SERVICES OVERVIEW

WorldCare’s Second Opinion e-Consultation Services are rendered by The WorldCare ConsortiumSM. These Services enable patients to receive specialist input in collaboration with their local attending physician without the expense and anxiety of leaving home.

By providing access to the world's best medical specialists, Second Opinion e-Consultation enhances the patient's trust and confidence in their physicians. e-Consultation also facilitates the collegial exchange of information among physicians.

The value of Second Opinion e-Consultation to life insurance companies is on the rise. Second opinions are becoming a key and an integral tool in the medical insurance screening process. Second medical opinions can reduce the risks involved in insuring lives, hence improving profitability.


SERVICES

Tele-Radiology Consultation (TRC)
Expert diagnosis and interpretation of radiology images including but not limited to x-ray, CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine.

Tele-Pathology Consultation (TPC)
Expert diagnosis and interpretation of pathology slides.

Patient Management Consultation (PMC)
Expert diagnosis for patient conditions and provision of patient treatment recommendations for all major medical specialties. These cases are reviewed by specialist(s) and sub-specialists(s). Cases may include radiology images and/or pathology slides and other needed investigations. Pathology special staining is at extra cost.

Managed Referral (MR)
Includes but not limited to assistance when necessary for a patient referred to WorldCare Consortium Hospitals in locating the appropriate specialist and sub-specialist for treatment and arranging appointments and rehabilitation.


PROCESS

WorldCare’s Second Opinion e-Consultation Services utilize FDA cleared wavelet compression technology and encryption to digitize and securely transmit diagnostic quality medical images and text via WorldCare’s proprietary telecommunications infrastructure, The WorldCare Global e-Health NetworkSM.

Utilizing encryption technology, following rigorous quality control and quality assurance protocols WorldCare telemedicine coordinators/physicians consultants, digitize and transmit a patient’s medical records, including medical imaging, laboratory reports and history and physical to WorldCare’s Hub in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Tissue specimens and hard copy radiology are separately couriered as necessary. Upon arrival, a WorldCare e-Consultation coordinator evaluates the medical record and other pertinent information to ensure the quality of the information. WorldCare transmits the medical information to one of the Consortium hospitals. Depending upon the complexity of the case, the consulting physician(s) then reviews the medical record and develops a consultation report within 3-4 workdays. The consultation report is transmitted to the US WorldCare Hub where the WorldCare coordinator ensures all information is consistent with the initiated request. The consultation report is then transmitted to the Regional WorldCare Hub where it is forwarded to the requesting physician.

The requesting physician remains responsible for the patient’s care and is responsible for evaluating the report and communicating any information in the report to the patient.


GETTING STARTED

Personalized Service

The WorldCare Service is directed and managed by our staff of experienced, caring health professionals. They oversee the entire Second-Medical-Opinion Process.

Ordering a Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation is easy. Following is a description of how to help your doctor order WorldCare's Service.

Once you decide to ask your doctor to obtain a Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation through the Consortium, it's easy to get your medical information to the Consortium doctor using WorldCare Services. Just follow the five (5) steps below.


1. Work with your Doctor

• Ask your doctor to compile and release your relevant medical records, imaging, pathology and laboratory records (if applicable). Here is a list of the medical information we need to start the Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation Process.
  
  
  • A) Medical Information Needed to Start the Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation Process:
    
    • Medical records
    • Imaging studies (for example - X-ray, MRI, CT)
    • Laboratory reports
    • Pathology slides/blocks
    • Signed medical consent form (download pdf)
      
• WorldCare is equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware for digitizing, encrypting and securely transmitting the information, using intelligent routing algorithms to the WorldCare Hub in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
  
  
  • B) Contact Information

• C) Supporting Data
  
• We also need the following medical information to ensure your request is processed quickly and accurately. In order to realize full benefits from our Services, the following information should be submitted as an entire case record:
  
  • Specific reasons for consultation
  • Detailed history of present illness, including dates/chronology
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Detailed medical history, including dates of:
    
    • Illnesses
    • Surgeries
    • Medications
    • Allergies
    • Chronic problems
    • Habits
    • Other relevant information concerning the patient
      
  • Diagnostics:
    
    • Imaging studies
    • Laboratory slides/blocks
    • Laboratory reports
    • Current medications listed by generic compound name
    • Current treatment plan
    • Pertinent family history
    • Any other pertinent history
      
  • Any particular questions the patient or the physician want addressed
    
• Discuss your questions with your doctor. He or she will have the opportunity to ask specific questions in the Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation Patient Chart. The more specific the questions, the more detailed the information you will receive.

2. Have your Records Translated
All the records must be submitted to us in English. If necessary, have a translation service you know do this, or consider:

3. Sign Consent Form
Print out and read the Patient Medical Consent and Waiver Form (download pdf). The patient needs to sign the form and return it with the request for a Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation.

