Group of Japanese Healthcare Management Consultants Visit Min-Sheng General Hospital

A delegation from the Hyogo-Kansai Region of the Japan Association of Healthcare Management Consultants (JAHMC) visited Min-Sheng General Hospital on the first leg of a three-day trip to Taiwan to discuss management and staff education practices in large Taiwanese hospital groups.

 

The visitors were particularly interested in patients-flows and inter-service communication issues, the hospital’s initiatives to train and get its staff involved in management, and in the specific services and management systems for receiving foreign patients and medical tourists.

 

 

Min-Sheng General Hospital and HTH Worldwide/GeoBlue enter direct billing agreement

Min-Sheng General Hospital and HTH Worldwide/GeoBlue have entered an agreement that will enable HTH Worldwide/GeoBlue members to enjoy cashless services for emergency treatment and hospitalization in Taiwan. HTH Worldwide/GeoBlue is an American Insurance company that proposes two different insurance plans – HTH Worldwide for university students, and GeoBlue for expatriates and business travelers.  

 
HTH Worldwide/GeoBlue selected Min-Sheng General Hospital as a member of its provider network based on the hospital’s strong reputation dealing with international patients and its strategic location in northern Taiwan. Min-Sheng General Hospital has entered similar agreements with many international insurance companies.  

Min-Sheng joins high ranking health care delegation to Dubai

A delegation headed by Health and Welfare Minister Chiu Wen-Ta, and composed of heads of local health governments, officials, and representatives of leading hospitals recently visited the United Arab Emirates. Min-Sheng General Hospital, one of the leaders in Medical Tourism in Taiwan, was represented by the Director of its International Healthcare Center, Dr. Chen Pao-Ren.

A consensus on further medical exchanges was achieved with the Dubai Health Authority and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on medical exchanges and cooperation will be signed when the Dubai delegation makes a return visit to Taiwan. The Dubai Health Authority showed an interest in Taiwan’s medical services, including Chinese medicine, mental health and perinatal care, and the measures taken to prevent obesity-caused diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
 

The Taiwanese delegation also visited the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). Dubai is vying to become an international medical tourism hub, and once completed, the DHCC will include four hospitals, 120 large specialized clinics, pharmaceutical and other related industries, as well as world-class hotels. The DHCC project which is already well underway, with many facilities already completed and operational, is a counterpart to Taiwan’s International Health Industrial Park that will be located in the Taoyuan free economic pilot zone, when it finally gets started.

Min-Sheng attends health fair in Beijing

Min-Sheng General hospital was one of four Taiwanese hospitals that recently attended a health fair in Beijing, where they promoted their core specialties and other services of interest to the Chinese public. The initiative was supported by TAITRA, the government body in charge of developing external trade, with the aim to attract more Chinese patients to Taiwan's top hospitals. The quality of care of Taiwanese hospitals is well known in China and the prices charged here are also very competitive. Moreover, since language and culture are quite similar, Taiwan makes for a more convenient alternative to other countries in the region.

 

 

Many Chinese tour operators already include some kind of medical activity - usually a health screening or a light cosmetic procedure - in their packages in order to qualify for a medical tourism visa, however, since independent Chinese travelers are now also allowed to travel to Taiwan, some are looking for other procedures. Min-Sheng General Hospital has this year welcomed several patients from the Chinese mainland who traveled to Taiwan to undergo weight loss and metabolic surgery.

Min-Sheng promotes its Bariatric Center in China

The Asia pacific Endoscopic Metabolic and bariatric Surgical Center at Min-Sheng General Hospital regularly treats foreign patients, mostly from North America. Obesity and diabetes are becoming increasingly prevalent in China, but the public over there is not yet familiar with the surgical options available to treat these conditions.

 

 

Nevertheless, several Chinese patients have already made the trip to Taiwan this year to undergo bariatric surgery at Min-Sheng General Hospital. Two of these patients attended a press conference organized in Beijing last week to promote Taiwan’s medical expertise. Professor Wei-Jei Lee, the Director of the Bariatric center, was also on hand to explain the potential benefits of bariatric and metabolic surgery in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Min-Sheng General Hospital launches new English website

Min-Sheng General Hospital has launched a new English website (www.missioncare.com.tw) aimed at providing foreign expats in Taiwan and medical tourists the tools and information they need to facilitate their access to health care in Taiwan.

