Hospital Care in Singapore Now Available to American Patients at Pre-Negotiated,...

Hospital Care in Singapore Now Available to American Patients at
Pre-Negotiated, In-Network Rates Far Lower than Comparable Services in the
U.S.

SINGAPORE, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Three hospitals operated by
ParkwayHealth have become the first medical institutions in Singapore to join
a U.S.-based health care network and will treat American patients at
pre-negotiated, in-network rates that are dramatically lower than those
typically charged at hospitals in the United States.
Clients of South Carolina-based Companion Global Healthcare Inc., now have
the option of traveling 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.
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 health care organizations in the United States.
"This marks a significant milestone in the global reach of Singapore's
health care," said Dr. Jason CH Yap, director of healthcare services for the
Singapore Tourism Board. "Singapore has long been the leading medical hub and
health care destination of choice in Asia. It is therefore not unexpected that
Americans would also seek to avail themselves of high quality health care in
Singapore's safe and stable environment." More than 410,000 visitors traveled
to Singapore for medical services in 2006.
"Patients in increasing numbers are crossing international borders seeking
top-quality care at affordable prices," said Dan Snyder, ParkwayHealth group
executive vice president and chief operating officer and a former staff member
of the U.S. 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."
"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 David
Boucher, Companion Global Healthcare's assistant vice president of health care
services.
Access to ParkwayHealth's three Singapore hospitals is now available to
the more than one million members of BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina
and BlueChoice(R) HealthPlan of South Carolina through Companion Global
Healthcare's network at preferred rates. Companion Global Healthcare also
serves the uninsured, and is available to contract with insurance companies
and employer groups that wish to include an overseas option in their benefit
plans. The company provides a single launch point for appointments, travel
services, case management and follow up care in the United States.
The SingaporeMedicine Initiative
Launched in 2003, SingaporeMedicine is a multi-agency government-industry
partnership committed to strengthening Singapore's position as Asia's leading
medical hub and international health care destination. Led by the Ministry of
Health of Singapore, SingaporeMedicine is supported by three government
agencies: the Economic Development Board, which develops industry
capabilities, the International Enterprise Singapore, which fosters
regionalism by Singapore-based health care players, and the Singapore Tourism
Board, which markets Singapore as a health care destination to inbound
international patients and develops associated people-oriented services.
Key Singapore health care services accolades and accreditation include:

-- Nine hospitals and three medical centers with JCI accreditation,
accounting for one-third of all JCI-accredited facilities in Asia.
-- In 2003, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) ranked
Singapore's health care system as the third best in the world and the
country as best prepared to deal with a major medical crisis in Asia.
-- In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Singapore's health
care system as the best in Asia and sixth best in the world.
-- Singapore's blood supply ranks among the safest in the world. The
Centre for Transfusion Medicine in Singapore is internationally reputed
for is high standards of blood safety practices and management of blood
transfusion services. It is recognized as a WHO Collaborating Centre.
-- In 2007, Singapore was voted the "Best Medical/Wellness Tourism
Destination" by TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards.

SOURCE Singapore Tourism Board

Brent Burkhardt, +1-410-986-1303, or Mark Walsh, +1-646-366-1470, both of TBC
Public Relations for the Singapore Tourism Board