American Hospital Dubai Signs Agreement with Aetna

The American Hospital Dubai (UAE) has signed a direct-settlement agreement with Aetna International (Aetna; Hartford, CT, USA), a key healthcare third-party administrator (TPA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The agreement, which took effect on January 1, 2014, will enable more of Aetna’s cardholders to have easy access to its inpatient and outpatient services, without having to worry about paying in advance. The new agreement adds members of the Aetna-administered Healthy Aessentials – Pearl plan to the hospital’s direct-settlement TPA arrangement; treatments provided for Aetna cardholders with the International Healthcare Plan and Healthy Aessentials – Gold are already directly billed to Aetna.

“We are delighted to sign this new agreement and extend our broader services to thousands of additional Aetna healthcare cardholders in the UAE,” said David Farrick, acting CEO at the American Hospital Dubai. “Creating access to world-class healthcare services has been part of our mission since we opened in 1996, and TPA partners play an essential role in this process for the benefit of the community we serve.”

“As a major provider of healthcare coverage and administration for expatriates, we understand the importance of having high-quality medical facilities in our network of providers,” said Hisham Radwan, general manager of the Middle East and Africa at Aetna. “We are pleased to offer our cardholders in the UAE easy access to the American Hospital Dubai and seamless payment for the healthcare services they use.”

The American Hospital Dubai is a 187-bed, acute care, general medical/surgical private hospital with a multispecialty physician group practice, designed to provide a high quality, American standard of healthcare to the people of Dubai, the UAE, and the surrounding Gulf States. The hospital’s new bed tower is currently rolling out new facilities that will create an additional 197 beds in private rooms and suites, transforming the hospital into a 384-bed campus.

Recent developments at American Hospital Dubai include a new radiation therapy program using the advanced RapidArc technology, supporting the hospital’s Cancer Care Center. The newly expanded orthopedics and total joint replacement center now includes specialists in orthopedics, offering a comprehensive range of treatment options for adults and pediatrics, in addition to the rehabilitation services.

Awarded Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation in May 2000, American Hospital Dubai has successfully maintained its accreditation five times, up to April 2012. Together with the new facilities and services, the hospital is continuing ongoing physician recruitment plan, which will extend the number of American Board Certified (or equivalent) practicing physicians at the Hospital, to well over 100.

Related Links:
American Hospital Dubai
Aetna International 
Joint Commission International