Building on years of experience dealing with foreign patients, Min-Sheng General Hospital’s International Healthcare Center has designed a new English website that wishes to be informative and practical for local foreign patients visiting the hospital, as well as a marketing tool to promote Mi-Sheng’s specialties to overseas patients. Local English speaking patients will find all the practical information they need regarding the hospital and the services it offers, and the on-line registration procedure to make a doctor appointment has been simplified.

Since the majority of patients traveling to Min-Sheng General Hospital from abroad do so either for weight loss, orthopedic, or cosmetic surgery, or for a health screening, the website has been constructed to reflect this trend. Each of these specialties has its dedicated “mini-site” that introduces the services proposed as well as their delivery process. The mini site covering weight loss and metabolic surgery actually contains such a wealth of information that it could be spun off as a standalone website. The new English website also incorporates social media; there are links to the Min-Sheng International blog, to a brand new facebook page, and patients’ testimonials videos have been uploaded on YouTube.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has long been at the forefront of international healthcare in Taiwan, and the new website reiterates the hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding service to foreign patients.

Min-Sheng's Bariatric Center welcomes Singapore nurses for clinical attachment

Min-sheng General Hospital has long been a leader for bariatric surgery in Asia. The Bariatic Center at Min-Sheng performs more than 450 bariatric surgeries a year, more than any other hospital in the region. One fourth of the Center’s patients are now people suffering from diabetes Type II with a profile that makes them candidates for potential diabetes remission after bariatric surgery. As a consequence, the Center is now referred to as the Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.

 Hospitals across the region are stepping up efforts to offer this kind of service, and doctors from Korea, Japan, Hong-Kong, Singapore, and Vietnam regularly attend training at Min-Sheng’s Bariatric Center under Professor Lee Wei-Jei, an authority on the subject for over ten years. Foreign hospitals are also keen to upgrade their nurses’ skills in the treatment of bariatric patients; Min-Sheng recently welcomed two nurses from Singapore General Hospital for a month-long clinical attachment to observe the hospital’s bariatric care program. Miss Foo focused her training on the screening process and case management of bariatric patients, whereas Miss Toh was more involved in the surgical nursing aspect of the program. They were both thrilled by the learning opportunities offered by the high volume of bariatric patients treated at Min-Sheng General Hospital.

Min-Sheng General Hospital enters cooperation agreement with Singapore firm

Min-Sheng General Hospital has entered a cooperation agreement with Woodsford Health of Singapore to become its service providers in Taiwan. Woodsford Health is part of the Woodsford Group, an investment advisory firm based in Singapore with a client base in the UK, China, and other parts of Asia.

Many of Woodsford clients are individuals who travel frequently for business or leisure, and need the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they can access first class medical services wherever they go. Woodsford Health also caters to other international patients, who choose to travel overseas to access the best possible healthcare. The company helps these patients make informed healthcare decisions and plan their travel arrangements.

Min-Sheng General Hospital welcomes new director to its Orthopedic Department

Min-Sheng General Hospital recently welcomed a new valuable addition to its already strong orthopedic team. Professor Wu Sing-Cheng has joined Min-Sheng General Hospital and will be leading the department of orthopedic surgery. Trained in Taiwan and the United States, Professor Wu specialized in spine surgery, joints replacement and reconstruction, and the treatment of trauma and osteoarthritis patients. Under his leadership Min-Sheng General Hospital will develop further its endoscopic capabilities, and offer additional options for the minimally invasive treatment of some orthopedic conditions.

Min-Sheng General Hospital regularly treats foreign patients who travel to Taiwan for joint replacement or spine surgery. These patients are attracted by the high quality of care provided by Min-Sheng General Hospital, as well as the short waiting time and competitive pricing for surgeries.

Min-Sheng General Hospital and UnitedHealthcare International enter direct billing agreement

Min-Sheng General Hospital and UnitedHealthcare International have entered an agreement that will enable UnitedHealthcare’ Global Solutions members to enjoy cashless services for emergency treatment and hospitalization in Taiwan. UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest private health insurers in America, but only recently introduced a policy integrating medical, wellness, and employee assistance programs for international assignees. It has opened an office in Beijing and pitches its Global Solutions program to international companies with staff based in, or often traveling to the Greater China Region. UnitedHealthcare is also developing a network of preferred-providers to service its members in the region and it chose Min-Sheng General Hospital to be one of its first contracted partners in Taiwan.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has acquired a strong reputation dealing with international patients and has entered similar agreements with many insurance companies. Yet, this agreement is particular in that it allows for members based in China to choose to have medical treatment or services (like the yearly preventive health screenings often offered as incentive to personnel deployed overseas) at Min-Sheng General Hospital in Taiwan, even if they are not based in Taiwan, after eligibility has been confirmed.

