Enter to win a free trip for two to exotic Seoul, South Korea, and experience world-class health and wellness treatments while exploring the beauty of this ancient city.

Register now with the “Body and Seoul Sweepstakes” to be eligible to win a fabulous vacation to Seoul. Enjoy the sights and sounds of one of Asia’s oldest cultures to feed your soul and indulge in health and wellness treatments to care for your body.

The lucky winner and a companion will be pampered with two:

• Two business class tickets from the US to Seoul
• Five nights stay at the JW Marriott in Seoul
• VIP health check up
• Dental exam and teeth whitening
• Traditional Korean medicine treatments
• Luxury skincare services
• Traditional Korean medicine treatments
• Full spa treatment

Sweepstakes ends July 19, 2010

Click: Register Now!

Watch as the Korean War Veteran Woody Anderson (Age 76) go through a medical health, dental treatment and plastic surgery in 10 days in South Korea. It takes Harvard Medical 4 weeks and 5 hours in South Korea for the medical exam.

Busan officials recently held a medical tourism conference in the United States, an event that turned out to be a huge success and will likely help lure more visitors here in the long-run.

The city and the Busan Medical Industry Association held the first Busan Medical Tourism Conference from June 9 to 13 at JJ Grand Hotel, which is located within Korea Town in Los Angeles, California. A total of 16 medical institutes such as Pusan National University Hospital, Dong-a University Medical Center and Haeundae Paik Hospital as well as Koreans living in L.A., local media and medical tour agents participated in the conference. The market pioneer team introduced outstanding medical technology and tourism resources in Busan by hosting various hospital presentations and business consulting events with tourism agencies and medical experts in the United States.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger even sent a handwritten letter to the 28 participants calling for cooperation. The letter was delivered by Alexander Kim, Deputy Director for Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The event was Sponsored by the Busan Medical Tourism office, and MK Health.
The conference agenda and logistics was organized by MedicalToursKorea.com

Photo Gallery: Click to View

The medical tourism market in South Korea is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 30% during 2010-2012, says a new research by RNCOS.

Jun 08, 2010 – After gaining its economy on semiconductors, ships and steel, South Korea is now pushing its surgeons' skills in the beauty business to carve out a new position. This is boosted by active government support, boom in cosmetic surgery and a pool of experienced surgeons. The country is looking forward to surpass Singapore, Thailand and India to become Asia's new medical tourism hub. As per our new research on the sector called “Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)”, the medical tourism market in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 30% during 2010-2012.

The growth in the South Korean medical tourism industry has been well-supported by the government efforts and initiatives. For example, in February 2009, the government has reserved 5% of the total hospital beds for foreign patients. It is mainly due to quality services provided to foreigners visiting the country for treatment and to ensure that there is enough space for domestic patients also. Besides, in an effort to increase the share of private sector in the medical tourism industry, the government has allowed State-licensed clinics and hospitals to directly seek foreign patients as part of South Korea's efforts to become Asia's new medical tourism hub.

Moreover, the government’s green signal to seek foreign patients seems extremely beneficial for the industry, considering the sustainable increase in the number of foreign patients. According to another research report “Emerging Medical Tourism in South Korea”, South Korea received 25,000 foreign patients in 2008, an increase of 56% from 16,000 in 2007. The country received a large number of international patients from China, Japan and the Southeast Asian countries.

“Asian Medical Tourism Analysis (2008-2012)” provides statistical and in-depth analysis of the Asian medical tourism industry. The report also highlights various key players in the industry and this will give clients a clear picture of the Asian medical tourism market. This will help them in taking smart decisions while making investments in the market.

Moving ahead, the report discusses about the medical tourism industry in the Asian countries. We have found that countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India and Philippines are also emerging as hot spots for medical tourism. In this regard, the report provides complete information about medical tourism industry in these countries as well. It also highlights various key market trends, which are growing in line with the overall industry growth.

For FREE SAMPLE of this report visit: http://www.rncos.com/Report/IM105.htm

Check DISCOUNTED REPORTS on: http://www.rncos.com/

# # #

About RNCOS:

RNCOS specializes in Industry intelligence and creative solutions for contemporary business segments. Our professionals study and analyze the industry and its various components, with comprehensive study of the changing market behavior. Our accuracy and data precision proves beneficial in terms of pricing and time management that assist the consultants in meeting their objectives in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Meritain Health’s partnership with the medical tourism program, Patients Without Borders, provides employees of Korean businesses with reasonably priced, comprehensive healthcare coverage.

Buffalo, NY [June 5, 2010] - Plan members of Korean Health Industry Development Institute, or KHIDI, will now have access to an affordable healthcare option, spanning both the United States and Korea. Meritain Health announced today that it will be working with KHIDI for claims administration, as well as comprehensive provider access, that includes medical tourism. Through Meritain Health’s strong relationships with nationwide PPO networks, state-side members will receive healthcare services from U.S. providers; for members in need of more extensive medical care, Meritain Health’s new partnership with Patients Without Borders provides them with healthcare services in Korea.

As healthcare and health benefit costs continue to climb, Meritain Health clients require innovative cost control strategies. Meritain Health achieves this through comprehensive provider network strategies.

“Patients Without Borders helps us deliver near and long-term cost savings for our clients,” said Dave Parker, Senior Vice President of Sales for Meritain Health. “This program finds the highest quality of medical care where the cost of doing business is not so high, thereby lowering costs for employers and members.”

About Meritain Health
Meritain Health is the nation’s largest independent provider of services for self-funded health plans. Meritain Health serves over 1,700 self-funded clients and over 1.4 million members nationally. The company provides plan administration, innovative wellness, medical management, disease management, network management and cost management services. Meritain Health is also a pioneer and now the leading independent provider of Consumer-Directed Health Plans. Meritain Health employs more than 1,400 people, with headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., and regional offices in 30 cities across the country. For more information, visit http://www.meritain.com.

Stop Loss Brokerage
Stop-Loss Brokerage, Inc. is a full service brokerage agency specializing in ERISA-based Self-Funded plan designs for over 25 years. With access to, and direct underwriting experience with, a large diverse range of TPAs, Reinsurance Carriers, MCOs, MGUs and PBMs, ,Stop-Loss Brokerage has excelled at keeping its clientele in a cutting edge platform, assuring optimum plan performance and high level claims management. Stop-Loss Brokerage is very pleased to be partnering with PWB and Meritain Health in the development and promotion of the Korean Association Preferred Health Plan.

For more information on the Korean Association product,
please contact Keith Johnson, President, Stop-Loss
Brokerage, Inc. at 1.502.245.1508.

About KHIDI
The Korean Health Industry Development Institute was established pursuant to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute Act. It is a government-funded agency, which aims to contribute to the improvement of the national healthcare system.

About Patients Without Borders
Patients Without Borders is a full-service medical travel or medical tourism facilitator. The organization connects clients with established, reputable medical facilities in countries outside the U.S., providing access to high quality care at more affordable costs. PWB establishes relationships with only the highest-quality physicians, specialists and facilities around the world, and then works with individuals, the companies they work for, or their insurers to facilitate the entire medical travel and medical tourism process from referral through post-operative care.

Jeju, South Korea's biggest island, is transforming into a medical destination for foreign patients who are looking for world-class treatments as well as tourism attractions. Jeju Healthcare Town will start construction from the end of this year with the first step due to be completed early next year.

Jeju Healthcare Town will consist of three facilities a Wellness Park, Medical Park and R&D Park. The local government set aside a site of 1.48 million square meters in Seogwipo to build the healthcare complex, where JDC will invest approximately US $614 million.

One of main themes of the Jeju Healthcare Town is medical treatment and research for a long life. Jeju will attract foreign patients who want to have check-up regularly for their healthy life to the Wellness Park and then, they will develop the sites for an anti-aging R&D center in the R&D Park. The medical facilities and R&D Park will support and improve medical treatment used in the Wellness Park.

There are three positive factors pointing to success for Jeju Healthcare Town. First of all, geographically, Jeju Island is located off the south coast of South Korea, between China and Japan. Eighteen cities with populations of more than 5 million are within 2 hours' flight of Jeju Island. This geographic advantage will attract overseas patients who want to take advantage of tourism as well as medical treatment. Second, Jeju offers an unspoiled natural environment that other competitive medical destinations do not have. Jeju Island is traditionally well-known as a tourism destination with its beautiful landscape and clean environment. Therefore, medical tourists, and their friends and family members, can enjoy Jeju while they receive medical treatment. Last but not least, Korea offers state-of-the-art technology in medical treatment including surgery, diagnostics and cancers. The high level of Korean hospitals' technology is already well-known among Asian countries.

The name Seogwipo comes from a story about Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China. Qin Shi Huang asked Xu Fu(also called Seobok), his court alchemist, to find a special elixir plant. Xu Fu visited Jeju and found the elixir plant on Mt. Halla. When Xu Fu left Jeju with the plant, he carved "Xu Fu Visited Jeju Island" on a rock. The name Seogwipo was given to the city based on this story. Qin Shi Huang, who was well-known for being ageless, recognized Jeju as the home of special elixir plants. Jeju believes this story will attract more Chinese visitors who are looking for medical treatment.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of visitors to Korea for medical treatment has increased significantly. It aims to attract 850,000 overseas patients by 2015. The efforts of Jeju and other cities in Korea are showing signs of success in this area, meaning that Korea has the potential to become a hub for medical tourism.

SOURCE: JDC
http://www.koreaittimes.com

The Panstar Cruise sails near the Busan shore every weekend, providing visitors with a chance to watch the beautiful sunset and sunrise from the sea.

