Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Bacall Associates - Movepick Hotels & Resorts Gears Up for 2022 Football World Cup

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts (MHR) will operate a third property in Doha from next week – a strategic move that will capitalise on Qatar’s status as a world-class sports hub and host of the 2022 Football World Cup.

The upscale 139-room Movenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah Doha, located in the city’s internationally-renowned Aspire Zone, also known as Doha Sports City, will open its doors on 1 May, taking over the luxurious Victorian-style building currently occupied by Grand Heritage Hotel Doha.

The opening marks a Doha hat-trick for MHR, which already operates Movenpick Hotel Doha and Movenpick Hotel West Bay Doha, and will take the Swiss hospitality firm’s total Qatar inventory to more than 640 keys.

Movenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah Doha will not only be well-placed to host top-ranking international sports teams, with Aspire playing a critical role in the run up to the World Cup, but will also cater to corporate groups staging events at the nearby Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), now considered a regional hub for meetings and events.

“This property already has a loyal guest following and we look forward to building on this legacy, showcasing Movenpick’s unique style of Swiss hospitality,” said Mr. Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts Middle East and South Asia.

About Movenpick Hotels & Resorts:

Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, an international upscale hotel management company with over 16,000 staff members, is represented in 24 countries with 83 hotels, resorts and Nile cruisers currently in operation. Around 20 properties are planned or under construction, including those in Chiang Mai (Thailand), Bali (Indonesia) and Marrakech (Morocco).Focusing on expanding within its core markets of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts specialises in business and conference hotels, as well as holiday resorts, all reflecting a sense of place and respect for their local communities. Of Swiss heritage and with headquarters in central Switzerland (Baar), Movenpick Hotels & Resorts is passionate about delivering premium service and culinary enjoyment – all with a personal touch. Committed to supporting sustainable environments, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has become the most Green Globe-certified hotel company in the world. The hotel company is owned by Movenpick Holding (66.7%) and the Kingdom Group (33.3%). For more information, please visit www.movenpick.com.

For further information on Movenpick Hotels & Resorts please contact Zoe Slater (zoe@bacall.net) or Nat Frogley (nat@bacall.net) at Bacall Associates tel: +44 (0)20 7630 2880; www.bacallassociates.co.uk


Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Dr Howard Marans: Is Knee Arthritis Treatment Covered By Insurance?

The symptoms of arthritis can negatively affect daily living routines. Arthritis creates pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. When a person has arthritis in one or both knees, everyday activities become extremely difficult.

Knee Arthritis Treatment

Even though arthritis is incurable, finding options to manage the painful symptoms will aid in staying active. Various factors including the degree of degeneration will help determine the best type of knee arthritis treatment for each individual.


Medical Insurance

The costs of knee arthritis treatment will vary with each person’s particular insurance policy coverage. Calling the medical insurance provider’s customer service representative will help determine the amount of coverage a patient has for knee arthritis treatment. Each health insurance policy is different. Specific guidelines for knee arthritis treatment may need to be followed for the utmost medical insurance coverage compensation.

•Prior recommendation and referral from the family or primary physician
•The orthopedic specialists must be within the medical insurance care network
•Co-pays or deductibles may be part of the out of pocket costs as outlined in the insurance policy
•Non-surgical measures may first need to be implemented prior to surgery costs coverage

Non-Surgical Options

Under many insurance policies, surgical options are often viewed as the last resort in knee arthritis treatment. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in determining the type of individualized knee arthritis treatment.

Unless the degree of degeneration is too severe, a patient will typically begin treatment with non-surgical options to relieve the symptoms.

•Over the counter or prescription drugs to reduce inflammation and pain
•Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections
•Weight management to help reduce the pressure and stress on the knee joints
•Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee to help improve movement and flexibility
•Walking aids or a cane to help support stability during movement
•Knee brace to provide extra support

Surgical Options

If the non-surgical options do not yield the desired results, the next step in the knee arthritis treatment process is surgery. Knee joint replacement is one of the most effective methods used. The joint is removed and replaced with prosthesis. The costs vary with medical insurance guidelines and other contributing factors.

•Geographic location
•Length of hospital stay
•Type of prosthesis used
•Surgical approach
•Pre-existing medical conditions that may require specialized care
•Amount of time in the operating room
•Anesthesia costs
•Unanticipated medical care

Each component of treatment will add to one’s final medical expense. Without medical insurance or limited coverage, a knee joint replacement procedure could cost a patient over $50,000. Knowing the knee arthritis treatment options and following guidelines will help keep the costs manageable.

Located in Orange County, Dr. Howard Marans strives to return a patient back to a pain-free lifestyle. Dr. Marans will create an individualized knee treatment approach. Each step in the medical treatment program will be explained in great detail to allow the patient time to ask questions. Following each step of the patient’s progress, Dr. Marans will implement a precise execution for knee arthritis treatment approach.