Case Study: Handling a pelvic fracture in the US
Northcott Global Solutions (NGS) explains how it managed hospital costs for a patient who suffered a serious injury after a fall.
A dream vacation in the US took a nightmarish turn for a traveller when a fall led to a severe pelvic fracture. The situation was dire, requiring immediate medical intervention and a well-coordinated response. The initial hospital costs skyrocketed, adding financial stress to an already traumatic experience. NGS’s approach to this complex case was holistic, focusing on both medical and financial aspects:
• Local team activation: Our operations team immediately activated a local US team for cost containment, hospital liaison, and retrieval of medical reports and treatment plans
• Cost containment: Within a day, the costs had escalated to over $21,800. However, our team’s effective strategies ultimately reduced the final hospital bill by 17 per cent
• Timely medical intervention: Complex surgery was successfully completed eight days after admission, ensuring quality care
• Travel logistics: NGS organised return flights and transportation to and from airports, providing a stressfree journey back home.
Challenges Encountered: Balancing Medical and Financial Needs
• Rapidly rising costs: One of the most significant challenges was the rapidly escalating hospital costs, which initially reached an estimated $121,600
• Complex medical needs: The severity of the injury required complex surgery, adding another layer of complexity to the case
• Multiple stakeholders: Balancing the needs and expectations of the patient, medical facilities, and insurers was a logistical challenge.
Result: A successful mission
The case was a shining example of NGS’s commitment to comprehensive care, demonstrating:
• Effective cost management: Our cost containment strategies reduced the financial burden, pleasing both the patient and the insurers
• Quality medical care: The patient received timely and effective medical intervention, including a successful surgery and subsequent discharge
• Seamless coordination: From hospital liaison to travel arrangements, every aspect was handled with seamless efficiency, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for the patient.
At NGS, we pride ourselves on our ability to navigate complex situations with agility and compassion – always prioritising the wellbeing of those we serve. This case serves as a testament to our multifaceted approach to medical emergencies, showcasing our commitment to providing both quality care and financial prudence.
October 2023
Issue
In the second of our Assistance and Repatriation Reviews of 2023 we look at Antarctic assistance and extreme medical assistance for explorers and remote workers. We also examine factors driving cost increases in medical assistance around the world. Covid ramped up the cost of assistance, but what else has actually changed currently? In this issue we also look at treatment and evacuation options from the Caribbean. Finally, we look into the red flags that insurers need to watch out for when contracting with ground ambulance service providers.
Northcott Global Solutions (NGS)
NGS is an international travel risk management company that specialises in security and travel risk management, medical assistance, aviation, and tracking. They also offer point of incident response and evacuations designed to meet modern, corporate, and complex travel patterns.
In short, NGS provides a variety of services to help individuals, businesses, and insurance companies stay safe and secure when traveling abroad. Their services include but are not limited to:
• Medical assistance: NGS can provide medical assistance in the event of an illness or injury while traveling. This can include anything from providing basic first aid to arranging for emergency medical evacuation
• Security: NGS can provide security services to protect individuals and businesses from a variety of threats, such as terrorism, kidnapping, and theft
• Travel risk management: NGS can help individuals and businesses assess the risks associated with travel to a particular destination and develop a plan to mitigate those risks
• Aviation: NGS can arrange for private air travel, medical evacuations, and other aviation services
• Tracking: NGS can track individuals or assets while they are traveling to ensure their safety and security.
• NGS is a trusted partner for individuals, businesses, and insured clients who need help staying safe and secure when traveling abroad. They have a proven track record of providing high-quality services and they are committed to providing excellent customer care.
