USA Medical Cost Negotiation and Repatriation Services

ICBC requires specialized services to support two distinct but related needs arising when customers receive medical care while travelling in the United States:

a) The U.S. healthcare system allows for medical bills to be negotiated and discounted, and engaging service providers with expertise in U.S. medical cost-containment can result in meaningful reductions in medical expenses. These services may include negotiating directly with medical providers, leveraging pre-arranged arrangements or provider networks, conducting itemized bill reviews to verify accuracy, and securing written confirmation of any approved discount amounts.

b) ICBC also requires medical repatriation services in situations where a customer must be transferred from a U.S. hospital to an appropriate healthcare facility in British Columbia. Such transfers can support continuity of care and reduce extended medical costs but involve complex coordination and specialized resources. This may include arranging bed‑to‑bed transfers, obtaining medical clearance for transport, coordinating air or ground transportation with qualified medical escorts, and ensuring the complete transfer of all relevant clinical documentation. In some circumstances, ICBC may also require support in repatriating foreign nationals to hospitals in their home countries.

ICBC is initiating a competitive procurement process to establish contractual arrangements that support consistent service delivery, and adherence to privacy and regulatory requirements. The NRFP is seeking qualified vendors capable of meeting the defined service levels, documentation standards, and compliance expectations necessary to support ICBC’s cost‑effective claims management and continuity of care objectives.