Absorbing the culture, making new friends and above all, grappling with the language, have all provided memorable milestones along a wonderful voyage of discovery and personal fulfillment.

Except, that is when it came to my health. Ordering meatballs and getting pork chops is one thing, but when you’re sitting in front of a doctor trying to describe the symptoms of a serious illness, you need to know that the physician in front of you understands precisely what you are telling him.

You also want to be sure that your doctor knows what he is doing. This may sound a facile point but when you have lived overseas for as long as I have – in Thailand, Vietnam and China for the last 15 years – this is not something you take for granted.

And so it was that after a seeming eternity of indestructibly rude health, I recently fell ill with a urological infection. This was also around the time I made the acquaintance of Dr Raymond Prats of SimpleCare. Through the course of our (unrelated) discussions, the issue of my health problem came up.

Having listened to my concerns about finding a doctor who could understand me and who I could trust, Dr Prats suggested I give SimpleCare a try.

So I did.

And I can honestly tell you it was one of the best decisions I have made in
a long while. The way it works is very simple. First you become a member of SimpleCare, which you can do online in a matter of minutes. Within a few days, you will receive your membership card. It doesn’t matter if you have had a previous condition; they take everybody.
Being a SimpleCare member brings you two major benefits.
First it gives you access to the best specialists and doctors in the private health sector. The peace of mind you get, knowing that your health is in qualified, capable hands is immeasurable.

The second benefit – and this is really important  when you consider that health-care costs can often be prohibitive when you “go private” – is that being a SimpleCare member qualifies you for huge savings on you medical bills.

SimpleCare can do this because, as a large US based company, they are able to leverage the prices usually only available to the big insurance companies. When I paid my bill, out of curiosity, I asked the lady behind the desk how much it would have cost me if I hadn’t used my SimpleCare card. Amazingly, the price of my consultation and treatment would have been almost double.

As for the doctor; I can say with hand on heart that Dr Sanz, the chief urologist in the Clinica Premium in Marbella – recommended as the best urologist in the South of Spain by SimpleCare – was consummately professional, sympathetic, attentive and – not least, bilingual.

Indeed, even the nurses at the reception desk spoke pretty good English. The whole experience was very reassuring.

In summary; I don’t speak great Spanish and I am not certainly not familiar enough with the Spanish public healthcare system to navigate the maze of its variable quality. What I need is to be able receive excellent healthcare without losing the shirt off my back.

SimpleCare has enabled me to do that. And the peace of mind that brings is truly priceless.

SimpleCare has announced a new partnership with International Medical Center to open state of the art medical clinics throughout Spain, giving SimpleCare members in-network access to IMC physicians and specialists at discounted rates unmatched by other private clinics on the Costa del Sol. Our new IMC Medical Center located in Calle Carlota Alessandra 41, Torremolinos will have its grand opening April 2011, the center comprises 260 mtrs providing radiology services, stat laboratory, day hospital, pediatrics, urology, cardiology, traumatology, internal medicine, general medicine, dental, plastic surgery, family medicine, oncology, gynecology, endocrinology, otolaryngology, psychology, general surgery, weight loss programs, surgical suite and online consultations for those unable to travel and who have internet connection.

“This national agreement with SimpleCare will allow even more people to experience International Medical Centers,” says Angel Giro, M.D. “Our members tell us they come to SimpleCare for our team approach to health care, our affordable health schemes and the peace of mind they have knowing that they receive care from many leading experts in their fields. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with International Medical Centers commercial plan of opening quality medical centers throughout Spain”

“IMC is recognized for delivering quality health care services combined with state of the art facilities,” says R.B. Prats, medical director for SimpleCare Health Plan. “We look forward to working together and opening new centers giving SimpleCare members and ex-pats in Spain access to the outstanding services provided by the physicians and specialists associated with International Medical Center at affordable rates SimpleCare is known for.” Obviously were very excited about providing medical care to the Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola community along with our Simplecare members but we are not satisfied and have begun looking at Malaga Capital and Nerja as future locations to open IMC clinics.

From your first consultation through to your post-treatment, you will understand what makes the International Medical Center experience so different.

“IMC” International Medical Center has signed important contracts with national and international insurance companies and will be an in-network provider for SimpleCare members.

About SimpleCare

SimpleCare is a leading International Healthcare Provider with offices in the U.S. and Marbella Spain.

SimpleCare Health Plan makes comprehensive and affordable health-care services accessible in ways never before possible.

Our Fully packaged healthcare services are designed to take the complications and anxiety out of receiving medical care by utilizing only the highest – quality medical providers saving you between 40-70% on Hospital Cost and Physician fees.

About International Medical Center

IMC is a provider of comprehensive healthcare services.  The mission of IMC is to provide, together with its physicians, specialists and facilities a broad range of high quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of our communities.

