Global Health Care Partnership with Serigraph Inc. Reduces Costs for Members Undergoing Elective Procedures in India WEST BEND, Wis., Nov. 12
WEST BEND, Wis., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
in Wisconsin (Anthem) today announced a new international medical tourism
pilot product that will allow members to access benefits for certain common
elective procedures at designated facilities in India. Beginning in January
2009, Anthem will pilot the program with Serigraph Inc., a Wisconsin-based
global provider of printed decorating solutions.
Under the pilot program, Serigraph members planning to undergo certain
procedures can enjoy access to an extended network of respected hospitals and
health care providers in India. By electing to use the international benefit,
members can receive care at accredited facilities at lower out-of-pocket costs
for common non-emergency procedures that could result in thousands of dollars
in total savings. The pilot program includes coverage of certain common
non-emergency procedures such as major joint replacement, upper and lower back
fusion, and other procedures that have significant cost differences between
domestic and international providers.
"Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is committed to finding
innovative solutions to our nation's health care challenges, and we are
continually evaluating new concepts," said Dr. Michael Jaeger, managing
medical director for Anthem in Wisconsin. "Increasingly, our employer clients
have expressed interest in accessing foreign providers as a means to reduce
their claim expenditures, because they see medical tourism as a promising
option for improving access to affordable, quality health care.
"We're proud to partner with Serigraph, a leader in workplace benefits
innovation, on this pilot and believe the plan design we've structured will
not only empower members to be more involved in the care they receive, but
also help employers better manage their health care costs."
Members who choose to access this international option will have a
dedicated case manager who will coordinate all medical arrangements, including
scheduling and concierge travel service. All travel arrangements will be
booked and paid for, for both the member and a travel companion. The case
manager will also help make arrangements for any necessary post-operative care
upon the member's return to the United States.
All hospitals within the international program are accredited by the Joint
Commission International, whose accreditation standards are based on
international consensus standards and set uniform, achievable expectations for
structures, processes and outcomes for hospitals. The program also complies
with American Medical Association (AMA) guidelines for medical tourism.
"The market for many products and services has gone global -- why not
health care," said Linda Buntrock, senior vice president at Serigraph. "It
will be interesting to see the competition for customers in the market for
medical services and how many employees in our medium-sized company take
advantage of this opportunity once we have the program in place. We hope our
employees choose to access the international medical tourism option, which has
the potential to greatly benefit their household budgets by cutting down out
of 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 by
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") and Compcare Health Services
Insurance Corporation ("Compcare"), independent licensees of the Blue Cross
Blue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem
Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are
registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional
information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available
at www.anthem.com .
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") underwrites or administers
the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation
("Compcare") underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and
BCBSWi 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 on
plastics. The company employs over 1,200 people in the U.S., Mexico, and Asia
to service companies with operations all over the world.
Co-workers at all levels of manufacturing, sales, executive management and
support areas have an unmatched work ethic, coupled with an eagerness to learn
and build quality into their work. A commitment to community involvement and
activism are integral philosophies at Serigraph, with leaders from throughout
the company involved in public and private organizations outside of work.
Serigraph's environmental ethic extends beyond meeting and exceeding
regulatory edicts. The company has taken steps to retain the remaining rural
character of its home in Washington County. Upon completion of the company
headquarters in 1997, Serigraph undertook a prairie restoration project on the
property. Preservation of green space and natural resources in the community
are core values of the company.
SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin
