DENVER, Co. – January 22, 2009 –  Medical travel provides a unique opportunity for the U.  S.  Medicare and Medicaid programs to lower health care costs, especially during an economic downturn, suggests BridgeHealth International, Inc. (www.BridgeHealthInternational.com ), the premier provider of medical travel services aimed at guiding health plans, insurance carriers, employers, third party administrators, individuals accessing benefits via voluntary benefits plans, health and affinity card programs or Consumer Directed Health Care Plans (CDHP), and individual consumers seeking medical travel options.   

“Medicare recipients living abroad already access care at international hospitals and those living in the United States also deserve these opportunities, with the same access to high quality, cost effective care,” says Victor Lazzaro, Jr., CEO of BridgeHealth.  “This viable opportunity should extend to Medicaid beneficiaries within the U.S. because the pressures to reduce costs are great, especially in this current economic crisis, and quality shouldn’t be sacrificed.”

BridgeHealth International already facilitates similar programs with the U. K.’s National Health Service (NHS) for its members to travel within the European Union for care.  Since its launch 60 years ago, the NHS has grown to become the world’s largest publicly funded health service. It is also one of the most efficient and comprehensive models, with the philosophy that good health care should be universal, regardless of wealth. The NHS is free at the point of use for more than 60 million U.K. residents. It covers everything from prenatal screening and routine treatments for coughs and colds to open heart surgery, accident and emergency treatment, and end-of-life care.
 “BridgeHealth International coordinates travel within the European Union for people covered by the National Health Service,” Lazzaro concludes.  “If similarly replicated within the United States, medical travel programs for Medicaid and Medicare recipients will significantly enhance quality, accessibility and cost savings. Change begins at home.”

About BridgeHealth International, Inc.
BridgeHealth International, Inc. (BridgeHealth) is the premier service provider in the burgeoning medical travel industry, founded in with a vision “to create a trusted bridge to the world of international healthcare.”   BridgeHealth serves health plans, insurance carriers, employers, third party administrators, individuals accessing benefits via voluntary benefits plans, health and affinity card programs or Consumer Directed Health Care Plans (CDHP), and individual consumers seeking medical travel options.  Visit www.bridgehealthinternational.com.