Media Contact:
R.B. Prats
info@simplecarehealthplan.com
Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 72;

Edf. Golden, Portal B, 1ª Planta;

Marbella Malaga 29601
34 952 768 315

1 800 281-3136

www.simplecarehealthplan.com

International Medical Center

SimpleCare Health Plan

Breast Cancer month

October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual event that aims to encourage women to receive mammogram screening. In this month, individuals and organizations, nonprofit or otherwise, wear something pink to show their support for the patients or cancer survivors.

Here we report a study that may serve as a tip that may help those who are concerned about the risk of breast cancer, which is diagnosed in more than 175,000 women each year in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute.

A study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer suggests that reduced intake of total dietary fat may reduce risk of developing breast cancer.  So those who really want to cut the risk may consider using a low fat diet.

Wang J. and colleagues from Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts analyzed data collected between 1995 and 1999 from 1703 women with breast cancer and 2045 controls without the disease.

The researchers found high fat intake was associated with increased risk of breast cancer by 35 percent compared to low fat intake.

Interestingly, Oleic acid, which is found abundant in olive oil and canola oil was positively associated with risk of breast cancer while linoleic acid and saturated fat was not.

Early studies have found linoleic acid, commonly found in vegetables oils like corn oil and soy bean oil, promotes growth of cancer cells while olive oil, which is rich in oleic acid has been found to provide a beneficial effect.

Additionally, the researchers found women cooking with hydrogenated fats were at 58 percent increased risk of breast cancer while vegetable oil/corn oil was associated with a 30 percent increased risk compared to women using olive oil/canola oil.

The researchers concluded “Our results suggest that a low-fat diet

may play a role in breast cancer prevention. We speculate that monounsaturated trans fats may have driven the discrepant associations between types of fat and breast cancer.”

The take-home message is that to fight breast cancer or prevent the malignancy, people should not simply wear pink in October.  Instead they need to pay some attention to what they cook and eat.

By David Liu

Simplecare World Medical Headquarters
Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 72;
Edf. Golden, Portal B, 1a Planta;
Marbella Malaga Spain 29602

1 (800) 281-3136
34-952-768-315

SimpleCare, a leading health-care provider is pleased to announce the opening of a Representative Office in Benalmadena, Spain.

“The new office is located at, Urb. Nueva Torrequebrada, Benalmadena, Spain and will act as a liaison between SimpleCare and its customers and partners throughout Spain and in the United States.

“The new office in Benalmadena will provide more convenience and access to our members,” said R.B. Prats, medical director of SimpleCare. “The office is in an ideal location, which enables us to better serve members in this ever-growing city and province.”

“The expat community is growing very rapidly, with this in mind we felt the need to increase our presence in this rapidly growing market,” added R.B. Prats.

About SimpleCare:
SimpleCare offers World-Class medical care. Typically SimpleCare will save you between 40-70% on Hospital Cost and Physician fees.
SimpleCare Health Plan names and symbols are registered marks of SimpleCare Health Plan.

Contact:

R.B. Prats
Medical Director
SimpleCare
Tel: 34 952 768 315 or 1 800 281 3136
www.simplecarehealthplan.com
www.simplecareworldhealth.com

"SIMPLECARE" Affordable Health-care

“SimpleCare is pleased to partner with Clinica Novo Sancti Petri to bring a comprehensive array of specialty care services to those who work and live near Chiclana de la Fra, Cadiz,” our continued growth and expanding memberships in Gibraltar and Rota required we address this need, said R.B. Prats, Medical Director at SimpleCare,

Clinica Novo Sancti Petri provide a full range of health care services including all aspects of occupational health and medical treatment for accidents, injuries and illnesses in the workplace; primary care, internal medicine, family practice and urgent care. In addition, provides orthopedics, pain management, physical therapy, rehabilitation and laboratory services, electrocardiogram (EKG) and pulmonary function testing, immunizations and x-ray imaging technology to provide patients with fast and accurate assessments in one convenient location. Hearing and vision services as well as all aspects of corporate health-care services are also available at Clinica Novo Sancti Petri

“The Simplecare affiliation with Clinica Novo Sancti Petri provides our patients with access to the highest levels of sub-specialty care available and is in line with the SIMPLECARE mission to provide the timely health-care that our patients need, coupled with the convenience they want. We have the best physicians practicing in quality facilities who deliver the compassionate care our patients deserve,” said R.B. PRATS., Medical Director of SimpleCare.