4. Mail to WorldCare
Notify us by e-mail at patient Services@worldcare.com when you are ready to send your information or contact your nearest WorldCare Hub. We will need the consent form, the medical information compiled by the doctor, and the questions you want answered. Send the package via an international courier to the most convenient WorldCare office (See Global Offices). More information on how to use DHL Delivery Services

5. Arrange Payment
In cases where third-party/insurance reimbursement is applicable, the patient is responsible for collection from the insurance company unless the insurance company is a client of WorldCare.


CASE MANAGEMENT PROCESS (DETAILED INFORMATION)

• Contact nearest Regional WorldCare Second Opinion Medical e-Consultation Coordinator who will initiate the WorldCare Case Management Process (See Global Offices).
  
• Compile all appropriate medical information.
  
• Once your information is received at the Regional WorldCare, an electronic patient record is created and entered into the WorldCare Telemanager database.
  
• The electronic file is encrypted and transmitted via a secure virtual private network to the U.S. WorldCare and evaluated by a WorldCare e-Consultation coordinator for quality assurance.
  
• WorldCare transmits the record to one of the Consortium hospitals, determined on a rotating basis (unless only one hospital provides the applicable specialty, or a specific hospital is requested by the requesting physician).
  
• The Telemedicine Coordinator at each Consortium member hospital receives the file and forwards it to the appropriate specialist/subspecialist.
  
• The consulting physician reviews the file and develops a consultative report within 3 workdays*. (*Workday is Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm EST).
  
• The consultative report is transmitted to the U.S. WorldCare Hub and uploaded to the database where a WorldCare e-Consultation coordinator ensures all information is received in a timely manner.
  
• The consultative report is transmitted to the Regional WorldCare Hub.
  
• The consultative report is forwarded to the requesting physician. The requesting physician remains responsible for the patient’s primary diagnosis, and is responsible for evaluating the report and communicating any information in the report to the patient.
  
• The WorldCare Regional Hub follows up to confirm receipt of report by the patient and by the physician.
  

TESTIMONIALS

Patience, understanding, discretion and professionalism
"All my doctor had to do was write down a medical history. The staff of WorldCare made it easy for me…and explained the procedure…It is so important to have such health services available. Thus, one has access to the university hospitals known for their medical excellence. I would like to thank WorldCare, especially for their patience, understanding, discretion and professionalism…I would never hesitate to use their services again."

Professional and high-quality service
"I was relieved when I discovered that I was well followed and treated by a doctor who is connected to highly qualified hospitals in the States, and well known for their experience research centers…I was amazed by the professionalism and the high quality of the service provided by WorldCare. I strongly recommend any person suffering from a serious disease to use their services that are unique."

The second medical opinion was essential
"Apart from the relief I felt, the second medical opinion was essential to evaluate and treat my case. I was not wrong, since the US specialist suggested a real planning of work and therapy, which were of real value to my diagnosis and treatment…I was lucky to have access to a valuable medical opinion, without the need of travel. A real saving of money, on top of the right treatment. If needed, I will surely ask for the services of WorldCare, again and again."

Quality of services and human relationship
"Today, I feel much better. I am sure that, together with my doctor, we shall keep in touch with the consultant for any further inquiry concerning my disease…I seize this opportunity to thank the WorldCare staff for the quality of their services and the human relationship they have with the patient."

Exceptional services
"My doctor introduced me to WorldCare as it is the only company…which provides such exceptional services…The second medical opinion helped me in having access to the best medical technology while being treated at home by my own doctor…I highly recommend the services of WorldCare."

Avant-garde, highly technological, yet humane
"…It is this avant-garde highly technological yet humane and professional service that WorldCare provides, which made all the difference to my family… As a professional who is involved in international medicine as well, I have to commend…WorldCare for the excellence and continued improvements that you always bring to this profession."

SPECIAL GROUP PROGRAMS - SECOND OPINION

WorldCare has developed special group programs through which health plans, life insurance companies, employers, credit card companies and others may provide access to consultations through the WorldCare Consortium members to their customers, members, employees or others at group rates. Under these programs, group members receive Second Opinion e-Consultations from WorldCare's outstanding Consortium hospitals. Go to Getting Started for more information about consultations and how to request one.

If your health or life insurance firm or credit card company does not offer one of our group programs, please make them aware of this program. If you would like us to contact your health plan, life insurance company, employer, credit card company or other group, we would be happy to let them know about us.


CONDITIONS AND DISEASES INCLUDED IN TYPICAL PROGRAMS

• Cancer
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke-related conditions
• Renal failure
• Blindness
• Burns
• Organ transplantation
• Neuro-degenerative diseases
• Any pathology that may lead to amputation
• Life-threatening conditions
  

Insurance Companies that Offer WorldCare Coverage Plans:

AIG (ALICO,AMSLICO )
Banmedica, Chile
Bancomer, Mexico
BMI, Florida