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Despite high prices, Americas hospitals are still some of the best in the worldand for that reason they continue to attract well-heeled patients who travel from near and far. Mobile baby boomers, seeking out top specialists for procedures theyd rather not trust to their local hospitals, are traveling to these cutting-edge research hospitals, many of which have added hotel-like services such as "medical concierges" and offer special rates for patients and their families at adjacent hotels.
Here are just a few:
The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland (
www.clevelandclinic.org)
Best known for: urology, cardiac care, orthopedics, gynecology
Special perks for travelers: pagers to keep family members in touch with patients at all times; "medical concierges" to help out-of-town patients with everything from scheduling and confirming airline reservations to arranging visits to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; private security people on call 24/7.
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore (
www.hopkinsmedicine.org)
Best known for: cancer, hormonal disorders, eye and ear surgery, urology
Special perks for travelers: second-opinion appointments available for patients contemplating traveling to the hospital for longer-term care; guest-services staff who schedule appointments, assist with travel and accommodation arrangements, and obtain reduced rates at most hotels in downtown Baltimore for patients; "deluxe" accommodations available in the Marburg Pavilion.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York (
www.mskcc.org)
Best known for: cancer, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics
Special perks for travelers: Integrative medicine center, where patients can book massages and join yoga and tai chi classes at any time; patient care coordinators trained to help out-of-towners find whatever theyre looking for in Manhattan; in-house travel clinic.
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles (
www.medctr.ucla.edu)
Best known for: cancer, digestive disorders, ophthalmology, respiratory disorders
Special perks for travelers include: 800/UCLAMD1 hotline, a physician referral service; special visitor passes for patients and family members to work out at university gym, nondenominational spiritual counseling.
Copyright © 2008, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.
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