FOR EMPLOYERS
Cut Healthcare Costs Without Cutting Benefits
Give your employees access to JCI-accredited hospitals in 20+ countries for major procedures at 60–80% less than US prices - with zero out-of-pocket for your team.
$38,000
Average employer savings per surgery
$0
Implementation fee
500+
JCI-verified hospitals
24/7
Patient support included
HOW IT WORKS
Medical Tourism as a Seamless Employee Benefit
STEP 01
Integrate with Your Health Plan
Acules works alongside your existing self-funded plan, PPO, or TPA arrangement. No plan restructuring required. We handle the coordination layer.
STEP 02
Employees Compare & Choose
When an employee faces a costly procedure, they use the Acules platform to compare JCI-accredited hospitals, view all-in costs, and make an informed decision.
STEP 03
Dedicated Coordinator Assigned
Every patient gets a personal coordinator who manages pre-travel logistics, physician communication, travel booking, and post-procedure follow-up.
STEP 04
You Pay Only for Completed Care
Employers pay a negotiated facility rate - typically 60–80% below US prices - only after the procedure is completed successfully.
COVERED PROCEDURES
The Surgeries Driving Your Biggest Claims
EMPLOYEE SUPPORT
Your Employees Are Never Alone
Acules provides a dedicated patient coordinator for every employee who travels for care. Coordinators handle everything from hospital paperwork to flight booking to post-procedure check-ins.
- ✓Pre-travel medical records coordination
- ✓Visa and flight assistance
- ✓Hospital-adjacent accommodation booking
- ✓On-ground local support in destination
- ✓Post-procedure follow-up care coordination
- ✓Translation services where needed
Legal & Compliance
Is this legal? Yes. ERISA plans and self-funded employers have broad flexibility to offer international care benefits. Many Fortune 500 companies and major health systems already do.
ADA compliance: Medical travel must be offered as a voluntary option, not a requirement. Acules is designed as an elective benefit layer.
HIPAA: Acules operates as a business associate under HIPAA when handling protected health information on behalf of self-funded plans.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Employer FAQ
Is offering medical tourism as a benefit legal?
Yes. Self-funded ERISA plans have broad discretion in designing benefits. International care benefits are an established practice used by employers ranging from small businesses to major corporations. Acules does not provide legal advice - consult your benefits counsel for plan-specific guidance.
Do employees pay out of pocket?
Under most employer arrangements, the employer covers the full cost of the procedure abroad (which is still far less than the domestic equivalent), and the employee pays nothing or a reduced copay. Specific cost-sharing is configurable per your plan design.
What procedures qualify?
Acules covers elective and semi-elective surgical procedures: orthopedic surgeries (knee, hip, spine), cardiac procedures, bariatric surgery, urological procedures, gynecological surgeries, fertility treatments, dental procedures, and ophthalmology. Emergency and trauma care is not covered.
What if an employee has a complication abroad?
All partner hospitals carry international malpractice insurance. Acules coordinates follow-up care with a local US provider upon return. The patient coordinator stays in contact throughout recovery. JCI-accredited hospitals have internationally benchmarked complication management protocols.
Ready to Reduce Your Healthcare Spend?
Schedule a 30-minute demo and see exactly how much your company could save.
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