In a bold move that promises to reshape the landscape of cross-border healthcare in the South Caucasus, ARDI Insurance JSC, one of Georgia’s premier insurance providers, and Liv Hospital Group, a globally recognized leader in premium healthcare based in Turkey, have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in Tbilisi at the Hotel Pullman, lays the foundation for an innovative collaboration aimed at expanding access to world-class medical services for Georgian patients.
At the core of this partnership is a shared vision to eliminate financial, logistical, and informational barriers that often prevent patients from seeking advanced care abroad. The partnership offers ARDI-insured individuals exclusive discounts and benefits at Liv Hospital facilities — including a 30% reduction on all medical services, waived robotic surgery fees, 50% off cancer screening programs, and seamless access to virtual consultations through the Healthverse PanoramicWEB platform.
Liv Hospital’s Commitment to Georgian Patients
Liv Hospital Group, founded in 2013 in Istanbul, has grown into one of Turkey’s most advanced hospital networks, combining cutting-edge medical technologies with personalized care across specialties like oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, regenerative medicine, and robotic surgery. Today, it operates six hospitals across Türkiye and four internationally — in London, Baku, Budapest, and Dubai.
Ms. Meri İstiroti, Group Coordinator of Liv Hospital Group, underscored the significance of Georgia as a strategic partner in Liv Hospital’s international vision:
“Georgian healthcare is also developing in parallel with the medical changes and innovations happening globally. We see a lot of collaboration on both sides — in medical education, through partnerships with local universities, Legal Hospital, and our colleagues in the Georgian medical community.”
According to İstiroti, while many Georgian patients choose to undergo treatment abroad due to access to advanced technologies and techniques, affordability remains the biggest barrier:
“As there are patients who prefer to have their treatments abroad, we believe ARDI Insurance will be a good partner for us. Even though we have other insurance agreements in place, ARDI has taken a courageous step forward — not only to facilitate insurance coverage but to ease patients’ lives by helping them afford medical treatment and diagnosis abroad.”
Making Robotic Surgery Accessible
Among the most significant elements of the partnership is the inclusion of robotic surgery — an area in which Liv Hospital is internationally recognized. Through the partnership with ARDI, patients are now able to access robotic procedures without paying additional fees, effectively leveling the cost with that of traditional laparoscopic surgeries.
As İstiroti explained, there has been no cultural resistance to robotic procedures among Georgian patients. Instead, the barrier has been largely economic:
“There’s no stigma at all. Once patients receive more information about the post-operative process — how quickly they recover, how minor the difficulties are compared to conventional surgeries — they prefer and want to utilize this technology. Especially in high-risk cases like cancer, if they can get better quicker and with fewer complications, of course they prefer to use it.”
She emphasized that this is exactly why Liv Hospital pursued a closer relationship with ARDI Insurance:
“It’s a financial challenge patients have to overcome. That’s why we made this step toward partnering with ARDI — so that our advanced surgical technologies are not just a privilege for a few, but a solution that ARDI-insured patients can realistically access.”
Patient Empowerment Through Digital Tools
A notable feature of the collaboration is the use of Healthverse PanoramicWEB, Liv Hospital’s augmented reality consultation platform. This digital tool provides prospective patients with a virtual experience of the hospital before they even leave Georgia. They can meet their doctor, consult with translators, and navigate the facilities — all online — making the eventual transition to treatment smoother and less intimidating.
“We are very happy that, as Liv Hospital Group, we are serving ARDI’s insurance holders with this new agreement,” İstiroti said. “We are offering significant discounts on treatments and diagnostics, and a 50% reduction for cancer screening programs. Through Healthverse PanoramicWEB, patients can connect with their doctors and translators, explore the hospital virtually, and get reliable information before deciding whether to come to Istanbul for treatment.”
ARDI Insurance: Bridging Borders for Georgian Healthcare
For ARDI Insurance, the partnership is part of a broader, long-term vision to provide cross-border medical access that is seamless, affordable, and customized to patient needs.
Mr. Mikheil Japaridze, General Director of ARDI Insurance, described the Liv partnership as a vital part of ARDI’s expanding international service strategy — one that has already seen a surge in patient interest and volume:
“See what the Lord has in store for us. The availability of services will increase among our partners. Yu’s Fault has now joined our partner network. I hope that the Russians will also help us, our insured, if necessary, to have more choice.”
In practical terms, the partnership with Liv Hospital addresses key logistical barriers, from travel and language to treatment navigation. ARDI has even had to expand staff to meet the growing demand for treatment abroad, especially in Türkiye:
“After launching our international services, we had to bring in an additional staff member just to manage the demand. There is a very high volume every day — the demand far exceeded our expectations.”
Japaridze emphasized the logistical coordination ARDI now provides — organizing flights, transfers, and translation services:
“There’s still a door barrier, a gate, a language barrier, a geographical barrier… Our team and our partners simplify those barriers. When people see that everything is arranged — the tickets, the transfers, the treatment — they feel more confident seeking care abroad.”
A Regional Model for Cross-Border Healthcare
While ARDI continues to explore additional partnerships in countries such as Israel and the United States, Turkey remains the most in-demand destination for Georgian patients due to its proximity and established medical infrastructure.
“Turkey is close, and there’s high demand. We also offer services within Georgia using the same insurance models, but the demand is clearly stronger for treatment in Türkiye. So we are responding directly to what our insured members are asking for.”
The strategic partnership between ARDI Insurance and Liv Hospital Group signals a new era in patient-centered, internationally integrated care. With shared values of innovation, transparency, and accessibility, the collaboration sets a precedent for how healthcare and insurance providers can work together to meet the rising demand for quality treatment abroad — without compromising affordability or experience.
It is a partnership not just built on services, but on the belief that every patient deserves a choice, and every barrier to treatment can — and should — be removed.
By Kesaria Katcharava
