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Agreement Allows Companion Global Healthcare Clients to Choose India

COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Clients of medical travel company Companion Global Healthcare Inc. can addIndia to their list of possible destinations for obtaining surgery and other medical care at a fraction of the U.S. cost.

The state-of-the-art Wockhardt Hospitals inMumbai andBangalore, both accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and affiliated with Harvard Medical International, have become the first two facilities inIndia accepted into Companion Global Healthcare's network of overseas hospitals, Companion Global Healthcare President David Boucher announced today.

Companion Global Healthcare, which helps self-insured employers and individuals access lower-cost health care overseas, now has affiliations with 10 hospitals located inIndia,Costa Rica,Singapore,Thailand,Turkey andIreland. All of the hospitals hold the prestigious JCI accreditation, and all have completed Companion Global Healthcare's extensive credentialing process.

Wockhardt (www.WockhardtHospitals.net) has established a special division to serve international patients. TheMumbai andBangalore facilities offer a variety of procedures, including hip replacement, hip resurfacing, knee replacement, cardiac surgeries and spinal surgery. Their physicians in these specialties are backed by new-generation technology and nursing care. Private rooms in the hospitals are equipped with computers, high-speed Internet access, televisions and DVD players.

"A self-insured company can save tens of thousands of dollars if just one of its employees elects to have surgery at a fully credentialed Companion Global Healthcare network facility, and the employee can save thousands in out-of-pocket costs," Boucher said. "The addition of Wockhardt Hospitals to our network gives our clients more outstanding options if they are considering going abroad for care."

"International patients have experienced in our services excellent clinical outcomes with personalized care at highly affordable costs," Wockhardt Hospitals CEO Vishal Bali said. "Over the past 18 years we have built an evolved health care system inIndia that matches global benchmarks in patient care."

"We are extremely proud of our JCI accreditation and our affiliation with Harvard Medical International, which gives us access to Harvard Medical School's experience and expertise in patient care."

About Companion Global Healthcare

Companion Global Healthcare (www.CompanionGlobalHealthcare.com), headquartered inColumbia, S.C., provides assistance to clients who travel to its network hospitals around the world, serving as a single launch point for appointments, travel arrangements, case management, assistance with claims filing, and help in arranging follow-up care inthe United States.

The company serves uninsured and underinsured individuals, as well as employers and insurance companies that have included the Companion Global Healthcare network in their benefit plans. All BlueCross BlueShield ofSouth Carolina and BlueChoice HealthPlan ofSouth Carolina members have access to Companion Global Healthcare's services.

BlueCross BlueShield ofSouth Carolina and BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina Inc., both headquartered inColumbia, S.C., are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Companion Global Healthcare is a separate company that does not offer BlueCross BlueShield ofSouth Carolina or BlueChoice HealthPlan products. Companion Global Healthcare is solely responsible.

SOURCE Companion Global Healthcare