Through this new affiliation, SimpleCare patients will have seamless access to a full complement of inpatient and outpatient services at Clinica Novo Sancti Petri ranging from the latest radiology imaging techniques such as MRI, CT, scans and fully digital breast imaging services to lithotripsy, ozone therapy and lasik procedures. SimpleCare patients will receive the same first-class treatment and care that the Clinica Novo Sancti Petri community has come to know and rely upon.

About SimpleCare Health Plan International:

SimpleCare offers World-Class medical care. Typically SimpleCare will save you between 40-70% on Hospital Cost and Physician fees

SimpleCare Health and Medical Scheme

• No pre-exisiting medical exclusions
• No upper age limit and no related price increases after age 70
• Save up to 70% on Hospital and Physicians fees
• Treatment you can pay for when you need it
• Low excess calculated per claim
• Free GP consultation when you sign-up

SimpleCare Health Plan names and symbols are registered marks of SimpleCare Health Plan.

About Clinica Novo Sancti Petri:

Clinica Novo Sancti Petri has a total area of 5000 m2. The infrastructure of the building occupies and area of 1800 m2 distributed on three floors. It has 2 accesses for patients and for ambulance transports, also parking is available.

In the main floor we have the reception area, emergency services, doctor surgery, medical specialties rooms and the operating rooms.

On the lower level, we have rehabilitation services, orthopedic, employment medicine and the central services of laboratory and xray.

On the first floor, we have the hospitalization, rooms and the infirmary control.

Clinic Novo Sancti Petri is placed in one of the most beautiful zones in Cadiz, Andalucia.

Contact:

R.B. Prats
Medical Director
SimpleCare
Tel: 34 952 768 315 or 1 800 281 3136

www.simplecarehealthplan.com

www.simplecareworldhealth.com

The recently released study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal on Wednesday, Walsh’s team found NDM-1 was becoming more common in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan and was also imported back to Britain in patients returning after treatment. The bug has already killed many thousands in India and Bangladesh and it seems that only now that it directly threatens Western populations are serious attempts starting to find an anti-biotic that works against it. We believe that the bug has entered the UK via patients infected with it after undergoing elective heart and orthopedic surgery in India or Bangladesh. There is a growing trend for some to visit Asia for elective surgery as it is often much cheaper than in the West, However such cut price surgery could lead to infection and the spread of this highly dangerous super bug around the globe.

“Through the creation of this blog http://www.simplecaremedretreat.blogspot.com/,  SimpleCare World Health hopes to increase awareness of the benefits and risk, which consumers can employ to ensure the “safest use” of their resources, and as a result, the fulfillment of a safe overseas health-care experience,” said R.B. Prats, CEO of SimpleCare World Health.

About SimpleCare World Health

SIMPLE CARE WORLD HEALTH offers world-class private surgical and recuperative care to international medical travelers seeking high quality affordable treatment in a first world country-Spain Non-acute operations and medical procedures (such as orthopedic surgery, hip and knee replacements, cardiac surgery including coronary artery bypass and heart valve replacement, bariatric surgery) are available for significantly less than what they would cost in other first world countries, especially the United States.

More information on SimpleCare World Health can be found at www.simplecareworldhealth.com or by calling 1-800-281-3136.

Inquiries can be sent to:
info ( @ ) simplecarehealthplan dot com

SimpleCare World Health

1 800-281-3136

SimpleCare World Health

Experts in antibiotic resistance called the gene mutation, named NDM-1, “worrying” and “ominous,” and they said they feared it would spread globally. A study tracking the spread of the mutation from India and Pakistan to Britain was published online on Tuesday in the journal

Medical tourism” to India for many surgeries — cosmetic,  dental and even organ transplants — is becoming more common as hospitals offer care at a fraction of Western prices. Tourists and people visiting family are also sometimes hospitalized. The Lancet researchers found dozens of samples of bacteria with the NDM-1 resistance gene in two Indian cities they surveyed, which they said “suggests a serious problem.

R.B. Prats states that unfortunately we have known of possible complications for some time and have consistently warned American, British and Canadian medical travelers that their decision should not be made solely on price. American medical tourism operators and brokers emphasize price and the fact that surgeons have either trained in the U.S. or are board certified? although this may be true in some cases it does not negate the fact that traveling to a third world country posses not only personal safety issues but health risk as well.

We are consistently showing growth in patients choosing our Health Care services through our international division “SimpleCare World Health” precisely because of the risk factors found in these countries. As one of Spain’s leading health-care provider we are able to provide the exact services offered in India at comparative fees without the health concerns, longer flight times and in a first world country.

SIMPLE CARE offers world-class private surgical and recuperative care to international medical travelers seeking high quality affordable treatment in a first world country-Spain. Non-acute operations and medical procedures (such as orthopedic surgery, hip and knee replacements, cardiac surgery including coronary artery bypass and heart valve replacement, bariatric surgery) are available for significantly less than what they would cost in other first world countries, especially the United States.