Min-Sheng presented with Excellence Service Award by TIHTC

Min-Sheng General Hospital was presented with the 2012 TIHTC Excellence Service Award for its contribution to the development and reputation of Taiwan’s medical services abroad. Established in 2002 by the Department of Health, the Taiwan International Healthcare Training Center (TIHTC) aims to develop international medical relations, and offers international medical training programs and other medical services.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has long been promoting its services overseas, and sees a steady flow of international patients attracted by the quality of care and service that it provides. The hospital’s reputation as an international center for bariatric surgery also lures doctors from many Asian countries seeking training in laparascopic surgical techniques.

Min-Sheng General Hospital to receive Chinese medical tourists

Min-Sheng General Hospital has been granted permission by the Taiwan Department of Health to receive patients from the Chinese mainland for treatment, and to support their application for a medical visa. Although the scheme is theoretically designed for Chinese tourists travelling in groups and those travelling individually, it is likely that most will do so as part of a package tour. In such case, the medical component of the package will only be an add-on, and not the main purpose of the trip to Taiwan.

Personalized service, cutting edge technology, and competitive pricing are a draw for Chinese medical tourists, who will at first mostly seek health screenings, light cosmetic surgery, and anti-aging treatments. However, Min-Sheng hopes to build on its reputation, and experience treating international patients from Europe and North America to attract Chinese patients looking for spine surgery and bariatric surgery.

CEO of Min-Sheng’s International Healthcare Center now also a licensed tour guide

Taiwan is stepping up its effort to attract foreign visitors to its medical facilities, and local travel agents have embraced the concept. Many are now offering packages that combine sightseeing tours of the island with a visit to a hospital or a clinic for a health check up, or a minor cosmetic procedure. Although these travel agents are mostly catering to Chinese tour groups and the Chinese tourists who will soon be allowed to travel individually in Taiwan, they also set up websites in english to tout visitors from other countries.

Foreign patients have been traveling to Min-Sheng General Hospital to seek medical treatment for quite while now, and the hospital has a department dedicated to these patients. The CEO of the International Healthcare Center (IHC) at Min-Sheng, Dr. Chen Shing-Han has long had a keen interest in the integration of the healthcare and hospitality industries, and was the first Medical Doctor in Taiwan to pursue a masters degree in hotel management. He took it a step further by passing the examination to become a licensed tour guide in Taiwan hence gaining credentials to manage most aspects of "medical tourism."

Min-Sheng General Hospital Cosmetic Center promotes the benefits of Autologous Fat Transfer

Men and women seeking to eliminate some of the facial “wear and tear” brought by years, but who don’t want to undergo a face lift or facial plastic surgery, are increasingly opting for facial fat injections. This method of “facial fat sculpting” can restore attractive contours to the chin, cheeks, and under-eye area, as well as add volume to lips. Microlipoinjection , also called Autologous Fat Transfer, is a procedure in which a patient's own body fat is used to plump up sunken or emaciated areas of the face or to add volume where desired. It is called "autologous" because it refers to the use of one's own tissues or fat. Likewise, Autologous Fat Transfer is a popular option for breast augmentation as an alternative to traditional breast implants.

Since the patient's own fat is used, Autologous Fat Transfer is performed in three steps. The first step involves the gentle liposuction of some excess fat in the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks. Fats cells are then isolated, cleansed and purified before being injected in the targeted facial areas. The whole process which takes less than two hours is performed under local anesthesia; some patients choose to have more excess fat removed and combine the procedure with a liposuction. A significant benefit of using the patient’s own fat is that the results generally last much longer than the results of other dermal fillers. And there is no allergic reaction to worry about. Individual fat transfer results can vary, but with a properly performed procedure, the results may last for years.

Min-Sheng General Hospital’s highly skilled plastic surgeons have successfully performed numerous Autologous Fat Transfers. This quick and safe technique offers tangible results and is less expensive than other types of surgical facial rejuvenation options, making it an ideal procedure for foreigners visiting Taiwan for business or leisure.

International graduate students visit Min-Sheng General Hospital

International students and faculty from Taipei Medical University visited Min-Sheng General Hospital this week to gain insight on what has made Min-Sheng a leader in international health care in Taiwan.

