A non-clinical organization providing accreditation to medical tourism firms has been granted nonprofit status, making it the first of its kind in the growing $20 billion medical tourism industry.
Healthcare Tourism International (HTI) on Tuesday launched its unbiased accreditation system to improve the standards in safety for those seeking medical attention internationally.
The Internal Revenue Service last week sent a letter to HTI endorsing its nonprofit status as a section 501(c )(3) organization, making HTI the first accreditation service for medical tourism companies to receive such a ruling.
The recent growth of the medical tourism industry has necessitated safety standards and the availability of unbiased public health information and accreditation.
"It was clear that only a nonprofit organization could provide unbiased accreditation while still incorporating accreditation criteria input from companies," said Neilesh Patel, chief executive and co-founder of HTI.
The organization's Web site, HealthCare Trip, aims to improve the patient safety, integrity and efficacy of the health tourism industry, the company said. In these measures, HTI hopes to provide patients with free complaint and dispute resolution service, information of health tourism, and a voice for patient safety in the industry.
"After almost two years of development, we’re pleased to launch our highly anticipated accreditation program which will provide international health seekers, a new level of safety," said Patel.
The accreditation process entails improving the non-clinical aspects of the health tourism experience, which makes it a complementary system to the Joint Commissions International clinical accreditation system. Areas covered by the accreditation system will include, business practices, patient recovery practices, travel logistics and language abilities.
In order to apply for self-certification or accreditation, organizations must first register on HTI's Web site.
A separate protocol has been established for health tourism companies like hotel providers, health tourism travel agencies, non-ambulatory transport vehicles, hospitals with concierge services, airlines, translator/conveyance companies and insurance companies.