A Global Medical Tourism Congress and Expo focusing on Mexico as a medical destination will be in Puerto Vallarta on August 24-26, 2010.

Carlos Arceo, the Expo CEO, sees widespread interest. "As US Insurers take notice of US consumer interest in having costly medical procedures performed abroad due to prohibitive costs and long waits, Mexico is an attractive alternative medical setting," says Arceo.

To serve this growing interest, Arceo announces the formation of the Mexican Health Travel Association (www.MexHTA.org). "The past 3 years are remarkable for Mexico as there are now 8 hospitals with JCI international accreditation and 71 private hospitals with national certification," says Arceo. "Our association is a platform for the health travel industry for all of Mexico," says Arceo. "We are implementing a wide-reaching education strategy to highlight Mexico's health travel market," adds Arceo.

Mercury Healthcare, an international healthcare management company based in Denver, and Sekure Healthcare, a healthcare services firm based in San Diego, have been engaged to conduct monthly webinars over the next year that highlight capabilities and opportunities in the emerging Mexico Health Travel Market. Maria K Todd, MHA, PhD, CEO of Mercury Healthcare, applauds the formation of the Mexican Health Travel Association. "In today's global environment, many organizations and US Insurers seek information on quality, affordable medical options," says Todd.

Jim Arriola, CEO of Sekure Healthcare says, "When the first US insurers received regulatory approval to sell cross-border healthcare coverage in California 10 years ago, addressing quality assurance was arduous for insurers and state regulators." Arriola expects more US insurers will extend benefit coverage into Mexico as accreditations and certifications demonstrate quality and minimize risk management concerns.

The informative webinars start September 16 and are free to qualified attendees. Interested insurance representatives can register for the webinars at: www.MexHTA.org.