Taipei Medical University launched a Master in Health Administration program in English two years ago, and these students are part of its first graduating class. Originating from Asia, Central America, Africa and the Caribbean, the visiting students are all doctors or medical professionals in their respective country.

The visitors were given a presentation of the strategies that Min-Sheng General Hospital initiated to position itself as an attractive destination for International Medical Tourists, and a tour of the facilities. The students showed a particular interest in the synergies between electronic and health care that Min-Sheng is developing in the field of telemedicine and patients administration.

Min-Sheng’s IHC attends international forum on Medical Tourism.

Members of the International Healthcare Department at Min-Sheng General Hospital attended the 2010 International Medical Forum held in Taipei November 22. The event was organized by TAITRA and the Taiwan Bureau of Foreign Trade, and attracted a diverse crowd of individuals and organizations interested in the implementation of medical tourism in Taiwan.

Speakers included Mr. Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association, an international nonprofit organization committed to promoting health care across borders, Mr. Dan Snyder President and CEO of Asia Pacific Health Partners and former CEO of Parkway Holdings in Singapore, Asia’s largest private integrated healthcare company, and Dr. Junaidi Ismail, Director Business Development & Corporate Affairs at Prince Court Medical Center in Malaysia.

Min-Sheng Hospital has been actively involved in medical tourism for several years, and is widely perceived as a leader in this field in Taiwan. Mr. William Hoyois of Min-Sheng’s international healthcare department engaged in extended private conversations with the international speakers, exchanging information and strengthening old relationships.

Aetna International members now enjoy cashless outpatient treatment at Min-Sheng General Hospital.

Beginning November 1, 2010, patients participating in Aetna International and GoodHealth/China Life’s health plans will enjoy cashless handling of their outpatient treatment at Min-Sheng General Hospital. Aetna members who present a valid membership card and identification will now have their healthcare costs billed directly to Aetna for treatment of less than US $500. Patients will still be responsible for the co-payment as stipulated in their policy, and certain items are not-covered by this agreement.

Until now only hospitalization and charges of more than US$500 were covered by a billing agreement (after pre-authorization); for general outpatient treatment Aetna members had to settle the bill first and claim reimbursement from the insurer. Because of Min-Sheng General Hospital’s proximity to The Taoyuan International Airport, this service convenience is of particular interest to those among the increasing number of Mainland Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan who are Aetna members through China Life.

Min-Sheng General Hospital and Delaware American Life enter cooperation agreement.

DelAmLife is the latest international insurance company to choose Min-Sheng General Hospital as a preferred medical partner in Taiwan.

Delaware American Life Insurance Company (DelAmLife), an affiliate of ALICO, is the underwriter of the Atlas Expatriate Benefits plans in the United States. Atlas Expatriate Benefits plans were developed specifically to meet the medical needs of globally mobile employees and can be tailored to accommodate individual clients' requirements.

Thanks to the agreement signed between DelAm and Min-Sheng General Hospital, the hospital will charge DelAm directly for the medical costs incurred by Atlas Expatriate Benefit members in Taiwan, within the limits of their personal plan. Atlas Expatriate Benefit members in Taiwan include employees of multinational corporations, large hotel chains, legal firms, and foreign embassies.

More than a dozen International Health Insurance and assistance companies from America, Japan and Europe have signed cooperation agreements with Min-Sheng in order to facilitate the care and handling of their clients.

Min-Sheng General Hospital and Emergency Assistance Japan (EAJ) Enter Cooperation Agreement

Emergency Assistance Japan (EAJ) is the latest addition to a growing list of foreign health insurers and assistance companies that choose Min-Sheng General Hospital as a preferred medical partner in Taiwan.

Emergency Assistance Japan (EAJ) specializes in solutions for overseas travelers caught in sudden and unexpected circumstances, and requiring emergency medical services or medical transport. As well as preferential arrangements with premier Japanese medical institutions, EAJ maintains a worldwide network of relationships with medical providers and some of the oldest and most reputable assistance companies.

Because of its location close to Taoyuan International Airport, the gateway to Taiwan for international visitors, Min-Sheng General Hospital is strategically located to service foreign patients requiring emergency treatment. More than a dozen International Health Insurance and assistance companies from America and Europe have already signed cooperation agreements with Min-Sheng in order to facilitate the care and handling of their clients.