MLC MEDICAL“We developed the program for primary healthcare; not just emergencies. We want them to able to call even if there is a small issue that they might otherwise ignore, because those are the problems that can turn into a big issue if not attended to quickly. We think that’s what is different about our pro-gram is that it involves an active wellness program. It means that healthcare services have to be rendered at sea. Medical solutions at sea are not just about answering an SOS call.” – Christina DeSimone, CEO of Future Care, Inc.improved programs for the prevention of illness and injury on the procedure. You get a worker that’s viable to return to work.”board and the ef? cient treatment of seafarers’ medical issues Using the Future Care model, the point of managed care is when these do occur. to supervise, but not provide care that is given. A quick return The initial study did have its limitations. These included the to ? t for duty status ultimately results in a reduction in mainte-absence of preliminary, initial health data associated with each nance and cure costs. That’s because there is a medical profes-mariner. Dr. Ra? Lefkowitz of the Yale School of Medicine sional managing and supervising the patient’s treatment with told MarPro in February, “One of the things that is limiting in the goal of getting the patient the best care which will reduce the preliminary study is that we don’t have data on all the crew his time under a physicians care. This also includes making on the ship that have not yet been hurt or injured. So, we have sure the patient is taking his medication, going to physical ther-statistics on the people that have experienced problems or had apy. Future Care case management commences the moment to call Future Care. The big lacking variable with seafarers is the illness through the providing of maximum care. DeSimone that people (shipowners / operators) don’t know who is on the adds, “In the case of a U.S. seaman who already has insurance, ships to begin with. We don’t (yet) understand the population we will monitor the rehabilitation of that mariner.” that is at risk and that’s exactly what we are trying to develop.” As many as 25,000 crewmembers are under the Future Care According to Future Care’s DeSimone, the shipowners them- umbrella at this time, with quality operators such as Teekay selves have to participate and share data. Manning agents will (120 vessels), Genco and General Maritime among their cli-be important, as well. Recently, Future Care and Yale were for- ents. As MLC talks about enhanced healthcare solutions, other tunate to obtain additional medical statistics covering 10,000 shipowners are being encouraged to provide a medical ? rst re-Filipino seafarers to add to the data. Once collated and ana- sponse plan. DeSimone wouldn’t estimate how much the new lyzed, newly secured conclusions will be released to industry. rules could impact the business, except to say that it would prob-ably increase as more owners look for ways to ramp up care for Future Care in Action crewmembers and demonstrate compliance with the law.Future Care's 24/7 First Response "Caring for the Crew" program provides the shipowner with opportunities for medi- Telemedicine Rede? nedcal cost containment, throughout the world. Future Care CEO Telemedicine isn’t a new concept. What’s different about the Christina DeSimone de? nes a managed care specialist as a Future Care approach is that it stresses prevention and primary company that uses medical expertise to manage a patient or in- healthcare, as well. Christina DeSimone says, “We developed jured worker back to maximum medical recovery with the best the program for primary healthcare; not just emergencies. We possible care in the right time frame. Future Care’s maritime want them to able to call even if there is a small issue that they solutions mean providing the crewmember the best care in the might otherwise ignore, because those are the problems that right time frame. She adds, “We will arrange with the medi- can turn into a big issue if not attended to quickly. We think cal facility as to what that means and ensure that it happens by that’s what is different about our program is that it involves monitoring the care. We minimize the disability by maximizing an active wellness program. It means that healthcare services 56 Maritime Professional 1Q 2014| | MP Q1 2014 50-63.indd 56 MP Q1 2014 50-63.indd 56 2/26/2014 1:34:48 PM2/26/2014 1:34:48 PM