AMA provides first ever guidance on medical tourism
New
AMA principles promote patient safety for care abroad
For immediate release
June 16, 2008
CHICAGO — To ensure the safety of patients considering traveling abroad for
medical care, new guiding principles on medical tourism (PDF, 20KB) were
adopted today at the American Medical Association's (AMA) annual policy-making
meeting. The nine principles are the first-of-its-kind, and outline steps for
care abroad for consideration by patients, employers, insurers and third-parties
responsible for coordinating travel outside of the U.S.
"Medical tourism is a small but growing trend among American patients, and
it's unclear at this time whether the risks outweigh the benefits," said AMA
Board Member J. James Rohack,
MD. "Since this is uncharted waters, it is our hope that the AMA's new
guidance on medical tourism will benefit patients considering traveling abroad
for health care."
In 2006, an estimated 150,000 Americans received health care overseas, and
nearly half of the procedures were for medically necessary surgeries. The
emergence of medical tourism is in part a response to the rising cost of health
care in the U.S., which puts needed health care out of reach for many,
particularly those without health care coverage.
"We need to address the cost of care in the U.S. and cover the uninsured so
that every American who needs health care can get it right here at home," said
Dr. Rohack. "Until there is significant action at home, patients with limited
resources may turn elsewhere for care. It is important that U.S. patients have
access to credible information and resources so that the care they receive
abroad is safe and effective."
The new AMA principles call for all medical care outside of the U.S. to be
voluntary. They address financial incentives, insurance coverage for care abroad
and care coordination. The principles also call for patients to be made aware of
their legal rights prior to travel and to have access to physician licensing and
facility accreditation information prior to travel.
"For those patients considering medical tourism, the new AMA principles are
an important starting point for consideration before making the decision to go
abroad for health care," said Dr. Rohack.
To ensure that insurance companies and others that facilitate medical tourism
adhere to the new principles, the AMA will introduce model legislation for
consideration of state lawmakers.
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For additional information, please contact AMA Media Relations at:
(312) 239-4991 or (312) 464-5980
Last updated: Jun 17, 2008
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