans would also seek to avail themselves of high quality healthcare in Singapore's safe and stable environment."

The lower cost of treatment is expected to be a major draw for Americans. For instance, an angioplasty costs approximately US$57,000-83,000 for an uninsured patient in the US, whereas in Singapore, it costs only US$13,000, similar to the costs at other major Asian medical travel destinations.

"So even after factoring in travel and accommodation expenses of the patient and their accompanying persons, the cost savings are still considerable," said Dr Yap.

More than 410,000 visitors travelled to Singapore for medical services in 2006. The majority are from the established markets of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

However, Dr Yap said the list of countries that patients come from has gone up significantly in the last few years. "We are now seeing big increases in numbers from the rapidly growing markets in ASEAN, the Middle East, South Asia, Russia, etc. Our healthcare providers have reported that there are increases in the number of medical travellers from the US, UK and the European countries seeking medical treatments in Singapore."

"Patients in increasing numbers are crossing international borders seeking top-quality care at affordable prices," said Mr Dan Snyder, ParkwayHealth group executive vice president and chief operating officer and a former staff member of the US Surgeon General and Chief of Naval Operation's offices. "Our three world-class hospitals in Singapore have fully English-speaking, reputable specialists and nurses who offer some of the best treatment available anywhere in the world."

Each Parkway hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the affiliate of The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is the largest accreditor of healthcare organisations in the US.

"The addition of ParkwayHealth in Singapore means our individual clients and employer groups have more outstanding options for obtaining fully credentialed medical care at affordable, all-inclusive prices," said Mr David Boucher, Companion Global Healthcare's assistant vice president of healthcare services.