Tourists coming to Spain to receive medical treatment avail themselves of a top end health care system and substantial cost savings from a private leading health care provider, SimpleCare. In addition, many clinics and hospitals are located in large tourist destinations with surrounding natural, cultural and tourist attractions.

The cost of living, even in overpriced tourist destinations, is substantially lower than in many other European countries and North American states. The private hospitals and medical specialists Simple Care contracts are of the highest standard; all specialists speak English and have received extensive Specialty training, in Spain as well as North America or the United Kingdom, Simple Care assists patients on every step of the journey: arranging flights and accommodation, meeting patients at the airport in Spain, booking specialist appointments and the surgery as well as organizing quality after-care while the patient is in Spain.

No detail is left to chance. Confirmation of Simple Care’s Uncompromising focus on quality is the proactive partnerships with Primary Care Physicians from the patient’s own country to determine the most appropriate plan of action for a elective medical procedure.

SIMPLECARE
Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 72; Edf. Golden, Portal B, 1ª Planta;
Marbella, Malaga 29601 Spain
simplecare@mac.com
www.simplecarehealthplan.com
www.simplecareworldhealth.com
Spain: 952 768 315
U.S.A: 1 800 281 3136

Medical Tourism

via Success – Free-Press-Release.com.

SimpleCare, the retail health care division of (SimpleCare Health Plan), and The Facial Team, a regional group of Facial Reconstruction Surgeons in Marbella Spain, have entered into a clinical affiliation to provide high quality, affordable Facial Feminization Surgery in the U.S.A.

R.B. Prats medical director for SimpleCare states; we are excited to announce the launch of Facial Team’s new surgical center in Miami thru our affiliated healthcare centers in Florida. The Facial team was created with the intent to provide the latest in facial feminization surgery. Whether you’re interested in learning more about feminization surgery, or wish to keep abreast of new developments and better therapies, you can turn to “The Facial Team” or “SimpleCare World Health” for all of your needs.

About The Facial Team.

Facial Team, was born on the union of Dr. Capitán (Spain) and Dr. Simon (Brazil) specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The aim of this union is to achieve excellence in the results through the advanced facial surgical techniques the “Facial Team has developed.

Where are we?

Facial Team’s main location is located in Marbella, Spain. All national surgeries are performed at the USP Hospital of Marbella (www.uspmarbella.com) where, thanks to its modern infrastructure and highly qualified medical staff, can perform major surgeries with a high level of safety and patient comfort.

Facial Team abroad

Thanks to the collaboration of prestigious international surgeons and SimpleCare World Health, Facial Team performs surgeries in EEUU (Miami-Florida) and Brazil (Sao Paulo-SP).

Facial Team Consultations

Facial Team performs free consultations in London, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Marbella. It is also possible to evaluate your case, very carefully, through e-mail or Skype where we will ask a series of photographs which will be treated with the highest confidentiality in base of Data Protection Law.

About SimpleCare Health Plan.

SIMPLECARE thru its international division “SimpleCare World Health” offers world-class private surgical and recuperative care to international medical travelers seeking high quality affordable treatment in a first world country-Spain Non-acute operations and medical procedures (such as orthopedic surgery, hip and knee replacements, cardiac surgery including coronary artery bypass and heart valve replacement, bariatric surgery ) are available for significantly less than what they would cost in other first world countries, especially the United States.

SIMPLECARE thru its national division “SimpleCare Health Plan” offers:

• No pre-exisiting medical exclusions
• No upper age limit and no related price increases after age 70
• Save up to 70% on Hospital and Physicians fees
• Treatment you can pay for when you need it
• Low excess calculated per claim
• Free GP consultation when you sign-up

When purchasing private medical insurance it’s essential to choose a scheme that not only meets your needs but also is available at the best price. SimpleCare’s affordable health scheme policy includes access to a network of world class medical professionals, state of the art hospitals and clinics for both out-patient and in-patient procedures. So if you want to avoid the National Health Service and Seguridad Social waiting, list, have access to facilities not available on the NHS and SS and benefit from hotel-standard services within a Hospital should you fall ill or need an operation, then you need to consider SimpleCare’s private medical scheme and sign-up today.

Even if you already have private medical insurance, we could save you up to 70% on services not covered due too pre-existing or chronic conditions not covered by your plan. When you sign-up we will top it off with a vouchers for a free GP consultation at one of our participating providers to say thanks.

SIMPLECARE
Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 72;  Edf. Golden, Portal B, 1ª Planta;
Marbella, Malaga 29601 Spain
simplecare@mac.com
www.simplecarehealthplan.com
www.simplecareworldhealth.com
Spain: 952 768 315
U.S.A: 1 800 281 3136