Cardinal Santos Medical Center embarks on major rehab, upgrade

Cardinal Santos Medical Center has embarked on a major rehabilitation and upgrade of its facilities in Greenhills, San Juan as it embarks on a medical tourism thrust and a more aggressive campaign to attract health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

According to Anna Villavicencio, division head for marketing and sales of CSMC, the hospital has embarked on a major renovation that is costing the Archdiocese of Manila more than P500 million.

The renovation would increase CSMC’s capacity from its current 123 beds/rooms to 178 beds/rooms.

CSMC, Villavicencio revealed, has tied up with the government of Micronesia, Guam and Saipan for medical tourism packages.

The arrangement has been operational since December last year.

Micronesians needing surgical treatment are referred by their government to CSMC where medical costs are much lower than if they were to be referred to medical facilities in Hawaii.

CSMC, Villavicencio elaborated, has a tie-up with Makati Palace Hotel where the referred patient can initially stay upon his arrival in the country before he enters CSMC for medical treatment.

After the treatment, the patient can then opt to recuperate at his hotel.

Aside from attracting medical tourists, CSMC has also launched a more aggressive campaign to attract HMOs which in the past had had differences with CSMC over a required bond to cover unpaid bills.

The bond requirement, Villavicencio explained, was necessary in the past because oCSMC has done away with the bond requirement and is now offering free space for one year for interested HMOs.

In fact, CSMC yesterday formally launched its renewed partnership with the HMOs.

Initially, five HMOs have agreed to tie up with CSMC. They are Medicard, MedPro, Intellicare, ValuCare and Caritas Health Shield.