The overnight cruise departs at 2 p.m. every Saturday from the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal and heads to Jodo, Taejongdae and Molundae, where guests can view the sunset. It then goes to Oryuk Islets, Gwangan Bridge for fireworks and Haeundae to watch the sunrise before returning to the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The ship includes a sauna, lounge, cafe, snack bar, karaoke room and meeting room. As for the main events, guests can see exotic dancing performances, music concerts and magic shows.

Price : There are several different packages offered ranging from $90.00 to $275.00 for two people, depending on the room. Guests can book rooms for up to two people, three people and four people.

Website: Panstar Cruise and Ferry

Information : 051-464-6400

UMR to coordinate with Patients Without Borders (PWB) in offering medical tourism plans to state-side employees of Korean businesses

Korean companies with employees in the United States will now have a high quality, reasonably priced health plan option that includes medical tourism. UMR, a UnitedHealthcare company, announced today an agreement with the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) to offer claim administration to Korean-based companies with employees in the United States. UMR will work with self-funded Korean companies, administering claims for state-side employees and providing access to the UnitedHealthcare medical networks. Additionally, for those Korean plan members who may need more extensive medical care, UMR will coordinate services with Patients without Borders, a medical tourism facilitator, to allow them to return to Korea for that care.

Because UMR is a UnitedHealthcare company, plan members will also have access to the largest and highest quality health care networks in the United States. “We are excited to work with KHIDI on giving Korean employers a great option for their state-side employees,” said Jay Anliker, UMR president and CEO. “They will now be able to get the best health care here in the United States and, if needed, be able to return home for additional care or more serious conditions.”

“KHIDI is committed to nurturing and developing the Korean health industry and improving health services. This agreement with UMR and Patients without Borders now gives us one more tool to ensure Korean nationals have access to the best health care no matter where they reside,” said President Bup-Wan Kim.

About UMR

The largest TPA in the United States, UMR provides a full array of integrated health plan management, claim processing and administration services for self-funded medical, dental, vision and disability plans. UMR offers integrated care management, pharmacy benefits administration and a host of ancillary services including claim recovery management, reinsurance products and services, claim repricing and provider data management software and services and non-network claims cost containment. UMR processes more than 39 million claims annually, handles more than 4 million phone calls annually and serves more than 2.8 million health plan members. UMR is a UnitedHealthcare company. Find out more at www.umr.com.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare (www.unitedhealthcare.com) provides a full spectrum of consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services. The company organizes access to quality, affordable health care services on behalf of more than 26 million individual consumers, contracting directly with more than
550,000 physicians and care professionals and 4,800 hospitals nationwide to offer consumers broad, convenient access to services nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group.

About Stop-Loss Brokerage, Inc.

Stop-Loss Brokerage, Inc. is the nationally appointed GA for UMR and the KAPHP product. Stop-Loss Brokerage, Inc. is a full service independent brokerage agency that has specialized in self-funded plan design and administration for over 25 years. By partnering with the most progressive; cost efficient; and innovative leaders, with the self-funded industry; our clientele is assured of maintaining the most cost-effective, and cutting-edge strategies; available in the marketplace, today and tomorrow.

About Patients Without Borders

Patients Without Borders is a full-service medical travel or medical tourism facilitator. The organization connects clients with established, reputable medical facilities in countries outside the U.S., providing access to high quality care at more affordable costs. PWB establishes relationships with only the highest-quality physicians, specialists and facilities around the world, and then working with individuals, the companies they work for, or their insurers to facilitate the entire medical travel and medical tourism process from referral through post-operative care.

About KHIDI

The Korean Health Industry Development Institute was established pursuant to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute Act. It is a government-funded agency, which aims to contribute to the improvement of the national health care system.

On April 16th, 2010, Korea medical facility tour participants visited Yeson Voice Center that was initiated by KHIDI. The participants were total 9 of medical doctors and associates, agencies, and PR directors. They experienced amazing quality of medical services that YVC provides for international patients and deeply impressed by the specialized treatment care for voice. After the tour and the business meeting, each party was able to confirm the possibility of making a successful business partner.

On April 13-15th, the Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism Conference Korea was held for the first time in Seoul, Korea. Yeson Voice Center (YVC) participated in the conference as well as the exhibition by the joint initiative event between MTA and KHIDI.

The conference featured over 600 delegates as well as over 100 buyers of healthcare from 28 different countries.
The buyers of healthcare spent an entire day of the conference touring the hospitals in Seoul Korea where they saw Asia’s high quality of healthcare first hand.

One of the highlights of the congress was the B2B meetings that allowed the buyers of healthcare to sit down and discuss with the providers the actual steps to start to implement medical tourism. Numerous buyers showed huge interests with medical services that YVC provides.

These business meetings were a great success for both parties as they were able to continue networking throughout the entire congress. After seeing the hospitals first hand prior to the conference and then being able to sit down and discuss with the providers, this set up proved to create a truly valuable experience for all delegates.